Blackberry Smoke Announces New Album “Find A Light,” Release New Song
I don’t care how bad your week has sucked, or how mopey you are that you’ve already reneged on your New Year’s resolutions, Blackberry Smoke just announced they have a new album on the way, have just unveiled a new song, and all is right in the world, at least where hard-driving Southern-inflected roots rock is concerned.
Off the hard-earned and independently-won success of two consecutive records going #1 on the country charts—including the first independently-released album to debut in the top spot in modern history with 2015’s Holding All The Roses—Blackberry Smoke is back with their newest record Find A Light to be released on April 6th. Produced by the band themselves, their 6th LP overall once again sees front man Charlie Starr writing or co-writing the album’s 13 tracks.
Along with a heavy dose of Blackberry Smoke, Find A Light is also heavy on collaborations, with pedal steel maestro Robert Randolph joining the set on a song called “I’ll Keep Ramblin’,” Amanda Shires shows up to lend her voice to “Let Me Down Easy,” and The Wood Brothers—who have their own album called One Drop of Truth coming out Feb. 2nd—drop in to collaborate on the album’s final track, “Mother Mountain.” Travis Meadows also co-write as few songs on the new record.
“The new album is a melting pot of Blackberry Smoke music with a wide range of sound and emotion,” says frontman Charlie Starr. “I think it’s our most inspired work yet.”
Find a Light is now available for pre-order, and is preluded with the release of a new song, the sludgy, almost grunge-like “Flesh & Bone.” These Southern rock bastards will also be hitting the road hard and heavy in the next many months around the new release, so check the dates below the YouTube player.
Track Listing:
1. “Flesh and Bone” (Charlie Starr)
2. “Run Away From It All” (Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
3. “The Crooked Kind” (Charlie Starr)
4. “Medicate My Mind” (Charlie Starr, Travis Meadows)
5. “I’ve Got This Song” (Charlie Starr)
6. “Best Seat in the House (Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
7. “I’ll Keep Ramblin'” feat. Robert Randolph (Charlie Starr, Robert Randolph)
8. “Seems So Far” (Charlie Starr, Travis Meadows)
9. “Lord Strike Me Dead” (Charlie Starr)
10. “Let Me Down Easy” feat. Amanda Shires (Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
11. “Nobody Gives a Damn” (Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson)
12. “Till the Wheels Fall Off” (Charlie Starr)
13. “Mother Mountain” feat. the Wood Bros (Charlie Starr)
Blackberry Smoke Tour Dates:
January 19 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
January 20 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
January 22-26 – The Outlaw Country Cruise
February 8 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
February 9 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
February 10 – Robinsonville, MS – Horseshoe Tunica
February 15 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
February 16 – Glasgow, KY – Plaza Theatre
February 17 – Glasgow, KY – Plaza Theatre
February 22 – Augusta, GA – The Bell Auditorium
February 23 – Chattanooga, TN – Tivoli Theatre
February 24 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center (SOLD-OUT)
February 25 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center
March 1 – Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
March 2 – Punta Gorda, FL – Funk Fest
March 3 – Orlando, FL – Church Street Station Block Party
March 7 – Nashville, TN – Volunteer Jam
March 8 – Traverse City, MI – Ground Zero Showroom
March 9 – Elkhart, IN – Lerner Theatre
March 10 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore Detroit
March 16 – Solidaridad, Mexico – Zac Brown Band’s Castaway – Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
March 22 – Brandon, MS – City Hall Live
March 23 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre (SOLD-OUT)
March 24 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
April 20 – Clear Lake, IA – Surf Ballroom
April 21 – Salina, KS – The Stifle Theatre
April 27 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre
April 28 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
May 3 – Portland, ME – Aura
May 4 – Providence, RI – The Strand
May 5 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
May 10 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
May 11 – Ashbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony
May 17 – Westbury, NY – The Space at Westbury
May 18 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre
May 19 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
July 1 – Maidstone, U.K. – Ramblin’ Man Fair
July 21 – Scranton, PA – Peach Festival
Mo Crawford
January 19, 2018 @ 9:21 am
if these dudes didn’t play Skynyrd dress-up nobody would care..very generic
Bigfoot is Real (now that's country!)
January 19, 2018 @ 9:56 am
Hey now, c’mon, they’re better dressers than the Skyn! I actually dig their style and they are all solid musicians. The problem with BBS is Starr’s songwriting which is, to your point, generic.
