Brandon Lee Adams Finds Freedom in the Unknown with "I’ll Follow Summer"

Brandon Lee Adams has lived enough musical lives to fill a novel, but I’ll Follow Summer feels like the chapter he was meant to write. The Emmy-winning host, acclaimed guitarist, and lifelong student of Americana returns to his roots with a song that captures the delicate balance between gratitude for what’s been and excitement for what’s next.

From the first chord, I’ll Follow Summer feels alive. There’s warmth in its melody and confidence in its delivery. The track moves with ease, reflecting Adams’ years of craft and conviction. His voice carries both wisdom and hope, singing of change not as an ending but as an evolution. “The unknown can be its own joy,” he says, and that truth echoes through every lyric.

Recorded live with a dream team of musicians, including Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, John McEuen, John Jorgenson, and Glenn Worf, the song radiates authenticity. You can hear the chemistry between players, the shared energy in the room, and the respect in every note. It’s music that breathes, unfiltered and human.

The accompanying music video, directed by Adams’ wife Mindy, strips away all pretense. Shot in the studio with Hayzens Productions, it simply shows the artists playing together, lost in the moment. The result is quietly powerful. There are no distractions or manufactured moments, only genuine artistry on full display.

As Adams prepares for new releases and his upcoming shows, I’ll Follow Summer serves as both a reflection and a declaration. It’s a song about stepping forward with courage, trusting the process, and honoring the past without being trapped by it. For an artist who has spent his life shaping sound and story, this feels like him coming home to himself.

I'll Follow Summer feels deeply personal. What sparked the inspiration behind this song? 

The fact that I have lived long enough to have some life experiences to reflect on had a hand in it. The DADGAD tuning I learned while touring in Ireland also helped a bit. Many of my songs really start as a feeling. Often, simply strumming a rhythm initiates the process. This song was a bit like that. I don't think I have ever truly been able to exclude some part of myself or my feelings from a song, even if it is just a small piece.

How did it feel to record with icons like Vince Gill and Tim O'Brien in the same room? 

It was pretty intense at first. Every musician in the studio that day had a hand in my musical upbringing. Once we all sat down for the session, I just chose to be honest with everyone. I knew that if I didn't focus and get past the moment. I would not have had a chance to deliver the song close to how I had it in my head. So I was just honest with everyone in the room by telling them. "I'm going to do my best to try and pretend that I belong here and I know what I am doing." After that moment of honesty, it was easy to just be part of the band. Those guys are true pros and kind people. It was very laid back and fun.

You have worn many hats in your career. How has your time in television influenced your approach to making music? 

TV has kind of forced me to face the crowd. I was always very content living in the background and trying to make my way quietly. Being on a show that is seen in so many places has helped me become less afraid of my shadow and has helped me realize that the spotlight isn't so scary or crazy a thing to embrace.

The idea that "the unknown can be its own joy" is powerful. How does that mindset shape your creative journey? 

There are no expectations when it is just you trying to please yourself. It gives you the freedom to try anything and everything that comes to mind. It won't cost you a dime. It won't alienate anyone because nobody is watching. It is a mindset that I hope to maintain always. 

With your next album on the horizon, what can fans expect from this new era of your music? 

The easy thing is. You will see more of me on stages as more shows line up. As far as the music goes. I'm not trying to worry about anything other than giving the songs what they are asking me for. I'm not concerned with style or genre interpretation. I'm creating the music to the best of my ability, aiming to fit what feels right to me. I am at peace with knowing that many people won't share the same feeling. I am cool with that. If we all thought, walked, talked, and sounded the same. This world would be the most dull, predictable thing. Only we wouldn't notice.