(NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Apr. 2, 2019) – Singer-songwriter and the actor best known for his role in the ABC hit-series “Mistresses” and the cult-classic “John Dies at the End,”Rob Mayes, has released his debut single, titled “Closer” to Country radio. The song is an innocent and lighthearted glimpse of the fun and flirty start to a relationship. “Closer” will be available through all streaming platforms and digital retailers on Friday, Apr. 5. Listen to the single in advance here.
Mayes commented about the release, stating “I am so excited to share this single with Country fans and radio programmers. ‘Closer’ is a song about having a crush and wanting more; wanting to have it realized and hoping the feeling is mutual. It’s about the exciting kind of emotions that make you feel alive and the electricity and anticipation that makes you smile.”
Co-written by Mayes along with Kevin Leach and Ryan Rossebo, the track features Smith Curry on pedal steel and was mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Andrew Mendelson. Mayes chose to release “Closer” as his debut single because of the song’s catchy lyrics and upbeat melody.
Although this is Mayes’ introduction to Country music, he is no stranger to the world of entertainment. In addition to his role on “Mistresses” and “John Dies at the End” with Paul Giamatti, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival, his other credits include Lifetime’s “The Client List” with Jennifer Love Hewitt and CW’s “Frequency” and “90210.” Other film credits include “Deep Blue Sea 2,” “Ice Castles,” “Burning Blue,” “The American Mall” opposite Nina Dobrev, “Melvin Smarty,” “Dangerous Matrimony,” “My Christmas Inn” opposite Tia Mowry, “Love for Christmas,” “A Soldier’s Heart” where he stars alongside Val Kilmer, AnnaLynne McCord and Jake Busey, “Maybe I’m Fine,” “Into Thin Air” with Samaire Armstrong and FOX’s “Proven Innocent.”
From Cleveland, he’s no stranger to the genre. As a young boy riding in the car with his father, Mayes was introduced to the songs of Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Michael Peterson where he was immediately drawn to the stories, melodies, and harmonies. Playing piano from the age of five and guitar since the age of thirteen, Mayes has written countless songs; instrumental, pop, singer-songwriter, jazz, but it is Country music that he is most proud of and that gives him the most joy.
“I began writing songs when I was seven or eight years old,” Mayes recalls. “My piano teacher taught me classical music, but like my father, I wanted to play jazz. My teacher’s approach was rather disciplined, though I’d always take the chords and progressions from the sheet music in front of me and come up with my own progressions and melodies. I then had a grade school teacher who supported me like no one else, and she would ask me to play my newest song that I had written for the class every week, and that encouragement kept me writing and trusting that what I was doing maybe wasn’t so bad after all. I guess there’s always been a story trying to come out of me in one shape or another. So I suppose it’s no wonder I found my way to country music,” explains Mayes.
Mayes is looking forward to releasing a music video for “Closer” in the coming weeks and a full EP later this year. For more information on Rob Mayes follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.