Pairings
Beyonce’s ‘act II Cowboy Carter’ & Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
Country music and whiskey making are deeply rooted in Black history. Early country was heavily influenced by Black southern blues and hymnal music, with the banjo, an African instrument, as a major contributor to the country and western sound. Uncle Nearest is the only whiskey maker that is owned and run by Black women. Beyonce, the first Black woman to top the country charts and V. Eady Butler, the first Black female master whiskey blender, are shaking these industries up.
The Music: Beyonce’s ‘act II Cowboy Carter’
Beyonce has long dominated pop and R&B charts but her newest album dives headfirst in country music. While she says “This ain’t a country album. This is a “Beyonce” album,” it definitely has some country vibes. Beyonce does a cover of “Jolene” but from a point-of-view that reminds me of Loretta Lynn’s “Fist City.” Linda Martell, the first Black female artist to play at the Grand Ole Opry and a phenomenal unsung country artist, contributes along with numerous other Black country artists. “Texas Hold ‘Em”, the single that hit #1 on the country charts, is definitely a boot-stompin' tune and this album shows Beyonce can perform any genre.
The Whiskey: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch
Uncle Nearest Distillery, named in honor of “Nearest” Green, the first Black master distiller and Jack Daniel’s mentor. His story, one of an enslaved still operator turned first Black master distiller, was almost lost to time until the women at Uncle Nearest brought his story back to life with Butler, Green’s great-great-granddaughter–award winning master blender, making a fine Tennessee whiskey honoring his legacy with its 1884 release. It has a fruity nose with apple, cherry and vanilla notes and tastes of candied fruit, cocoa, and baked apple pie. Overall it is an excellent whiskey that is smooth and full flavored and I can’t wait to try some of their other releases.
Chris Stapleton’s ‘Traveller’ and Traveller Whiskey
Since we have been away for awhile we are going to slowly dip our toes back in with the most obvious pairing of all time. This is Chris Stapleton’s first solo album paired with his whiskey of the same name.
The Music: Chris Stapleton’s ‘Traveller’
‘Traveller’ is one banger after another. Chris Stapleton was a prolific songwriter before he embarked on a solo career but his debut album is phenomenal, having won too many awards to count and selling a gazillion copies. While this is a very popular country music album it is by no stretch a “pop-country” album. In fact, if it wasn’t for the steel guitar and a little bit of a southern drawl it would probably be soul music. He has easily the best voice of any country artist of this millennium and shows it off on every song on this album. His cover of “Tennessee Whiskey” has given me goose bumps every time I’ve heard since it was released in 2015. This album is amazing front to back and one of the best country albums of the last few decades.
Now let’s see if the same holds true for the whiskey…
The Whiskey: Traveller Whiskey
This is a collaboration with Buffalo Trace and Chris Stapleton. Just the mere spectre of a Buffalo Trace label will have people lining up for blocks. And while this whiskey is still tough to find in certain places, it is still rolling out in various states, the rumor is there will be enough production that it should be on shelves regularly. We don't know much about what kind of juice is in the bottle beyond the vague “blended whiskey” designation and the line “unique combination of whiskies” from the back label. The nose has very pleasant sugar cookie notes with hints of clove and banana taffey. It has a chewy mouthfeel with a doughy baked goods taste. It has a light to medium finish of caramel and toffee. Overall a very pleasant whiskey that is not overly complex but very enjoyable.
Sturgill Simpson’s ‘The Ballad of Dood & Juanita’ and Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 is always my go-to bourbon when I’m listening to a great album and so it was a no-brainer to pair these two Kentucky favorites.
The Music: Sturgill Simpson’s ‘The Ballad of Dood & Juanita’
Sturgill Simpson claims that ‘Dood & Juanita’ completes his planned five studio solo album career arc. I’m sure we will hear more from him whether that is continuing his ‘Cuttin’ Grass’ bluegrass album series or playing in future band projects. ‘Dood and Juanita’ was nominated for Best Country Album in this year’s Grammy awards, and for good reason. This “concept” album tells a wild west story, set in the hills of Kentucky, of love, kidnapping, loss, and revenge with the characters borrowing their names from Simpson’s actual grandparents. The music has an Appalachian folk and bluegrass vibe and features Willie Nelson on guitar for a song. When I listen to this album it gives me goosebumps to hear Simpson weave such a beautiful tale. Simpson was also up for Best Bluegrass Album for “Cuttin’ Grass - Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions)” at this year’s Grammys and he has previously been nominated for Best Rock Album as well.
