Sometimes, inspiration strikes in new places. For Shelby Cordell, the spark for her first country-pop single, CUNTRY, off her EP Midwest Barbie, came during a girls’ trip to Nashville, celebrating her cousin Korina’s birthday. The trip was full of wild fun and Southern heat—everything Shelby wanted to channel into this track. As she started working on the EP, Shelby knew she needed a song that was both fun and carefree, something you’d play while getting ready to go out. She wanted it to feel alive, youthful, and undeniably hot—something you couldn’t help but dance to.
Creative Process: Fusing L.A. Vibes with Country Heat
When Shelby first heard the beat for CUNTRY, she “got to writing.” She wanted to infuse her L.A. lifestyle with country heat and verbiage. Shelby mentions Tootsies on Broadway in Nashville and Bootsy Bellows on Sunset Blvd, which are two places that embody the same kind of energy, just in different cities.
The song also pays homage to some of Shelby’s musical heroes, like Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ and Elvis Presley’s Are You Lonesome Tonight? Shelby wanted to honor that timeless confidence in the lyrics, especially when the line “Tequila makes her clothes come off” came to mind. That line actually came to be after Shelby saw a girl wearing a crop top with the opening lyrics—just a bold, in-your-face statement that would make people stop and think, “Did she just say that?” It was cheeky and fun, and once it clicked, Shelby knew it was the perfect way to kick off the song. It’s one of those lines that might raise eyebrows, but the people who get it, get it.
The Heart of It: Inspiration, Confidence, and Fun
From a young age, Shelby was always drawn to bold women who exuded confidence and a bit of that I’m gonna do what I want attitude. “My favorite part of creating music is drawing inspiration from multiple people and places and twisting it into something that feels like me. Growing up, I watched Dukes of Hazzard and always admired Jessica Simpson’s unapologetic, cute, and flirty vibe—someone who knows she’s that girl and won’t let anyone tell her a damn thing.”
At its core, CUNTRY is about feeling like your most badass self. It’s about remembering who you are, embracing your power, and looking good while doing it. Shelby wants listeners to feel empowered when they hear it—whether they’re getting ready for a night out or just need a confidence boost to take on the day.
A Dream Music Video Comes to Life
Shelby describes creating the music video for CUNTRY as one of her favorite experiences in her career thus far. Months of planning and coordination went into it, from Zoom calls to scouting locations, organizing outfits, finding extras, and picking the perfect hair and makeup. This was Shelby’s first big production, with about a 40-person crew, and she couldn’t have asked for a better team.
Director Jasmine Duenas was Shelby’s visionary partner throughout the entire process. Shelby says, “I genuinely felt like Jasmine was able to get inside my head, knew exactly who I am, what I wanted, and perfectly brought the story to life.” Rhea-Anne Bautista, the owner of uandcproductions, was the producer behind the scenes, making everything happen with ease and grace. “Her professionalism and dedication were key to pulling everything together and kept me sane. She’s a boss, and I could have never done this without her and her guidance.”
Ryan De La Cruz, Shelby’s talented Director of Photography (DP), executed and captured the perfect shots you see. And, of course, Shelby’s co-star, Love Island reality star Harrison Luna, brought so much energy and positivity to the project. Shelby recalls him as “so incredibly kind and a breath of fresh air since day one. He’s such a talented actor, and I’m so honored he did this with me!”
The music video was extra special because Shelby got to include so many of her friends. Seeing everyone come together made it feel like a celebration of this period in her life—a digital timestamp that she’ll cherish forever. “I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who was involved. I learned so much from everyone on set and think being independent makes you appreciate those who want to be a part of it so much more. This wasn’t just another gig they were assigned to. These people took time to be there, and for that, my heart could explode.”
The Behind-the-Scenes Magic
Being part of a real production has made Shelby appreciate every detail so much more. In the past, she had her hands in every part of the production process, from sourcing equipment to hustling for anything and everything to make things happen. But this time, she got to step back and focus on her performance, knowing that every other detail had been taken care of. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh no, I need to make sure we clean up lunch,’ and when I walked over, it had already been taken care of. I wasn’t used to that—haha!” Shelby made sure to take a moment to look around and soak it all in. “Seeing the friendships that were formed that day made me so happy. It felt like I brought good people together, and knowing that in a new city, I had people I could call who would show up for me made everything feel even more meaningful.”
One of Shelby’s favorite memories from the shoot was seeing the line dance to her song Indiana Statefor the opening scene come together. Colleen Grant, the incredible choreographer, created a routine that perfectly captured the vibe of the song. Watching everyone perform it was one of those moments where Shelby felt like everything was aligned—the energy, the people, the music—it was all so right. “Best day ever!!”
Gratitude and Reflection
Shelby learned so much from everyone who helped bring this vision to life. Everyone showed up not just to do their job but because they believed in Shelby and the project. That kind of support means everything to her, and she’ll never take it for granted. She’s incredibly grateful for the friendships that formed on set and for the people who showed out for her, making it all possible.
Looking back, Shelby feels like she’s come full circle. From being hands-on in every aspect of a low-budget project to stepping into a larger-scale production with an amazing team—it’s a humbling and exciting experience. Shelby knows she’ll carry these lessons with her as she continues to grow and create in this industry.
CUNTRY is more than just a song; it’s a celebration of the badass, confident person Shelby is and the people who helped her make it all happen. It’s for anyone who needs that reminder that they can be bold, they can be free, and they can absolutely own their power. Shelby hopes when you hear it, you feel that fire inside you too.
Photo Credits: Mel Rose
Instagram: @stuckwithmel
CUNTRY Music Video Premiere
Saturday, March 15th
6:45 PM PST
Watch on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@shelbycordell?si=QgfsXhXx2TwahOoq
Music Video Release Party
Saturday, March 15th
6:00 PM PST
Eastwood Bar, Los Angeles, CA
Join us for a night of fun featuring:
- Line dancing
- Bull riding
- Signature cocktails
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