CMT Premieres Kiefer Sutherland’s “Shirley Jean”

By
Anders — Editorial Lead
Anders is the creative force and technical architect behind Divine Magazine’s editorial identity. Blending Scandinavian minimalism with a sharp instinct for digital storytelling, he shapes the...

Kiefer Sutherland’s cinematic “Shirley Jean” video, which tells the story of a man’s last night on death row, taking the form of a goodbye letter to a woman he once loved, premiered on CMT channels and platforms June 21.

“It was the one song on the album that obviously was not a very personal story from my own life,” Sutherland tells Rolling Stone Country“I had a huge respect for Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard. These guys wrote about the dirtier side of life and the tougher aspects of life. Cash realized he wasn’t a ‘bad guy,’ and that maybe some of these people in prison aren’t ‘bad guys.’ He gave them a kind of dignity that I really respected. He created an avenue of forgiveness that I don’t think was as available at that time. I love the way he did that. So I really wanted to write a song about that.”

“Shirley Jean” is the third video release from his debut album Down in a Hole ( click here to download).

Sutherland is currently in Europe playing sold out shows after a nationwide U.S. tour in May. Click Here to purchase tickets to additional dates on sale now (tour dates below).

Recently, Sutherland performed “Calling Out Your Name” on ” The Talk,” and has also performed on ” Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and ” The View.”  Sutherland also graced the cover of Guitar Aficionado, Goldmine Magazine and Collectible Guitar issues.

Sutherland, known for his starring role in the ABC series “Designated Survivor” and Fox series “24,” also starred in movies like “Stand By Me,” “The Lost Boys,” “Young Guns,” “Flatliners,” “A Few Good Men,” “A Time to Kill,” “Dark City” “Melancholia” and most recently, a western called “Forsaken.”

 

Kiefer Sutherland Not Enough Whiskey 2017 Tour

June 21 Worthy Farm – Pilton-Somerset, UK
June 21 O2 Academy – Birmingham, UK
June 22 Islington Assembly Hall – London, UK
June 23 Trucker & Country – Interlaken, Switzerland
June 25 Glastonbury Festival – Pilton-Somerset, UK
June 26 Manchester Gorilla – Manchester, UK (SOLD OUT)
June 27 SWG3 – Glasgow, United Kingdom
Aug. 11 Boots & Hearts Festival – Oro-Medonte, Canada
Aug. 18 Indianapolis State Fair – Indianapolis, Ind.
Aug. 20 Canadian National Exhibition – Toronto, Canada
Sept. 24 Bourbon & Beyond Festival – Louisville, Ky.
Nov. 04 Flato Markham Theatre – Markham, Canada

 

Down in a Hole Track Listing

  1. Can’t Stay Away
  2. Truth In Your Eyes
  3. I’ll Do Anything
  4. Not Enough Whiskey
  5. Going Home
  6. Calling Out Your Name
  7. My Best Friend
  8. Shirley Jean
  9. All She Wrote
  10. Down In A Hole
  11. Gonna Die

 

Keep up with Sutherland on the road by visiting kiefersutherlandmusic.com or connect with Sutherland by following him on Twitter and Facebook

Anders is the creative force and technical architect behind Divine Magazine’s editorial identity. Blending Scandinavian minimalism with a sharp instinct for digital storytelling, he shapes the magazine’s voice, visual rhythm, and structural clarity. His work moves between worlds — part editor, part engineer — ensuring every article is not only beautifully crafted but technically flawless beneath the surface. From SEO frameworks to asset design, from WordPress architecture to the magazine’s cinematic featured imagery, Anders builds the systems that let stories breathe. He curates Divine’s tone with intention: clean lines, honest language, and a commitment to elevating everyday subjects into something quietly extraordinary. Whether refining editorial workflows or sculpting the magazine’s long‑term creative direction, Anders brings a steady hand and an eye for detail — the kind that turns a publication into a signature.