The Whiskey: Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 is one of those bourbons that needs to be in every liquor cabinet. It punches way above its weight class as a reliable bourbon at a reasonable price point. There is something unique about all the Wild Turkey whiskies that is hard to describe. They all have a special complexity and spice that is different from everything else in the market. Wild Turkey 101 has hints of caramel and oak on the nose and tastes of vanilla and spice. It has a medium to long sweet and spicy finish. It is delicious neat or on the rocks but also makes the perfect old fashioned. Wild Turkey is my go to whiskey for pretty much any occasion.
Johnny Paycheck’s ‘Uncovered The First Recordings’ and West Bottoms Whiskey
How cool would have been to have heard these ‘Uncovered’ songs when they were first recorded and watching Johnny Paycheck’s career take off shortly thereafter? Same can be said of West Bottoms Whiskey, as they are brand new but doing some really cool stuff.
The Music:Johnny Paycheck’s ‘Uncovered The First Recordings’
‘Uncovered’ is a collection of songs recorded before Johnny made it big. The songs were never released and were all but lost to time until they were found and put on this Record Store Day release in 2021. Some of the recordings are a little rough around the edges from a production standpoint, but the one thing that stands out is Johnny’s amazing voice, the absolute perfect voice for country music. I would argue that he had the best country music voice in the history of country music. (Yes, I think even better than George Jones.) His sound and style make you believe his every word when he sings his workingman outlaw country tunes. ‘Uncovered’ mostly consists of covers of 60’s era country and western tunes and is a fun album for all of us Paycheck fans.
The Whiskey: West Bottoms Whiskey
West Bottoms Whiskey Co. is based in the Kansas City neighborhood for which it borrows the name. They just opened their doors in 2021 and are already making some tasty whiskey. They say that it is “a pre-prohibiton style of blended American whiskey based on the process of rectification, the blending of up to 2.5% sherry into the whiskey.” This one is a blend of a rye, a bourbon, and a spanish sherry. I get a little of the sherry on the nose along with cinnamon and cherry. It also tastes of sherry, red hot cinnamon candy, and graham cracker. For one of their first releases, this is pretty damn good. I look forward to seeing what they come out with next.
Willi Carlisle’s “Peculiar, Missouri” and Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength
This is the I-knew-it-was-going-to-be-good-but-I-didn’t-know-it-was-going-to-be-this-good pairing. Both the album and the bourbon blew away my expectations.
The Music: Willi Carlisle’s “Peculiar, Missouri”
I have been anxiously waiting for this album since it was first announced, and god-damn it did not disappoint. “Peculiar, Missouri” is a brilliant collection of folk songs and poetry. As with everything Willi does, this album drips with authenticity and sincerity wrapped in traditional folk sounds but with modern themes about inclusivity, queerness, and populism. Willi has been playing some of these songs at his shows on his recent tours but the inclusion of a full band, pedal steel, and fiddle on the album brings a richness to these melodies you don’t get from a solo show. And, of course the album also includes some accordion, harmonica, and rhythm bones work from Willi. This is Willi’s second album, but the first one available on vinyl. It wouldn’t be a Willi Carlisle production if there weren’t a few tear-jerkers, but there are also some more upbeat songs like the single “Vanlife” which will make you chuckle.
The Whiskey: Old Ezra 7 Year Barrel Strength
Whoa, what a surprise! I assumed it was going to be tasty, but the flavors really pop on this one. This is what bourbon is supposed to taste like. The notes of cherry, vanilla, and brown sugar are robust. I almost want to say it is sweet, but it’s really more the prevalence of the cherry. It has a thick mouthfeel, and in addition to the cherry, it has tastes of vanilla with some oak and tobacco. It has a medium to long finish with more cherry and oak. It is full flavored pour and has a little heat from the barrel strength, but it definitely approachable even for those who shy away from high proof whiskey.
