Radio Check⦠yāall hearing me?
My debut album is officially released.
I made this record at @thegreenhouseatlanta with Aaron and Nancy Hill.
-
Long Sappy post ahead:
The 2nd photo is from August 2014. Thatās when I first set foot in the studio Aaron built inside his own home to lay down some scratch vocals and guitar on some of my songs. I met Aaron the day George Jones died. I was opening for his band The Law at 120 Tavern in Marietta that night. I didnāt know it at the time, but Iād just met a mentor and one of my best friends. Iāve been on more trips with Aaron than I can count. Heās brought me back from the edge, and also shown me that there is no edge. I learn something from him almost every time we talk. Heās a genius and Iām lucky to know him. Stay skinny, brother.
-
Nancy, Aaronās wife and an accomplished recording artist under the name Rosey, took my singing to another level. I could not have sang these songs the way you hear them without her guidance and encouragement. Sheās an amazing singer and sang backup vocals all over the record. She made so much food, let me crash at their place I donāt know how many times, and put up with a bunch of nonsense. Sheād tell me that Iām a star when I would get discouraged. While nurturing, she also would straighten me out if I was acting a certain way that was not conducive to becoming the artist I am today. Sheās like a sister to me. Please do yourself a favor and check out her music.
-
Adam Higgins (@bassmanwalking ) is my brother from another mother. Heās been in my band longer than anyone and is my ace in the hole. He can sing those Ā Country harmonies with the best of them and plays bass guitar. He also played all the keys on the record and is singing backup on āThe Boys We Wereā. He taught me a lot about classic country music and has made all of these songs better through years of shows. Weāve played private biker clubs without windows where they take your keys upon arrival and throw you against a wall, weāve played big theaters, and weāve cried to Merle Haggard songs at 5 am. I canāt imagine making another record without his influence. Continued below..
Iāve been out in Austin since NYE checking out all the good music and honkytonks. The people here are kind and the dancinā donāt stop. Iāll be coming back this way with a country music show in tow real soon.
I wrote this with @bennettbost and @jackmckeonmusic a little while back and itās about the time it snowed in Port Aransas, TX back in the 80ās - a story told to Bennett by some cool old Texan. Aināt a one of us from the Lone Star State but I feel like we wrote a goodān just the same. Merry Christmas! Hope itās filled with holiday cheers šš š»š»
We came. We saw. We Peached. We jammed.
Big ol love to @benchapman and his killer band for having me on the last Peach Jam of ā25 - and thanks to all the amazing background singers in the last slide š. @thebasementeast
Photo credit: @aubreywisephoto
Video credit: @bennettbost
9 years a Nashville resident today. One more to go.
A lot has changed in my life this last year. I grew a mustache, for example. I have a brand new album recorded, not sure when itāll be out yet but please keep an eye out. Itās swampy, southern, and greasy thanks to the fellas down at @capricornmacon . In between my shows, I tour manage some of my best friends, @brentcobb@andthefixins . I also work with some awesome folks at @tecovas when Iām not on the road. Iām feeling grateful that Iāve been able to maintain for this long. I almost left or died a few times but this city has spared me thus far. They call it a ten year town. I donāt know how true that is but Iām gonna give it another year and find out. #wadesappishere
Todd Snider and I had a unique relationship. If not for his book I probably would have never moved to Nashville. After moving there I met him about a year in. I was so nervous and after a rip off of a bowl he asked me who my biggest influence was. The question took me by surprise and I blurted out that it was Ted Fry the song leader at the little country church I grew up in. I had never answered that question that way prior to - or since. He had a way of pulling out your essence and minced words never uttered from his lips, in my experience. I played a song on his porch and he gave me the nod of approval and said he really liked it. The chord progression was a near ripoff of Mr. Bojangles so I appreciated his grace. We talked about fixing up his old boat. At one point he tried to give it to me just to get it out of his way. I was too poor at the time to fix myself a meal or Iād probably have fixed that boat and have it to this day. He was the coolest. I hope in this moment that you stop and listen to the wordsmith and storyteller today. Todd Snider rules.
Next show ā”ļø Nashville! A week from today Iām pumped to be opening for @bbpalmermusic at @thebasementnash . Tickets $10 and available at thebasementnashville.com.