For many, Memorial Day weekend marks a time of remembrance and reflection on those who have left a lasting mark on our lives. With her new music video for “When the Roses Bloom Again,” premiering exclusively on Barnburner today, accomplished singer-songwriter Laura Cantrell taps into the emotional complexity that accompanies the annual observance.
“‘When the Roses Bloom Again’ has always struck me as a song about chances and sacrifice, most notably those of soldiers and their loved ones who suffer the ultimate sacrifice,” Cantrell tells Barnburner. “It had been a dream of mine to get to sing someday with Steve Earle, and he was gracious to take the ‘soldier’s part’ in this updated version of Roses recorded for my most recent album, Just Like a Rose: The Anniversary Sessions.
“We were still working on this short film to accompany the song when my husband, Jeremy Tepper, died unexpectedly last June,” she continues. “Though he wasn’t a veteran, his passing gave me an even deeper personal connection to the sudden, shattering, life-altering grief experienced by so many families of veterans. As we come towards the anniversary of my family’s loss, it seemed fitting to release this for Memorial Day in tribute to all the families of fallen veterans who have made that ultimate sacrifice.”
An accomplished industry veteran and creative force behind SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel, Tepper’s sudden passing on June 14, 2024, sent shockwaves through the musical community. His vision, humor, and kindness continue to leave a mark on those who knew him, and those who were inspired by him.
The moving video for “When the Roses Bloom Again” was directed and edited by Rachel Liebling—known for her work on the celebrated 1994 documentary film High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music—with visual effects provided by Julie Best and cinematography via Rand Rosenberg. Featuring vintage clips of soldiers during wartime and live performance footage from Cantrell and Earle, the clip offers a moving visual accompaniment to the pair’s already powerful performance.
Cantrell encourages viewers to consider making a donation to the non-profit organization TAPS, which delivers “compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community.”
Just Like a Rose: The Anniversary Sessions is available now via Propeller Sound Recordings.
Watch the official music video for “When the Roses Bloom Again” below:
