Maceo native writes song for George Strait
When George Strait tells you he loves your song and personally asks if he can put it on his next album, there’s really only one answer: “YES! Absolutely!”
For Maceo native Marty Brown, that surreal moment was the culmination of a decades-long dream — one that proves he’s still living out the wild ride of a lifetime.
Brown first rose to prominence in the ’90s, recording three albums as a solo artist with MCA Records and penning hits such as Tracy Byrd’s “I’m From the Country (And I Like It That Way),” a now-iconic anthem of that era. He’s remained active ever since, splitting time between Nashville songwriting sessions and his own performances.
Brown’s career found a resurgence when his wife, Shellie, tricked him into auditioning for America’s Got Talent Season 8. His heartfelt rendition of Garth Brooks’ “To Make You Feel My Love” launched him into the semifinals and went viral, racking up over 25 million views online and another 12 million when it aired on NBC.
In 2022, Brown was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame alongside Carly Pearce.
But for the lifelong country fan, writing a song for “King George” was always the ultimate goal. So, it was a dream come true when Strait cut Brown’s song “To the Moon” and included it as track No. 3 on his Cowboys and Dreamers album.
Here’s the unbelievable story of how that came about in two days.
Finding something special
Brown was at his home in Franklin, Kentucky — conveniently located between Maceo and Nashville — when inspiration struck.
“I was working on my front porch and my mind was wandering and I got to thinking about all the things I like,” he said. “Like my dog, my truck, my job, my friends. I like lots of other things, but the thing I really love is my wife.”
Once that idea popped into his head and he grabbed his guitar, it didn’t take long for the song to take shape. Within hours, he had a fully formed tune titled “To the Moon.”
“I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years. Songs come pretty easily to me sometimes, and that time it did,” Brown said. “I’ve always had a love for the written word, and I can trace that all the way back to my school days at Maceo Elementary.”
Sensing he had something special, Brown booked a studio in Nashville the very next morning and recorded a demo — less than 24 hours after the song was born.
A dream realized
When the demo was done, Brown sent it to his longtime friend and former MCA producer Tony Brown, who now works with George Strait.
“Later that night, I got a call from Tony Brown and he told me they wanted to put a hold on that song for George, which was a dream come true for me,” Brown said. “Then the next thing I know, Tony says ‘hang on’ and clicks over to a 3-way call and George Strait himself got on the line and asked if he could record my song! He said, ‘I love the song, and I’d love to sing it.’”
Brown told Strait the story behind the song and that he’d written it for Shellie. Strait responded in kind.
“George told me that if I don’t mind, he’d also like to dedicate it to his wife when he sings it,” Brown said. “I couldn’t believe it!”
True to his word, Strait recorded “To the Moon” and included it as track No. 3 on his Cowboys and Dreamers album, released in September 2024. The song now has more than 1.2 million streams on Spotify alone. And on June 15, 2024, Strait performed it in front of more than 110,000 people at College Station, Texas — dedicating it to his wife, Norma.
It was ‘meant to be’
“I think that song was just meant to be,” Brown said. “I can’t tell you how many songs I’ve pitched to George over the years and never heard anything back. I think I was meant to write it. I think George was meant to sing it. I think God had a plan for that song like He’s had a plan for my whole life. Just when I thought I had reached all my dreams, God wasn’t done. He made a way. I truly believe God was my co-writer on that song.”
Since its release, Brown has heard from couples all over the world who’ve danced to “To the Moon” at their weddings.
Songwriters are often asked how they know a song is going to be a hit. Most say there’s no magic formula, no rhyme or reason for inspiration to hit. But Brown describes it as a feeling — a physical warmth that builds as the song takes shape.
“It starts small and grows stronger if the song is coming together. That’s the only way I can describe it,” he said. “It doesn’t happen every time. But that day, on my front porch, when that idea hit me, I got that feeling. I’m just thankful I was someplace I was able to get it down immediately because if you don’t stop and capture the idea you’ll lose it like a puff of smoke.”
Brown’s not done yet
Brown’s 2022 induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame was a career high, placing him alongside heroes such as Bill Monroe, Keith Whitley, Loretta Lynn, the Judds, and Ricky Skaggs. The Hall features a display with Brown’s signature cowboy hat, his MCA album covers, A Rolling Stone magazine clipping, and a plaque recognizing radio play for “I’m From the Country” will live on.
“I could have rode off into the sunset then,” Brown chuckled. “But God wasn’t finished with me yet.”
Now approaching 60, Brown admits he might be ready to retire from the road, although he’s still got commitments on the calendar for this year. But there’s no end in sight for his desire to write songs.
“I feel like I’ve been doing this all my life, and professionally since I was 24,” he said. “But I still love to write and record songs.” OL
Marty Brown songs recorded by other artists include:
To the Moon
George Strait
I’m from the Country
Tracy Byrd
I Pulled a Hank Last Night Andy Griggs
Summertime Fever
Tracy Byrd
It Ain’t Me If It Ain’t You Brooks and Dunn
When I Stop Loving You Trace Adkins
Just Drive
Case Harden
Pour Whiskey on My Grave Jacob Bryant
Whiskey on the Wound Jimmie Van Zandt
Jesus Was a Country Boy Glenn Templeton
No Song Like a Slow Song Englebert Humperdink
