Shenandoah and Luke Combs Unite To Revive Country Classic, ‘Two Dozen Roses’

Award-winning country group Shenandoah is joined by country superstar Luke Combs on a brand-new version of the band’s chart-topping hit, “Two Dozen Roses.”

Out now, the reimagined version remains true to the original with an added bonus of Combs’ smoky vocals. Shenandoah lead singer Marty Raybon takes the lead on the just-released collaborative track, delivering the opening lyrics. 

“I brought flowers to your door last night/ I done you wrong, and I wanna make it right/ You say I’m not welcome here/ I know it oughta be perfectly clear/ But I can’t help but wonder what it might be like,” Raybon sings. 

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Combs, who has previously incorporated the song into his set list on tour, joins in on the second verse.

“Oh, I must’ve been a fool back then/ To lose somethin’ that you can’t have again/ I’ve done all that I know to do/ And second-guess my every move/ I can’t help but wonder how it might have been,” Combs sings.

The new version of “Two Dozen Roses” was produced by GRAMMY® winning engineer Noah Gordon and recorded at the historic Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the longtime home to founding Shenandoah members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire. This studio is the same place where the original version of the song was recorded. 

Originally Appeared On The Group’s 1989 Album, The Road Not Taken

Mac McAnally and Robert Byrne co-wrote “Two Dozen Roses,” which appeared on the group’s album The Road Not Taken. It climbed to the top of the charts and eventually became their third No.1 single. 

“It appears ‘Two Dozen Roses’ is as big as it ever was and having Luke’s vocal on there just proves the timelessness of what folks have felt about this song for years,” Raybon told Billboard of the song. 

“Complete Honor”

Following the release of the song, Combs shared, “Iconic group. Iconic song. Complete honor to sing on this one, @Shenandoahband! Thank y’all for having me.” 

Iconic group. Iconic song. Complete honor to sing on this one, @Shenandoahband! Thank y’all for having me.

Listen to “Two Dozen Roses” here: https://t.co/ijE5rfcI6m pic.twitter.com/QSmfpkWaQJ

— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) September 22, 2023

“Two Dozen Roses” featuring Shenandoah and Luke Combs quickly rose to the top of the iTunes chart after its release, earning the band its first No.1 on that chart in quite some time. They took to social media to showcase their gratitude to those who downloaded it. 

No.1 On iTunes

“WE’RE #1. Thanks to all of our friends and family that helped make this happen. To everybody that downloaded it and shared it with everybody me and Marty can’t thank u enough. Now I’m gonna just enjoy this for a while. It’s been a LONG time since we had a #1 record. We are SO excited and thankful,” a post to Shenandoah’s Facebook page reads. 

The release of “Two Dozen Roses” follows the release of Shenandoah’s star-studded 2020 album, Every Road. The project features special guests Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Ashley McBryde, Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson and Brad Paisley. 

Every Road was the band’s 10th studio album and garnered praise from fans and critics alike. 

Formed In 1984

Shenandoah was formed by Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire in 1984.  They were later joined by bassist Ralph Ezell, keyboardist Stan Thorn, and guitarist Jim Seales. 

Shenandoah signed a record contract with Columbia Records and began building a nationwide fan base through their self-titled debut album in 1987. However, it was their second album, The Road Not Taken, that produced their first top ten hits, namely “She Doesn’t Cry Anymore” and “Mama Knows.”

The band achieved a remarkable feat with three consecutive No. 1 hits: “Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South,” and “Two Dozen Roses.” “Church on Cumberland Road” spent two weeks at the top of the charts, making history in country music by becoming the first debut No. 1 single from a country band to stay atop for more than one week. This took their career to new heights and earned Shenandoah their first gold album.

In 1990, their fan-favorite track “Next to You, Next to Me” held the number one position on the charts for an impressive three weeks. 

Additionally, the group’s stunning duet with Alison Krauss, “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart,” earned them a Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the Year and a GRAMMY® for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. In 1991, Shenandoah clinched the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Group of the Year award.

Today, the group is comprised of its original members: Marty Raybon as the lead vocalist and Mike McGuire as the drummer, alongside Paul Sanders on bass, Donnie Allen playing acoustic guitar and fiddle, Andrew Ishee on keys, and Nicky V on guitar.