Latest Song is a Soulful Tribute to Love, Belonging, and the Journey Back Home
Ross Flora Draws Inspiration From His Canine Companion, Sadie Mae
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — There are certain bonds in life—deep, unwavering connections—that call us back no matter how far we roam. For Ross Flora, that bond is with his dog, Sadie Mae, whose unconditional love became the inspiration for his latest single, “Home Bound”—out March 7th. Drawing influence from the radiant optimism of “Blue Sky” by the Allman Brothers Band, “Home Bound” is a song about finding solace, joy, and purpose in the embrace of those who ground us. “Home Bound” is more than a melody; it’s a heartfelt meditation on what it truly means to belong.
“Home Bound” has been years in the making—pieced together over time, written in the quiet moments between creative struggles, and shaped by life’s twists and turns. “It became a kind of palate cleanser when I hit roadblocks with other songs,” shares Ross Flora. “There are dozens of scattered notes and lyrics—little fragments of meaning that eventually came together; and when they did, I knew it was time to share this song with the world.”
At its core, “Home Bound” is about more than just returning home—it’s about the deep, soul-stirring pull that calls us back to the people, places, and creatures who remind us who we are. Inspired by Sadie Mae, Ross captures the feeling of walking through the door after a long journey, knowing that no matter what storms life has thrown your way, there is a warmth waiting for you—a love that never wavers.
“No matter how the day’s gone—whether it’s been exhausting, frustrating, or lonely—when I see Sadie Mae waiting for me, everything else just fades away,” says Ross Flora. “Her love is constant, and that’s a rare and beautiful thing in this world.”
“I hope this song leaves people feeling hopeful,” says Ross. “No matter how tough things get, there’s always light at the end of the road. There’s always someone waiting for you, whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a four-legged companion who sees you as their whole world.”
In the spirit of “Home Bound,” Ross Flora is partnering with Skydog Sanctuary for Horses, Philzoia Animal Rescue, Animal Wellness Foundation, and Pasadena Humane Society to raise awareness and support for animals in need of a loving home.
“I’ve been fortunate to have incredible animals in my life,” he says. “They’ve given me love and companionship beyond words, and I want to help others experience that same kind of magic.”
Before the release of “Home Bound”, Ross will take the stage at the Rise From the Ashes LA Fire Benefit Show on February 8th at Live Oak (1522 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN). Hosted by Struggle Jennings and Brian Payne, the event will feature an incredible lineup of artists coming together to raise funds for animals affected by devastating fires. Doors open at 4 PM, with $20 admission that includes entry into a silent auction to further support relief efforts.
To further amplify the song’s message of love and homecoming, Ross Flora is partnering with animal adoption and care facilities to raise awareness for animals in need of a forever home. “I’ve been lucky to have so many incredible dogs and cats in my life, and I hope everyone can experience the unconditional love and joy they bring,” Ross Flora adds.
About Ross Flora
Ross Flora is a seasoned, multifaceted singer and musician out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Growing up just south of Roanoke, he was surrounded by strong influences in both R&B and Bluegrass. When asked what his first musical memories were, he said, “My dad would stand me up on the back of a church pew and teach me harmony parts with the congregation.” When Ross was 12, his dad came home to find him playing along to a Van Halen CD and went to sign him up for guitar lessons that day. By his teenage years, Ross began performing at various venues and festivals throughout the South Atlantic. At the age of 19, he started playing guitar and singing with “The Kings” in Roanoke, Virginia. In 2012, Ross moved from the family farm to pursue a career in Nashville, Tennessee. Once in Nashville, he was able to build a strong audience base as a solo artist and began touring full-time as a lead guitarist and vocalist, performing with acts such as “Johnny T” Band and “Smoke n’ Guns” around the nation. Ross has performed over 5,000 shows since moving to Nashville, all while writing and producing his own music.
Ross’ songs emulate the tasteful guitar parts and bold emotional lyrics of the southern rock genre. His sound reflects his lifelong influences, including Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Chris Cornell, and Ian Thornley. As an English major, he utilizes the themes of all his favorite authors, including Dickinson, Thoreau, and Whitman, in his musical writing. Ross’ music shares stories from his rural roots to life on the road.
In 2022, Ross released his first debut single ‘Cannonball’ to overwhelming reviews from the southern rock and outlaw country communities, naming him “The Golden Age of Rock n’ Roll featuring a Southern Flare”. Following his single in July 2022, Ross released his first EP, Shoulders of Giants. The EP made headlines alongside Morgan Wade in the Roanoke Times as two Virginia natives making waves in Nashville. In March 2023 Ross released his project with world renowned Blackbird Studios, ‘Part of Me’. Ross’ most recent release, a carefully crafted new project, he teamed up with songwriter Jason Nix for a stripped-back version of “As The Crow Flies.” Jason is well-known for Lainey Wilson’s recent ACM Song of the Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know.” Ross continues to play across the USA as a solo artist, and keeps a Nashville residency at multiple venues.
About Dead Horse Branding
Dead Horse Branding is an award-winning branding, PR, and Management firm in Nashville, Tennessee, with international headquarters in Wollongong, NSW Australia. Since its founding in 2015 by co-founders Melissa Core-Caballo and Rick Caballo, DHB has built a reputation for transforming brands, establishing artists, and launching them into the industry. In 2025, DHB promoted Brittany Hambrick to Vice President of Operations & Branding.
With a diverse portfolio spanning music, fashion, entertainment, education, culinary arts, interior design, corporate branding, and franchising, Dead Horse Branding has been the creative force behind iconic projects such as Baha Men’s “Who Let the Dogs Out,” Steven Tyler’s solo band “LOVING MARY,” Cyndi Lauper’s “DETOUR,” Bo Diddley, legendary producer Tony Brown, and more. In 2016, DHB partnered with Tony Brown and John Mason to launch Velvet Stone Management, which combined Brown’s production expertise, Mason’s legal acumen, and DHB’s creative services to offer comprehensive artist management solutions. Their collaboration played a pivotal role in the O’Connor Band’s Grammy-winning success for Best Bluegrass Album at the 59th Grammy Awards.
At the core of DHBs success are its seven primary branding formulas, which are housed under one roof. These formulas—1. Strategic Planning, 2. Logo Design, 3. Photography, 4. Website Design, 5. Publicity, 6. Marketing + Distribution + Social Media, and 7. Licensing—are what set DHB apart as the only agency offering end-to-end brand creation, development, promotion, and management. This holistic approach has earned DHB multiple industry accolades, including the IDA Design Awards Golden Winner (2017), NYC Big Book Award (2018), and American Web Design Awards (2019-2024). The firm was also named Best PR + Marketing Firm in Nashville (2020-2024).
DHB has had the pleasure of working with renowned brands and artists such as CHINGY, Freebird, Buffalo Girl, Corello USA, Duck Dynasty, Mushroom Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Studio City PIXEL, TEDx, NAMM, Lionsgate, Hallmark, The Today Show, Songwriting University, Robert’s Western World, Quartz Hill Records, Stone Country Records, Marc Jordan, Jayne Denham, and more.
Dead Horse Branding’s innovation extends beyond brand management; it has also developed the DH7 Educational Program, a global initiative aimed at equipping students with real-world branding knowledge. Implemented in the U.S. and Australia, this program bridges the gap between classroom education and career goals, empowering students with the skills to build and manage brands before they graduate. The DH7 system spans multiple industries, including music, fashion, business, culinary arts, design, entertainment, and more.
