49 Winchester Announces New Album “Fortune Favors The Bold”
49 Winchester was the little band that could from Castlewood, Virginia, until they became the little band from Castlewood, Virginia that did. Spirited forward from the strength of their third album III released in 2020, and numerous local and festival performances that had folks raving about them, they signed to New West Records in 2021, and now will be releasing their latest record through the label called Fortune Favors The Bold on May 13th.
“Everything has to be built. And very few people are going to achieve success overnight,” says frontman Isaac Gibson. “We didn’t start out as a bunch of hot shot pickers out of Nashville. We started out on the ground floor — very basic songwriting and instrumentation. But we kept working at it, always progressing in what we wanted to do and how we wanted to sound — each song better than the previous one, the show this evening better than last night.”
That building started as a group of teenage friends growing up on Winchester Street in Castlewood (pop. 2,000) who just wanted to play some music. They approached the effort with no real expectations, and with an independent-minded spirit. Releasing their first record in 2014, soon the momentum took on a life of its own, and they started making some noise regionally, with their live performances earning them a strong grassroots following.
49 Winchester serves it up greasy, whether it’s Southern fried rock, honky tonk country, sentimental moments tickling the fringes of Americana, or a version of soul that takes all of those influences and stews them. It’s always Southern, but the variety of flavors you’re served keeps you on your toes.
It’s also the brotherhood vibe from this band that imbibes their music with that blue collar, local hero flavor. You want to root for these dudes. You want them to come to your town so you can buy them a beer. You want them to get big enough that they keep coming to your town, but not so big that they stop.
All of that can be heard in their new song “Annabel,” with the harmony vibes immediately making the hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention, and Isaac Gibson’s soulful voice selling you on the story (listen below).
49 Winchester has big appearances coming up this year at Floydfest, Merlefest, the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, and others. Fortune Favors The Bold is an apropos title for their fourth album, and it’s now available for pre-order.
Track List:
1. Annabel
2. Man’s Best Friend
3. Russell County Line
4. All I Need
5. Hillbilly Daydream
6. Damn Darlin’
7. Fortune Favors The Bold
8. Second Chance
9. Neon
10. Last Call
February 18, 2022 @ 10:22 am
They also are going on tour with Whiskey Myers/Shane Smith and the Saints, and WM with the new album announced today. Im not sure a better lineup could be made.
February 18, 2022 @ 10:24 am
I think they’re the next big thing from the independent side of country. They just have that sound and it keeps getting better and better.
February 18, 2022 @ 11:30 am
Loved III and looking up to this new one. They got potential for sure.
February 18, 2022 @ 12:58 pm
Nice! I hear a hint of the 70’s-era Southern rock band Outlaws in the harmonies.
February 18, 2022 @ 1:04 pm
I like these guys. Long Hard Life has been a part of my playlist and has become one of those songs that pop into your head all the time. Think this band is on the right track. They fit in nice with Whiskey Myers and The Steel Woods, etc.
February 18, 2022 @ 1:35 pm
Never heard of these guys until about a year ago. I’ve listened the crap out of them since. Looking forward to this.
February 18, 2022 @ 1:58 pm
I really like these guys. I’m dying to see them in concert, but a positive COVID test canceled their show here a last week. Hopefully, they reschedule soon since they are regional.
February 18, 2022 @ 2:58 pm
Also, the Paris of Appalachia, Pittsburgh, can now boast two of their own in prominent, surging country music touring bands.
Read Connelly was formally asked to join Zac Bryan’s touring band after laying steel on the new album – American Heartbreak (he’s also in Charles Godwin’s outfit – a duo tour is expected).
Craig Burletic has been in Tyler Childers’ Foodstamps since their origin.
Other Appalachian regions are starting to get into the action.
February 18, 2022 @ 2:09 pm
LOVE the harmonies on Annabel.
February 18, 2022 @ 5:49 pm
Been saying it since that meme dude introduced me to their tunes about 3 years ago that they were going to get big.
Saw them over the summer and they were great.
Can’t wait to hear the album!
February 19, 2022 @ 7:30 pm
They ripped on a small stage at Mile 0 Fest last month. Can’t wait to see them again.
February 21, 2022 @ 12:58 pm
I think they are one of the most underrated bands out there right now. So excited for the new album. My wife is sick of hearing “It’s a Shame” every time we get in the car.