Does Chris Stapleton have a younger brother named Kyle Daniel? Because that’s what he sounds like. My goodness, this is a country music power ballad. There’s a touch of Tim McGraw in there, too, and that’s nothing to take lightly. Kyle Daniel’s composition is rich with layers of piano and guitar work that are really fun. Also, the “born to lose” lyrics are perfect for my pessimistic heart. We don’t often feature modern country, but this one is worth an exception.
Boo Ray titled his new album, releasing Feb. 15, Tennessee Alabama Fireworks, taking inspiration from a sign he saw regularly on I-24 in his frequent drives between Chattanooga and Nashville. But the title also does a fair job of describing the sound of the album as well, as influences from Nashville, Memphis, and Muscle Shoals come together for one big bang of a Southern rock masterclass.
Boo Ray has a lot on his mind on Tennessee Alabama Fireworks and the album’s lead single and first track “A Tune You Can Whistle” sets the stage for a his thoughts on how a plugged in world and an increasing dependence on medication to regulate the flow leads to personal disconnect.
“This song’s a true love relationship being torn apart by addiction, financial struggle and depression, in emergency crash-mode begging to “Hold on! We ain’t got the good out of this yet.” It’s a country song and can be cut a couple of different ways. I was thinking The Mavericks-retro-modern-California country style so I could pitch it to somebody hip, maybe Russell Dickerson, Brothers Osborne or Eric Church. And it could also be done as a devastating, heartbroken ‘Whiskey Lullaby’-style duet by a pair of singers like Kacey Musgraves and Charlie Worsham, or Maren Morris and Russell Dickerson.” – Boo Ray
A deep baritone voice delivers us to the Appalachia of yore, where the lyrical style, the bluegrass prominence, and above all the joyful rhythmic delivery feel modern and well-produced, but are also of a piece with Godwin’s own heritage. Having been born and raised in West Virginia, the sound of Charles Wesley Godwin’s voice is a clear echo of the generations before him.
Southern troubadour Boo Ray is back with a bang. The singer is gearing up to release his new album Tennessee Alabama Fireworks (out on Feb. 15). Today, Wide Open Country is premiering the album’s debut single “A Tune You Can Whistle,” a trucker anthem that doubles as a sociopolitical manifesto set to a honky tonk beat.
“One nation under the influence of a cell phone computer screen,” Ray sings on the dynamic track. “One nation under the influence of benzodiazepine.”
Ray said the song was inspired by the current cultural climate and the ongoing struggle to communicate with one another amidst a whirlwind of distractions, struggles and anxieties.
Michael McArthur is no stranger to the Americana and Folk world. He’s been releasing singles commercially since 2016, however, has never released anything other than that. Thankfully, McArthur has finally graced us with his full first length release. The album title originates from the idea that you can’t have green without rain and that you must withstand hard times to be rewarded with the good. This concept really sets you up for the journey that the album takes you on. McArthur teamed up with producer Ryan Freeland (Ray Lamontagne, Bonnie Raitt). The pair recorded this album at United Recording Studios, Los Angeles, in the same room that both Frank Sinatra and Elvis once recorded some of their hit songs.