Whitey Morgan Announces New Album “Hard Times and White Lines”
Mark down October 26th on your calendar, then underline it, circle it, hang pulsating string lights around it, train a spotlight on that son-of-a-bitch, tell your boss it’s a national country music holiday and you’ll quit without a second thought if you don’t get it off, ’cause that’s the day Whitey Morgan will be releasing his latest and long-anticipated album Hard Times and White Lines.
Right now we don’t have much more than a title and release date for the new record, but that’s all you need to start salivating over this puppy since we know Whitey Morgan and his band The 78’s are involved. One of the preeminent, hard-driving honky tonk bands terrorizing towns from coast to coast over the past 13 years, his recorded output has always been spaced apart on an excruciating time table, but always worth the wait.
The Flint, Michigan native who now calls interior California his home helped pave the way for many of the independent country artists we see today, while still releasing his own superior output. At one point Cody Jinks was opening for him before Cody blew up. Now to many, Cody and Whitey are 1 and 1A of modern American country music. Like his last record Sonic Ranch, the new album was recorded in the famed “sonic ranch” studio haven just outside of El Paso.
After releasing his first album Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels independently in 2008, Whitey signed with Bloodshot Records to release his second, self-titled record in 2010. Fans had to wait another five years for the follow up, Sonic Ranch. Whitey Morgan is not known as a prolific writer, but he’s respected as a damn good one, while his selection of cover songs often become the definitive versions. New single August 8th and more details on the new record are expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
August 6, 2018 @ 8:38 am
Why did he setup shop in California? Jesus Whitey, don’t drink the water!
He’s better than Cody, in my opinion. Both are great of course but I prefer Whitey’s hard driven honky tonk. Hope he writes more of his own stuff, though… He has the talent he doesnt need all the covers.
August 6, 2018 @ 8:45 am
He went where the heart beckoned, and now helps care take Bandit Town, which is a cool Old West-style place about as far from Hollywood and Vine as you can get. Northern and Interior California is way more country these days than much of the “new South.”
August 6, 2018 @ 9:26 am
Yea coastal cities/regions in California (e.g San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego) are polar opposite to Eastern regions and Northern regions of California (e.g. Bishop, Redding, Susanville, Alturas). Lots of red counties. That’s why we want break California up into separate states. Get away from the liberal communists.
August 6, 2018 @ 10:54 am
By all means, let’s complain about real country not getting airplay (because it’s not as popular as it once was) and drive away those dirty libtards who also like real country music.
I swear, if someone wrote a song today about the bank foreclosing on the family farm, they’d be called a dirty commie.
August 6, 2018 @ 1:41 pm
Yea I just don’t want tax money going to provide homeless people with 4.4 million syringes so they can shoot up and take a shit on my sidewalk.
If real country music is fading away it’s because the change in demographics.
People who believe that white women shouldn’t wear hoop earrings because it’s cultural appropriation and that gender does not exist do not listen to real country music. Oh and fuck your bike lanes.
August 6, 2018 @ 1:46 pm
What does this have to do with Whitey Morgan releasing a new album? Can’t we all be happy more badass music is on the way instead of swerving into political bullshit like the rest of the internet?
Whitey Morgan: “That’s what I want to tell somebody, you’re a fucking entertainer. I don’t give a fuck what you think about the state of the goddamn world. Fucking entertain me, that’s what I paid you to do. I know that’s pretty harsh, but that’s the way I feel sometimes. Where do they get off thinking they know best?”
https://savingcountrymusic.com/interview-whitey-morgan-jeremy-mackinder/
August 6, 2018 @ 9:29 pm
I just checked the official log. YOUR tax dollars actually went to some poor politician’s golf trip. Your neighbors tax dollars went to the homeless dude.
August 7, 2018 @ 10:44 pm
Pete sounds like he’s angry. He needs a hug.
August 6, 2018 @ 9:33 am
I’ve seen Whitey three times (soon to be a fourth time) and Cody twice. Whitey puts on the best honky tonk show period. I think Cody is the better songwriter, but nobody outdoes Whitey and his incredible band in a live setting.
August 6, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
I know that Whitey is an avid mountain biker. Great riding in Northern California. Get far enough outside of the coastal cities California is still a normal place.
August 6, 2018 @ 9:25 pm
As a dude who grew up in California where we had to drive 30 miles to the nearest farm town (pop. 340) to get gas…as long as it wasn’t past 5pm, I always find it cute when people who are able to get to Walmart in under 2 hours, without even getting mud or horseshit on their tires, whine about how un-country California is!
August 6, 2018 @ 9:04 am
Chomping at the bit for this record. Even just more of the same from these guys is so much better than most artists’ best.
August 6, 2018 @ 9:17 am
Love some Whitey Morgan. He always delivers with quality.
August 6, 2018 @ 9:30 am
This is the one I’ve been waiting for. It would seem impossible to top Sonic Ranch but I’m hoping.
August 6, 2018 @ 9:40 am
Fuck yeah. Jp Harris has a new one out in October as well so it’ll be a great month of honky tonk.
August 6, 2018 @ 11:13 am
Thanks for the heads up had no idea JP had a record on the way.