Stringbuzz
January 19, 2018 @ 11:32 am
IMO you are so off the mark…
Rich Michaud
January 19, 2018 @ 11:46 am
That’s cool Mo. This is America. But if they play near your town, go see them and then get back to us.
Mo Crawford
January 19, 2018 @ 2:27 pm
I’ve seen them,just sounded like generic rock
Hill Willie
January 24, 2018 @ 2:49 pm
IMO They are the best rock and roll band of our time. I feel sorry for you if you don’t see the magic in their music. So many damn good songs.
Patricia A Stevens
January 19, 2018 @ 5:06 pm
These are not Skynyrd wannabies.Youve obviously never listened to them and never seen them in concert. Don’t talk about that which you know not.
jessie with the long hair
January 19, 2018 @ 7:14 pm
Mo is right. You guys that disagree, don’t really know your southern rock roots. They are just good but they’re songwriting and musicianship just doesn’t come close to the band they look up too. I’m sure you have fun when you go to a live show but hearing them on XM’s Outlaw Country station makes me want to turn the channel. Very unoriginal and just good. I have nothing against them but when there are so many truly amazing southern rock/country rock albums and bands that came before them, why would you spend any time listening to something that is just okay. I will never understand how some of you on this website get so excited and glorify certain acts just because they are current but not that good.
Kyle S
January 19, 2018 @ 10:57 pm
Couldnt have said it better. Their crunch guitar tone is completely obnoxious and hides their lack of musicianship. Listen to a skynyrd song or any clsssic southern rock band and tell me those boys didn’t know exactly what they were doing arrangement wise. Skynyrd and Ronnie ( in musicianship and songwriting) make these guys look like a middle school garage band. It’s sad because skynyrd were all kids in their 20s and these guys have to be in their 40s
Trigger
January 19, 2018 @ 11:59 pm
Yeah, but Skynyrd was the most iconic Southern rock band of all time. That’s kind of like saying every country artists today is terrible because they’re not Hank Williams. If you don’t like Blackberry then that’s your opinion, and totally understandable. But not every band is going to be the best ever, and that doesn’t make them bad.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 1:30 am
I should have elaborated. They are completely weak and sopohmoric when compared to southern and/or country rock bands influenced by, including Skynyrd, Allman Bros, Marshall Tucker Band, ZZ Top, CCR, The Band, Dixie Dregs, Little Feat, Georgia Satellites, Kentucky Headhunters, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, Outlaws, Black Crowes, Black Oak Arkansas, Atlanta Rhythm Section, etc. When you compare BBS songs, instrumental prowess, arrangements, originality, and overall musicianship, they are not in the same league as the band that have influenced them. I’m just curious Trigger, how old are you. I don’t mean any disrespect but I believe that this is somewhat of an age and roots in music debate. If I could boil it down to just a couple of things I would say they lack songs, guitar parts, and overall groove. But hey, if you love ’em good for them and you. I just feel like making a point here that maybe some of your younger readers need to dig down and hear some of the real shit that is way better than BBS.
Aggc
January 20, 2018 @ 7:02 am
I remember when Lynyrd Skynyrd first got popular. The critics hated them. Thought they were just an untalented bunch of hicks. It wasn’t until after the plane crash that they were elevated to god-like status. That type of thing is pretty common. Just sayin’…
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 7:18 am
True that some didn’t get it but listening to those albums today, they still hold up. The songs, guitar parts, production, are just timeless and very responsible for influencing a lot modern country music.
Aggc
January 20, 2018 @ 7:33 am
I personally feel the band paled in comparison with the likes of the Allmans and Marshall Tucker in almost every way. Just my opinion though. Can we at least agree that ‘Free Bird’s is just a dreadful song with a long guitar jam appended? I’m 57 by the way and have been closely following music all my life. Love it…
Hill Willie
January 24, 2018 @ 3:04 pm
I’d like to see your song catalog now so you can show us what un-generic southern rock is suppose to sound like. You said it yourself, those old albums that we all love “INFLUENCE” a lot of modern music. Blackberry Smoke does a fantastic job of using those influences and putting their own spin on the style. If they didn’t sound like they do you’d be bitching about how they don’t have enough ROOTS in southern rock
Daniele
January 19, 2018 @ 10:02 am
YES!!! Best rock band alive!!! I just posted on the wrong place!!
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 1:32 am
The best rock band alive is the Heartbreakers although they just lost their leader.
ShadeGrown
January 20, 2018 @ 9:36 am
Clutch
Charlie
January 19, 2018 @ 10:16 am
You’d think I’d already know this–guess I need to get plugged in better!
