Ian Flanigan Interview
by Big Al Weekley for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
Singer, songwriter, and professional nomad Ian Flanigan had already been living a troubadour life, touring full time for a decade when the pandemic hit. Desperate times called for radical measures, and Flanigan’s final gig in February 2020 was an unintended audition at a Nashville honky-tonk in front of talent scouts for NBC’s The Voice. His unique, whiskey-and-cigarettes voice won the show’s producers over and he was off to Los Angeles. Following a third-place finish on the show, Flanigan had bonded deeply with his then-mentor, now-collaborator Blake Shelton. Together they sang and released the duet “Grow Up,” Flanigan’s single about feeling young no matter how old you are. Shelton said that Flanigan had “the most unique voice maybe I’ve ever heard on The Voice.” Usher called him a “top gun.” Gwen Stefani said, “nobody has a voice that sounds like that, it’s just so rare.”
Flanigan had launched a new chapter of his career, signing with Reviver Music for an opportunity to pursue recording and songwriting at the highest level. Flanigan then spent a year honing a country sound to compliment his unique voice, captured on an 11-song album entitled Strong, released September 2, 2022, on Reviver Music. The production team is star and Grammy-studded, including Todd Lombardo and Craig Alvin (Kacey Musgraves, Will Hoge), Obie O’Brien and Phil Nicolo (Bon Jovi, Sting, Billy Joel), and Ryan Rossebo. Flanigan and Rossebo collaborated with Barrett Baber to pen the lead single, a playful devotional love song
called “Last Name On It.”
Flanigan also keeps his eye on life’s bigger picture. Celebrating 5 years of sobriety and commitment to being there for others, he serves on the advisory board of Hope Rocks, the New York organization that supports those who are struggling with addiction, depression, and social isolation. Today you will still find Ian and his family on the road, navigating the backroads and boulevards of the American dream. Through it all, his faith in his family, his faith in himself and the faith he maintains in the path set out before him knows no boundary.
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