Album Review – Channing Wilson’s “Dead Man”
Reaching for Channing Wilson is reaching for the hardest stuff possible in the realm of country music. If this music was alcohol, it’d be the kind of spirits that are illegal in some parts of Alabama—the stuff that dubs as turpentine in a pinch. You want country damn music, straight with no chaser, in the triple proof industrial strength, served with the most gut-wrenching and heart-pounding stories possible while backed by a Waylon half-time beat? Channing Wilson is your man and everyone else can sit their asses down.
A long-time and well-respected songwriter originally from North Georgia, Channing Wilson has paid as many dues as possible. Now here a good decade or two after Channing probably should have been backstopped up by some monied Nashville high roller and thrust into the spotlight, he is finally getting his shot with an album produced by Dave Cobb. And no, Channing Wilson didn’t get all of this way just to fumble right before the goal line. He’s blows through the back of the end zone and leaves the crowd to rush the field and tear down the goal posts.
Not for the weak or defibrillated, Channing Wilson doesn’t deliver songs, he pounds them into your chest like a battering ram. The power and punch of what he is serving up here should come with a warning label and require a stress test of the audience. Waylon gets all manner of credit for being the hard-edged country “Outlaw,” but anyone who actually knows his catalog can attest he sung all kinds of love ballads and such too. The closest thing you get to a love song here is the one where Channing talks about being crazy.
What’s always been strange about Channing Wilson being so under-the-radar is not just how good he is with words, which is something fellow artists like Luke Combs, Sunny Sweeney, Travis Tritt, and Jason Eady have all recognized by putting his songs on their albums. It’s also the heartbreaking soul and sheer earth-shattering power with which Channing delivers them. That’s why it’s always felt scandalous that he wasn’t better known outside of Nashville songwriting rounds. And it’s what makes this Dead Man album so potent. Channing Wilson is a songwriter, and a performer.
“Blues Comin’ On” is fine as a written song, even if it’s not especially novel. But it’s Channing Wilson’s delivery that drives it home. As you listen, you get put right back in that place where you know you’re headed down the wrong side of an emotional roller coaster, and the dread overtakes you. If country music had a heavy metal version, this would be it. But Channing also keeps the songs firmly in the realm of hard blues-inspired Outlaw country.
“Drink That Strong,” “Beer For Breakfast,” and all the other alcohol references throughout this album could give you cirrhosis even if you’ve been six years sober. The hard punctuations of “Dead Man Walking” are enough to wake Lazarus. Whatever Channing Wilson chooses to do on this album, he does it hard. When he sings the comparatively sedate and solemn “Sunday Morning Blues” clearly inspired by the Kristofferson influence on Outlaw country, he almost sounds like a different person.
Some may feel like Dead Man is a little too “one note” for them. At no point does Channing Wilson venture that far away from the drunk, depressed, and destitute attitude that the album was built upon. There is no opportunity to come up for air. But for those who’ve spent years building up tolerance to heartbreaking and depressing songs, and need something to break through all the pain to make you feel alive again, this is your poison.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8.5/10)
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Purchase from Channing Wilson
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February 24, 2023 @ 9:03 am
Knew this was a Dave Cobb production the first few seconds in.
Echo chamber, anyone?
Channing’s voice is alright.
Has a bit of a Charlie Daniel’s vibe.
February 24, 2023 @ 6:53 pm
And here I was going to give Cobb credit for toning it down. Actually thought he did a great job on this record.
Agree about the voice. He ain’t going to be giving George Jones a run for his money and his range is limited, but his delivery is really good and he gets the song across, which is a lot more than you can say for some of the more technically accomplished folks I could mention.
February 24, 2023 @ 9:17 am
Excellent album, definitely lived up to expectations.
February 24, 2023 @ 10:19 am
The man comes off as authentically what he’s presenting himself as: a Georgia redneck, who loves a very specific style of C(c)ountry Music from the 70’s.
I appreciate that.
For me though, I don’t think any amount of authenticity, or even talent for that matter, can overcome the fact that this Outlaw thing has just been driven into the ground. I get it; you’re too edgy to just be a Charley Pride acolyte, but at this point, if you wanted to be edgy relative to the current trends, you could accomplish that edginess by being a Charley Pride acolyte.
