A true labor of love, Tammy spent nearly two years trying to write a song that would honor her brothers, both of who succumbed to Cystic Fibrosis early in their lives. “I knew when I got my [first record deal] that I wanted to dedicate the album to my brothers and to write a song for them. So, I started the song immediately. I worked on it by myself for about a year and half.” The process was always too emotional for her and a whole song never materialized. “Every time I tried to write it, I would break down and cry.“ An unexpected miracle transpired when Tammy met songwriters Jim McBride and Stewart Harris. “I met Jim and Stewart and told them my story. I also told them that [the song I’d been working on] would never be a single but that it was something that I needed to do. We all sat down, shared stories of loved ones we had lost, and ‘Angels in Waiting’ happened.”
Released as her third single in 2001, “Angels in Waiting” went on to become Tammy’s first Top 10 song! The music video for “Angels” – which featured home videos and photos of Tammy with her brothers – also earned her a Billboard Music Video Award and the Christian Country Music Association’s Music Video of the Year Award.
But, it has been the sentimental nature and inspirational message of “Angels” that has contributed to the song’s incredible staying power! Tammy, herself, is astounded by the tremendous feedback her song continues to receive. “It amazes me that several years later, this song is remembered by so many. I get at least 100 emails a week with people telling me stories of their angels and how this song has helped them through a terrible time in their life.”
Fueled by numerous requests from fans inquiring where they might find “Angels in Waiting” on CD, Tammy’s decision to re-cut and re-package it as a single release was a simple one. “My self-titled debut album is currently out of print. I have had so many requests for the song that I felt I needed to make it available again.” So, Tammy went back into the studio and re-recorded this Special Release version. The lyrics remain unchanged, but the song is set to a different musical arrangement. For example, in the new version, the song opens with twin fiddles instead of dobro.
Tammy is infinitely grateful that such a personal song has been well received by so many. “It makes me feel proud as a singer and songwriter that we were able to create a song that has touched so many and continues to touch people.” She adds, “This song was never meant to be a single, just a personal song between my brothers and me. I feel like they get to live on forever through this song, and I'm grateful that the fans and the Cystic Fibrosis community has embraced them.”
The Special Release single version of “Angels in Waiting” is available for purchase in the Merch section at www.tammycochranfans.com.













