WATCH CODY BELEW’S VIBRANT NEW VIDEO FOR “I DID IT FOR LOVE”

The acclaimed single, which has drawn comparisons to Freddie Mercury, Lady Gaga, and The Rolling Stones, serves as the title track to the Nashville singer song writer’s forthcoming debut

Photo Credit: Tim Cofield

Nashville, TN (September 29, 2023) – Rising Southern glam rock artist Cody Belew returns with a tantalizing new video for his latest single, “I Did It for Love.” The provocative song, which marries classic country-pop with a sultry, rock-n-roll swagger, serves as the title track and first taste of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s highly-anticipated debut album, due out early next year via Visionary Media Group.

Shot and directed by Tim Cofield (Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Sheryl Crow), the sumptuous visual places Belew in a variety of eye-popping settings (including a pink kitchen wonderland and a seductive red velvet boudoir), all of which match the song’s vibrant nature, while allowing Belew’s flair for showmanship to take center stage. The meticulous set and costume designs, meanwhile, were fashioned by Belew, who created multiple universes for himself. With each glance at the camera, he invites viewers to take part in them as well.

Watch “I Did It for Love” HERE

Released as a single earlier this month, “I Did It for Love” was co-written with Lucie Silvas (Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Tricia Yearwood) and producer Dustin Ransom (Richard Marx, Chely Wright, Emily West). In the words of Belew, the hook-filled stomper “Is about somebody being rude towards you because they’re intimidated by who you are.” He adds, “I don’t ever want to apologize for who I am, and so this song is saying that it’s not my business if all of my shininess intimidates you because everything I do is coming from a place of love.” The message of the song, which was inspired by real-life events, revealed itself as a theme throughout Belew’s forthcoming album.

Since its release, “I Did It for Love” has captured the attention and adoration of a variety of outlets, including Earmilk, Wonderland, WeFoundNewMusic, and Grimey Goods, which hailed it as “A grandiose bit of glam-rock through which the Nashville-based artist channels his meteoric and captivating energy. One inspired by the arresting magnetism of Freddie Mercury – though he also echoes Orville Peck’s enigmatic allure and a talent for crafting country pop hooks like Kacey Musgraves.” Flaunt, meanwhile, praised it as “Thoroughly impressive and delightfully original,” adding “The fat bass lines and the rowdy guitar riffs have an outlaw vibe to them that aligns well with something slightly rockabilly and slightly post-punk, or if you took The Gun Club, The Rolling Stones, the Meteors and sprinkled some Lady Gaga onto them for good measure.”

“I Did It for Love” marks the latest milestone in a year of triumphs for Belew, who kicked off 2023 as a member of CMT’s coveted “Listen Up” program (alums include Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, and Maren Morris). In April, Belew was invited to walk the CMT Awards Aqua Carpet, where he drew coverage from the likes of ET Online, WWD, and the Austin-American Statesman.

The following month, Belew released his poignant single “Charlene,” in which the Southern Baptist questioned the marriage of religion and politics in America. The timely song received coverage from the likes of NBC, Extra!, GLAAD, and The Tennessean, while its powerful video passed the 1 million views mark. As a rising voice in the LGBTQ+ community, meanwhile, Belew attended Vice President Harris’ star-studded Pride Event (as covered by Out) in June.

Last month, Belew wowed audiences during his New York City debut, where he performed an intimate set of covers and originals to a full house at Allan Cumming’s nightclub Club Cumming. The enthralling evening was followed by a busy week of appearances for New York Fashion Week, including The Daily Front Row’s Fashion Media Awards and Christian Siriano’s star-studded show, where the stylish artist hobnobbed with the likes of Janet Jackson, Kesha, and Avril Lavigne, and was featured in coverage by Vanity Fair and Page Six.

Belew debuted his talents as a singer-songwriter in 2022 with his self-titled EP. A blend of candid originals and well-loved classics by artists who inspired him, Cody Belew was led by the single “Rodeo,” which premiered in Times Square and found regular rotation on CMT. Belew’s take on the Dolly Parton classic “Here You Come Again,” in particular, was a welcome reinvention, with Robert Oermann from Music Row Magazine declaring “He completely reinterprets this 1977 Dolly hit, transforming it from a bouncy ditty into a cry of romantic anguish. His only accompaniment is a pianist, but his dramatic performance is so gripping that it needs nothing else.” Other press highlights included features in Wide Open Country and American Songwriter.

At the end of 2022, Belew captivated fans with his disco-tinged cover of Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon” (a collaboration with GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Dave Audé), which topped a variety of popular Spotify playlists and recently surpassed 2 million streams on the platform. The year also found the longtime Nashville resident launching a nearly year-long, sold-out residency at the city’s famed Lipstick Lounge.

Belew is currently readying for the 2024 release his album I Did It For Love, in which he’ll traverse between his deep-seated love of Southern music and his obligation to activism. The artist will offer fans a taste of his new album during full-band showcases in New York and Nashville.

About Cody Belew: Cody’s love of the South is in his blood. Reflecting on his upbringing in rural Beebe, Arkansas, what sticks with him most is the one-room church where he learned to sing when he was just a toddler. It’s these soulful roots that are reflected in his music, which combines authentic storytelling with powerful vocals that take listeners to the heart of his experience. Blending raw emotion with Southern stomp, Cody offers a unique point of view on faith and love – both of which he approaches with fearless honesty.

About Visionary Media Group:

Visionary Media Group is a homegrown Nashville-based company whose mission is to illuminate purpose-driven stories through the power of Music, Media & Technology. Visionary’s unique blend of talent, technology and impact, endeavor to Empower Artistry, Enhance Content, Engage Community, and Amplify Storytelling. We invite you to join us in our new and exciting journey to empower artists and fans to reimagine authentic connections, re-tell their inspiring stories, and rekindle a shared sense of purpose.

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For more information on Cody Belew, please visit his official website.

For press inquiries, please get in touch with
Bianca Bianconi at 42 West: Bianca.Bianconi@42west.net.