Atlanta singer-songwriter Baylee Littrell is coming home on Thursday, Aug. 28 to headline a show at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. Littrell will bring his newest single, “Hey Jesus,” and showcase his blend of indie, country, pop, and rock music.
“Hey Jesus” took off when Littrell performed it live during the 23rd season of “American Idol.” The track is inspired by the death of his grandmother and a personal crisis of faith. According to a spokesperson, the video of Littrell singing “Hey Jesus” on the television show has garnered two million views across social platforms.
“I had lost my grandmother, who was really my best friend, and I lost a lot of my cherished friendships,” Littrell said. “I ended up writing this song one day, and it was just one of those moments of inspiration. It helped me get through a lot.”
This single is the first release from Littrell’s upcoming album, which he describes as his most authentic project yet.
“This album is a lot more indie than anything I’ve ever worked on before,” Littrell said. “About 60 percent of the tracks are just live takes in the studio with me and my guitar. It’s raw, acoustic, and really artsy.”
Growing up on the road with his father Brian Littrell, a member of the Backstreet Boys, had a huge impact on Littrell. His experiences growing up fueled his passion for music and prepared him for the realities of the industry.
“My first bed was basically a bunk on a tour bus,” he said. “It just felt natural to want to follow in my dad’s footsteps. Having my dad in the industry helped show me the ins and outs of the industry. It helped prepare me for my journey. Lots of artists today don’t know what they are getting into, but that wasn’t the case for me.”
Littrell made his Broadway debut at age 13 in the jukebox musical “Disaster!” He learned a lot from that experience due to the demanding hours and the fact that he was the only kid in the cast. During the show, Littrell was mentored by experienced performers like Rachel York, Kevin Chamberlain, and Roger Bart.
Littrell later released his debut single “Boxes” in 2019 and then a full-length country album “770-Country” in 2020. He was able to bring these to the stage while opening for the Backstreet Boys on their DNA Tour, which started in 2019. He then put out an EP in 2022 called “Vol. 1.”
Littrell was heavily influenced by his time on “American Idol.” Not only did he gain experience, but he also met his close friend Olivier Bergeron, a French-Canadian contestant who made it to the top 24 alongside Littrell. Littrell was eventually eliminated after making it to the top 20.
“I decided to go on the show for exposure and experience, which are so crucial,” he said. “It was a tough situation and it was hard to come out of my shell but it turned out great. I even ended up making one of my best friends for life. He recently came down from Canada to watch me perform.”
In addition to his experience in the performing arts, Littrell is also an accomplished visual artist. He paints pictures that accompany various songs and even sells his pieces. His upcoming album will feature an original painting for each track.
“Visual art has helped me so much,” Littrell said. “Art is healing and connects through music, which helps me with my stress and anxiety.”
Littrell looks forward to returning to Eddie’s Attic for his homecoming.
“Eddie’s Attic, technically, was my first show ever as a solo artist when I was trying to break into music,” he said. “It’s always gonna be my favorite place to play.”