Frank Turner’s ‘England Keep My Bones’ and Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch
England doesn’t make a lot of whisk(e)y but they do produce some damn fine rock n’ roll. Frank Turner is an English folk punk rocker and this album pairs nicely with some Auchentoshan single malt scotch from his UK neighbors to the north.
The Music: Frank Turner’s ‘England Keep My Bones’
This album is the fourth solo album from Frank Turner. ‘England Keep My Bones’ is a little more rock n’ roll and a little more polished than some of Frank’s earlier folk punk albums. Every song on this album is excellent, like the single “I Still Believe” about the power of rock 'n' roll being a big part of the human experience. Or the catchy intro song “Eulogy” that pretty much sums up the tone of the album with the line “At least I fucking I tried. That’s the only eulogy I need.” The album also includes an a cappella traditional folk song “English Curse”. The album closes with an awesome atheist church-camp-y song “Glory Hallelujah” which immediately catches attention. I have never heard anything quite like it.
The Whisky: Auchentoshan American Oak Single Malt Scotch
Auchentoshan is one of the few lowland distilleries who are still doing single malts, and it is probably the most well known. This Scotch is aged in American bourbon casks. It is a very well balanced whisky that makes for a great introduction to Lowland Single Malt Scotch. It smells of banana bread with minerality and wet stone on the nose and on the palate. It is very crisp and refreshing with a hint of lemon and a smooth oak finish.
Hank Williams ‘40 Greatest Hits’ and High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram
Of course a whiskey named after Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream” must be paired with music from the “Hillbilly Shakespeare” himself, Hank Williams. A Midwinter Night’s Dram is one of the most sought after annual whiskey releases and is the perfect dram when listening to the GOAT.
The Music: Hank Williams ‘40 Greatest Hits’
Hank Williams, aka the “Hillbilly Shakespeare”, is the greatest country artist of all time. In his brief time on the planet he had 35 Top 10s and 11 number 1 songs on the Billboard Country & Western charts before he passed away at the age of 29 on New Year’s Day 1953. He sang about the everyman with such sincerity and authenticity that anyone listening feels like the song was written just for them. This collection of his greatest hits includes some of those amazing songs like “Hey, Good Lookin’”, “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” It also includes the last song that he ever recorded, which is fun but eerily titled “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive”. His influence on modern music can not be over exaggerated, from today’s Americana, Country, Blues, Rock, Pop, and every other genre of music that includes lyrical content.
The Whiskey: High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram - Act 9 Scene 3
High West Distillery is located just outside Park City, Utah and their A Midwinter Night’s Dram has become one of the more desirable limited whiskey releases each year for good reason. It is a rye whiskey finished in French oak port barrels. They say to enjoy it “next to a fire as the snow piles up on the window sill,” which is exactly what I’m doing right now. It has notes of plum, vanilla and candied black cherries. The port comes through on the nose as well as the palate. It tastes of angel cake, strawberries, and blueberries and has a long delicate oaky finish. This is a special whiskey worth savoring every dram.
TK & The Holy Know-Nothings’ “The Incredible Heat Machine” and Wild Turkey Rare Breed
In this pairing I am pairing one of my new favorite artists with one of my old favorite bourbons.
With an album this gloomy and boozy it is going to take a little something extra, and Rare Breed is just the spirit to do it, being barrel-proof and punch-you-in-the-face good.
The Music: TK & The Holy Know-Nothings “The Incredible Heat Machine”
‘The Incredible Heat Machine’ is a phenomenal album. It is the sophomore album from the country rock band out of Portland, OR. It is a booze-drenched album with sad-drinking-country song after sad-drinking-country song. In between the beautifully depressing songs they drop in “Hell of a Time” which is a haunting walk through the mind of a serial killer and the lightest song on the album, “I Lost my Beer” which is a funny song about getting too stoned and losing your beer. Every song on this album is a masterpiece in songwriting by frontman Taylor Kingman. My personal favorite is probably “Bottom of the Bottle” with the opening line of “that toilet bowl is drunk on last night’s booze” and it only gets better from there. This album is so good it makes you want to grab a stiff drink to drown in.