A band that I love and still I don’t understand their studio approach, even after all these years. They just don’t seem to have found the right production. They’d be a good candidate for a Dave Cobb Jobb.
Still excellent. And very un-generic. As good a live show as there is, and everything they record translates very well to the stage.
ScottG
January 19, 2018 @ 11:04 am
Dave Cobb would fit in that photo perfectly too.
jessie with the long hair
January 19, 2018 @ 7:15 pm
Oh God. Really? Dave Cobb can save them from mediocrity! Oh, yes because he’s the emperor’s new clothes isn’t he. Unbelievable.
ScottG
January 20, 2018 @ 1:14 am
I believe.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 1:33 am
In what, the latest fashion?
ScottG
January 20, 2018 @ 7:46 am
Nope. The way he makes records, and what they sound like.
Crsync
January 21, 2018 @ 9:47 am
I’m sure Dave Cobb is a good guy & talented dude. He’s helped rekindle some classic pre-multi-multi-multi tracked production styles. But he ain’t the cure all for every artist. Nobody is.
hoptowntiger94
January 19, 2018 @ 10:18 am
I commented this before on SCM … I wasn’t a fan until I saw them in concert 2X this past summer with Willie Nelson. They were awesome. Since then, I’ve been listening to their albums differently.
Cecil
January 19, 2018 @ 10:57 am
Hate to be that guy’s but I saw them open for ZBB before they they where big (blackberry smoke that is) and they blew ZBB away I left during ZBBs set actually since then I’ve loved BBS and haven’t been much of a fan of anything ZBB has done is years go out and see em live I’m surprised by the amount of hate BBS gets in the comments section here
WD
January 19, 2018 @ 10:58 am
Blackberry Smoke is one of the “Good Guys”. I’m not a huge fan, but they have won me over with the quality of their music. I initially disliked them because some of their songs reminded me too much of modern country music (that’s not a complement). Then I realized they sounded like modern country music IF modern county music was good. I’ve heard they are great Live and I plan on catching one of their shows in the near future. Maybe you don’t like them, but they don’t deserve any Hate. Nothing wrong with good old Southern Rock.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
January 19, 2018 @ 11:02 am
My week has been a mess. in fact my year is trash! I lost my job, got real sick, computer broke, just everything gone bad in a few months.
But BBS is coming near me! and so is Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper! everything is getting better!
ScottG
January 19, 2018 @ 11:06 am
Damn that sucks. I hope you enjoy the show, and things look up.
Mike Blackwell
January 22, 2018 @ 8:07 am
Oooh. BBS is a fine show, and Michael Cleveland is on another level. That guy just oozes talent.
Stringbuzz
January 19, 2018 @ 11:41 am
I’ve seen BBS half dozen times. Always awesome.
To me, I feel BBS are actually pretty clever songwriters and I enjoy the lyricism quite a bit. Great musicians, players. Love their albums. I do find it takes some time to really let what they are doing sync in sometimes.
Are they groundbreakers? No, they wear their influences on their sleeve, but that’s not to say they aren’t original with the music they’ve put out. They have their niche and they do it quite well..
World is better with them in it..
I
Rich Michaud
January 19, 2018 @ 11:48 am
Best band around. I just pre-ordered the new album bundles from both the UK and US web stores. And so did my adult daughter.
Kross
January 19, 2018 @ 12:09 pm
Been a fan for many years, and consider myself an advocate as well as an ambassador for this great band. With that being said, I’m not loving the lead song off of the new record. I do however look forward to hearing the rest of the record. I have no doubt that there will be at least several songs that I will love.
Benny Lee
January 19, 2018 @ 12:13 pm
BBS is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I know the writing isn’t that great (and that’s usually what I value most of all in a song), but they rock hard in a way that’s very fulfilling as a listener.
JohnWayneTwitty
January 21, 2018 @ 10:44 pm
“She took my dollar, gave me a dime/ I got 10 percent and a mighty good time”
That’s what great writing is
DJ
January 19, 2018 @ 1:35 pm
If what’s playing from the offered is Country, I’ll pass. Thanks anyway. In fact, if it came on the radio and I happened to be listening I’d look to make sure the channel hadn’t changed by itself.
