In a somewhat surprising development given her songwriting history (and the availability of a great song that Kree cowrote), Kree Harrison’s coronation song “All Cried Out” is a song cowritten by Katrina Elam, Gordie Sampson, and Steve McEwan.
All three songwriters are big time within the country world, and lean towards melodic and emotional country/pop. Katrina Elam is a former artist (who was signed to Universal South) with a big old voice, and cowrote Carrie Underwood’s “Changed,” as well as the Eli Young Band single “Say Goodnight,” the Rascal Flatts duet with Natasha Bedingfield “Easy,” Reba’s “I Want A Cowboy” and several Hunter Hayes cuts (including “Love Makes Me,” as well as “A Thing About You” from Hunter’s upcoming re-release Encore). Gordie Sampson cowrote Carrie’s #1 hits “Jesus Take The Wheel” and “Just A Dream” plus Carrie’s “Someday When I Stop Loving You” and “This Time” and Lauren Alaina’s “Wildflower,” not to mention several Hunter Hayes songs. Steve McEwan is another established Nashville hitmaker who cowrote Carrie’s “I Know You Won’t,” “Just A Dream,” “What Can I Say,” “Someday When I Stop Loving You,” and “This Time,” Lauren’s “Wildflower,” and more (including many Tim McGraw cuts).
It’ll no doubt raise some eyebrows that fellow finalist Candice Glover cowrote her coronation song while Kree did not. But could it be an indication that TPTB feel “All Cried Out” is a slam dunk for Kree not only as a song, but as a single to country radio?
