There’s no doubt that Kelleigh Bannen is an amazing artist. She’s also a really incredible friend and person. She’s shown us her strength in her blog posts on ThisNashvilleLife.com  and her bravery of leaving her label and putting out her EP Cheap Sunglasses on her own.

Read: ‘The Strength of the Bannenite’ Why you should invest in Country Artist Kelleigh Bannen 

For those of us who have been following Bannen’s career and been anxiously awaiting an album, we’ve been let down by the system. A system that dictates when artists can release an album based upon how well a single does.

It’s hard for a new act to break into radio, especially if that artist is a female. Without a single climbing the charts, it’s also hard for that artist to get opening slots on tours, so their music really has no platform to be heard. We get radio stations doing these country voting wars where they will put up a new artist’s song with another artist (who is more well known and probably has several #1’s under their belt). Their single literally has no chance against such huge names and yet the radio stations take that as confirmation to not play their single.

“Right now I don’t know what’s going to happen, but for the first time in five years, I get to put music out.”

Having an EP from Bannen allows the listeners to get to know her on a completely new level. They aren’t just getting this one single, but they are getting five different songs to fall in love with. It makes all the difference to be able to play an EP on repeat vs just a single. Cheap Sunglasses has the perfect combo of summer, love, fun and being your own person. It’s everything you could want in an EP.

Listen to the Cheap Sunglasses EP 

In Bannen’s behind the scenes video, we get a glimpse into her life. Someone who works hard and does a wonderful job of doing the impossible – balance all aspects of her life. I’m sure some days are harder than others, like making it to the gym, making time for friends, getting out on the road to perform and making new music. It’s a video that you will be able to relate to as her life isn’t perfect, her car doesn’t always start, she struggles while working out and she breaks a sweat just like everyone else. It’s one that will make you laugh and give you joy as you see friends and artists like Mickey Guyton and Emily West coming over as she celebrates this projects and having girl time while singing Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Watch the video below and fall in love with Kelleigh Bannen.

WATCH: BEHIND ‘CHEAP SUNGLASSES’ Part 1

Stay tuned for part 2!