The Whiskey: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Rare Breed is Wild Turkey’s barrel proof bourbon and comes in at 116.8 proof. Their bourbons always have that ‘something different’ that is hard to pin down. It has a big flavor punch that really sets them apart from the others. Wild Turkey makes amazing bourbons, and this Rare Breed is no exception. On the nose it has vanilla and eggnog and is a little nutty. It has a deliciously bold flavor with hints of spice bread and decadent desert. It has a long, almost sweet, finish. Even at the higher proof the alcohol does not overwhelm and this can be enjoyed by all.
Nick 13’s self-titled album and Belle Meade Bourbon
While Nick 13 is from California, this album was partially recorded in Nashville. In fact, the first song on the album is “Nashville Winter” so I am pairing this one with the delicious Belle Meade Bourbon also made in Nashville. They complement each other beautifully as they are easy on the senses, relaxing, and oh so enjoyable.
The Music: Nick 13’s self titled album
Nick 13, frontman for psychobilly punk rock band Tiger Army, released his first solo album back in 2011. Like many of his punk rock peers he experimented with making a country/folk album. However, unlike many of those peers who made stripped down folk punk albums, Nick 13 made a very polished and beautifully produced country album that blends that smooth “Nashville sound” with a little of that honky-tonk “Bakersfield sound.” I had been hunting for this album on vinyl for the better part of a decade but always seemed to just miss out on the re-releases until I finally found it a few weeks back at Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville. It always makes an appearance anytime I am sitting around the campfire, hanging out on the porch, or sipping on some whiskey.
The Whiskey: Belle Meade Bourbon
Belle Meade Bourbon was a staple in Tennessee in the 1800’s but was lost to time after prohibition until two brothers revived the family brand in 2006. Fun Fact: The label on the bottle appears exactly as it did over a hundred years ago. This whiskey is sourced from other distillers and they did an excellent job of blending a delicious high rye whiskey. I can’t wait for future releases as they are now aging and bottling in Nashville. On the nose it smells like fall in an apple orchard and caramel. It is surprisingly easy drinking while complex at the same time. It tastes of candied fruit and cinnamon graham crackers. It's that time of year again and I can confirm it makes an excellent compliment to an eggnog cocktail.
Blaze Foley’s ‘Clay Pigeons’ and Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Blaze Foley’s music is timeless folk country that is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago and could have been a century ago too. There is nothing better than listening to some Blaze tunes with a glass of Heaven Hill bourbon that's keeping the tradition of Bottled in Bond alive since 1935.
The Music: Blaze Foley ‘Clay Pigeons’
Blaze Foley is one of my all time favorite artists but I am a little embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even know about him until a handful of years ago. He was an amazing folk artist and country singer-songwriter whose soulful singing, beautiful acoustic music, and long beard would have been wildly popular in today’s country/americana scene. He was close friends with another one of my favorites, legendary singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. There are some pretty wild stories about the two of them in the movie “Blaze”. Tragically Blaze’s life was cut short when he was shot to death by a friend’s son This album is kind of a “best of” collection of his songs and its title is from one of his more well known songs, “Clay Pigeons”, which has been covered by Tim Barry, John Prine, and many others.
The Whiskey: Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Heaven Hill Distillery has always been known for producing quality whiskey like McKenna, Old Fitzgerald, Elijah Craig, Evan Wiliams and more, but now they have a flagship bourbon with their name on it. Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond is seven years old and is popular enough it can be a little hard to find. This bourbon has a cherry explosion with other ripe fruit on the nose. It has a thicker mouthfeel with caramel and raw sugar flavors and a longer finish. While it is a pretty straight forward bourbon, and damn tasty, it will probably be enjoyed more by experienced whiskey drinkers but might be a bit too much for beginners.
Cobra Skulls’ “Agitations” and Russell’s Reserve 6 year Rye
Opposites attract. The Cobra Skulls have wound down their appearances together as a band in the last decade while rye whiskey has seen a renaissance in the last decade. Put these two together and let the fist pumping and foot stomping ensue. Just be careful not to spill your drink.
