Ross Flora – The Garden: Nashville-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Ross Flora releases his latest EP, The Garden, featuring the focus track “The Garden,” a song rooted in memory, bloodlines, and the hard-won lessons of growth and resilience. Raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Ross brings the grit of Southern Rock and the soul of mountain storytelling to a project that feels as grounded as the dirt he grew up turning over by hand on his family farm.

The record doesn’t just showcase Ross’ cut-to-the-bone songwriting—it also features a powerhouse group of collaborators, including Bill DiLuigi (over 300 cuts, songs on the Billboard Charts, Americana Top 100, Music Row Top 200), Dee White (touring credits with Alison Krauss and Alan Jackson, most recently released an album produced by Tony Brown), Troy Kemp (multi-Golden Guitar nominee), Emilee Allan (Scarletta), and Millard Flora (Ross’ father and
longtime musical influence).

Together, they shape a collection that leans into life’s battles, victories, and second chances. “Creating The Garden has been a great experience from beginning to end,” says Ross. “I had some lines for it saved in my notes and knew I wanted to try to write it with my dad, Millard Flora. Around last Thanksgiving we finally had an afternoon to really focus on it, and it was one of the most effortless songwriting sessions I’ve ever been a part of.”

At its core, The Garden is about rediscovery—the things we lose, the things we find again, and the kid inside us who never really disappears. “It’s a song about the things we forget and learn again as we continue to live and grow,” Ross explains. “It is a reminder that the innocent child we once were is still a part of us, no matter how many mistakes we make, and is always there to find again.”

For Ross, the inspiration runs deep. Growing up on a Virginia farm, his family’s two-acre garden wasn’t just rows of vegetables–it was a teacher, a sanctuary, and the first stage where he learned discipline and faith. “Some of my earliest memories are walking through the rows in awe that life could come from a little seed in the ground the way it did, and gardening became my favorite part of our rural lifestyle,” he recalls.

“When my family gave me several rows at a young
age to plant whatever I wanted so long as I took care of it, that little strip of land became my most prized possession. It fueled my fascination, and was a tangible example in my life to build diligence and faith.”

With each release, Ross chooses a local cause to support—grounding his music in the spirit of giving back. During the photoshoot for The Garden, Ross met the director of Lebanon’s historic Pickett Chapel, a cornerstone of Tennessee’s Black heritage and one of the oldest African American churches in the state. Their conversation inspired him to dedicate this release cycle to raising awareness for the 12th Annual Pickett Chapel Restoration Fundraiser.

In celebration of The Garden, Ross is partnering with the fundraiser, which will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 (5:30–8:00 PM) in Lebanon, TN. All proceeds will benefit the ongoing restoration of Pickett Chapel, preserving its history for future generations.

The Garden (Ross Flora, Millard Flora)
Cornerstone (Ross Flora)
Cut a Trail (Ross Flora; Feat. Emilee Allan on background vocals)
Small Town No More (Ross Flora, Troy Kemp)
Home Bound (Ross Flora)
Old Habits (Ross Flora, Dee White)
You and Me People (Ross Flora, Bill Diluigi, Rick Caballo; Emilee Allan on background
vocals)