Jimmie Allen, Brad Paisley notch No 1

“Freedom Was a Highway” is on Bettie James Gold Edition

Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley have scored a No. 1 hit with “Freedom Was A Highway.” The track hits the top spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase charts, landing Allen his third No. 1 and Paisley the 25th of his career.

The song is Allen’s current single off his 2021 star-studded album Bettie James Gold Edition with his friend – and country music superstar – Brad Paisley. The breezy, windows down track was co-written by Allen, Ash Bowers & Matt Rogers and features an unmistakable, signature Paisley guitar solo. Allen and Paisley’s vocals pair to reminisce about the nostalgia and simplicity of more carefree, youthful days. Allen co-directed the video with Christopher Beyrooty.

“This song is super special to me. I wrote it about the streets I grew up driving on in Milton and Lewes, Delaware. It has been amazing to see the song connect with so many people. A huge thank you to my friends at country radio and my Stoney Creek team,” Allen tells Billboard of the collaboration. “Working with Brad was great. I have been a fan of him since his career started and have always wanted to work with him. I’m honored to call him a collaborator and friend. Also, he crushed that guitar solo and then vocals!”

“Couldn’t be prouder to ride shotgun on this record with Jimmie,” states Paisley. “I’ll be the Sally Fields to his Burt Reynolds anytime.”

“Freedom Was A Highway” marks Allen’s third career chart-topping single, following “Make Me Want To” in March 2020 and “Best Shot” in November 2018, both from his debut album Mercury Lane. Allen and Paisley have graced the stage together to perform the track on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, and the 56th Annual ACM Awards – where Paisley surprised Allen mid-performance.

The accolade adds to a growing list of achievements in 2022 for Allen, including a Best New Artist nomination at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards, an Outstanding New Artist nomination at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards, a Male Artist of the Year at the 57th ACM Awards (of which he will co-host alongside Dolly Parton & Gabby Barrett), inclusion in The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s upcoming American Currents: State of the Music exhibit, and a sold out start to the Down Home Tour – his first ever solo headline tour. Allen is also the reigning CMA New Artist of the Year and ACM New Male Artist of the Year.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com