When Nashville songwriter and producer Chad Sellers passed away in August 2023 due to a heart condition, he left behind more than unfinished songs — he left a creative spirit that deeply shaped everyone who worked alongside him. Now, with the release of In A Heartbeat, Sellers’ family and closest collaborators have come together to complete and share the project he began, transforming grief into something lasting and purposeful.
Before his passing, Sellers was quietly crafting what would become his debut folk-Americana EP: an intimate body of work rooted in love, struggle, faith, and reflection. Those who knew him best describe him as both quirky and deeply intentional — a writer with a clear vision who trusted his instincts and committed fully once he set his mind to something.
“A lot of the musicians and creatives who knew Chad described him as quirky and specific,” one collaborator shares. “He knew what he wanted, trusted his instincts, and had a strong lyrical vision. Hearing those qualities echoed by writers, friends, and family reinforced how intentional he was in his music.”
That intention can be felt throughout In A Heart Beat, an EP completed not by obligation, but by love. Rather than freezing creativity in the face of loss, Sellers’ community chose action — carefully finishing the songs he started and ensuring his voice would continue to be heard.
The project itself became a lesson in how grief and love often coexist.
“This project showed that grief and love often exist at the same time,” the collaborator reflects. “Loss doesn’t always call for stillness — sometimes it calls for care, effort, and intention. Purpose can come from honoring something bigger than yourself, and love continues to show up through the work we choose to carry forward.”
The EP opens with “Bird On A Wire,” co-written with Camden West and Neil Cooper, using a simple image to explore freedom, presence, and perspective. It’s followed by “If I Were The Wind,” which features Sellers’ final recorded vocal — a deeply personal collaboration with his eldest son, Gavin Sellers — making the song both a farewell and a promise across generations.
The focus track, “Kids Of Your Own,” may be the emotional center of the project. Written as a letter from the future, the song traces everyday moments into the profound realization of how quickly time passes and how deeply love grows. For Sellers’ children, it stands as something permanent — a message meant to be carried forward.
“There’s a bigger message behind releasing his work now,” the collaborator explains. “Love doesn’t end when someone is gone. It continues through the people they leave behind — his kids, his family, his collaborators, and everyone shaped by his work. Releasing these songs shows that connection and care can outlive loss, and that creativity can carry love forward.”
That sense of community was on full display during a tribute show held January 13 at Nashville’s Rusty Nail, where friends, collaborators, and fans gathered to celebrate Sellers’ life and music. Photos and videos from the night will continue to be shared, extending the project beyond the EP itself.
“The next phase is about telling the story,” they add. “Letting people see the community that formed around the music — and allowing those moments to keep reaching people.”
Looking ahead, the hope isn’t tied solely to streaming numbers or formal expansion. Instead, it’s rooted in connection — especially for listeners navigating their own grief.
“If the project helps others feel seen in their loss, then it’s doing something meaningful,” they say. “Whether through music, shared moments, or community, the goal is impact.”
At its core, In A Heartbeat tells the story of a Midwestern songwriter from Iowa who set his mind on something and followed it with heart and persistence. Beyond the loss, it’s a reminder of what it means to create honestly — and to leave something behind that continues to matter.
“If listeners take away respect for the work, a moment to reflect, or the inspiration to keep going after what matters to them,” the collaborator says, “then the project has done its job.”
In A Heart Beat is the project Chad Sellers didn’t get to finish in life — but it’s the one now carrying his voice, vision, and love forward.
