Omaha's LIGHTNING STILLS delivers just what Mom asks for ("... a Love Song") with new single

Omaha-Based Outlaw Country Artists DELIVERS JUST WHAT MOM ASKED FOR WITH “MY MAMA WANTS A LOVE SONG” Self-Titled Album Out February 20th "My Mama Wants a Love Song" Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/FqaDM2jt8mU?si=XMqn1NdJ-TjUfVNx JANUARY 9, 2026 [New York, NY] -- “My mom called urging me to lay off the alcohol and drug references in my lyrics and write a nice love song for my wife,” laughs Craig Fort of Omaha-based outlaw country band Lightning Stills about their new single and video “My Mama Wants a Love Song.” Taken from the self-titled debut out February 20, 2026 via Max Trax Records. “As I was thinking about how unnatural and cheesy it felt to make myself that vulnerable at the time, the idea for the song came to me.” A very meta song about not exactly knowing how to write a love song but inadvertently inherently is a love song in hiding, twangs and swells in every appropriate way possible, “My Mama Wants A Love Song” summons influences from Willie Nelson, David Allan Coe and Waylon Jennings without feeling dated or from an era. Amidst the mournful steel guitar of Mike Friedman, Fort’s vocals carry as much of a wink as it does underlying emotional heft. “When I got the test press, I played my mom this song and after about 30 seconds she came over and hugged me,” he chuckles. Its accompanying tongue-in-cheek video finds Fort driving through small town Nebraska on a journey to surprise his mother in the night as nostalgic snapshots from his childhood pop in and out of view. Provided by his aforementioned mother, unsurprisingly, there aren’t very many pictures of him and his mom which had him searching through albums for any that existed to add to the footage. “My mom was always the one taking pictures growing up so it was harder to find ones of us together than I expected,” he admits. “I have a feeling that’s a common thing. Moms are great.” Another interesting aspect of the video finds Fort popping open what looks like a brew while driving. A recovering alcoholic who has been sober for six years now and counting, this detail might go unnoticed. “The ‘beer’ I cracked was intentional for a gag but I assure you, it was a zero alcohol beverage. I was just enjoying a barley water,” he confesses. “As someone who’s had  multiple DUI’s, I don’t encourage anyone to drink and drive. Quite the opposite. It’s just not worth it and it’s a selfish decision that can end up affecting so many people.” Lightning Stills Photo credit  G-Knee Photo Loaded with songs drenched in alcoholic bliss and bad decisions, Lightning Stills though isn’t an album detailing the evils of alcohol. Instead, it’s life stories while still in the moment though written at arm’s length. The direction toward sobriety thankfully wasn’t caused by requirement but a voluntary effort for his family. “Once I had my first son, I started trying to stay away from the bar except for playing shows. My drinking stuck with me though and eventually took over. I realized I needed to get some help or my boys weren’t gonna have a father anymore.” A venerable cast of Omaha musicians - a who’s who of local artists of varying genres, Lightning Stills is a labor of love for all the band members’ unified love for pure and unadulterated Outlaw Country. Originating in 2020, Craig (a hardcore, metal, and garage mainstay whose leads the post-rock band Leafblower) first formulated the band with Omaha music icon and multi-instrumentalist Mike Friedman who had been playing country for decades. Pulling into their magnetic orbit a “good-timing odd bunch” that features guitarist Tom May, bassist Dan Maxwell, and drummer Javid Thunders, Lightning Stills was born. Grown up as he might be, Fort reflects on that approval from his mother through the single. “I was an asshole to my mom as a teen,” he laughs. “So when she asked for a love song, I felt like I owed it to her. Lightning Stills is Craig Fort (vocals, guitar), Mike Friedman (steel guitar, guitars, keys, vocals), Tom May (guitars), Dan Maxwell (bass), Matt Baum (drums) with Oliver Bates Craven guesting on fiddle (NOTE: Javid Thunders played drums on the album). “My Mama Wants A Love Song” is out today, January 9, 2026. The debut album Lightning Stills will be released on February 20, 2026 via Max Trax Records. An album release show is set for the evening of February 20th at Slowdown (729 N 14th St, Omaha, NE 68102) with support from FACE and Mike Schlesinger. LIGHTNING STILLS Tracklisting Gas Me Up He's Not Heavy, He's My Dealer Drunker Than Me Rambled Out My Mama Wants a Love Song Spirits Willie and the Ghost Closed Down the Bar

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