Album Review – Scott Southworth’s “Hey Hillbilly Singer!”
If you don’t like Scott Southworth, then you don’t like country music. And if you want to know what I mean when I say “country music,” listen to Scott Southworth and that should clue you in. You may have never heard of him. He’s not on mainstream country radio or CMT. That’s how you know he’s good. Perhaps you’ve heard or seen him in passing on RFD-TV or WSM. That’s another positive sign. Scott Southworth also has a serious following in Europe—yet another indication how seriously good and authentic his music should be taken.
From his vantage point in Nashville, Tennessee, Scott Southworth can see the unwelcome sea change in country music spreading across the city like a third world virus, but he ain’t jumping ship from his authentic country sound anytime soon. That’s squarely evident on his new record Hey Hillbilly Singer! No need to check this dude’s country music ID card to make sure he’s not just another East Nashville hipster disguised in pearl snaps. You can tell immediately he’s the real deal.
You come for the sound, but you stay for the songs with Scott Southworth, and Hey Hillbilly Singer! has a bunch of good ones. “Nobody Leaves This World Alive” sounds like something Merle Haggard would write and sing—crotchety, witty, and wise. “Put Another Quarter in the Ride” isn’t about a Magic Fingers massage bed, it’s about knocking out a quarter-century with someone, and looking forward to another quarter-century to come. This, and the song “I Wish I Were Here” are examples of excellent country songwriting that you just don’t hear anymore, leaving a true country music listener yearning, and salivating over an artist like Scott Southworth when they pass under their nose.
The most enjoyable contribution of the album might be “I Ain’t Leaving Town” with traditionalist Bobby Marquez, which spells out Southworth’s philosophical approach to country music in a pretty candid and entertaining fashion. Disgruntled country fans will be pumping their fists to this one for sure. Another high point is “Cigar Store Indian.” Southworth shows off a challenging vocal range to really land an emotional punch, and bare his sentimental side.
There’s also plenty of moments of levity on Hey Hillbilly Singer!, like the title track, and “The Honky Tonk in Me.” This is meant to be a fun record that’s not afraid to get a little deep, or say a little something when it’s necessary. Not every song is stellar, but Hey Hillbilly Singer! is solid throughout.
Scott Southworth regularly performs at small venues in Nashville such as The Bluebird Cafe and Douglas Corner, and hosted the Music Road Show on WSM 650 Sunday evenings with Heino Moeller. People like Scott Southworth are the ones keeping true country music alive, and often without the fanfare or the fawning of the media like the younger, more hip performers. They’re just following a true, unfiltered passion for the music, and doing what they can to keep country music alive. An album like Hey Hillbilly Singer! certainly helps accomplish that.
1 3/4 Guns Up (8/10)
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August 4, 2018 @ 9:34 am
Damn, I thought I was listening to Merle Haggard reincarnated during Nobody Leaves This World Alive. Good stuff!
August 4, 2018 @ 12:45 pm
They sound a lot alike
September 2, 2018 @ 6:09 am
Thanks Matt…here’s a little trivia for you: I originally wrote that song as a pitch for Merle and Willie should they record a follow up to “Django and Jimmy”. Actually got a copy to Merle before he passed through a mutual friend…no idea if he ever actually heard it, but I like to believe he did. 🙂
September 2, 2018 @ 6:46 am
That’s an awesome story Scott. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you!
August 4, 2018 @ 10:45 am
Yep, your right, that’s country music.
You know a workin man can’t get nowhere today, so I think I’ll just stay here and drink.
August 4, 2018 @ 10:47 am
I’ve been largely behind this guy since last spring. Enjoyed lunch with him last month when I was in Nashville. Look for another video in a few months and tell your favorite independent DJ to find his tracks at Airplay Direct.
August 4, 2018 @ 11:15 am
Great album!
Paid some € & the album is downloading right now.
My highlights: “Nothing Left To Fight For Anymore” & “I’ll Always Remember This”.
Here is another great traditional album:
David Paul Nowlin – Keep On Pickin’ – Album – 14 Tracks – Released (08/01)
The album starts with “Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk” (the late Daryle Singletary sings harmony vocals) & ends with “An Empty Glass” (Gary Stewart).
Fans of Alan Jackson, George Strait or Randall King will find a mix of ballads, uptempos & an bluegrass track + a lot of fiddle-playing & steel guitars.
September 2, 2018 @ 6:10 am
Thanks OlaR!!
August 4, 2018 @ 11:55 am
I listened to this after reading your review, and the first thing that came to mind was your review of Paul cauthen’s latest EP. Scott is a decent artist, and I don’t want to knock him, but compared to the have mercy EP, this album is not very creative. Safe is the best way to describe it. And I don’t understand why Scott gets a pass for basically copying the hag’s stylings. At least cauthen is putting a new spin on an old sound. Can you please explain to me why have mercy only gets a 5 and this album gets an 8? I don’t think the criticism about the EP format is enough to justify a poor review. And Scott’s writing is in no way Superior to cauthen’s imo.
August 4, 2018 @ 1:25 pm
I don’t think this record copies Merle Haggard at all. There is ONE song that sounds a little like Haggard. No other song on the record would I characterize like that. Paul Cauthen is sort of his own case study. Two completely different worlds in the country music realm.
August 4, 2018 @ 12:02 pm
Teeeerrrriffic … , clever , to- the- point , say it like it is …clean recording …uncluttered by the unneccessary and un-influenced by misplaced distractions from other genres.
Its not Scott-centric or Sonic-centric…its SONG-centric , Fun-centric and Authentic .
Another light in the storm
September 2, 2018 @ 6:13 am
Thanks Albert! Appreciate the ears and the kind words! Cheers – SS
August 4, 2018 @ 12:34 pm
This NOT country music and I’m about to give a dissertation as to why. Just kidding. Damn this sounds good, going to have to checkout more. Nice segue from the last article….
August 4, 2018 @ 2:09 pm
The next time we all get bent out of shape over politics (or maybe even definitions), I think I’m just going to post the link to “Nobody Leaves This World Alive.” Well said, and and I know I could benefit from that mindset sometimes.
August 4, 2018 @ 10:36 pm
Just confirmed I still love country music 😉
August 5, 2018 @ 5:36 am
“You come for the sound, but you stay for the songs”.
True statement. The “what is real country music” has a lot to do with the sound. It is the bait, and the song is the hook.
August 5, 2018 @ 5:58 am
The 2 songs posted are pretty good, for what they are, but, I’d like to hear some ballads.
August 5, 2018 @ 9:30 am
You can hear all the songs on his website: http://www.scottsouthworth.com/
August 5, 2018 @ 10:57 am
Take my money.
August 6, 2018 @ 8:02 am
Somewhere the Hag is smiling.
August 6, 2018 @ 8:35 am
Listening now, holy crap! Like Jack Williams above said, here’s my money, just take it.
August 6, 2018 @ 7:28 pm
As Marty would say, “well, that’s country…”
August 20, 2018 @ 11:40 am
Thanks for the review and the great comments! Appreciate every bit of it!!!
February 5, 2019 @ 6:45 am
Country, that is Scott Southworth. A man who truly deserves to be recognized.