I almost see the popularity of Outlaw C(c)ountry as a reminder of how country things ain’t, as opposed to how country they are. And this goes back to what was discussed on the last Mo Pitney article. What Mo is doing is truly the most outlaw thing you could do right now.
February 24, 2023 @ 10:35 am
“I almost see the popularity of Outlaw C(c)ountry as a reminder of how country things ain’t, as opposed to how country they are.”
I don’t see Outlaw country right now as a hot commodity at all in what’s happening in independent country. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s been cooling off quite a bit, and that’s why you don’t see as much buzz around guys like Cody Jinks as you do Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrel, Charley Crockett, and Billy Strings. It’s more of the classic throwback sound, string music, and singer/songwriters that are hot right now. That is why in my last article about Mo Pitney I said it was a good time for him to finally emerge. It’s Marty Stuart who said the most Outlaw thing you can do in Nashville is play country music. I don’t think Channing Wilson is necessarily trying to emulate an Outlaw sound as much as that’s how it’s rendered because of the nature of the material, but I actually think a guy like Mo Pitney has a big opportunity to catch fire at the moment, of course if Curb Records an Mo were up for it, which I think is a big question.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:32 am
Could the lack of buzz around Jinks be more about his uninspiring recent output than some sea change in commodities?
February 24, 2023 @ 11:58 am
I actually think that Cody’s recent output has been solid. It’s just when everything is judged upon “Adobe Sessions,” it all sounds inferior. My broader point is that I don’t see a bunch of up-and-comers out there emulating Cody Jinks or the “Outlaw” sound. There are some for sure. But primarily what I see is a TON of kids from Kentucky singing about coal and cocaine and trying to be the next Tyler Childers. That is what is hot at the moment, and why folks like Charles Wesley Godwin, Sierra Ferrell, and to some extent, Zach Bryan are blowing up.
February 24, 2023 @ 2:42 pm
Adobe and Not the Devil were great, had momentum and energy, and since then it’s just been “ok” IMO . Maybe Tyler did create some buzz about Kentucky, but the artists like Zach are putting out much better music right now. I’m just saying the quality of the actual music could be more of a factor than anything. Or perhaps that’s naive of me to say…
February 24, 2023 @ 2:15 pm
Just because it recently came up in my FB memory …
I think things started cooling off with Cody Jinks (at least for me) when he started hocking his signature beaver pelt hat – The Fast Hand – for a cool $2,500 (which lead to some of the best comments on SCM and social media).
Then, during the pandemic he made a couple tweets/post that I (and many of his fans) interpreted as being anti-labor.
Mix in a rock album and I think a lot of people started wondering if we’ve had a sheep in wolves clothing this whole time.
February 24, 2023 @ 3:24 pm
Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt. I know you really want that hat. Bring your authentic self to the SCM comment section…
February 24, 2023 @ 3:25 pm
I think Cody Jinks is still smashing it. He headlined both Born & Raised Fest and Under The Big Sky Fest last year, which are arguably the two biggest events in underground country.
The broader point I was trying to make is that Honky said that Channing was leaning into the “Outlaw” sound because it’s “popular.” First, that’s to completely misjudge Channing, who is an older songwriter who has been doing this for years, and the absolute last thing he would try to do is chase popularity.
Second, I can’t name off all of the 20-something Tyler Childers-like songwriters out there right now—the Cole Chaneys, Drayton Farleys, Logan Halsteads, and so on, and so forths of the world. THIS is what is trendy right now, not trying to sound like Waylon and Paycheck.
February 24, 2023 @ 7:15 pm
Dangit I can’t find any stories on this $2500 hat, but now I’m very intrigued. Not to buy it – just to read comments!!
February 24, 2023 @ 9:20 pm
…”Honky said that Channing was leaning into the “Outlaw” sound because it’s “popular.””….
You misunderstood stood me, Trig. Channing isn’t doing it because it’s popular. He’s doing it because it’s the primary sound that has influenced him. It’s the primary sound that’s influenced him…because of its popularity with his generation.
