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CMT Premiere: Matt Stell Shares A Glimpse Of What It's Like To Be His Friend In "One Of Us" Music Video

Matt Stell: "I think this video shows what it's like to be 'one of us.'"

Country music breakout star Matt Stell might have moved to Nashville in 2014, but he continued to keep his good friends from Arkansas close. On the heels of his chart-climbing single "Man Made," the country crooner released his tribute track "One Of Us." 

The up-tempo hit not only displays his contagious country-pop sound, but pays homage to small-town living and his hometown heroes. "One Of Us" was written by James Barker, Travis Wood, Gavin Slate, and critically acclaimed songsmith Jim McCormick.  

"I love that the song pulls at heartstrings in a certain way, while it still has a lot of energy and vibrance to it," Stell told CMT. "I feel like this is the kind of song I want to hear in trucks, at tailgates, or when I'm hanging with my boys. This means so much to me, because I'm a lot of the guys in that song." 

To bring the relatable lyrics to life, Stell turned to video director Chris Beyrooty and producer Jack Hackett. The group of creatives fled from Nashville to California to shoot the state-of-the-art video. 

The chart-topping artist called in his good friends to participate in the action-packed clip. The video begins with a blue-collar worker wrapping up his 9 to 5, before letting loose and hitting a dirt bike park to meet Stell. As they crack open cold ones, they shred up the muddy roads during golden hour. 

"I think this video shows what it's like to be "one of us," stressed the vocalist. "Doesn't matter what brings you together—motocross, hunting, fishing, ball games, country music, whatever—as long as you're doing it with your friends and family."

The music video includes jaw-dropping motocross freestyle stunts. Towards the end, Stell threw on a helmet and showed off his impressive skills. 

"One of my favorite memories was when the guys on dirt bikes basically jumped over me on the track," shared Stell. "That was wild!" 

When he watched the final edit for the first time, he was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. 

"I was blown away by this video. The location was unreal, the ladies in the video were so fun, and the boys jumping the bikes were incredible," he explained. "This was probably the most fun I've had on a set. I was hoping I got to keep the bike I was riding haha!" 

When country music fans sit down and watch the clip, he hopes they can see themselves in their free-spirited friend group.  

"I hope they see one of the ways you can be one of us, which is coming together with your friends for whatever reason. That is coming together is really what it's all about. I want it to feel like it's speaking to them. I feel like that song is talking about many different people. 'One of Us' is talking about life, and that's what country music is best at, being real, and that song is very very real." 

 Stell is currently performing "One Of Us" on his must-see Man-Made Tour. The Arkansas native recruited George Birge and Kyle Clark as direct support. The 17-city trek will also feature Chase Matthew on select dates. For upcoming appearances and tickets, visit mattstell.com

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