Trigger
January 19, 2018 @ 2:27 pm
Blackberry Smoke is decidedly Southern rock. I feel like what they do defines what Southern rock is in the modern era. Like all Southern rock, they veer into the country realm at times, but I’ve never seen them try to portray themselves as a country band. But there’s a lot of similarities and influences to country, so they remain relevant to the country space.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
January 19, 2018 @ 3:13 pm
my defenition of Southern Rock has always been “rock made by a country band”
if that makes sense.
I mean, “rock” rock bands usually don’t have steels and banjos or mandolins or fiddles. and a lot of southern rock DOES use those. and a lot of the lyrical similarities to what we would consider country music. like hard work and trucks and stuff.
hoptowntiger94
January 19, 2018 @ 1:44 pm
This song reminds me of the Buffalo Killers – a band I was really into a decade ago. I’m going to have to dig up some of their old albums now.
Corncaster
January 19, 2018 @ 2:12 pm
Some tasty, spicy chords in this one. These guys are doing southern rock up right, and the whole thing swings.
The Senator
January 19, 2018 @ 2:22 pm
They’re a fun group to see live, and Robert Randolph is a wizard on the pedal steel, seen him multiple times and was always blown away.
Ulysses McCaskill
January 19, 2018 @ 4:23 pm
I’ve never been able to get into their albums much. Not really sure why as I always loved Skynryd and Marshall Tucker. I did very much enjoy their Honky Tonk Bootlegs album though. They also do some wicked good covers live.
albert
January 19, 2018 @ 5:20 pm
loved their last record …the writing and playing was superb , I thought.
i can taste the passion and feel the real in this new song …..moves me like the allman’s or trucks-tedeschi , ….it has everything that’s missing from machine -generated formulaic pop schlock or fake country radio .
Leroy
January 19, 2018 @ 8:43 pm
I wonder how they would weigh in on the issues surrounding having to have sex with someone in the radio industry in order to get their music on the airwaves? Maybe they, and others like them, could turn around the whole radio industry finally getting them to bend to reason.
Gina
January 20, 2018 @ 12:49 am
I’ve loved them for more than 10 years now. I discovered them when I was living in New York ironically. I love Southern Rock and they just get it, IMO. I haven’t seen them live yet but I hope to nex time around.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 1:35 am
Gina, please tell us what exactly about Southern Rock do they just get that other don’t?
Gina
January 20, 2018 @ 1:43 am
You don’t like them. We get it.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 1:47 am
I think it’s more that I’m disappointed in the lack of musical roots on this website. The lack of understanding intricacies of a genre and/or style and what makes a great band. I don’t really think about BBS. I just read some of the posts and I’m blown away at the shallow pool. BTW, you didn’t answer my question Gina. Go on and tell us what it is they get about Southern Rock that makes you admire them so much. I really want to know,
Bill Weiler
January 20, 2018 @ 7:12 am
Jessie, i’ll engage, as on a whole I agree with you. As a guy just a couple months from Medicare my perspective and musical experience is of course going to be different from most who post here. I have a conflict using labels to define music, but find them necessary evils to use when discussing music. For me to appreciate “Southern Rock” I have to have a appreciation of blues, r+b, southern soul and country roots. Think Ronnie didn’t listen to Jimmie? For those who don’t immediately I.D. Jimmie, I suggest you sign up for Country Music 101. Duane was a session player at Fame Studios, playing on tracks of Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, King Curtis, Clarence Carter and others. And he was doing this as a 19 and 20 year old kid. Think Duane didn’t study blues and r+b artists? I had just turned 18 when At Filmore East came out. Even their couple of studio lp’s hadn’t prepared me for this. Live, without the technology available today, and Duane was barely into his twenty fourth year, they delivered an album considered by many to be the best live album of all time. All the band members were roughly the same age, plus or minus a couple of years. They were kids, but man this was as muscular and mature as Muddy Waters 1950’s band lineups. (not saying they were a blues band) For me “Southern Rock” would be too simplistic and limiting to pin on their music. Now, I have nothing negative to say about BBS music. If it works for folks, i’m happy for them. It beats listening to most popular shit played on commercial radio. For me, and just me, it all sounds too derivative. The lyrics and licks, I’ve heard done before and done better.
Now i’m preparing to be shot down as an irrelevant old man who does’t know jack shit about Music.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 2:50 pm
Bill Weiler you expressed what I’m feeling way better than I did. Thank you.
Marky Mark
January 20, 2018 @ 7:11 pm
If your disappointed by the lack of musical roots in this website, I sugggest you try another. Seems to me most people on here know music depth. I am 52 and I know my roots. Is bbs the allmans or skyward or Blackfoot? No, they are bbs. I like ‘me and I can assure you that I know my southern rock roots as well as you do.
