Iowa singer releases first album in Nashville

Published 4:58 pm Saturday, January 12, 2013

Rachel Rhodes debut CD “Heartland.” Photo provided

A woman who grew up in Hull, Iowa, and lived for a spell in Albert Lea has released a six-song country album recorded in Nashville.

Rachel Rhodes’ “Heartland” is slated to be released Jan. 15.

Rhodes partnered with Owatonna native Eric Arjes to compose and produce the album. Her songs “Heartland,” “Soak It In” and “Live On Love” are homages to life and love in the Midwest. The album’s opening track, “No Ordinary Night,” along with “Wild And Reckless,” bring an upbeat, pop element to the album and are balanced by the ballad, “The Girl You Think You Love.”’

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Bruce Bouton plays steel guitar and dobro. Larry Franklin plays the fiddle and mandolin. They both have played on albums by country artists such as Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Garth Brooks.

Rhodes attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Her talent as an opera singer carried her on tours of the United States and Europe while an undergrad.

She resided in Albert Lea while her boyfriend, Andrew Dyrdal, was the sports editor of the Albert Lea Tribune from the spring of 2009 to the spring of 2012, when the couple moved to the Music City.

Rhodes is slated to begin playing shows in Nashville this month, according to a news release.