What a year 2024 has been! I kicked things off in February with the release of my single “Love Letters,” and I’m closing out the year with a new song that’s very near and dear to my heart. And…honestly…it’s only new to you; I actually wrote it in early 2010. On December 20, 2009, my eldest sister Dawn Michelle died by suicide. Not long after experiencing this life-altering loss, I penned “Brand New Thing.” The song explored my grief in that moment and my hopes for what would be for me and my family as we moved through this new normal without someone we loved so much.

The song’s gone through many different iterations over the years, from my first attempts to record it in 2015 to refining the song a couple years later, and then having my amazing brother, Rod Tankerson, bless the track with guitar and bass in 2020. I’ve only performed it twice: The first time in 2015 in San Francisco, at my friend Julie Mayhew‘s Sing Out of Darkness show to raise awareness of suicide prevention with the incomparable Dave Shul accompanying me on acoustic guitar; and this summer, at a party in my backyard. Now, it’s time to share this tune with the world.

I decided to release “Brand New Thing” on the fifteenth anniversary of my sister’s passing to honor and remember her, and to celebrate all the twists and turns life has brought since she left us. When she died, I promised myself (and her) that I would do my best to live my life to the fullest and with intent and purpose. I’d like to think I’ve done that in some way, for the most part. For sure I know there’ve been a whole lot of wins, a whole lot of stumbles, and a whole lot of love each year since she’s been gone.

“Brand New Thing” premieres as a Bandcamp exclusive on Friday, December 20, 2024, and through December 31 I’m donating all proceeds from the purchase/download of the song to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP provided a tremendous amount of support for me in the first couple of years after my sister’s death and continues to do essential work providing educational resources around mental health and suicide prevention.

As we head into the holiday season, I know it’s an especially difficult time for lots of folks–including me and my family. I hope that when you listen to “Brand New Thing,” you feel inspired and encouraged, and that it brings you joy. I wrote this song to help me get through one of the darkest, most devastating times in my life, and I pray that the light and peace I was seeking through music comes through your speakers.

Purchase and download “Brand New Thing” here: https://rhondanicole.bandcamp.com/track/brand-new-thing

Happy holidays, y’all, and be sure to love on the ones you love with all your might.