Gina
January 20, 2018 @ 1:56 am
I don’t engage posters like you. Calling people shallow and and saying that we don’t understand intricacies is ridiculous. I grew up on Southern Rock. You don’t agree with me fine, but don’t say I don’t know what I’m talking about. You’re just trolling.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 7:15 am
Fair enough. Not trolling. Probably overly passionate about music and often frustrated with the current state of music and the music business. I use this website to express my opinions and vent as Trigger and many others do.
Leroy
January 20, 2018 @ 2:06 pm
Fair enough. Prove it. There’s always a butt load of excuses. Gina acknowledged that you were expressing your opinions. It’s just that your opinions and venting sucks! I find that people who say they are passionate, are not in the least. And those that say they are not trolling are. The fact that you have to drag Trigger into your post to protect yourself says you should get your own backbone. But that’s just my opinion and a chance to vent my frustration with trolls who keep walking around after they’ve been smashed so many times. Don’t take it personally, there are so many!
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 2:56 pm
The only reason why I brought Trigger up or others on this website is because it’s totally okay by everyone for them to rant and bitch about Sam Hunt or Walker Hayes. We all cheer. But heaven forbid I say something about how Blackberry Smoke or Chris Stapelton aren’t very original and I get accused of trolling or told my venting sucks. You guys can’t handle it when someone doesn’t like or exposes on of your darlings. You don’t extend the grace for venting when it comes to a popular Americana act. Please read Bill Weiler’s post above Leroy. He expressed what I was trying to say way better than I could. It’s very obvious that a lot of folks on here listen with trendy ears and don’t have deep roots.
Trigger
January 20, 2018 @ 3:08 pm
I want people to use these comments sections to disagree, with each other and with me specifically. But I have to say lately it seems like if something isn’t in someone’s wheelhouse 100%, a dog piling ensues, even for music that may not have universal acclaim, but is way better than something like Sam Hunt, for example. And this is coming from a lot of commenters, not just one or two. It’s even gotten to the point where people question why I’m covering certain artists. Blackberry Smoke has a very big, and very strong following. If I hadn’t done an announcement for their new album, I’d have even more people complaining that I was purposely ignoring them because I must hate them.
jessie with the long hair
January 20, 2018 @ 3:21 pm
I totally get that Trigger and you do a fine job. I have no problem with you covering all things relevant to country music and related genres. I love your website and your perspective. I also like having a voice on here and debating about music I like or don’t like. As someone who is in contact with millennials on a daily basis, I truly feel there is a disconnect with the roots of the music they love. Their roots just aren’t that deep. They don’t what the world was like before American Idol and autotune. Again, Bill Weiler probably expressed what I’m trying to say way better than I can.
Kyle S
January 20, 2018 @ 4:09 pm
For me, at least, it isn’t about new music being exactly in my “wheelhouse” as I listen to a lot of different genres. I just think as a whole newer music isn’t as inspired from a songwriting and production standpoint as a lot of the older stuff. Put jason isbell, blackberry smoke, Avett brothers, leon Bridges, etc. back in the years when there was truly great music being produced and they don’t hold up. I guess the great now isn’t as great as the great then and I’ll gladly retire into my cynical hole.
OldRockr1
January 20, 2018 @ 5:26 am
Growing up on Long Island Southern Rock was huge in the mid to late 70’s (no really it was). I listen to, and saw, most of the biggest names back in the day and right up through today. I really dig BBS a lot. They are FUN. They most definitely ROCK. Are they kind of derivative? Sure (so were the Black Crowes and folks loved ’em). Are they Lynyrd Skynyrd? No. But then again The Marshall Tucker Band wasn’t Lynyrd Skynyrd. They were their own sound (more country/blues/jazz). Charlie Daniels was way more country (and a little blues), The Outlaws rocked with a little country twang in some songs, Molly Hatchet was pretty much a hard rock band from the south, Wet Willie was more R&B, Grinderswitch was a blues band as was ZZ Top. You get the point. Southern Rock was a wide umbrella back then. Lots of different sounds were allowed and everyone was invited. And the Allman Brothers? Well they were just plain special.
BBS brings me back to a time when music was more fun and rocked harder (at least to my 55 year old ears) in all the right ways. I first heard them in my local indie where they were playing Good One Coming On which I had heard previously on a Trent Wilmon album (a bit more country sounding than BBS). They caught my ear immediately so I bought the CD. Loved it. I’ve seen them live a few times since then and bought most of the albums. Is everything great? No (Holding All The Roses wasn’t all that great). Is most of it really good? Yup. Did I pre-order the bundle? Yup. If you don’t dig it move along. If you do? Enjoy the ride.