I’m not saying he’s emulating for the sake of it. Outlaw seems to be pretty comfortable for him.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:43 am
Not sure if you would consider Warren Zeiders or Bryan Martin as Outlaw Country, but they seem to be amassing more listens than all above (except ZB of course). I’m not sure if I’ve even heard ‘Self Inflicted Scars’ discussed on here…
February 24, 2023 @ 3:21 pm
Warren Zeiders is a whole other can of worms, but I certainly wouldn’t regard him as an “Outlaw.”
February 24, 2023 @ 4:33 pm
Trigger,
Honky’s point is that Outlaw Country has been driven into the ground for decades now. It is one of the most famous tenures in Country Music history. Its singers are constantly namedropped. In contrast, I can only readily recall five songs where Pride is mentioned.
While the music that folks like Mo and Josh Turner try to carry forward is not edgy enough for the underground or political enough for Americana.
Playing 70s Outlaw Country is not musically outlaw any more. Playing music like Pride? Definitely outlaw.
February 24, 2023 @ 6:12 pm
Trig,
In general, Outlaw Country has been the most popular non-mainstream variety of Country for a decade now, even if its popularity has waned a bit recently.
And really, my comment is about “edginess”, or perceived edginess, as much as it is about a certain sound.
If you want to prove me right, get Billy Strings and his band haircuts, and have them start slicking their hair down and wearing 3-piece suits on stage with suspenders. He’ll be a virtual nobody in less than 12 months.
Zach Bryan isn’t even a Country act, so I’m not sure why you brought him up, unless it was to point out that “edgy” Folk Rock singer-songwriters are still viable.
February 24, 2023 @ 8:04 pm
“get Billy Strings and his band haircuts, and have them start slicking their hair down and wearing 3-piece suits on stage with suspenders. He’ll be a virtual nobody in less than 12 months.”
You mean like Mumford & Sons, who were bigger than Taylor Swift around 2010? Or like The Dead South now? Billy Strings just put out an album of bluegrass standards with his dad. Things are always changing. If anything, the Outlaw side is outdated right now, and string bands are the “in” thing. That was the whole premise of my recent Mo Pitney article. If he was out there hustling right now, I think Mo would find a huge audience.
February 24, 2023 @ 9:31 pm
….”You mean like Mumford & Sons, who were bigger than Taylor Swift around 2010? Or like The Dead South now?”….
Trig,
By using folk bands and novelty poser acts in your arguments, you’re making my point for me.
Repeat after me: Honky is right, a lot, and that’s okay.
February 27, 2023 @ 10:00 am
What’s interesting is I don’t see a picture of most of these artists till after I’ve heard their album. Your comment about Billy Strings isn’t even close to true. That guy is so talented, it isn’t how he dresses or looks that made him popular. Its his talent as a singer/songwriter and performer, that got him where he is at.
February 27, 2023 @ 10:17 am
TangoWhiskey,
You’re not arguing against my position. You’re arguing against a position you believe I hold, due to you misunderstanding what I’m trying to convey here. And maybe that’s my fault. Maybe I’m not explaining my position well. But there are several folks here who understand exactly what I’m saying, so I’m not 100% sure where the disconnect is with those of you who don’t.
February 27, 2023 @ 11:04 am
“If you want to prove me right, get Billy Strings and his band haircuts, and have them start slicking their hair down and wearing 3-piece suits on stage with suspenders. He’ll be a virtual nobody in less than 12 months.”
I mean your point is pretty clear. Billy Strings would be a nobody if he got a haircut and dressed differently. Not much more to read into.
February 27, 2023 @ 3:49 pm
Tango,
No, that’s not what I’m saying. You’re oversimplifying part of my comment that was made partly in jest, and using it as if the way Strings, or anyone dresses, is the entire premise of my argument.
Do you have any idea how much talent exists in the Bluegrass world? Strings would be one of many world class pickers, if he went the traditional route. But there are very obvious reasons he’s where he is, and the overwhelming majority of world class Bluegrass pickers are where they are.
He’s tatted up. He has long hair. He sings about dope. He performs music that isn’t Bluegrass. He appeals to non-traditional music fans that traditional, clean-cut Bluegrass acts don’t reach.
Of course he’s talented, but isn’t that a prerequisite?
