Rob Wheeler’s “Leave Tomorrow”: A Nashville Pilgrimage and a Northern Soul’s Revelation
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Rob Wheeler, a Northern country artist with a soul forged in the grey landscapes of Cheshire, is set to release his deeply personal and evocative album, “Leave Tomorrow,” on June 6th, 2025. This record, born from a transformative four-month sojourn in Nashville, Tennessee, marks a significant chapter in Wheeler’s artistic journey, a culmination of his lifelong love affair with American country music and a testament to his resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
“Leave Tomorrow” is not simply a collection of songs; it’s a narrative woven from the threads of Wheeler’s experiences, his dreams, and his hard-won wisdom. It’s a sonic tapestry that blends the raw honesty of his Northern roots with the polished craftsmanship of Nashville’s seasoned musicians. The album features collaborations with Grammy-nominated songwriters Jeff Trott, Steve Dorff, and Frank Liddell, a testament to Wheeler’s growing reputation and the respect he commands within the industry.
For Wheeler, growing up in the North West of England, Nashville was a mythical land, a beacon of musical aspiration, much like Hollywood for aspiring actors. His childhood was soundtracked by the legendary voices of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and The Eagles, providing an escape from the mundanity of his surroundings. “My American heroes sang about cowboys and horses, desperados and drifters; but I write and sing about what I see from my own window and how it feels from my point of view,” Wheeler explains, highlighting the unique blend of American musical influence and his distinctly British perspective that defines his sound.
The album’s title track, “Leave Tomorrow,” sets the stage for this introspective journey. With its earnest lyrics, “I say we leave tomorrow, and we don’t come back again…,” the song speaks to the universal desire for escape, for breaking free from the prescribed path. This theme is further explored in “My Nashville Song,” where the roar of an airplane and the smooth slide guitar symbolize Wheeler’s acceptance of his roots while defiantly challenging those who doubted his ambitions.
Hope, a recurring motif in country music, permeates “Leave Tomorrow.” “I’m Not Afraid to Fall” is a cinematic anthem, its soaring chorus and layered instrumentation evoking the spirit of a road trip, a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery. “Throw a Little Light My Way,” a gentle and impassioned ballad, showcases Wheeler’s “Northern Country” style, blending his evocative vocals with stirring strings to express the longing for light in the face of life’s grey doldrums.
The album also delves into darker themes, exploring the complexities of human experience. “Why Whisky Why?” is a self-deprecating reflection on the weariness of addiction, while “Warning” confronts those who have wronged him with a raw and unfiltered honesty. Wheeler’s ability to craft compelling narratives through his lyrics and melodies is evident in tracks like the swelling “Whisper,” the tender “Something About Your Eyes,” and the poignant “Goodbye Summer,” a moving farewell to lost youth and the passage of time.
“Leave Tomorrow” is a testament to Wheeler’s growth as an artist and as a person. He acknowledges the album’s exploration of “overcoming the fear of not being good enough and realizing what being good enough actually means,” a sentiment rooted in his own turbulent past. The expansive ballad “When You Can’t Let Go,” featuring the vocals of Marla Cannon-Goodman, and the closing track “Mount Juliet,” a heartfelt ode to the Nashville suburb, showcase his exceptional songcraft and his ability to connect with listeners on a deeply emotional level.
Wheeler emphasizes the album’s depth and hidden meanings, drawing on Hemingway’s iceberg theory to illustrate that “the deeper meanings are not always evident at the surface.” He invites listeners to discover their own interpretations, to find personal resonance within the lyrics and melodies.
A Journey of Resilience:
Rob Wheeler’s journey is one of resilience and redemption. Raised by a single mother in Cheshire, he pursued his musical dreams, attending music college and touring with various bands. However, a devastating medical diagnosis threatened to derail his aspirations, leading to a period of self-destruction and despair.
With the support of therapy and loved ones, Wheeler found his way back to music, releasing his debut album, “A Little Ghost Full of Songs,” in 2018. His follow-up, “Ten Embers,” produced during the pandemic, further solidified his reputation, leading to collaborations with Nashville session musicians and a songwriting agreement with Bucks Music Group.
Jonathan Tester, head of sync at Bucks Music Group, praised Wheeler’s “approach to songwriting [which] is to grab a guitar and pour his heart out,” highlighting his “drive and commitment to his craft.”
As Rob Wheeler prepares to release “Leave Tomorrow,” he stands on the cusp of a new chapter in his career. This album, born from a pilgrimage to Nashville and shaped by his unique blend of Northern grit and Southern soul, is poised to resonate with audiences around the world. Fans should be on the lookout for upcoming UK tour dates, which will be announced shortly.