As to who knows what about Southern Rock…I saw all of these bands in their prime: Lynyrd Skynyrd (with Ronnie), MTB, CDB, Wet Willie, Elvin Bishop, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, etc. So I feel like I can weigh in on the intricacies of the genre. BBS can play, the songs are good (not high art but more than good enough for Rock & Roll) and they would have been a hit back in the day.
Everyone is hung up on labels nowdays. Just enjoy what you enjoy.
Jack Williams
January 24, 2018 @ 6:39 am
I grew up in the NYC northern suburbs, close to the NJ border. I can attest that Southern Rock was a big deal in the area in the late ’70s. And there were some really good Southern Rock cover bands with big followings as well. I remember talking to a member of one of those bands between sets once. He said he was more of a Jazz musician but was playing in this band because that’s where the money was.
DJ
January 20, 2018 @ 7:34 am
I don’t care about rock, regardless of where it’s from or who’s doing it. I like good music, I don’t care where it’s from,or who’s doing it, and “I” get to decide what “I” think is good music. I like Tom Jones and he has delved into Country music. I like Michael Bolton and he hasn’t. I don’t care for the Rolling Stones and I know they’ve had some ties to Country music. I like some of Bob Dylan’s stuff but that doesn’t make him Country. I like some of Kid Rocks stuff especially his “delving” into Country music.
The list and comparisons could take days. But, none of that changes what I said above: IF I heard that on the radio, IF I happened to be listening to the radio (which I don’t) then I’d look to see if somehow the channel had gotten changed magically, because you can bet the farm my channel choice isn’t set to a “rock” channel.
This is a web site devoted, ostensibly, to “Saving” Country Music, and yes Trigger, I know it’s your web site, and you’ve pointed that out to me before, so you can post what you want. But, advocating “rock” on a “[Saving] Country Music” web site/blog may be an indicator (among the many) of ‘why’ Country Music needs saving.
Think about it.
Therealbobcephus
January 20, 2018 @ 11:08 am
I’m guessing you haven’t delved deep into their catalogue, or maybe you have, I can’t say for sure. But, they have some songs that are decidedly country, no matter how you stack it up. “Living Hell” being a great example. If you don’t like them to just you and it’s fine, but if you can’t see how these guys advance the greater realm of roots music then you’re letting your opinion get in the way of that.
DJ
January 20, 2018 @ 1:40 pm
I’m guessing you haven’t read all the comments. I said, in my first response; If this is country, Ill pass”- in reference to the video posted. I’ll live with my opinions, which are subject to change when I see evidence my opinions are incorrect. So, I repeat, “if this is country then I’ll pass referring to the posted video. I’m not commenting on their catalogue and the article isn’t about their catalogue.
Then I pointed out the irony of advocating ‘admitted’ rock music on a site meant to “Save” Country Music. I even called out ‘some’ musicians I like who have recorded country music, and some who haven’t, who aren’t country- which IMO equates to being pretty open to music ‘type’- but it doesn’t change the facts I presented, which represent my opinion about the video.
So, if my opinions are incorrect I’m all eyes.
Mule
January 20, 2018 @ 1:52 pm
There was a time – and it does still exist outside of the world of mass-marketing – when Country, rock and roll, soul, blues, Western swing, jazz, gospel, and r & b all do-existed.
I think the music was called Delbert McClinton…or Ray Charles…or Jerry Lee Lewis…or The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section…
Good music is good music if it’s got soul, and all right the best artists new it. Labels be damned.
Mule
January 20, 2018 @ 1:54 pm
Ha! For some reason, I can’t edit my post, so the original one here looks like it was written by a drunkard when it’s just someone with fat thumbs on an iPhone. Please excuse!
Bill Weiler
January 20, 2018 @ 3:17 pm
I’d say we occupy the same box car on the same line of tracks. Somewhere down where the Southern cross the Dog.
Mule
January 21, 2018 @ 4:16 am
A fellow fan of Deep Blues? Indeed we do, sir, it seems!
Trigger
January 20, 2018 @ 8:50 am
Only in 2018 is an announcement of a new Blackberry Smoke album an extremely, extremely polarizing topic.
Sheesh.