February 28, 2023 @ 2:29 pm
Honky is correct. Springs is embraced by the wide world outside of bluegrass because he embraces topics that are embraced by the world.
February 28, 2023 @ 2:44 pm
I guess you look at music differently than I do. He plays other music and writes differently because of his immense talent. His looks don’t even factor into why I like him, yet you think the ONLY reason people like him is because he’s different. That just isn’t true.
I mean you are making my argument for me. Every bluegrass band in the world pick this guy up. For me there are different levels to talent, he’s not just talented, he’s a generational talent, IMO.
A better argument would be in regards to Charley Crockett. His style and schtick is a lot of the reason he is successful.
March 1, 2023 @ 6:34 am
TangoWhiskey,
You are totally correct concerning Billy Strings. He is a generational talent.
What a musician.
Much respect for him, and not solely because of his musical prowess.
February 26, 2023 @ 12:36 am
1. What people are looking for has a lot more to do with the authenticity behind the music than the specific genre. Back in the day, it might have been that ‘outlaw’ style music was an authentic expression of a certain type of lifestyle. The problem is that once that becomes popular, it drags in phonies trying to mimick the sound and style.
The same thing is true with that ‘Tyler Childers’ style Appalachian-struggle subgenre. What attracts me to it is when people are singing from the heart in a way that represents real, deep experiences that they, their families, and communities have experienced. That sense of authenticity is what makes something so appealing.
The reason for this is because country music is embedded so deeply into the regional culture and history of Southern USA. That’s what first attracted me to the genre. I wasn’t just listening to nice sounding songs but experiencing a real piece of history.
For both the Outlaw and Tyler Childers style, a lot of us care more about that authenticity factor than whether the music style has been overused. I will listen to a thousand sad songs about coal country if it comes from people who experienced or grew up in that world. This corner of Country music is one of the few genres where it’s an asset to have fewer listeners. If someone is consistently getting 10 million listeners for songs on Spotify, i get skeptical right away, unless I know it to be someone from humble routes who has made it. And seeing just the singer crediting for writing the song and one producer goes a long way as well. And it’s what makes those YouTube channels like Western AF so effective- because they breed authenticity. And Zach Bryan’s early popularity amongst some country fans is because of his real emotion and the fact that he was putting out music during breaks from the military- even though it’s not the most ‘country’ sound. Similar thing with early Jason Isbell.
But as soon as you have a style like this that becomes popular, there is a surge of copycats, and it becomes difficult to determine who’s really experiencing what they’re singing about. And that saturation causes people to get tired of a genre and look for another overlooked slice of the Country world. Also, with the artists themselves, once they get too big, it damages their authentic appeal and we get frustrated with them. That also explains the frustration with people like Sturgill and Bryan. Few ultra-popular singers have managed not to sacrifice their authentic aura (one that does come to mind is Colter Wall) unless they actively avoid the fame.
Because of this, the definition of outlaw has changed. Willi Carlile is one of the most outlaw singers of our time even though he doesn’t play an ‘outlaw’ sound. Being an outlaw means coming from the edges of society, having been tossed aside, and making it. Back then, it was a certain type of individual. Now it’s completely shifted. So it’s not that being an outlaw isn’t popular anymore, but that the definition of the style has shifted.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:29 am
Honky, by that logic, would you say that “Wanted! The Outlaws” is not very country or outlaw because it was the first country album to go platinum? Waylon’s popularity exploded during the outlaw years. That didn’t make him any less country or “outlaw,” it just meant that he successfully rebuffed the industry powers-that-be. I don’t see the current industry powers-that-be at all promoting the outlaw sound.
I don’t see how the Outlaw sound is particularly popular right now. Whitey Morgan or Gethen Jenkins aren’t headlining Red Rocks. And if it were the most popular sound in country (oh what an amazing world that would be!), why would that make it any less country?
February 24, 2023 @ 6:01 pm
SteveG,
I’m in no way saying Outlaw Country wasn’t country. I’m saying that the modern popularity of Outlaw Country is driven by the appeal it has to people under 40. To them, it’s that cool, edgy Country; not that square, twangy s**t that hicks listen to.
Therefore, the popularity of it is a sign that a lot of people who don’t really like much C(c)ountry Music, are listening to a type of it that appeals to their non-country sensibilities.
