Night Of The Orphan Train – A Musical Novel, by Brent Maher, is an audiobook with the music of 21 songs added as a soundtrack within the novel, and it rounds out another award worthy release by Maher, a decorated Nashville songwriter and producer whose work speaks for itself. Maher has worked with everyone from Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton to Kenny Rogers, Merle Haggard and Taj Mahl, not to mention, Ike and Tina Turner and others. Maher’s work has taken him across the musical spectrum, and this is another notch in his belt of releases, with said 21 songs being the glue.
Released in November 2025, for the National Orphan Awareness Month, Night Of The Opera Train – A Musical Novel is a treasure of a tribute to orphans, and it started with Maher visiting the National Orphan Train Complex and jumping the Orphan Train Movement himself, which is a testament to Maher himself to begin with, and the resulting release is a treasure in and of itself. A percentage of the proceeds of sales from the audiobook also go to benefit the Youth Villages of Middle TN, which is yet another testament of Brent Maher’s efforts to pay homage to orphans.
“The Have and Have Nots” is the first video accompanying the Night Of The Opera Train – A Musical Novel, which features the French Family Band, and it’s not only a beautiful song, it’s a great video and production. The band are something of a treat to hear and see, and the voices of the French Family Band are magnificent. The video directed by Roger Pistole is an outstanding piece of work you’ll just have to see for yourself, as are the remaining 20 songs on the audiobook soundtrack list but notice the par excellent vocals as they dominate the song.
The “Orphan Train” video steps up next with a video featuring Trey Hensley, Tammy Rogers and Marc Rogers, and it’s another song and separate sight to behold. The musicians stick to playing, and the video captures them doing it, so there’s no storyboard or these other than performance of a real good bluegrass/folk number. This is another musical highpoint on Night Of The Orphan Train – A Musical Novel, and Maher deserves much of the credit, but he’s not without help either, as he instilled only the finest musicians around.
“I Will Hold You In My Heart” is another video, the third to help put Night Of The Orphan Train – A Musical Novel on the table of audiobook and music lovers, with a second to none performance by Brooke Spencer and Sarah Hollbrook. These two singers have exquisite voices, and Maher produced them well and Pistole directed them well and it’s a lovely tune that puts the proverbial icing on the cake for promoting the musical side of the release. You never know what you’ll find when you take the time to listen to the story and accompanying songs, but the three videos if viewed prior to it will turn that expectation around.
Rachel Townsend