Moraine Music Group Announce The Release of Orphan Train
Moraine Music Group has announced the release of the heartfelt new single, Orphan Train, written by multi-award-winning songwriter and producer Brent Maher, and Grammy award-winning artists Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes. Orphan Train, the powerful lead single from Maher’s upcoming project Night of the Orphan Train – A Musical Novel, is distributed by ONE Audiobooks. The song serves as an overture for the audiobook and original soundtrack arriving in fall 2025. The music video was directed by Roger Pistole.
Orphan Train brings together the talents of Trey Hensley on vocals and guitar, Rob Ickes on Hawaiian guitar and vocals, and Tammy Rogers on fiddle and vocals with Marc Rogers on upright bass. The song and video pay tribute to the Orphan Train Movement, which relocated more than 250,000 orphaned and homeless children from off the streets, primarily New York City, to new homes across America between 1854 and 1929.
Maher was inspired to create the project after discovering The National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas. Moved by its history, he set out to tell the story through a blend of original music and narrative, following three fictional children from age 11 into their 20s. The result is Night of the Orphan Train – A Musical Novel, a unique fusion of historical storytelling and Americana, Bluegrass, and Classic melodic compositions.
Brent Maher
Working on ‘Orphan Train’ was an emotional and creative experience that resonated with all of us. Brent’s vision for telling this story through both music and narration made it one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever been part of – Trey Hensley.
The Orphan Train project allowed me to dig deep into a part of history that really moved me. Working alongside Trey, Tammy, and Brent, we created something truly special – Rob Ickes.
The story behind this project is incredibly powerful. I’m honoured to have contributed my fiddle playing to such a moving musical journey – Tammy Rogers.
Tammy Rogers
With seven Grammy award-winning records to his credit, Brent Maher has become one of Nashville’s most acclaimed songwriters, engineers, and producers. Maher’s accomplishments include over twenty number one singles and a wide array of platinum and multi-platinum selling albums. He has worked with such iconic artists as Ike & Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, The Judds, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Taj Mahal.
In addition, Maher worked with Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll and others while producing the 2023 A Tribute to the Judds album. In 2025 Maher’s 1979 hit song, Lesson in Leavin’ was once again released as a duet by Sierra Ferrell and Nikki Lane, and his song Why Not Me is featured in the 2025 season of The Bear on FX/Hulu.
November is National Orphan Awareness Month, a time to focus on the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide. It’s a month where various organizations and individuals highlight the plight of these children and advocate for their well-being. A key event during this month is Orphan Sunday, which falls on the second Sunday in November, and is a day dedicated to raising awareness and support for orphans and foster children.
The full audiobook of Night of the Orphan Train – A Musical Novel will be available on October 17, 2025, and the original soundtrack will follow on November 7, 2025.
A percentage of proceeds from this project will benefit Youth Villages of Middle Tennessee, which is part of nationally recognised non-profit organisation focused on providing services for children in foster care, group homes and teens aging out of foster care.
About the Orphan Train Movement:
Between 1854 and 1929, more than 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children were reloated from cities like New York to rural towns across America. The Orphan Train Movement remains a significant yet often overlooked chapter in U.S. history.