February 24, 2023 @ 6:28 pm
That’s fair. Even in the 70s, outlaw artists had more crossover appeal to rock audiences. There will always be a market for that sound because blaring phased guitars, half tempo beats, and blues scales just sound cool together. If that’s a gateway drug for rock fans under 40 to listen to authentic country music, then we should be all about it!
February 24, 2023 @ 9:12 pm
But Steve, it’s not a gateway drug. That’s my point; nobody wants to hear that square, twangy s**t that hicks listen to.
February 25, 2023 @ 8:19 am
Yes, but you’ve conceded above that the outlaw sound *is* country. So if rock fans listen to it, they are listening to country. That’s a good thing for the genre even if they don’t listen to your or my favorite flavor.
Also, do you have any empirical evidence (album sales, radio play, streams, concert sizes) that supports the current popularity of outlaw that you are suggesting?
February 27, 2023 @ 10:20 am
SteveG,
It doesn’t feel like you’re getting my point. I don’t know how else to explain it, other than to re-word what I’ve already said.
February 25, 2023 @ 5:36 pm
I feel the need to weigh in on this “outlaw” discussion. First of all, I like it ALL. The edgy Outlaw stuff, the more traditional Charley Pride, Lefty Frizzell, Gene Watson, Keith Whitley vocalists and all points in between. Believe me, I meet fellow music fans like myself who also like it ALL. When I go to shows, I pay attention to the audience, as I’m curious who is supporting our kind of music. When I go to Outlaw shows, for example Kendall Marvell, Whitey Morgan, Dallas Moore, etc, I do see a lot of big bearded biker guys and blue collar construction guys in the crowd. But, also a fair amount of ” country” farm type people as well. It’s the same crowd that you see at Jamey Johnson, Steeldrivers and Blackberry Smoke. Typically older people. Very few under age 30.
As for the crowd that goes to Billy Strings and the like, it’s mixed as well, but more counter- culture deadhead types than traditional country people. My point is, some here see edgy as appealing to one crowd specifically, but I see very differing fanbases for an Outlaw artist vs the Tyler Childers/ Billy Strings shows.
February 25, 2023 @ 6:23 pm
I would concur. In 2017 or 18, I went to a Whitey Morgan show *in a college town* when I was in my late 20s, and my wife and I were maybe the youngest there. Many blue collar and biker types (atypical for that venue), but also the typical Wyoming cowpoke crowd. Of course Whitey killed it. I’ve been to too many shows to count, and that still stands out as my favorite. I’ll be interested to see Channing Wilson live.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:38 am
“What Mo is doing is truly the most outlaw thing you could do right now.”
You must mean, as in authentic country.
With class.
Totally agree.
Channing strikes me as just another fat boy, wannabe bada** outlaw.
There is nothing “Outlaw” about him.
And, he certainly isn’t savvy enough to employ a non reverb happy producer.
He’s just more of the same “glass of alcohol” bro-country, bro
February 24, 2023 @ 6:53 pm
Someone like William Beckmann who sounds like Tex-Mex flavored Jim Reeves is more outlaw in a sense than these edgier-sounding guys. We need artists like Mo and William to put the class back in country.
February 24, 2023 @ 8:04 pm
Amen, CJ
February 24, 2023 @ 10:23 am
Tom Waits – Small Change is my standard for any booze-soaked album. I know it’s not country, it’s just my standard. Dead Man lacks the punch you describe in your review in my opinion. Maybe a vocal coach to explore some more range, and it could give the punch I feel is missing.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:07 am
Kinda sounds like a Whitey Morgan knockoff and I don’t like him either so this is a pass for me
February 24, 2023 @ 11:17 am
After a full spin I like it a lot. I wasn’t worried, I still love the songs that had been released and these unheard tracks like Ol Dog & Dead Man Walking are solid. He’s good writer with a little Dillon Carmichael in his voice but more sinister which of course I have no problem with. Arguing or discussing the “outlaw” label is nit picky but I get it. I myself just enjoy these types of records more than 37 Zach Bryan songs or 38 of Morgan Wallens, HARDly’s or Bentley’s latest snoozefest. There’s room for everyone…… I just don’t have time for everyone. This will be at the top of the night time rotation.
