Jared Petteys Asks ‘Is This Love’? With New, Solo Single

After years leading Jared Petteys & The Headliners with raucous rockabilly shows and relentless touring, Jared Petteys steps into a new role: a solo artist forging his own emotional path. Tomorrow, Friday August 1 at noon, he releases “Is This Love?”, a cinematic and deeply vulnerable power ballad marking the first chapter of his solo releases under his own name.

A multi-instrumentalist who blends blues, punk, rockabilly, and modern rock into his songwriting DNA, Petteys enlists a full band and orchestral depth on this new single. The recording features Russell Lee on drums, Jeff Moon on bass, and a stirring string section composed and performed by John Schafer. The track was mixed by Eric Rickert and mastered by Michael White, delivering polished emotion without sacrificing his raw edge.

In tandem with the audio release, fans can look out for a poignant lyric video debuting the same day on YouTube and an acoustic version filmed at the historic Biggin Church in Moncks Corner, premiering August 3. These presentations underscore Petteys’ dual commitment to cinematic storytelling and stripped-down intimacy.

Jared’s transition from genre-specific frontman to genre-defiant solo artist is deliberate: he aims to free himself from conventions. Describing his new single as “emotional,” Petteys says he intentionally breaks musical boundaries to focus on storytelling that “hits hard and sticks”.

A spotlighted artist for Gretsch Guitars, Petteys has shared the stage with legends like Reverend Horton Heat, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, Southern Culture on the Skids, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. He’s also a two-time combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, father of three, founder of his own Retro Sonic Records—handling everything from booking and promotion to production—and finalist in the Rockabilly Rumble Songwriting Contest.

“Is This Love?” is just the first of several monthly singles leading up to a full-length album, offering listeners a serialized emotional narrative that reflects Petteys’ journey: the sacrifices, the family, the music, the grit.

This song is a distinct pivot from Petteys’ previous era. Gone are the twangy honky‑tonk riffs and ragged punch-ups; instead, what emerges is cinematic space, strings weaving through gritty vocals, and stories built on honesty. It’s a power ballad built on vulnerability—rare for someone known nearly exclusively for high-voltage retro rock.

In the unpredictable terrain of today’s music scene, Petteys delivers a powerful question: what happens when a rock ‘n’ roll survivalist finally pauses to ask Is this love? The answer might lie in the layered melodies of this track—and in his uncompromising leap into solo artistry.

Fans eager to hear this milestone release can stream “Is This Love?” starting at noon Aug 1. Visit Jared’s official channels or Retro Sonic Records for pre-save links, lyric video, and the intimate Biggin Church acoustic edition. This is just the beginning of a bold new era—and Petteys is writing it all in real time.