CAMERON BARNES will return next month with a well-blended mix of folk heart and Americana charm.

A song for the times, Old Friend speaks to a longing for a lost connection and a determination to start afresh.

The track travelled from Cameron’s hometown of Methil, to Glasgow, onto Nashville and then home again during its creation.

Barnes enlisted the mastering genius of US-based Ted Jensen who has worked with The Eagles, Green Day and Norah Jones, to name a few, to bring his vision for Old Friend to life.

Discovering a love of country music over lockdown, the Fife man racked up 70,000 followers and 430,000 likes on TikTok from fans who share his passion for combining contemporary Scottish and American sounds, even finding a new fan in American country star Clay Walker.

Old Friend sees Cameron explore a personal tale of childhood friendship and how best friends can grow apart. But, despite this, a lasting bond remains that means they can always reach out to one another for help.

Recorded in March 2021 by Scott Wood (Skerryvore) at Oak Ridge Studios in Glasgow, the new single features Charlotte Printer (bass), Jamie McGrory (drums), Mhairi Marwick (strings), Marco Cafolla (keys), Scott Wood (whistles), Jamie Adamson (guitar) and Naomi Stirrat (backing vocals), alongside Philippe Bronchtein (steel) who added his sound remotely from across the pond. 

Barnes said: “The story behind this track is very personal to me and it took me around two years to finish and get the sentiment just right.

"It’s about how sometimes best friends grow apart and can go down a bad path and need a little help. I wanted to share the message that it’s OK to ask for help and reach out.

"I felt it was really important to share this and hope people can relate with the concept and get comfort from the song.

“Having the track sent to Nashville and finished there was massive for me – there was no better place to send it than the home of country music and I’m chuffed with the result. I’m so excited to let people hear Old Friend and to see how it’s received.”

This new material from Cameron Barnes marks an exciting next chapter for the accomplished singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor, building on the success of his three singles to date that all reached the top 20 of the UK iTunes singles chart and number 1 in the iTunes singer-songwriter chart.

Old Friend will be available to download and stream on all major platforms on Friday, June 4, and is available to pre-order now at https://threads.lnk.to/oldf