February 24, 2023 @ 1:32 pm
I did give Bentley’s new one a fair shake. It put me to sleep until the song with Billie Strings. Wasn’t awful just sleepy. Then I played Channing. Night and damn day.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:17 am
Trig, do you drink alcohol? That 6 year line in your article made me wonder if you are sober.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:54 am
I really don’t like to answer these kinds of questions because ultimately folks are going to draw conclusions from the answer that are false.
What I will say is that I’m not a teetotaler or a 10-stepper, and I have no religious or philosophical opposition to drinking. But generally speaking, if you see me out at a show or festival, I won’t be drinking. That is because my addiction is work, and consuming alcohol can get in the way of that. But again, I am not opposed to drinking, it’s just something that I don’t personally do.
February 24, 2023 @ 11:21 am
Mmmm. This right here. This is that sound I crave.
February 24, 2023 @ 1:22 pm
Thanks for getting this out there Trigger. Definitely digging it. I know many of the folks that visit this site are lifelong country music fans looking for the best of what’s out there today without having to wade through all the garbage to get there. I myself, and I’m guessing a few other regular visitors here, was not raised on country music and only found good country music by stumbling on this site about 6 or 7 years ago. So to me, the outlaw sound is not “old.” Hell, I’m guessing the only Waylon song I’d actually heard or could name up until that time was the Theme to Dukes of Hazard. Sad but true. So please keep doing a great job of putting all different styles out there Trigger. Not everything is for everybody. But almost everything is for somebody. This is for me.
February 24, 2023 @ 2:03 pm
I never hear of the guy before, but this sounds good. I think people are over thinking it or looking for reasons to be critical.
As far as lyrical range: I’d call myself a Travis Tritt fan, but he pretty much requires an Act of Congress to put out a new album. I bought his most recent one, “Set In Stone.” I think in every song, he said either “I’m a Southerner,” “I’m from Georgia,” “Things really suck now, but were a lot better 25 years ago or when Hag was still around,”–or all of the above.
I’ll buy Channing’s disc and hear what else he’s got.
February 24, 2023 @ 2:38 pm
I like it. He wears his influences a little on the nose, but it is a debut album, so I’ll give him a pass.
“Drink That Strong” and “Getting Out of My Mind” are strong singles. Though, “Getting Out of My Mind” reminds me a lot of Whitey Morgan’s “Ain’t Gonna Take it Anymore”.
Side note, can we please retire the “like an old Hank Williams song” trope? At this point, it’s just devolved into an overused writing crutch, and one I catch myself rolling my eyes at, regardless of the song context.
February 25, 2023 @ 3:22 pm
“can we please retire the “like an old Hank Williams song” trope?”
I seriously doubt that is a “trope or crutch” for Channing. I’m sure he lives and breathes Hank Williams music. I saw a show of his a few years ago in a dive honky tonk along with 15 other souls. He is a very personable guy.
February 28, 2023 @ 2:31 pm
It doesn’t matter if he lived it. Using the term “old Hank Williams” is a cliché.
February 24, 2023 @ 3:52 pm
Last post on this thread I promise. Totally off topic but Ben Chapman’s EP that dropped today damn near out-swamps Brent Cobb. So if you’re looking to feed your Brent Cobb fix until he drops a new record, definitely check out Ben. Trigger has said with his time constraints, full albums take precedence over EPs for reviews so thought I’d get it out there for you all.
February 24, 2023 @ 3:53 pm
The Ben Chapman album is on my radar and will be considered for review along with all of the other releases from this week.
February 24, 2023 @ 7:13 pm
You weren’t kidding about Brent Cobb: the chorus off that first tune is a bit more than a tip o’ the hat to King of Alabama. Not knocking him as that sort of thing happens when younger songwriters are feeling things out. Nice album overall. Thanks for the tip.
February 24, 2023 @ 4:25 pm
I’m really liking the embedded songs. I’m a huge fan of Whitey Morgan so this is a nice fix while waiting on more WM music. The funny thing is, this guy is a friend of a good friend. I was given a couple albums worth of his music a few years ago, listened a few times and liked it, but for whatever reason he fell off my radar. Really cool to see him get some coverage here.