The Music: “Agitations” was released in 2011 and was the last full length album from the Reno based punk rock band Cobra Skulls. Their style of punk has a driving beat that has that train-coming-down-the-tracks-right-into-your-kitchen sound and includes some great rock n’ roll guitar licks. Lead singer and bassist Devin Peralta has that perfect balance of almost screaming, almost singing voice leaving no doubt that this is seriously punk rock. “Agitations” has a more grown-up punk sound with songs about politics, climate change, and relationship struggles and it wouldn't be a Cobra Skulls album without at least one acoustic song questioning different religions.
The Whiskey: Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Rye is from Wild Turkey and gets its name from paying homage to over a century of history of the Wild Turkey master distillers from the Russell family. This rye is a fun cocktail rye but can absolutely stand on its own in a glass neat. It has very crisp and clean notes of citrus, apple, and pine with a sweetness to it. On the palate it tastes of orange and sweet candy, almost like an orange ice cream. It’s a great glass of whiskey that whiskey drinkers will appreciate and would be an easy recommendation to rye newbies.
The Pairing: Larry and His Flask’s “All That We Know” and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
This is the “I just can’t get enough” pairing. Everytime I put this record on I don’t want it to end and every time I pour a glass of ECBP I just want more!
The Music: Larry and His Flask are a badass acoustic punk band and “All That We Know” was their 2011 album that was the first album after they switched style from a more hardcore electric punk band to an accoustic fast paced bluegrass sound with a little bit of that Gogol Bordello gypsy jazz rock n’ roll but still keeping that punk rock edge. Lead singer Ian Cook has a captivating voice that reminds of Mike Ness. Jeshua Marshall plays the standup bass like a wild man as his brother Jamin kills the drums and the other members play banjo, mandolin, fiddle, various horns, and whatever else is laying around. The energy at their live shows is second to none and they bring that same energy to this album. All of their albums are great but I rock out to this most often because it includes one of my favorite ballads, “Slow it Down”. I can’t help but stomp my feet and dance around the house like Tom Cruise in “Risky Business” every time I put this record on. Every track on this album is a banger.
The Whiskey: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is always a treat for whiskey connoisseurs. This batch #521 has a proof that is a little low for this series, coming in at 118.2, but still much higher than non-barrel proof whiskies. The beauty about this bottle is that the alcohol is not present on the nose or the pallet. The first thing that hits you is the vanilla notes and tucked behind that is a subtle oak and hint of wild berries. The palate has caramel and cinnamon candy that gives way to a long pepper and oak finish. There is something about this whiskey that just makes you feel good inside. Not drunk or warm fuzzies, but more of a sense of “That was fun. Let’s do it again.”
Sierra Ferrell’s “A Long Time Coming” and Sazerac Rye Whiskey
Sierra Ferrell spent time busking in New Orleans early in her career where she surely honed her amazing genre-bending sound. You can easily lose yourself in her music and imagine listening to her in a NOLA bar in the 19th century sipping on the day's favorite cocktail, the Sazerac.
The Music: Sierra Ferrell’s first album has truly been “A Long Time Coming”. She has been amassing a big following in the americana scene for several years and fans have been eagerly awaiting a full length album. The release of “A Long Time Coming” was well worth the wait and is easily one of my favorite albums of the last couple years. Front to back every song has a unique sound as it weaves in bluegrass, traditional country, roma jazz, and folk. Virtuoso bluegrass guitar player, Billy Strings, even lends his playing to “Bells of Every Chapel”. Fans who have been following Sierra for years and people hearing her for the first time are all falling in love with this album and her majestic 20’s-jazz-meets-folksy-appalachia voice.
The Whiskey: Sazerac Rye straight rye whiskey (sometimes referred to as “Baby Saz” because of its extremely popular older sibling Sazerac Rye 18-year) is a phenomenal whiskey that, when you can find it, is easily one of the best dollar-for-dollar values coming in under $30. Sazerac is made by Buffalo Trace but has its origin story in New Orleans. In the 19th century a cocktail named Sazerac was all the rage in NOLA and this bottle borrows that name and is the perfect whiskey for those old-timey mixologists. On its own it is very clean and crisp to drink and has notes of pine and cupcakes on the nose. It has a noticeably very little “whiskey burn” with a smooth bitterness and a hint of fresh mint that conjures thoughts of a mojito. The rye bread and rye spice is prevalent and as my wife said, “It smells like fall and tastes like summer.”
