RI star Billy Gilman is back with a new single. This time he's returning to his roots

Singer Billy Gilman is back with a new single, and a full-length album to come out later this fall.

A Rhode Island native, Gilman has been in the public eye since he was 11 years old and debuted his single "One Voice" in 2000, which became a Top 40 hit. He rose to national attention again as the runner-up in the 2016 season of "The Voice."

Since then, he's been touring.

But now, the two-time Grammy-nominated artist is back with his first full-length album since he was on "The Voice," with the first single, "Roller Coaster," dropping today.

But, it may not be exactly what fans are expecting, as he's pivoted his sound once again, this time to the bluegrass music he grew up listening to.

"It's funny, coming from Rhode Island, people don't really believe that ... we're country music fans, let alone bluegrass fans," Gilman said. "But that's what my grandparents would play. This is what I grew up with."

What is Billy Gilman's new single?

The new song, "Roller Coaster," is about the ups and downs of a romance with the sort of foot-stamping bluegrass track behind it that feels like a rollercoaster.

The upcoming album, set to be released later this year, will continue on the track Gilman has laid out. Other bluegrass stars will be joining him for the ride, including guitarist Billy Strings and vocalist Molly Tuttle.

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"We have top players saying 'Oh my God, yes, we want to come on this project.'" Gilman said. "It's just kind of blossomed on its own, and people are getting so into it. I've never had that before... It's neat. It really is. I'm super grateful."

Why did Billy Gilman switch to bluegrass music?

Bluegrass has played a role in Gilman's career for years. During his first-ever television appearance on an awards show, he sang "Roly Poly," a bluegrass song. When he made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage, it was a bluegrass band that introduced him. And of course, it's what his grandparents introduced him to.

So for him, moving into this genre represents "coming full circle."

"It's like I found my lane," Gilman said. "When I was on 'The Voice' I would do these great power ballads, and I can do that, but, is that who you are? Not necessarily."

In two of his recent live shows, he's played a few of his upcoming songs. Relying on the harmonizing that's so potent in the musical genre and a more rustic sound, he's been surprised to receive standing ovations from the audience.

"Usually, (when you get a standing ovation) it's based on a huge note at the end of the song or something really monumental happened within the song for people to get up on their feet, which is what I've seen for 25 years," he said. "There's a song on the record called 'Waylon,' and about a breakup. And it's about telling the other person you can take whatever you want, but if I have to live here without you, please leave the dog.

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"It's the most intimate ballad, and I do nothing but sing it, just the message, and they stood. That's never happened before, ever," Gilman said.

When can you next see Billy Gilman perform in Rhode Island?

The singer's next scheduled performances in Rhode Island will be for Coventry's Fourth of July celebration on June 24 at Herbert F. Paine Memorial Park. Gilman's performance will be from 7 to 9 p.m., and he said he will be playing some of the music from his upcoming album.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Billy Gilman's new single Roller Coaster, is out and album is coming