Effie Jane - Rhyan Sinclair (Official Music Video)

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All my life, I’ve heard stories about my great grandmother (my Papaw’s mom), Effie Jane McCreary Willoughby. Although I only met her once on this earthly plane, she holds a strong presence in my life, and she has become woven into who I am. I can close my eyes and imagine, as my mom describes, falling asleep to the symphony of crickets and waking to the aroma of country ham sizzling in an iron skillet in that farmhouse in College Hill.

In uncertain moments, I call upon the calm, gentleness, and kindness that she carried, and peace she brought to those around her…or, in other times, I’ll call upon her purposefully wielded “streak of fire”. I can almost hear her singing “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship” in the heavenly choir.

I’m eternally grateful to her for raising the best Papaw I ever could have had. Miss him daily.

I continue to learn from both of their legacies.

A few years back, my mom and I sat down to co-write together, and Mom said, “What if we wrote a song about Effie Jane?,” which was amazing to me, because a few weeks before, I had the same idea, and had written a rough version of the chorus already. So, in that moment, we got to work on the rest of the song. It was such a privilege to get to share that experience with my mom, and learn even more about Effie in the process.

The song ended up on the album I released this year (2022), and the song has taken a little journey around the world, with some international airplay and coverage. It’s so special to see this particular song travel.

My family and I took a trip out to College Hill on Memorial Day, where I gathered some of the footage for this video. It was a beautiful experience, returning to that spot in the world where the “roots of my family” grew, in the gorgeous countryside.

I deeply cherish these roots.

I’m excited to share this closer look at who Effie Jane was. I can only hope this song and video tribute do justice for her special soul.