August 7, 2018 @ 2:44 pm
I didn’t know that, I just pre-ordered JP’s. Thanks
August 6, 2018 @ 10:38 am
Love that album title! He played one new song 3 weeks ago when he was here but I can’t remember the name. The band and he tore it up as I’m sure he did opening for Cody in the shows immediately following. Can’t wait for this!
August 6, 2018 @ 11:06 am
Late October?
Some albums to fill the time:
Shooter Jennings – Shooter – Album – 08/10
Jason Eady – I Travel On – Album – 08/10
William Clark Green – Hebert Island – Album – 08/10 (X)
Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis – Wild! Wild! Wild! – Album – 08/10
Travis Collins – Brave & The Broken – Album – 08/17 (X)
Joe Ely – The Lubbock Tapes: Full Circle – Album – 08/17
Beccy Cole – Lioness – Album – 08/24 (X)
James Carothers – Still Country, Still King: A Tribute To George Jones – Album – 09/06 (X)
Kathy Mattea – Pretty Bird – Album – 09/07 (X)
Asleep At The Wheel – New Routes – Album – 09/14
Willie Nelson – My Way – Album – 09/14
Bri Bagwell – In My Defense – Album – 09/20 (X)
Michael Martin Murphey – Austinology/Alleys Of Austin – Album – 10/05
Rebecca Jayne – Things I’ve Done – EP – 10/12 (X)
(X) – on my “must buy” list
August 6, 2018 @ 12:22 pm
Love the cover art
August 6, 2018 @ 12:54 pm
Reminds me a bit of Marshall Tucker’s searching for the rainbow album cover, which is really cool.
August 6, 2018 @ 1:38 pm
Definitely going to mark down this one. Whitey is one of my favorites for sure.
August 6, 2018 @ 1:52 pm
Hell yes, I’m ready for this. I’m in desperate need of some new honky tonk tunes to burst out my speakers. No teaser songs?
August 6, 2018 @ 2:24 pm
Word is new single is dropping on Wednesday.
August 8, 2018 @ 6:32 am
Just getting around to reading this on Wed morning…and indeed listening to it as I read. Sounds like Whitey aka sounds good.
August 8, 2018 @ 7:37 am
It’s a good song when you’re mad at your bitch.
August 6, 2018 @ 1:53 pm
Short list for “buy.”
August 6, 2018 @ 2:28 pm
I’ll definitely be looking forward to this one. Hopefully Trig will update us when there is pre-ordering info available.
August 8, 2018 @ 6:54 am
Pre-order is now available on his website.
August 8, 2018 @ 6:56 am
Pre-order is available on his website as of today.
August 6, 2018 @ 5:46 pm
He works up a relatively believable drawl, for being from Michigan.
August 6, 2018 @ 7:58 pm
Relative to what?
August 7, 2018 @ 6:42 am
Relative to all the other “Country” and Country singers who sing with exaggerated or fake drawls.
August 6, 2018 @ 8:11 pm
His family is from southern Kentucky. His dad moved to Flint to work in the automotive industry, like many other families at the time.
August 6, 2018 @ 10:50 pm
Honky, just shut the fuck up already.
August 7, 2018 @ 12:02 pm
It astounds me how often and how readily you provide uninformed opinions here
August 7, 2018 @ 6:47 pm
Do you disagree? I think he does a nice job. His drawl is more believable than some folks that are actually from the south, like Justin Moore for example.
August 8, 2018 @ 12:21 am
You’re backhanded compliments and snide remarks are getting old dude. You do know it’s ok to admit that Whitey’s just a little bit TOO country for you to handle, right Honk?
August 6, 2018 @ 6:13 pm
Very excited he’s one of my favorites! Rumor has it Ward Davis is gonna let one fly soon too…
August 6, 2018 @ 10:25 pm
me and my dad are both psyched for this record. Whitey Morgan is probably my overall favorite artist in the breed of the underground honky tonk jams. obviously Dale is right up there with him. i’ll be counting the days down for this album to come out. gotta get the vinyl. ????????????
August 6, 2018 @ 10:53 pm
IMO Whitey and the 78’s have been the best country band out there for a solid decade now. Looking forward to this one.
August 7, 2018 @ 1:11 pm
Whitey’s lead guitarist, Joey Spina, absolutely rips it up live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHOm8AJ9_10
That’s how to get it done, gentlemen.
August 7, 2018 @ 4:25 pm
Perfect tone too! The way they mix all the sounds together (live and recorded) is beyond excellent.
August 8, 2018 @ 9:27 am
Underrated comment.
So many guys go for loud, and it just ends up muddy and awful.
Chris Clarity (Cody Jinks) is a tremendous player, but gets lost in the mix live. It’s frustrating.
August 14, 2018 @ 5:42 pm
Just actually got a chance to watch this incredible video! Thanks for the link. Whitey just announced he’s coming back here to the actual city this time Oct.13. I wish they were all like Whitey he just keeps comin and comin back!! 3rd time in a year and half!
August 8, 2018 @ 7:39 am
The new song is out now, “Honky Tonk Hell” it’s pretty good
August 29, 2018 @ 9:02 pm
The van should be a cube truck….