Matt Stell is leaning into the country sound fans know and love with his new single, “Where I’ll Be.”
Stell tells Country Now that the song was inspired by a couple of friends from his hometown who two dated throughout high school before going their separate ways when the woman left for college. Eventually, they found their way back to each other and even with that time apart, it all worked out in the end.
“Long story short, they’re happily married with kids close to the place they grew up,” he explained.
This inspiration really began to come to fruition during a conversation between Stell and some songwriter friends, Spencer Jordan, Cole Miracle, and Brett Truitt, who also discovered a shared interest in beloved country music singer/songwriter, Chris Knight. Stell notes that he has been a fan of Knight’s work for the last 15 years and even sees him as a GOAT (greatest of all time).
“He had a song that Montgomery Gentry cut back in the day that said, ‘she changed her mind when she couldn’t change me.’ Another songwriter in the room started talking about a girlfriend at the time who had left their hometown to go chase her dreams, but eventually she made it back. So that’s where this song came from…Trying to channel one of the great ones and trying to tell a true story,” he explained.
Stell went on to say that he truly appreciates Knight’s craft and the way he is able to “say so much without being complicated” within a song. That straightforward approach was something Stell wanted to channel in his own music.
“He gets the most out of every word and melody and to me that’s the mark of a great songwriter.”
Throughout the upbeat track, the Arkansas native paints a picture of small-town life while portraying the story of a woman who leaves home to chase her dreams at the center of it all. The song describes a woman who has left the country life for the city, but Stell makes it clear that there will always be a place waiting for her back home whenever she’s ready to return to her roots.
The song clearly plays off the idea that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, as Stell highlights the things that make home special, from the farm and the woods to the local bar, his truck and his favorite fishing hole. Stell celebrates all these simple life joys through his gritty, warm vocals that surround a modern country production. “Where I’ll Be” delivers the kind of effortless storytelling and catchy melody that makes it an instant earworm. It is undeniably country at its core and offers the kind of beat that begs listeners to turn it up.
“I’ll be sitting on the front porch sippin’ out a jug with some mud on my Red Wings, baby/ I’ll be fishing in the same hole living like a king/Ain’t a thing in the world gon’ change me/ If it ain’t all that you thought it’d be/ If the grass ain’t greener where the tea ain’t sweet/ If some back on the backroad’s what you need/ Well, that’s where I’ve been, and that’s where I’ll be.”
When asked if fans can expect a visualizer to accompany the track, Stell confirmed, “You sure can.” The visualizer captures the country act enjoying the slower pace of life in the countryside, playing cards, cracking open a few cold ones and taking in the simple moments that bring a feeling of peace and happiness.
“Where I’ll Be” also serves as a preview of what the next chapter of music will look and sound like for Matt Stell. He confirmed that there is “absolutely” more in the works as he has been tapping into stories inspired by some major shifts in his life and career recently.
“I’ve always tried to be true to what I’m into musically at the time and also to what’s going on in my life and the world. And I’ve had some big changes lately so I feel like I have a lot to write about,” he admitted.
Stell recently signed with Black River Entertainment, a partnership that he instantly knew would be a “great match” and so far it seems he has already been proven right. The deal was publicly announced on May 26, 2026, and his first release with the label was “Better Angels,” a collaboration with NE-YO that dropped May 29.
“They’re pros and they’re interested in working on passion projects. Their process matches their values. It’s a great fit all around.”
The biggest adjustment has been welcoming his first baby with his wife and “best friend” Kasey. The couple revealed on July 14 that they secretly welcomed their first child, a baby boy, earlier this year.
Along the way, he has gained a whole new perspective and that has started to impact his creativity as well, something fans will likely hear on the upcoming project.
Matt Stell will celebrate the new release just a few days later at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on September 8.
The post Matt Stell Talks New Single ‘Where I’ll Be’ and the Hometown Story That Inspired It appeared first on Country Now.
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