ShadeGrown
January 20, 2018 @ 9:42 am
No shit huh! I didn’t love all of their last album cause I think it could’ve rocked a little harder but who can’t just enjoy this band? I mean I like Black Sabbath more than Pentagram but I still enjoy the shit out of both
DJ
January 20, 2018 @ 1:44 pm
Only in 2018 would a web site called Saving Country Music advocate an admittedly rock song as being worthy of note for country music.
ShadeGrown
January 20, 2018 @ 2:12 pm
I would say that southern rock is the first cousin of country music and Blackberry Smoke has released songs that are outright country – that’s why they are covered here, I’m.
Trigger
January 20, 2018 @ 3:15 pm
DJ,
I’m not “advocating” for a rock song. This is the announcement of an album. It’s a news story. They also released a song as part of their album announcement, so I included it in the announcement. Obviously, Blackberry Smoke has released a lot of country-influenced material in their time. To be honest, I’m not particularly thrilled with this debut song. When they released their last debut single “Waiting For The Thunder,” I thought it was awesome. This one, not so much. But how about we discuss how we feel about the new song and the prospects of the new album without acting like it’s some existential threat to the legitimacy of this site to be discussing it at all, or that somehow I’m veering so far off the page it puts into question my integrity to the cause. I’m seeing this more and more from commenters and on Facebook, and it’s frankly ridiculous. I’ve been covering Blackberry Smoke for six years.
DJ
January 20, 2018 @ 4:25 pm
Trigger, words mean things….. re – read my first comment which started all this brou-ha-ha.
Apparently ‘some’ feel it’s imperative to point out my opinions are somehow inaccurate.
I don’t consider it “polarizing”, which is what that response I made to you responded to- but, whether you want to admit it or not, that video isn’t Saving Country Music and your integrity hasn’t entered my mind. But, it is ironic, IMO, and my opinion is subject to change when I’m shown where it’s inaccurate, no matter what the topic.
As I’ve pointed out too many times to remember (but enough to be accused of being paid by you by ‘some’) I admire your writing, a lot BTW. That doesn’t mean I have to keep my mouth shut about things I disagree with. Not in my world anyway.
So, I guess I need to repeat myself, again-
If this video is country, I’ll pass, thanks anyway. If I heard it on the radio I’d look to be sure the channel hadn’t changed by itself. < that has somehow been construed to make my opinion wrong about what I heard, (and, I guess, maybe "polarized" some) or what I said being a sin apparently. Really?
I don't care if it's off a new album or an old one or one not yet imagined, it isn't country and no amount of acting, in any fashion, will change that.
The Senator
January 22, 2018 @ 11:28 am
Trigger’s advocated for multiple branches of roots music for a good long time. Country’s the main mission, but he’s veered into other territory from time to time as long as I’ve followed the site.
Blackberry Smoke has country connections, flat out, period. Doesn’t mean they ARE country, but they’re related to it. As has been discussed ad nauseam, Southern Rock and Country share some common threads. Plenty of rock fans have taken the Southern gateway into country, and we should want that to continue.
DJ
January 22, 2018 @ 1:31 pm
That doesn’t change the facts I presented. It doesn’t change what I said originally.
Note the time stamp:
DJ
January 19, 2018 @ 1:35 pm
If what’s playing from the offered is Country, I’ll pass. Thanks anyway. In fact, if it came on the radio and I happened to be listening I’d look to make sure the channel hadn’t changed by itself.
Like 1+
…………..
I don’t care if it was a Jimmie Rodgers, Willie Nelson, Maybelle Carter and Roy Acuff corroboration ….. I would have the same sentiments…..
……………….
I also acknowledged what Trigger has done in the past.
A copy and paste of an above post with the immaterial to this response deleted.
Note the time stamp
DJ
January 20, 2018 @ 7:34 am
This is a web site devoted, ostensibly, to “Saving” Country Music, and yes Trigger, I know it’s your web site, and you’ve pointed that out to me before, so you can post what you want. But, advocating “rock” on a “[Saving] Country Music” web site/blog may be an indicator (among the many) of ‘why’ Country Music needs saving.
Think about it.
Benjamin
January 20, 2018 @ 2:07 pm
Trigger,
I woukd sincerely like to say thank you for all you’ve done. You’ve introduced me to so, so, so many great bands, artists, and songs. BlackBerry Smoke has been a favorite of mine ever since I first read about them here, and I’ve now seen them 3 times live and have all their albums. Everybody is a critic, but I’d like to just say thank you. Don’t get discouraged, keep up the great work
Trigger
January 20, 2018 @ 3:15 pm
Thanks for reading Banjamin.
hoptowntiger94
January 21, 2018 @ 11:19 am
???? I got excited to see 80 comments about BBS, then saw what they were about.