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs and Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs started as a punk band and transitioned to making some badass country tunes. The man, Elijah Craig, started as a preacher and transitioned to become the “Father of Bourbon.”
The Music: Jenny Don’t and the Spurs are a super-hip country band that brings their experiences from previously playing as a punk band to their unique sometimes-traditional-sometimes-rockabilly country tunes. Their latest LP “Fire on the Ridge” is full of great rockabilly songs, traditional country ballads, as well as a few honky tonkin’ tunes. While on tour this year they debuted a new single “Right from the Start” with “Three or Four Nights” on the b-side with a proper release expected later in 2021. ”Right from the Start” is a great track that has a Patsy Cline vibe with a little 20’s jazz feel mixed with a rockabilly arrangement. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store on their upcoming album.
The Whiskey: Elijah Craig Bourbon is an absolute classic and as legend has it its namesake was the first to char oak barrels and is the inventor of bourbon as we know it. Who knows if these stories are a bit exaggerated but either way it is a damn tasty bourbon in a cool bottle that leans into the “Father of Bourbon” claim. The whiskey is another family member of the Heaven Hill distillery and should always be found on any self-respecting whiskey shelf. Caramel and cherries really pop on the nose and it reminds of an upscale confectionery sweets shop. It is very flavorful and slightly complex but makes for very easy drinking. It has nice sweetness with oak, salted peanuts, and a comfortable spice along with a very pleasant medium to long finish. Elijah Craig Bourbon is a great sipper for classic bourbon lovers and newbies alike.
Charley Crockett’s ‘Lonesome as a Shadow’ and Nine Banded Wheated Bourbon
Charley Crockett was born and raised in Texas so it’s only appropriate to pair this album with the Texas whiskey Nine Banded Bourbon. Both are also very versatile. Charley is best known as a country artist but is known to play some blues and soul, and Nine Banded Bourbon is just comfortable neat as it is being mixed in a craft cocktail.
The Music: ‘Lonesome as a Shadow’ is Charley Crockett’s first album with all original material. This album covers many different genres from country, blues, soul, and rock n’ roll. The first two songs on the album, “I wanna Cry” and “The Sky’d Become Teardrops”, have the most country sound and then the album switches to soul and blues tunes. There is even a little oldies and doo-wop vibe to the album, and “Lil’ Girl’s Name” has a Beach Boys surf-rock sound. The title of the album let’s us know that this isn’t going to be an upbeat album and it definitely has a lonesome theme with almost every song about hard times, heartbreak, and being sad and blue. It helps to have a glass of whiskey when listening to this because it might induce a good cry.
The Whiskey: Nine Banded Wheated Bourbon is out of Austin, TX. The juice is sourced from Indiana, but spends some time in Texas and uses limestone filtered water from Texas. I wanted a Texas bourbon for this pairing and in all honesty I don’t know anything about Texas whiskey so I took a shot in the dark on this one and I am glad I did. This bourbon is pretty damn good. It is very aromatic and there is a lot going on the nose with lots of fruit with cherries and apples. The palate starts with cinnamon graham crackers that quickly fades and gives way to cherries, brown sugar, and a hint of oak. Overall it is pretty sweet and very approachable.
Colter Wall self-titled and Smoke Wagon Bourbon
The Music: Colter Wall has a beautiful slow and steady Johnny-Cash-like baritone voice and his self-titled first full length album is full of ramblin’ man folk and country songs in a very traditional style. It is obvious he is personally connected to these songs about boozin’, drugs, failed drunken barroom hookups, getting arrested, being broke, contempt for authority and high society, and “just trying to stay alive.” The popular “Kate McCannon” is my favorite song on the album. I always love a good murder ballad, and this is one of the greats. Another gem is the cover of the traditional folk song “Fraulein”, featuring Tyler Childers, about longing for a German lover who is left behind overseas.Colter may sound like a grizzled old folk veteran but he is only 26 years old and he sure can tell a story with the wisdom of a much older poet.
