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A Tribute to Backroad Anthem

"Torn" Song and Video Tell an Emotional Story

"So torn." It's the message of Backroad Anthem's new video, but it's also how you'll feel watching it. And knowing how hard it must be now that the country newcomers have lost their frontman, Craig Strickland.

"I can love you baby, but I can't love you more. I'm torn. I'm so torn," the late Strickland sings in the tune, now playing on CMT.com.

The Arkansas-based band also posted the video on social media, saying, "Last year, we shot a music video for our song, 'Torn.' We wanted to finally release the video and share with everyone so you could have a chance to see Craig doing what he loved. We are so proud of how it turned out, and we know Craig was, too."

After the band visited CMT's Nashville offices last year and performed for staff members, network executives added Backroad Anthem to the CMT Artist Discovery program in early December. Plans were made for an early January launch of the video.

Strickland, 29, died after suffering hypothermia while duck hunting on Kaw Lake in Oklahoma with his friend Chase Morland, 22, a few days after Christmas. Morland's body was recovered Dec. 28. Strickland's body was found Monday (Jan. 4).

"Craig was the epitome of the kind of person you love to be around -- positive, funny, charismatic, enthusiastic and ridiculously inspired by what was in the future of his band," manager Peter Hartung said. "My heart is heavy with his loss for his wife Helen, his parents and family, his brothers of Backroad Anthem, for all of us at L3 Entertainment, and for all who had a chance to have Craig in their lives in any large or small way."

Backroad Anthem's video for "Torn" will air on CMT and CMT Music beginning Monday (Jan. 11).

A memorial service for Strickland will be held Tuesday in Rogers, Arkansas.

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