America’s 250th Birthday: Celebrating Through Art and Music
As America approaches its 250th birthday, it’s essential to appreciate the role of art, culture, and storytelling in our history. In a special initiative, we connected with talented songwriters and artists from Nashville. We asked them to compose original songs that express their feelings about America. You can witness the acoustic performance of these fresh tracks for the very first time. In collaboration with SiriusXM, we’re set to air a special broadcast featuring these songs leading up to July 4th. We’re excited to share what we’ve named the “American Soundtrack.”
One of the foundational goals of our organization has always been to amplify the voices that often go unheard. Kentucky-born artist Mary Kutter embodies this mission. Known for straight-from-the-heart storytelling, she aims to sing what others might shy away from, blending country and rock. With over 13 million streams and 547 million plays under her belt, she hasn’t yet released an album. However, she’s penned tracks for leading country artists, including Nate Smith and Bailey Zimmerman, achieving success with hits like Smith’s “Wreckage.” “I’ve never ventured into radio,” she mentioned, yet she’s still made a mark in the industry.
Joining this project, Grammy-nominated songwriter Michael Dulaney brings an impressive resume, with over 150 cuts and multiple number-one hits recorded by major country icons like Jason Aldean, Faith Hill, and Kelly McEntire. Emerging songwriter and producer Cooper Bascom, having signed a publishing agreement with Peer Music, also contributes his unique voice. Together, they crafted a heartfelt tribute that acknowledges the imperfections of our country, reminding listeners with lyrics like, “For all the dreams you planted in your fields, it’s worth the rain.”
Kutter set a warm tone in the studio by praising Dulaney as a guiding figure. “He’s been a blessing—a genuinely talented and humble person,” she said. In a lighthearted moment, both she and Bascom joked about feeling like “puppies” in Dulaney’s creative presence. Bascom shared how Dulaney entered the studio with an inspirational song idea, viewing a birthday not as an end, but as a beginning filled with potential. “So, it’s essential to embrace America from that vantage point,” he reflected.
What’s remarkable is how a seasoned songwriter like Dulaney collaborates with younger talents who share a passion for country music, resulting in beautiful songs like “Your Birthday.”
Your Birthday
Authors: Michael Dulaney, Cooper Bascom, Mary Kutter
Performers: Mary Kutter, Cooper Bascom
It’s your birthday
Is getting older a blessing or a curse?
Are you content wherever you find yourself?
Or do you long for the past?
Please share your truth.
It’s your birthday
Through every good intention and mistake,
I hope you know my world is brighter thanks to you.
It’s all your doing.
I’ve always heard that nothing lasts forever.
Yet somehow, each year, you prove them wrong,
Navigating experiences filled with turmoil and triumph,
You stand here with grace,
Continuing to grow stronger.
On your birthday
Gaze at the purple mountains and golden waves,
They still evoke pride and awe,
Pour the champagne.
On your birthday
When you look back, can you see your achievements?
For all the dreams you’ve nurtured,
It’s worth every drop of rain.
When I’m gone,
I hope you carry on,
Stay strong and keep pushing forward,
Time and time again.
The same words ring true:
Nothing lasts forever,
Yet, each year, you prove them wrong.
You endure through trials and moments of glory,
Standing tall with resilience,
Continuing to grow.
