Trousdale Reimagines “Amazing Grace” & “9 to 5” For Songs of U.S.
The Music and Conversation Series From Salt Lick Sessions Also Features Durand Bernarr, Brandy Clark, Swamp Dogg, MARIS, Joy Oladokun, Old Crow Medicine Show, Paula Prieto, Maggie Rose, and More
In Today’s New Session, Trousdale Reflects On Redemption, Wealth Disparity, Female Empowerment | PAMÉ’s Sessions Kick Off July 9
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July 6, 2026 — Following the 4th of July, Trousdale highlights the complex story behind “Amazing Grace” with their moving performance for Salt Lick Sessions' new Songs of U.S. series, along with an interview about the importance of hope, female empowerment, and joy in today’s age.
Songs of U.S. is a new performance and conversation series that brings together musicians from across genres to reinterpret songs that have shaped the country's cultural identity while exploring what belongs in the American songbook today.
Today, Salt Lick Sessions premiered Trousdale’s performance of “Amazing Grace,” which the pop-folk trio selected as a song that belongs to the American songbook. In their interview, which also goes live today, they discuss the history behind the song. “Amazing Grace” was written in 1772 by John Newton, an English pastor and slave ship captain whose ship was caught in a violent storm off the coast of Ireland. He fearfully called out to God for mercy, and his crew miraculously survived, marking Newton’s spiritual awakening and his later embrace of abolitionism. In their interview, the band reflects on how “Amazing Grace” highlights the importance of admitting wrongdoing and the plight for redemption.
Tomorrow (July 7), the group’s cover of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” will go live, which they chose as an anthem that deserves to be in the American songbook due to its reflection on wealth disparity and workplace sexism. On Wednesday (July 8), Trousdale’s performance of their original song “Save Me” will be shared, which was inspired by a long plane ride with a man giving unsolicited advice on how to run their band. Together, the three songs Trousdale selected illuminate wealth and gender inequality in America through embracing themes of transformation and hope.
Watch Trousdale’s “Amazing Grace” performance HERE.
Watch Trousdale’s Songs of U.S. interview HERE.
Forthcoming sessions featuring Durand Bernarr, Brandy Clark, Swamp Dogg, MARIS, Joy Oladokun, Old Crow Medicine Show, Paula Prieto, Maggie Rose, and more will roll out throughout the summer via Salt Lick Sessions' YouTube channel and social platforms. Last week, sessions with Mickey Guyton and Samara Joy went live, and PAMÉ’s sessions will begin rolling out this week on July 9.
Across the series, artists reinterpret works by writers including Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, Roberta Flack and John Denver. Featured performances include Amy Grant's take on "Carolina in My Mind," Mickey Guyton revisiting "Take Me Home, Country Roads," Tiny Habits reimagining "Blowin' in the Wind," Joy Oladokun performing "Ain't No Sunshine," Brittney Spencer interpreting "Killing Me Softly With His Song," and Samara Joy performing Duke Ellington’s “Le Sucrier-Velours.”
Variety noted that Songs of U.S. arrives amid renewed conversations about patriotism and American identity, describing the project as offering "a more thoughtful and perhaps meaningfully patriotic approach" to celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. You can read more about the series in Variety HERE.
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About Salt Lick Sessions
Salt Lick Incubator’s signature series, Salt Lick Sessions, is known for its artist-first approach to compensation, rights, and creative collaboration. The series takes viewers on a nationwide discovery tour, featuring more than 50 musicians each year through intimate video portraits that invite viewers directly into the artist’s realm. Past performers include Jon Batiste, Big Freedia, Sheryl Crow, Lalah Hathaway, Mickey Guyton, Madison Cunningham, Tank and the Bangas, Dawes, and many more.
About Salt Lick Incubator
Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting innovative musicians at critical stages of their careers. Founded by Roger Brown, former president of Berklee College of Music and Liza Levy, the organization provides grants, mentorship, creative development and media platforms for artists building sustainable careers. Its signature series, Salt Lick Sessions, is known for its artist-first approach.
For more information, please contact SaltLickPR@ShoreFire.com.