Candi Carpenter, ‘Cry Baby’ [Exclusive Premiere]

Country traditionalist Candi Carpenter is premiering her new song "Cry Baby," and its music video, exclusively for readers of The Boot. Press play above to watch.

Syrupy pedal steel pairs with Carpenter's rich timbre and soaring high notes on "Cry Baby." The track is inspired by the artist's first few months in Nashville; she moved to Music City at the age of 15.

"The stages of bars and honky-tonk dives became my classroom," Carpenter tells The Boot. "I wanted to write a song that captured the way I felt as a teenage girl on those smoky, neon nights."

Carpenter wrote "Cry Baby" with her friend Emma Grandillo and guitarist, songwriter and producer Frank Romano. She says the song "just happened, and it almost felt like magic." Directed by Logen Christopher, the "Cry Baby" music video features Carpenter and Romano performing the song in Romano's living room.

Carpenter comes by her vintage country inspiration honestly: As a teenager, she toured with Grand Ole Opry member and CMA Awards winner Jack Greene.

"I had the opportunity to perform with other icons like Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner and Jean Shepard. I learned so much watching my heroes onstage, and I still live by the advice that they gave me," Carpenter says."Patsy Cline is one of my biggest influences, and “Cry Baby” pays homage not only to her, but also to my traditional country background."

In addition to this "Cry Baby" music video, Carpenter is taking a modern approach to a second clip for the song: She wants fans to send in videos of them lip-syncing the tune for a lyric video, to be released this spring. Those interested can e-mail submissions to TeamCandiLand@gmail.com, with a note stating that Carpenter can use the clip. Fans are also encouraged to share their videos on social media.

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