Struggle Jennings and Bryan Martin didn’t set out to make a calculated record.

What happened instead was something far more powerful – an unfiltered burst of creativity that became 1976, their brand-new five-track project that’s officially out now.

The two artists came together in Nashville not as label-driven collaborators, but as friends chasing honesty in a world of bright lights and industry pressure. Jennings recalls that they walked into the studio, wrote five songs in five days, and knew immediately they had captured something timeless.

“It felt like 1976 – the real outlaw spirit you can’t fake,” he told Fandom Daily. 

For Martin, the connection was instant. Meeting Jennings for the first time turned into one of those rare moments where mutual respect cut through everything else. Within minutes, they were writing what would become “Real Ones,” and the music poured out naturally. The sessions weren’t about picking potential hits or second-guessing themselves – they were about living in the moment.

“You don’t have to cut through red tape to make great music,” says Martin. “Sometimes it’s just about being in the right room with the right people.”

The two quickly realized this wasn’t just another studio project. Their first night together wasn’t spent writing at all but sharing stories over a bottle of Angel’s Envy whiskey. By the end of the night, they weren’t just collaborators, they were brothers.

Jennings, who runs his independent Angels and Outlaws label, has always looked for artists who embody authenticity.

When a mutual friend suggested Martin, the timing couldn’t have been better. Both men were dealing with personal struggles, both felt out of step with the industry machine, and both needed music to keep them grounded.Martin admits the project may have saved him.

“I was writing five to ten songs a week, manic and restless. If I hadn’t been in that studio, I’d have gone crazy. Writing with Struggle gave me a safe space.” For Jennings, it was proof that real art still cuts through, “We’re just like everyone else – going through struggles every day, working to be better. This is the beginning of a new outlaw movement.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bryan Martin (@bryanmartinmusic)

The deeper meaning of 1976 lies in the testimony threaded through its songs. Martin, who has been open about addiction and mental health battles, sees the music as survival. Fans often tell him his songs saved their lives, but he insists the truth is mutual.

“Hearing that gave me purpose. It saved mine, too.” Jennings echoes that sentiment, explaining that his fans keep him going during moments of self-doubt. “Anytime I wonder why I’m doing this, I remember them. This project is a gift back to the fans looking for something authentic.”

As the two look ahead, they’re already promising more collaborations, with Jennings joking he’ll keep Martin tied down in the studio for years to come. But underneath the laughter is a genuine sense of pride and belief in each other. Jennings doesn’t mince words when talking about his new friend.

“Brian Martin’s going to go down as one of the greats – Merle, Waylon, Willie, Johnny. He’s the real deal.”

Together, Jennings and Martin aren’t just reviving the outlaw spirit, they’re proving that country music’s most powerful moments still come from raw connection, honest storytelling, and the courage to put it all on the line. 1976 is here, it’s real, and it’s already carving out its place as one of the year’s most authentic country releases.

Photo Credit: @iamstuggle on Instagram.