The Whiskey: Smoke Wagon Bourbon comes out of Las Vegas, but make no mistake about it this is a legit whiskey. They have won all types of awards and have gained a huge following amongst whiskey connoisseurs. These bottles fly off the shelves and some of their higher end offerings can be impossible to find. Their Straight Bourbon comes in a gorgeous bottle and has notes of apple, banana, and chocolate. The alcohol is prevalent but not in a bad way and seems to prepare you for the fact that you are about to drink some whiskey. The palate has walnut, mixed nuts, and is on the sweeter side. It does have a wonderful delicate spice that lingers on the finish. Overall a very tasty bourbon that most will enjoy.
Frank Turner’s ‘Love, Ire, and Song” and Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
“Love, Ire, and Song” is punk rock for those who aren’t into moshing at basement shows anymore and pairs nicely with Basil Hayden’s Bourbon which is a good entry whiskey for those who want to stop slamming Beam and Cokes and start drinking grown-up whiskey.
The Music: Frank Turner’s “Love, Ire, and Song” is one of my favorite albums from one of my favorite artists. Most of the songs on this album talk about getting older, still holding onto those punk ideals but maybe no longer playing songs as fast and as loud as possible. There are some amazing tunes on this album. “Photosynthesis” is one of those grown up punk songs that is a staple at a live Frank Turner show with the whole crowd screaming “I won’t sit down, I won’t shut up, and most of all I won’t grow up” and the album’s namesake song “Love, Ire, and Song”, is the ultimate grown-up punk rock protest song “And Punk Rock didn't live up to what I hoped that it could be, And all the things that I believed with all my heart when I was young, Are just coasters for beers and clean surfaces for drugs...”. I could go on and on about how much I love each song on this album but I don’t have the room, so I would suggest pouring a glass of whiskey, sitting down, listening to this album front to back, and remembering what it was like to “be young and crass enough to care.”
The Whiskey: Basil Hayden’s Bourbon is one of Jim Beam Distilleries premium bourbons and it comes in a very cool bottle. At only 80 proof this is an easy sipping bourbon and very approachable for folks who are new to whiskey or for those who want something with a premium taste not overpowered by the alcohol. It has notes of strawberries with hints of vanilla and citrus. It has a sweet taste that reminds me of the sugary candy Smarties.
@frankturner #fthc #loveireandsong #punk #punkrock #folk #folkpunk #accousticpunk #countrypunk @basilhaydens #basilhaydens @jimbeamdistillery #whiskey #bourbon #vinylrecords #vinyl #nowspinning @uturnaudio #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstores
Willi Carlisle’s “To Tell You the Truth” and Weller’s Special Reserve
The Music: Willi Carlisle’s album “To Tell You the Truth” feels like Willi is guiding us through folk history as he explores various sounds and genres of folk/country like bluegrass, old-timey americana, and traditional English folk tunes. You’ll hear plenty of guitar, banjo, fiddle, and even a little accordion. Every song on this album is unique. “Angels” is a beautiful song about love and loss that brings tears to eyes at his live shows and the title of the album comes from its chorus. “What the Rocks Don’t Know” is an acapella song about being on the road in the Midwest that inspires stomping and clapping along. Probably my favorite song on the album, “A Certain Kind of Fool”, is a phenomenal protest song taking on racism, wars, religion, and other social issues.
This album is currently only available on CD or digital download, but Willi will have his next album coming out this year and it will be on vinyl. I can’t wait!
The Whiskey: Anything from Weller’s is getting tougher and tougher to find on the shelves these days. The secret is out that Weller is made in the same place, and made the same way as Pappy. The great thing about Special Reserve, when you can find it, is its relatively affordable. If you can find it at MSRP this bottle feels like a steal. I was lucky enough to find this one at @evergreenliquors for $25. It has a lot of vanilla on the nose and is bright and fresh with notes of apple, cherry and hints of citrus. It is extremely smooth with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon candy on the palate with hints of smooth oak and tobacco. While fairly complex there is nothing overpowering about this bourbon which makes it a great whiskey to share with friends of all stripes.
