When Ne-Yo first came to Nashville in 2012 to record “She Is” with Tim McGraw for Ne-Yo’s album R.E.D., he says he immediately connected with the city’s relaxed writing and recording style.
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“That’s when I realized it’s done a little different in Nashville,” Ne-Yo tells Billboard. “I was expecting to pull up to a studio, but I pulled up to Tim and Faith [Hill]’s home. Tim’s at the door with no shoes on. Faith is in the kitchen, and she made food for everybody, and we just sat in the living room and talked about life and songs. Tim’s always been super supportive of me, just an all-around good dude.”
With his first full-fledged, country-inspired album Highway 79, which released July 10 on HSG Ventures/10K Projects, Ne-Yo set out to recreate that same laid-back feel in the studio. “I was like, ‘I want that vibe all over again,’” he says.
