Singer-songwriter Brian Mackey's stirring "Saturday Night Sleeping" is a pleading message to a loved one in the grips of addiction. Sadly, the overwhelming grief caused by opioid abuse is something Mackey knows firsthand.
Mackey lost his son and namesake Brian to a heroin overdose three years ago. With the release of the song, the Florida-raised artist says he hopes to raise awareness for mental health, opioid dependency and addiction and combat the stigma of addiction so that healing can begin.
"If you ever want to get down to the heart of a matter with someone with an opioid addiction who won't take their addiction seriously, you could ask them which casket they'd like, or which rehab they'd like to visit. Because honestly there are not many options for the addict. Jail, rehab, or death," Mackey says. "Writing it was hard. Recording it was hard. Singing it was hard. Reliving it is brutal," Mackey says. "May 20th, 2018 my life changed forever."
From May 20 (National Mental Health Awareness Month) through September 30 (National Recovery Month), 100 percent of the proceeds generated from "Saturday Night Sleeping" will be donated to MusiCares.
Listen to "Saturday Night Sleeping" below.
Mackey, who's toured with Kate Voegele, Tyler Hilton, Ron Pope and more, has released three EPs: Feng Shui for Slobs, Brian Mackey Red and Honest Love.
For treatment referral and information on mental health and substance abuse, visit SAMHSA (Substance and Mental Health Services Administration) or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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