Moraine Music Group is excited to announce the release of the heartfelt new single, “Orphan Train,” written by multi-award-winning songwriter and producer Brent Maher, and Grammy award-winning artists Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes. Orphan Train, the powerful lead single from Maher’s upcoming project Night of the Orphan Train – A Musical Novel, is distributed by ONE Audiobooks. The song serves as an overture for the audiobook and original soundtrack arriving in fall 2025. The music video, directed by Roger Pistole, premieres exclusively on Bluegrass Today Friday, August 15. The video will also be available on YouTube and featured on the nationally syndicated Bluegrass Ridge TV program.
Orphan Train brings together the talents of Hensley (vocals, guitar), Ickes (Hawaiian guitar, vocals), and Tammy Rogers (fiddle, vocals), with Marc Rogers on upright bass. The song and video pay tribute to the Orphan Train Movement, which relocated more than 250,000 orphaned and homeless children from off the streets, primarily New York City, to new homes across America between 1854 and 1929.
Maher was inspired to create the project after discovering The National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas. Moved by its history, he set out to tell the story through a blend of original music and narrative, following three fictional children from age 11 into their 20s. The result is Night of the Orphan Train – A Musical Novel, a unique fusion of historical storytelling and Americana, Bluegrass, and Classic melodic compositions.
“Working on ‘Orphan Train’ was an emotional and creative experience that resonated with all of us,” said Trey Hensley. “Brent’s vision for telling this story through both music and narration made it one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever been part of.”
Rob Ickes added, “The Orphan Train project allowed me to dig deep into a part of history that really moved me. Working alongside Trey, Tammy, and Brent, we created something truly special.”
“The story behind this project is incredibly powerful,” said Tammy Rogers. “I’m honored to have contributed my fiddle playing to such a moving musical journey.”
With seven Grammy award-winning records to his credit, Brent Maher has become one of Nashville’s most acclaimed songwriters, engineers, and producers. Maher’s accomplishments include over 20 #1 singles and a wide array of platinum and multi-platinum selling albums. He has worked with such iconic artists as Ike & Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, The Judds, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Taj Mahal. In addition, Maher worked with Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and others while producing the 2023 “A Tribute to the Judds” album. In 2025 Maher’s 1979 hit song, “Lesson in Leavin’” was once again released as a duet by Sierra Ferrell and Nikki Lane, and his song “Why Not Me” is featured in the 2025 season of The Bear on FX/Hulu.
November is National Orphan Awareness Month, a time to focus on the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide. It's a month where various organizations and individuals highlight the plight of these children and advocate for their well-being. A key event during this month is Orphan Sunday, which falls on the second Sunday in November, and is a day dedicated to raising awareness and support for orphans and foster children.
In addition to the single and video debut on August 15, the song will be available to radio on August 20th. The full audiobook of Night of the Orphan Train - A Musical Novel will be available on October 17, 2025, and the original soundtrack will follow on November 7, 2025.
A percentage of proceeds from this project will benefit Youth Villages of Middle TN, which is part of nationally recognized non-profit organization focused on providing services for children in foster care, group homes and teens aging out of foster care.
About the Orphan Train Movement
Between 1854 and 1929, more than 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were reloated from cities like New York to rural towns across America. The Orphan Train Movement remains a significant yet often overlooked chapter in U.S. history.
