Katie Langley
By the time winter had wrapped Fort Worth in a 12-degree embrace last February, local singer-songwriter Dustin Brown was already stirring something quietly remarkable in the Americana scene. Now, just a few months later, Brown is all smiles about his upcoming single “Ballerina,” which is set to release on Dec. 12.
I had the chance to preview the track, which features a stellar lineup: Billy Hartman on vocals and guitar, Rachel Cole lending her hypnotic voice and guitar, Joel Allen on lead guitar, Gus Miller on mandolin, and Hunter Napier on drums. The collaboration took months to shape, but Brown — ever the patient craftsman — says it was worth the wait.
“Billy and I wrote it, went through a few different iterations, had some other people involved, and we finally got what we wanted out of it,” he explains. “Then we brought in Rachel Cole as well to sing on it, which was a really, really good talent.”
Brown first made waves earlier this year with his self-titled full-length album, co-produced by Brown and Ben Hussey. Brown’s third self-titled album quietly made waves, earning praise from American Songwriter, Americana UK, The Bluegrass Situation, and Rocking Magpie.
“A lot of records make you peel back a layer of production to hear the passion and soul,” he notes, “but with our album, it’s just out there. You can hear it from the first note.” The album landed Brown in the Top 40 of the Americana Music Chart — an impressive feat for a newcomer.
“Ballerina” is a three-perspective narrative that follows wandering hearts along a never-ending road.
“Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the recording — it’s just getting everyone in the same room at the same time,” Brown says. “Once we finally got everyone in the studio at New Usual with Ben Hussey producing, it all came together in about five or six hours.” He laughs, “It’s kind of a typical studio day, but once we got in there, it all flew together pretty quickly.”
Katie Langley
Cole’s voice, already celebrated through her debut on Todd Snider’s Aimless Records, adds an ethereal layer to the song, complementing Brown’s and Hartman’s rich harmonies. The result is a track that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive, anchored by mandolin, drums, and lead guitar that shimmer underneath the narrative.
Musically, “Ballerina” nods to the Texas singer-songwriter tradition, channeling echoes of Guy Clark and Van Morrison. Lyrically, it’s a delicate exploration of relationships — the tensions between desire and responsibility, freedom and commitment.
Brown calls it “a sad tune… we didn’t really know what it was about at first because all the characters had different angles. But it ended up being about a couple of characters, maybe a little love triangle, and the life each one wants — two different lives and the struggle between them.”
Since the release of his debut, Brown’s year has been a steady climb rather than a whirlwind. “It’s been a great year,” he says. “We did some shows, watched the album keep growing, and we’re still figuring out the next steps — management, bigger gigs. The momentum’s there, and it feels good.”
Brown’s early work has already earned critical applause: Americana UK called his debut “one of the most criminally underrated albums of 2025,” while Twangville praised its unfiltered heart. Rocking Magpie compared him favorably to John Fullbright and Jason Isbell.
With “Ballerina,” Brown proves he’s not just riding the wave — he’s shaping it. Between the meticulous storytelling, the interwoven vocals, and the unmistakable Texas heart, this single is poised to cement his place among the state’s most compelling Americana songs this year.
Looking back on the process,” Brown says, “Us being from Texas, we’re definitely influenced by Guy Clark and [Townes] Van Zandt and all that. I'd say [the song] is reminiscent of that, at least musically and melody-wise.
Players on “Ballerina”
Dustin Brown — vocals, guitar
Billy Hartman — vocals, guitar
Rachel Cole — vocals, guitar
Joel Allen — lead guitar
Gus Miller — mandolin
Hunter Napier — drums
“Ballerina” will be available on all digital and streaming platforms beginning December 12.
