A little under two years ago, Breitbart News heard a song that was starting to go viral on Tik Tok. InstagramWe didn’t have a fancy music video or any money. Just one of the co-writers, Michael FarrenHe was sitting outside his trailer in rural Tennessee with his acoustic guitar. Phalen, Ken Hartand Garrett Jacobswas enough to make listeners reach for a box of tissues… and then reach for their phone to call their dad or look for a message from their late father.check-in.”
Breitbart decided to feature this little singing journey and readers responded.
It was a relatively short period of time considering the number of years in Nashville. “check-in” after that, Curve Recordtwo big name artists came together. Lee Brice and For King and Countryand released the song as part of a soundtrack inspired by the film. Unknown Hero.
Farren joined fellow Nashville hitmakers Jeffrey Steele and Neil Thrasher as part of Breitbart/SiriusXM’s American Songwriter special to explain the song’s origins in the clip above, and deliver a moving performance that serves as a fresh reminder of the importance of staying connected. Phalen She told host Mike Slater, “In our culture, it’s so distant and busy and chaotic, but at some point you have to stop and say, ‘No, let’s lean into what’s most important,’ and that’s the relationships that God gave us.”
Phalenhas just released his own version.check-in” he said, giving Breitbart some insight into why it’s important to do so. check-in Personally, I wrote this song because I wanted to honor my father. He went into kidney failure and was on the donor list for three years, and things weren’t looking good. My father and I have always been close, but struggling with what seemed almost inevitable has changed how I see things. Thankfully, my father had a miracle about 10 months ago and is doing well. I’m not going to waste a second of this chance. When he calls, I’ll do everything in my power to answer the phone.”
