If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, get help by contacting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.
It’s been nearly two months since the Country community lost beloved songwriter-producer, Kyle Jacobs. While hearts are still heavy, Jacobs’ best friend/collaborator, Lee Brice is making sure his bright spirit lives on through music for as long as possible.
Brice recently sat down with Audacy’s Katie Neal to share the impact Jacobs had on his life and music while also detailing why his current single, “Save The Roses,” — which he wrote with Jacobs — took on a whole new meaning after his passing.
While the song was initially inspired by the loss of Brice’s cousin, it has quickly become a bold reminder to all about just how precious life is with the ones you love.
LISTEN NOW: Lee Brice shares legacy of late songwriter-producer Kyle Jacobs
“I told my two best friends — Kyle Jacobs and Joe Leathers — I have this idea/title, it’s about my cousin,” Brice reminisced. “We wrote it, and there ended up being a bigger part of that whole story.”
On February 17, 2023, Jacobs took his own life in his Nashville-area home leaving his loved ones and the Country community with a powerful legacy through music. Brice took it upon himself to continue sharing that legacy by making the song his next single — something that was not originally in his plans.
“I had already had a couple hits off this record and I was like, ‘I really need to move onto some new stuff,’ so that’s where I was goin’” Bice shared. “And then Kyle left us and I could just not get past [that]. I wanted to put this song on the radio because now it has a whole new meaning to me. I just wanted to keep him around a little bit longer…. Because I really struggle still with why he’s not here.”
While Brice admits hitting #1 would be the ultimate tribute for his dear friend, what he finds more important is making sure those who didn’t know him get to experience his incredible craft through music for many years to come. “The saddest thing about Kyle is the people who didn’t get to meet him,” said Brice. “They are unlucky souls if they didn’t ever get to meet Kyle Jacobs because he was the light of the world all of the time.”
To hear more surrounding the song, new music and more tune into Katie and Lee’s full conversation above.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.
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