Joshua Scott Jones, formerly one-half of the duo, Steel Magnolia, just released his debut album as a solo artist, 'The Healing.' The new set of tunes, he says, documents his own journey through his drug and alcohol addiction, his successful stint in rehab, and the end of his engagement to former duo partner, Meghan Linsey.

"It's like opening an old wound, and that makes me nervous," Jones concedes to Rolling Stone Country. "But it made for an honest record that's straight from the heart."

The singer-songwriter vividly recalls the moment he realized his life was spiraling out of control. He and Linsey were only a few days away from their dream gig, serving as the opening act for Reba McEntire, when he hit rock bottom.

"I tried [to quit] by myself for years. It was messy," he explains. "There was a lot of apologizing back then, and trying to remember where I'd been and what went on."

Instead, James Otto joined Linsey on the road, while Jones worked on his sobriety. But while he came out with a new lease on life, the damage was already done to his romantic relationship with Linsey.

"Meghan and I were so close, and still are. We were together every day for six years. Can you imagine being around me that much?" he questions. "I have a lot of regrets. I had this picture of how I wanted things to go, but you have to trust that this is the way life is. Meghan has a lot she wants to prove and to do for herself, and I do, too. "

Jones says writing for 'The Healing' was therapeutic for him and his new lease on life.

"This has been a long time coming for me," he says. "I feel like it's really a chance for my voice to be heard."

Linsey is still working on her debut solo album, and has launched a PledgeMusic campaign to help fund the project.

Purchase 'The Healing' here.

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