Jesusfreakhideout.com: Whitlee Casey, "Red Bird" Review

JFH Indie Review

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Whitlee Casey
Red Bird

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: May 9, 2025
Style: Adult Contemporary / Inspirational
Official Site: WhitleeCasey.com
Buy It: Amazon Music

Whitlee Casey is an independent singer/songwriter specializing in modern contemporary Christian music. Casey has been making his musical blend of CCM and country music for years now, but his newest full-length album, Red Bird, is his first since 2019's Dream. He has released a couple of EPs during this span, however. Red Bird does a good job of intertwining these two genres to make one cohesive pop country sound -- borrowing equally from both sides of his inspiration. A song like "Treasure" leans into his contemporary side a little more, and "Dead Will Rise" goes heavier into his country side, but overall, the album provides a nice blend of the two sounds. The latter is one of the best tracks on the album as the overdriven guitars and strong country influence certainly shows off his Garth Brooks inspiration.

Lyrically, the album is full of uplifting and worshipful lyrics. This is true for the entirety of the album, outside of the title track which is far more introspective. This one sees Casey reflecting on a loved one that has gone on to be with the Lord. Here he sings of how the red bird reminds him of past times and makes him yearn to see his loved one again in heaven. This is a song that so many can relate to in our own lives. A great example of these uplifting lyrics comes in the upbeat Grant Caleb-featured "Treasure." Whitlee sings, "I found treasure, treasure in my life. I found treasure, treasure, oh He's good all the time. I found treasure, treasure, oh Jesus my treasure is You. You are my treasure." The song's message is simple, but one that serves to remind us of all that Jesus has done. Caleb's appearance is a welcome addition here as well. The album closes with a revised version of Casey's 2013 single, "Father, You Are Good." Here he shows his progress and growth as an artist over the past 12 years. While the 2013 version is nice on its own, the 2025 version shows improvements in all areas, from production to arrangement as well as musical accompaniment and vocals. It was a nice touch to end the album with this one.

Whitlee Casey has been at this for a while, and his strongest desire is for his music to serve as a vessel to connect people to their creator. With Red Bird, Casey accomplishes this mission. The songs are full of praise and reminders of the things Christ has done for us. From dying (and rising again) for our sins, to all the blessings and treasures He gives us daily -- not to mention the hope of seeing our loved ones again one day with Jesus in heaven -- the album has it all. Fans of modern pop country or CCM should find a lot to like here, such as solid musicianship, vocals, and meaningful lyrics. This one is worth your time.

- Review date: 6/9/25, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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Record Label: None

Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 16 seconds

Street Date: May 9, 2025

Buy It: Amazon Music

Tell the World (3:24)
Fire in Your Heart (3:32)
Dead Will Rise (3:25)
Whatever Comes (3:37)
All About You (3:17)
Red Bird (3:19)
No One (2:54)
Treasure (feat. Grant Caleb) (3:26)
Learn to Let Go (3:23)
Father You Are Good (New Version) (3:59)
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Jesus Freak Hideout (Michael Weaver): It's been a while since your last full-length album. How does it feel now that Red Bird has been released to the public?

Whitlee Casey: Man, it's been a blessing and the support has been overwhelming. It's been six years since my last full length album "Dream" released and to see people connecting with these songs the way that they have is truly a work from the Lord! I'm super grateful.

JFH (Michael): Speaking of Red Bird, I'd like to ask about the title track. You can tell that this one has some deep meaning for you personally. Is this one about your dad?

Whitlee: Actually, this song was to help me get through the passing of my Grandma (Dad's mom) back in October of 2024. She loved red birds that would always fly around in her garden so the red bird was always a thing for my family to remember her by. I just felt the lord wanting me to make this a dedication to her and to remember her always.

JFH (Michael): "Dead Will Rise" seems to be the track that I've come back to the most while listening to the new album. I appreciate the throwback to 90s country music here -- I'm hearing that Garth Brooks influence. Can you talk about writing this one?

Whitlee: Yeah, so the studio I have worked with on my music for the last 7 years now is called Tunedesigner out of Covington, Ga. They've been so good to work with! They do these songs called tune ready tracks that are just instrumental tracks you can purchase and write too. You get all the rights to it well. It's funny you bring up the country sounds because after writing that I felt like it has some Chris Stapleton vibes to it. But on the lyric side, something I felt that was missing on the Dream album in 2019 was a good Easter themed song. Something involving the old man dying and the new man rising. So I was very excited how that song came together.

JFH (Michael): Grant Caleb is a great addition to "Treasure." Can you talk a little bit about him and how he came to have a feature?

Whitlee: Grant is a great young artist, writer, producer now living in Nashville and just kinda beginning his adventure in Christian music and on the pop side. He is originally from my hometown here in Texas and we used to go to church together and lead worship together. When I was working on Treasure it just felt like the perfect song to put his vocal on and share his style with my listeners.

JFH (Michael): What made you decide to re-record and re-release "Father, You Are Good"? The changes to the original 2013 recording serve the song well.

Whitlee: So the plan was actually to get it re-released as a single in 2023 and celebrate 10 years of the song, but I wanted to hold off on that and add it to this collection of new songs for the album. Since I've been co-leading worship here at my home church for the last 7 years, this song has become a worship anthem for our congregation to sing and we've always led the song in the Key of D which is not the original key and a little easier for everyone to sing. So I wanted to record a new version in that key and also add my good friend Jordan Castillo for background vocals who is also a vocalist on our church worship team.

JFH (Michael): I notice you have a small fall tour coming up. How exciting is that and are you looking to build some more dates into that if possible?

Whitlee: Very excited about this tour! I can't wait to share these new songs and stories from this album with many friends on the road! Yes be on the lookout for some more fall tour dates to be announced soon.

JFH (Michael): Last time we talked, you mentioned Romans 8:39 when I asked about what you hoped God would through the release of Dream. Has there been any verses on your heart lately, or just maybe a lesson that God has been teaching you through this album release?

Whitlee: Yeah, I was actually talking to a friend about this the other day. I mentioned to them how lately it has seemed like a lightbulb just went off in my head on the meaning of true obedience in Jesus. Just looking over the last four years of my music career, there have been times where I just enter human mode where I've kinda just made my own decisions and not really considering taking it to the Lord beforehand. Then when the first song of this record came about and some personal things in my life happened, that's when I caught myself thinking "Ok, God, I see what you wanna do now and the only way I can do this is if I put myself and my goals aside and let you make the call." With all my heart I can say I truly felt spiritual growth in these moments and this scripture in Deuteronomy 28 comes to mind: "And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 28:1-2 ESV