We Speak Music

Richard Daigle Rolls Forward With “Jesus Drives a Subaru”

Published

7 hours ago

November 7, 2026

New Orleans-born now Chattanooga based singer/songwriter Richard Daigle’s new album “Jesus Drives a Subaru” is not a religious album or really an album of songs as much as it is a collection of short stories.

The songs on Daigle’s fourth album explore questions and themes common for many seniors looking back on life. The title track is a whimsical tune that considers the age-old platitude, “What Would Jesus Do,” not as a metaphorical trope but as an actual question: “If he were here today, what would He actually do?” And it communicates the universal idea that doing good, regardless of religion or philosophy, makes the world better.

In other songs, serious topics are discussed, like “The Man Inside,” in which the protagonist attempts to justify his dodgy excuse for self-defense. “John Lopez” explores the questions surrounding someone who came home with PTSD from a military experience. On the relationship side, songs like “Confession ” and “Together Alone” explore adult relationships far past the romanticism of young love. “Catch” explores the father/son dynamic through the lens of baseball, and “I Saw His Name” explores the feelings after the loss of a well-respected colleague, who may or may not have been an actual friend. “Lenny” tells the story of a struggling musician trying to make sense of life when the music is fading. The album closes with “Gentle Night,” which doesn’t ask “where do we go when we die?” but rather “will I embrace that road when it’s time?” This is a grown-up album written for adults. Young people may not get it now but in years to come, they totally will.

Daigle is a late-bloomer boomer, only embracing the art of songwriting after losing his wife of 34 years in 2014. He has become a well-known songwriter and performer in the Eastern Tennessee/North Georgia region both as a solo artist and as a member of the trio of “the ChattanooGuys”.

“Losing a great wife and mother was the hardest time in life for me and my kids and we all found ways to get through. For me, it was cradling a guitar and process that tough life experience through words and melodies,” he said. In “Jesus Drives a Subaru,” Daigle continues that processing in a way that makes a listener smile, maybe choke up a little and definitely think.

We Speak Music

Pauline Frechette Releases “The Wonder of Stars” Featuring Legendary Bassist Stanley Clarke

Published

6 hours ago

November 7, 2026

Olivia Long

Billboard-charting composer, pianist, and vocalist Pauline Frechette releases her new single, “The Wonder of Stars,” featuring legendary bassist Stanley Clarke. Taken from her latest album, At the Edge of Everything, the song is a personal reflection on the beauty of the universe, the search for direction, and the quiet strength that comes from looking beyond everyday worries.

Living in Ojai, California, surrounded by mountains and natural beauty, Pauline finds inspiration in one of her favorite nighttime activities: stargazing with her husband. For her, looking up at the stars is more than simply admiring the night sky. It is a way to find peace, regain perspective, and reconnect with her sense of purpose.

“When I am tired or anxious about something, star gazing relaxes me. I feel strong and sure of the path I must follow,” Pauline explains. Inspired by the explorers who once relied on the stars for courage and direction, she sees the night sky as a reminder that there is always a way forward, even when life presents obstacles.

That feeling became the foundation for “The Wonder of Stars.” Pauline began composing the music while singing, allowing the lyrics to emerge naturally from the emotions and story already expressed through the melody. She considers the song one of her finest compositions.

Featuring the unmistakable musicianship of Stanley Clarke, “The Wonder of Stars” brings together Pauline’s distinctive approach to composition and performance with the artistry of one of music’s most celebrated bassists.

Pauline Frechette has built an impressive career as a composer, pianist, and vocalist. Her compositions have been performed by renowned orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and National Symphony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her work has also been presented at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Beyond the concert stage, Pauline has contributed her voice to major film scores and performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Paul McCartney, Beck, Cher, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Muse, and Leonard Cohen.

Her current album, At the Edge of Everything, features Stanley Clarke and showcases her ability to move naturally between jazz, neo-classical instrumentals, and expressive vocal compositions. Her music has accumulated more than 30 million streams worldwide.

Through her music and performances, Pauline brings together technical excellence, emotional honesty, and a deep sense of vulnerability. With “The Wonder of Stars,” she offers listeners a reminder to pause, look beyond their immediate surroundings, and find inspiration in the world above them.