What about Charlie Daniels? He gets more play on my classic rock station- WDVD – than on country. I tend to consider him in his day more Southern Rock than Country.
Batterycap
January 20, 2018 @ 10:18 am
So they are not the second coming of Lynnard Skynyrd? No one is, nor will there ever be another Skynyrd. I am just glad they are carrying the torch. Country (the actual real country) and Southern Rock are my main two musical pillars. Beyond this, there are simply great artists that I go to time and again, from Bob Seger to Andrea Bocelli. I think BBS will continue to grow, and continue to gain an audience, except for those on their 8,975th listen to Freebird (which is still a good listen) that won’t consider a anything different. And that’s OK, it is still a free country. They haven’t banned Southern Rock yet – because it is “Southern”.
David Roecker
January 20, 2018 @ 12:27 pm
Great music, great song writing, great live shows, great musicianship. A breath of fresh air in today’s music world of auto-tuned, manufactured, chart driven, politically correct, and soulless music choices. So what if they sound, look-like, or borrow from the greats of southern/classic rock. Everybody steals from everybody else in the music industry! I like the sound, the way it makes me feel, and how they play live. Long live BBC!
Koty Queen
January 20, 2018 @ 5:25 pm
I’m looking forward to the release I don’t get the hate, but to each his own. They’ve always had very solid albums in my opinion. On note of the whole southern rock vibe Trigger I was wondering if you’d heard an album that came out in the last year by a band called Heathen Sons. I know from time to time you do kinda like a check up of new southern rock bands and to be as young as they are they’re pretty good. Worth a look at.
Trigger
January 20, 2018 @ 6:32 pm
I flew by Heathen Sons but probably not long enough to remark on it. I’ll have to listen some more.
Koty Queen
January 21, 2018 @ 7:25 am
Thanks for the reply that’s pretty cool been an avid follower of this website for 4-5 years I appreciate the job you do.
Ray downey
January 20, 2018 @ 7:05 pm
I’ve tried to get into this band and I do like alot of their stuff but I’ll take Whiskey Myers anyday over BlackBerry smoke.
lance
January 20, 2018 @ 9:56 pm
Wow, cant believe the judging of BBS.
Wont even waste the time trying to point out all the goodness this band is.
You are special kind of Tool to be dissing BBS.
bob
January 20, 2018 @ 10:35 pm
IKR? They’re the best modern Southern Rock band besides DBT in my opinion.
Jack Williams
January 21, 2018 @ 8:48 am
After reading this article and the comments and then listening to their Leave a Scar live album with my morning coffee, I figured I’d weigh in. I like these guys. They’re fun. Of course, they’re not as good as the Ronnie Van Zant led Lynyrd Skynyrd, but to me, that was one of the best American rock bands of all time, not just a great southern rock band. I think they are better than what I remember of .38 Special. I think their songs are of higher quality than what can be found on Molly Hatchet’s first two albums (the only Molly Hatchet I care to listen to). Listening to them, I feel like I’m listening to genuine southern rock and not some of the lightweight southern rockish stuff I’ve heard from mainstream country acts over the years (e.g., what I know of Montgomery Gentry). I think I might have bought some of their music if it had come out at the height of the southern rock craze. Sort of like how I bought some Bad Company albums even though they weren’t nearly as good as my favorite band Led Zeppelin as a whole, because sometimes I just wanted to hear some straight, simple, fun rock and roll done well.
Rob
January 21, 2018 @ 9:15 am
No gimmick come out plug in and play seen them live.. No fancy light show just good old fashioned country blues rocknroll..
JohnWayneTwitty
January 21, 2018 @ 10:47 pm
It’s hard to believe anyone doesn’t like Blackberry Smoke.
Since everyone else has their opinion, here’s mine: Anyone who dislikes BBS is an idiot.
Aggc
January 23, 2018 @ 5:17 pm
The Outlaws’ debut album is a country-rock classic. Awesome guitar playing and vocal harmonies. Their second album was pretty damn good as well. Check them out.
Jack Williams
January 24, 2018 @ 6:34 am
I’d add their third album (Hurry Sundown) to the list as well. Then, Henry Paul left and they went in a more generic rock direction. The first Henry Paul Band album (Grey Ghost) was very good, too.