SAMM!: Finding Strength Through Vulnerabil-ity

Country-folk artist Jimmy Mallia, a Lafayette, Louisiana–based singer-songwriter, returns with his heartfelt new single “Dance”—a tender ballad carried by acoustic guitar, intimate vocals, and harmonies that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Inspired by Garth Brooks’ classic “The Dance” and written as a gift for his daughter’s wedding, the track blends Mallia’s raw storytelling with a stripped-down, emotional arrangement.

“It’s about letting her go and watching her move into her own journey with marriage and family,” shares Mallia. “This is her dance now.”

As with much of Mallia’s catalog, “Dance” unfolds as a ballad rooted in his own life experiences. While raising three daughters, he would sing and play guitar for them each night, with his middle daughter, Kaitlyn, especially attached to Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.” Though Mallia originally intended to perform the song at her ceremony, Kaitlyn asked him not to, knowing the emotion would overwhelm her. Instead, she first heard the song after it had been recorded and mixed, making it an even more powerful surprise.

“As much as this song was written for Kaitlyn, the music has really become a family thing,” says Mallia. “Her husband, Kyler Dorsey, plays on a lot of my songs as well. Not this one, but on many others—it’s special to be able to have it all in the family.”

The song’s production reflects that intimacy, keeping the arrangement intentionally sparse: just Mallia on guitar and vocals, paired with the warm harmonies of featured artist Kelli Jones. In the studio, the track evolved organically with the help of longtime collaborator David Trainer, who helps shape Mallia’s melodies into chords.

“Dave is an incredible local musician, teaches kids, and even runs a summer camp. He can play anything—violin, guitar, banjo, piano, mandolin—it’s pretty cool,” adds Mallia.

Originally written at a faster tempo, “Dance” was slowed down to underscore the emotional weight of the lyrics—a shift that also revealed its need for additional dimension. That’s when Mallia brought in Jones, whose carefully placed harmonies add texture and depth without overwhelming the song’s quiet vulnerability.

“We could have added piano or other instruments, but this is a very intimate song, so the less, the better,” Mallia explains. “It’s pretty raw, and I like it that way, and having Kelli Jones on board was the perfect choice; she’s a phenomenal local artist and a what I call a pro.”

While a full music video or visualizer for “Dance” hasn’t been released yet, Mallia hints that fans can expect snippets, teasers, or a possible video to appear on his growing YouTube channel. The platform has become a key outlet for him—not only for sharing original music but also for covers and short clips that have resonated with a wide audience. That consistency earned him YouTube’s coveted Silver Play Button, recognizing over 100,000 subscribers and millions of streams across his catalog.

“My grandsons were more excited about the Silver Play Button than I was,” Mallia laughs. “They thought it was the coolest thing ever, and honestly, that reaction made it even more special for me.”

Looking ahead, Mallia is considering gathering his growing catalog of singles—along with a few handpicked covers—into a full-length album. It’s not for lack of material; with more than 20 completed songs, the challenge is deciding on the right timing and strategy. Beyond the studio, Mallia also has his sights set on live performance, which he sees as the next natural step in sharing his music more widely.

“Ironically, the first time I ever sang one of my songs live was at my mother’s funeral,” Mallia recalls. “The family wanted ‘Bye Bye Mama,’ played at the service, a song I wrote years before my mother’s passing, and that received some strong reviews, but it was a Catholic ceremony, so we had to get approval. Thankfully, the song happened to have some religious context and elements, but the church doesn’t allow recorded music, so I had to perform it live. Right after the eulogy, I walked down and played it, and honestly, after that experience, I don’t think I’ll have any trouble performing live.”

Mallia’s path to music as a career began relatively late in life—he only formally entered the industry about a year and a half ago at age 59. Though he had sung in school choirs, taken guitar lessons in seventh grade, played in high school musicals, and performed in church masses, music had largely taken a backseat during his adult years. That changed 17 years ago, when he picked up the guitar again and began writing songs on a whim.

Since then, Mallia has steadily developed his sound, releasing his first official single, “Hey, Hey,” which garnered around 100,000 streams on Spotify despite minimal promotion. His music blends folk and country with a singer-songwriter sensibility, often carrying a raw, emotional quality. Influences range from Johnny Cash to heartfelt ballads that reflect deeply personal experiences, including his journey of recovery from alcoholism.

“I think what sets my music apart, the singer-songwriter element,” Mallia explains, “there’s just something different about the sound—it’s more guttural. It still carries that country and folk influence, but every song has a personal, emotional weight—it’s my story in each one.”

To celebrate his music and brand, Mallia also launched a website where listeners can find his complete catalog in one central location, along with merch, including shirts and caps. Reflecting his identity as a troubadour and singer-songwriter, the brand features a creative nod to his alma mater, the University of Texas, with the center of the longhorn’s face shaped like a guitar, symbolizing the music at the heart of his story.

Since releasing his first song, “Hey, Hey,” Mallia has steadily built a catalog of eight to nine original tracks. “Dance” marks a milestone in that journey—it’s his first release to feature a guest artist, adding a new layer of depth to his music. Releasing on October 6, the single is available across all major streaming platforms, giving fans easy access to both his newest work and his growing body of songs. For more updates, behind-the-scenes content, and new releases, fans can follow Jimmy Mallia on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.