In a town built on three chords and the truth, songs mean more when they carry a story that matters. Rising husband-and-wife duo Kirwan The Band deliver exactly that with their powerful new single, “Detours,” joined by country hitmaker Clay Walker, a collaboration that feels right at home in Nashville.
Inspired by child safety advocate Elizabeth Smart and her 2025 memoir, Detours, the track transforms a deeply personal account of survival and healing into a universal anthem about perseverance. The song is also featured in promotional materials for the Netflix documentary Kidnapped: The Elizabeth Smart Story, further underscoring its emotional weight and cultural relevance.
Written by Colm and Caitriona Kirwan alongside independent producer Matthew Craig Johnson, “Detours” showcases the kind of intentional songwriting Nashville reveres. The Irish-born couple, who found each other through a shared love of music before relocating to Music City during the pandemic to record their debut project, have steadily carved out a lane that blends modern pop-country textures with messages of faith, hope, and resilience.
The way, the way, the way
You’re gonna look back on your story one day
And see that the detours were always the way…
The lyric reads like a late-night writing room revelation — simple, honest, and earned. It’s the kind of chorus that feels conversational yet profound, reminding listeners that the very setbacks they question today may shape tomorrow’s breakthrough.
Hand-selecting Walker as their duet partner adds both gravitas and authenticity. A multi-platinum artist with 11 No. 1 hits and more than 40 charted singles, Walker’s legacy in country music is firmly established. But it’s his personal journey that makes his presence on “Detours” especially poignant. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996, he has long embodied the song’s message of pushing forward through life’s unexpected turns, founding The Clay Walker Foundation to fund research and support families affected by MS.
Currently headlining his “Doin’ What I Love” North American tour, Walker continues to balance career longevity with meaningful advocacy, a model of sustainability that many Nashville artists aspire to emulate.
For Kirwan The Band, this collaboration signals more than a milestone feature. It’s a statement about the kind of music they want to make, songs that matter, songs that minister as much as they move. In a city where authenticity is currency, “Detours” stands out not because it chases a trend, but because it honors a truth.
In Nashville, we know the road to success is rarely straight. Careers pivot. Songs get cut—or don’t. Doors close, others open. “Detours” captures that shared understanding with grace, reminding the industry and listeners alike that sometimes the long way around is the very road that leads you home.