BrianCottrill.com

Sheila Says EPK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2026

Brian Cottrill Releases Powerful New Country Single and Video “Sheila Says” on March 6

West Virginia singer/songwriter shines a light on the state’s child welfare crisis with a haunting new release

West Virginia – Acclaimed singer/songwriter and producer Brian Cottrill will release his new country single and accompanying music video, “Sheila Says,” on Friday, March 6, 2026. The self-released track will be available on all major streaming platforms and YouTube.

A veteran of the West Virginia music scene, Cottrill has released eight critically acclaimed albums and performed live with The Grey Agents, Dream Trippers, Drain Babies, and as a solo artist. On “Sheila Says,” he delivers one of his most socially resonant songs to date — a stark, compassionate portrait inspired by the ongoing child welfare crisis in West Virginia.

Nearly half of the state’s children are not being raised by their parents, but by grandparents or foster families. West Virginia leads the nation on a percentage basis in the number of children in foster care. In a small state, more than 6,000 children are currently in the system, many sent out of state due to a shortage of foster families. Child protective services remain understaffed and overworked, leaving vulnerable children navigating overwhelming circumstances.

“We see the situation all around us with these children in West Virginia,” says Cottrill. “So many children are growing up without proper supervision. Some grandparents simply can’t keep up or fully understand what the kids are doing. Some kids are growing up without any supervision at all. They are on their own, trying to navigate life.”

Musically, “Sheila Says” blends classic country storytelling with modern edge. Drawing influence from artists like Dwight Yoakam, Johnny Cash, and Lou Reed, Cottrill envisioned the song with traditional country textures from the start.

“When I was writing the song, I heard it as a country song with pedal steel,” Cottrill explains. “I grew up listening to Johnny Cash. And I always loved Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline. It was so great to get Chuck Westfall to play pedal steel on this. He is kind of a local legend here in West Virginia.”

The track features an accomplished lineup of musicians:

Brian Cottrill – vocals, guitar
Chuck Westfall – pedal steel
Dan Hochhalter – fiddle (who has performed with Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban)
Dilip Chandran – bass
Bob Workman – drums
Erica Cottrill – harmony vocals

Written, recorded, mixed, and produced by Cottrill himself, “Sheila Says” tells the story of a young woman grappling with abandonment, poverty, generational instability, and survival. Its chorus — defiant, vulnerable, and unflinching — captures the emotional core of a generation fighting to rise above difficult beginnings.

With its cinematic music video and heartfelt message, “Sheila Says” continues Cottrill’s tradition of blending sharp songwriting with real-world observation — giving voice to stories that often go unheard.

Availability

“Sheila Says” single and official music video
Release Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Available on all major streaming platforms and YouTube

Connect with Brian Cottrill

Website: http://briancottrill.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/0mw5EdX5Btw?si=ffGVtI5_Q2rc00zC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briancott

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/britune/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1LCen86HYNTGwexWZKl4oP

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/brian-cottrill/1445177391

Media Contact:
Brian Cottrill
email: britune@yahoo.com

Band/Artist: Brian Cottrill

Single Title: Sheila Says

Label: self released

Dates: March 6, 2026 Genre: Country

Availability: The “Sheila Says" single and music video will be released on March 6, 2026 to all major streaming platforms and YouTube.

Bio: Brian Cottrill is a veteran of the West Virginia music scene. He has released eight critically acclaimed albums and performed live with The Grey Agents, Dream Trippers, Drain Babies, and as a solo artist. He is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer.

Band: Brian Cottrill- vocals and guitar

Chuck Westfall- pedal steel

Dan Hochhalter- fiddle

Dilip Chandran- bass

Bob Workman- drums

Erica Cottrill - harmony vocals

Written and recorded, mixed, and produced by Brian Cottrill.

Influences for the single: Dwight Yokam Johnny Cash Lou Reed

Brian Cottrill has a new song and music video coming out Friday, March 6, 2026 called “Sheila Says” featuring West Virginia pedal steel ace, Chuck Westfall and Dan Hochhalter, who has played fiddle with Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. Brian Cottrill was inspired to write the song about the child welfare crisis in West Virginia. Nearly half of all children are not being raised by their parents, but rather by their grandparents or foster parents. West Virginia leads all other states on a percentage basis and how many children are in foster care. In a very small state, over 6000 children are in foster care, many of them are sent to other states. Child protective services in West Virginia are understaffed and overworked. There are not enough foster families in West Virginia to care for the children. “We see the situation all around us with these children in West Virginia,” says Brian Cottrill. “So many children are growing up without proper supervision. Some grandparents simply can’t keep up or fully understand what the kids are doing. Some kids are growing up without any supervision at all. They are on their own, trying to navigate life,” says Cottrill. “When I was writing the song, I heard it as a country song with pedal steel. I grew up, listening to Johnny Cash. And I always loved Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline. It was so great to get Chuck Westfall to play pedal steel on this. He is kind of a local legend here in West Virginia. Dan Hocchalter plays fiddle on this and he has played with Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and many other big stars. The song also features Dilip Chandran on bass, Bob Workman on drums, and Eric Cottrill on harmony vocals.”

Lyrics: Daddy disappeared

Jumped bail and cleared out

Everything left that you could pawn

Mommy’s off in rehab I can guarantee

She’ll slip out again Before the dawn

Pregnant at seventeen

What is she gonna do now

Sheila says I ain’t gonna cry anymore

I had a break down

Lost my crown

Fooled around

Class clown

Get up off the floor

Shiela says

I ain’t gonna wait anymore

I was the Prom Queen

At Seventeen

Crime scene

Figurine

Leave ‘em wanting more

There’s not much room inside It’s just a single wide

Grandma says the rent’s past due

You have to grow up fast

Uncle Tim getting way too close

Please don’t leave us alone again

Shiela says there’s just two kinda people out there

Those who have everything

And those who can barely breathe the air

Social Media Links

https://youtu.be/0mw5EdX5Btw?si=ffGVtI5_Q2rc00zC

http://briancottrill.com https://www.facebook.com/briancott

https://www.instagram.com/britune/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1LCen86HYNTGwexWZKl4oP

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/brian-cottrill/1445177391