Kristen Budde releases her introspective new single "Regret" reflecting on letting go of the past and embracing the present.
Murfreesboro, TN (April 11, 2025) – Kristen Budde, the Tennessee-based singer/songwriter whose unique blend of Americana and Country music has captured hearts across the nation, is gearing up to release her latest single “Regret” on April 11, 2025. This reflective track, which explores the weight of past choices and the freedom of embracing the present, showcases Kristen’s unmistakable style—raw, honest, and deeply personal.
The inspiration for “Regret” came after a trip back to the town where Kristen began her adult life. Revisiting familiar places stirred up a lot of “what ifs,” leading her to write a song that speaks to those who wrestle with the road not taken. As Kristen puts it, “We can focus on what might have been, but it’s a dead-end road because we’ll never truly know. All we can do is let go of what’s behind us and move forward.”
Kristen’s vocals have always been described as powerful yet vulnerable, and in “Regret,” she once again uses her voice to weave a story of introspection and hope. Reminiscent of Alison Krauss, Budde brings a delicate yet powerful quality to "Regret," adding depth to its emotional reflection on the past. The track’s lush Americana instrumentation complements the personal theme—drawing listeners in with a sound that feels both intimate and expansive. “I wanted to express the idea that all we really have is this moment, right now,” Kristen shares. “We can choose to live in the past and stay stuck, or we can use the present to start creating a life we want to live.”
Cover art for "Regret" by Kristen Budde. Imagery by Larry Budde.
Produced by Nicole Witt and engineered by Austin Motlow, “Regret” features a talented group of musicians, including Sol Philcox-Littlefield on guitars, Jimbo Hart on bass, Grayson Wright on piano, and Justin Holder on drums. Nicole Witt also lends her vocals on the track, adding depth to its emotional resonance. Mastered by Parachute Mastering, the single was recorded at Sundrop Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
“It’s easy to romanticize what we might have done differently in the past, but we have to trust that we did the best we could with what we knew. This song reminds us that no matter where we’ve been, we can always begin again."
Kristen Budde
The single comes after Kristen’s highly praised debut EP Begin Again, which marked the start of her musical journey. As she looks ahead to her second album, due in 2026, “Regret” offers a glimpse of what’s to come. Kristen’s music continues to explore themes of personal growth, healing, and the courage to start anew.
About Kristen Budde:
Kristen Budde, Tennessee based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, crafts songs that are honest and thoughtful with lyrics that are woven together like a conversation with a close friend. With vocals and melodies that can be both powerful and gentle, Kristen’s music is a blend of Americana and Country and her voice has been described as bringing life and light into a room. Kristen has a passion for creating joy-filled connection through the power of music and wholeheartedly believes that music has the ability to heal us. Budde made her musical debut in 2022 when she released her first single "Come Sit Down at My Table" which delves into our need to belong and be seen and heard. Her debut 6-song EP Begin Again was released throughout 2023 and was a fulfillment a life long dream. The songs on Begin Again will take listeners on a journey through wrestling with fear, letting go and finding the courage to truly live. Kristen hopes these songs will inspire courage for listeners to take brave steps to build lives they love and will give hope that it's never too late to begin again.
Kristen is currently releasing singles and preparing to record her second album set to release in 2026. When Kristen’s not busy working on music, you can probably find her sipping coffee on her back porch or singing silly songs she made up for her family and pets!