Reason to Believe

"Reason to Believe" is the first single release from the 2021 album "Better Days" from Michael Hearne, one of the most beloved singer-songwriter-guitarists performing in the Southwest today. His instantly recognizable “whiskey-velvet voice”, as friend Eliza Gilkyson describes it, combined with his impeccable musical instincts, inspired songwriting, and instrumental virtuosity form as complete a musical assemblage as you will find in any country/ folk/Americana artist today.

In some ways, it feels funny to be sending out a cover song as a single from as fine a songwriter as Michael Hearne. But we’ve gotten so many rave reviews of Michael’s treatment of this Tim Hardin gem, that we felt compelled to share it more widely. One of Hearne’s most obvious gifts is his interpretive ability - once you hear him do someone else’s song, chances are that his version will become your favorite, and the one to which you compare all others.

Michael’s reading of this classic begins with his trademark flatpick-plus- fingerpicked rendering of the melody instrumentally, accompanied by an ambient electric guitar, from co-producer Don Richmond. Hearne’s soaring vocal is joined by the sweet harmony of Kelley Mickwee, one of Austin’s vocal stars (Shinyribs, The Trishas). The foundational bass and percussion is laid down by Richmond, along with the atmospheric pedal steel.
Better Days is an 11 song collection of Michael’s originals and select covers, released in early 2021 by Howlin’ Dog Records.

Michael Hearne - acoustic guitar, lead vocal; Don Richmond - electric guitar, bass, cajon, pedal steel; Kelley Mickwee - harmony vocal
Produced by Michael Hearne and Don Richmond
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Don Richmond at Howlin’ Dog Records, Alamosa, Colorado