Country artist Kristen Budde returns with “Drive,” a heartfelt anthem about freedom, healing, and chasing new beginnings, out June 6.
Murfreesboro, TN (June 6, 2025) – Tennessee-based singer/songwriter Kristen Budde invites listeners to roll the windows down and turn the volume up on her liberating new country single, “Drive,” set for release on Friday, June 6, 2025. Her unique blend of Americana and Country music has captured hearts with this sonic snapshot of movement, healing, and chasing wide-open skies. “Drive” is a heartfelt anthem for anyone who’s ever needed to hit the road and leave the past behind.
Fresh off the release of her latest single “Regret”, “Drive” boasts a different side of Budde with shimmering acoustic textures, soaring harmonies. Echoing the styles of Fleetwood Mac, Little Big Town, and Sheryl Crow, “Drive” delivers that golden-hour feeling of motion and release. From backroad singalongs to long interstate escapes, “Drive” captures the power of movement — physical, emotional, and spiritual. “Music, like driving, can be a great means of escape when life starts to feel a little too heavy,” Budde explains. “This song is about unapologetically moving toward a better future free from fear and regret.”
Cover art for "Drive" by Kristen Budde, artwork by Meagan Morris
“I love to drive and roll the windows down while singing at the top of my lungs because it makes me feel alive. That’s my wish for listeners when they hear this song. I hope ‘Drive’ becomes a soundtrack to road trips, life adventures — and even offers a little music therapy for whoever needs it.”
Kristen Budde
Written in collaboration with Debbie Olson, the song is rooted in connection and resilience. Its original idea emerged during a writing retreat with Greg McFaden, Grace Hunt, and Jennifer Bast, and was later reimagined and completed by Budde and Olson, with blessings from the original co-writers. “Being part of a song created with so many friends makes it extra special,” Budde shares. Produced by Nicole Witt, the track features a top-tier lineup of musicians including Sol Philcox-Littlefield (guitar), Jimbo Hart (bass), and Grayson Wright (piano), with Budde’s expressive vocals at the wheel.
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!