February 24, 2023 @ 7:57 pm
I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of this guy before. First song I chose was ‘Blues Comin’ On’ and it reminds me a lot of ‘The Ride’ by David Allan Coe. It’s always so refreshing to hear an older sounding voice that’s pleasant to listen to.
February 25, 2023 @ 1:53 am
discovered this guy through sequestred songwriters and been waiting for this album ever since. Good and solid hard country, already knew some of the songs via his previous live ep.
February 25, 2023 @ 3:15 am
It’s great to hear all the real country music coming back with the likes of cody jinks the steel woods whitey Morgan Brent Cobb and the list goes on just wish could tune in a local fm radio station that actually played it guess I’ll keep on streaming my music and consider fm radio dead and a thing of the past
February 25, 2023 @ 3:25 am
The reason all this so called outlaw country is labeled outlaw isn’t because of the sound or style it’s labeled outlaw because they are all independent artists making great music that prefer not to join with the big suit executives and record labels that own Nashville and tell them what songs to sing and to not play a guitar just sing and let a soundboard digitally make the music it’s not outlaw country just musicians going against the grain
February 25, 2023 @ 7:56 am
The term Outlaw these days seems to have varied meanings to different folks. There are two completely different conceptions on exactly what Outlaw Country is these days. There is the opinion of the Americana crowd expressed above that considers any artist within the Americana/Country crowd that is playing traditional non commercial music as outlaw. Then there is the more traditional country opinion that there is a more modern outlaw type of sound, with honky tonk guitars, pedal steel, and alcohol soaked sad lyrics. Not a recreation of 70’s outlaw, but a modern representation of it. Wilson falls in this group.
The Ameripoliton Awards last week showed the division of opinion within its nominees. You had modern outlaw artists such as Dallas Moore and The Rhyolite Sound competing with artists like Kaitlin Butts and Jenny Don’t & The Spurs. Great artists, but a long leap to describe their sound as outlaw.
February 25, 2023 @ 7:25 am
The Jamey Johnson / Chris Stapleton school of overweight, barber-shop-shunning, soulful-voiced purveyors of sad bastard songs: my kind of poison indeed.
February 25, 2023 @ 7:32 am
Lot of debate about the popularity of Outlaw Country or Dave Cobb production here. Not sure when Outlaw Country was ever meant to be popular, and like him or not, Cobb has produced a long list of some of the best country albums in the last few decades with names like Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings, Linda Ortega, Sturgil Simpson, and on and on.
I don’t think Channing set out to release a popular album here. He has written songs for many top artists, so no doubt he probably could have. Channing set out to release an album of good ole country music with an outlaw/traditional style that was meant to make him happy. No one produces better results at this type of album than Cobb.
Love this album. It’s right up there with the best of modern outlaw albums released in the last few years.
February 26, 2023 @ 7:14 am
This guy isn’t trying to be an “outlaw”. He played all the local bars in my hometown for years and finally decided to try to make it in Nashville for his kid. Great guy. What you see is what you get. He’s had this sound ever since he started playing years ago. He hasn’t changed.
Find the TN Rounders albums. He was the better singer and those guys sold out shows in town. Their shows were great. I still listen to his song from those albums today.
March 2, 2023 @ 10:24 am
Firmly in the wheelhouse occupied by fellow burly, bearded, boozy, and burdened artists like Whitey Morgan, Gethen Jenkins, Kendell Marvel, and Jamey Johnson. I wanna see a package tour with these guys and see how many drunken fights break out among the bikers in the audience. Last Whitey Morgan show I attended, I counted two fights. Band played through both fights, unperturbed.
March 3, 2023 @ 11:12 pm
Absolutely incredible show tonight!! Channing came on here @ Joe’s Live with just an acoustic guitar and proceeded to mesmerize the crowd with such a powerful stage presence they were in shock. Just a sprinkle of us knew the songs and sang along but I can assure you everyone was won over. To his credit he just stuck mainly to his own songs from the album but I don’t think it would’ve killed him to play and say “this is a song I co wrote a few years ago ya might know it……..it’s called She Got The Best Of Me” just to help people see who he is. Hopefully he’ll bring a full band next time around because these songs deserve to heard in full.