@willicarlisle #willicarlisle #totellyouthetruth #folk #country #bluegrass #americana #protestsongs @wellerbourbon #weller #wellerbourbon #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #compactdisc #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindieartists
Lavender Country's Self Titled Album and Old Elk Bourbon
The Music: Lavender Country self-titled album.It is obvious from the opening line of the first song that this isn’t your typical country album when singer Patrick Haggerty belts out “Wakin' up to say hip hip hooray, I'm glad I'm gay”. The album celebrates being gay and has songs about love and longing and being queer in the 70’s but the style is mid-century country with a little folk, a little rockabilly, and even a prog rock ballad in “Georgie Pie”. The most popular song from the album, “Cryin’ These Cocksucking Tears”, is from the point of view of a secret lover and how he’s done with crying those cocksucking tears over his married lover. Lavender Country also includes some amazing protest songs like “Waltzing Will Trilogy” that tells of LGBT folks being locked up in mental hospitals, beaten, killed and the need for a revolution. Originally released in 1973, this album takes on race, war, sexuality and would still be considered edgy by many today even by modern standards. Haggerty was himself kicked out of the military for being gay which he addresses in the song “Back in the Closet”.
The Whiskey: Old Elk Bourbon is a Colorado based whiskey that is extremely well crafted and comes in a beautiful package. I was lucky enough to get one of the coveted elk head pourers when @oldman_carp gave me my first bottle of Old Elk. I opened it a party and was very popular and went quick. I plan to be a little more selfish with this bottle. It has the aroma of a decadent dessert with notes of cherry, raspberry, and brown sugar. The palate intrgues with lemon custard up front giving way to peppery spice with hints of oak and tobacco. Old Elk is very smooth and delicious and can be enjoyed by the hardcore whiskey drinkers and rookies alike.
@lavendercountryofficial #lavendercountry #country #lgbtcountry #lgbt @oldelkbourbon #oldelk #bourbon #whiskey #vinylrecords #vinyl #whiskeyandwaxtrax
Riley Downing’s ‘Start it Over’ and Maker’s Mark Cask Strength bourbon
The Music: I have been eagerly awaiting this album since I first saw @elleking post when the first single “Deep Breath” dropped. As soon as I heard the song, I immediately preordered the album. ‘Start it Over’ is Riley’s first solo album. It's a little soul, a little country, a little blues, and it’s got a little of that classic rock sound. Whatever it is, Riley’s slow and steady baritone voice, with a deep Ozark drawl, takes all of those genres and turns them into a hell of a unique sound and one of my favorite albums of the last couple years.
Riley is a KC boy and can frequently be seen rocking a Royals hat. He even turned the “Royals” logo into a “Riley” logo. While I no longer reside in KC I spent most of my life there so I still call it home. I am damn proud to see a hometown guy making a badass record like ‘Start it Over’.
The Whiskey: Makers Mark has always been one of my go-to whiskies, so I was very excited to see a few more products from them in the last several years. The proof and taste of the Cask Strength bourbon varies from batch to batch. This particular batch comes in a 110.6 proof, and is as smooth as smooth can be. I get notes of chocolate covered cherry, and oak, with a hint of lemon zest on the nose. The palate is rich and full flavored with pepper, vanilla, and assorted nuts.
@rileydown #rileydowning #startitover #countrysoul #soul #country #blues
#classicrock #kc #royals #kcroyals #riley @makersmark #makersmark #whiskey #whisky #bourbon #caskstrength #vinyl #vinylrecords #recordcollection #nowspinning #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstores
The Music: Hellbound Glory is probably my favorite thing to happen in country music over the last decade. Front man, Leon Virgil Bowers is one of the best, and underappreciated, songwriters making country music right now. He calls his music “scumbag country” and I couldn’t agree more with the description. His last two albums were produced with Shooter Jennings and the Black Country Rock records label. The most recent album, ‘Pure Scum’, kicks off with bang with the song “Ragged but Alright” about being a drunk scumbag gambler. The rest of the albums include tunes about being a degenerate in Reno, odes to strippers, last call hookups, getting stabbed by his wife, boozing, and living that “Hank Williams Lifestyle.” The album closes with fun drinking and driving song called “DUIORDIE”.
The Whiskey: Eagle Rare Bourbon is one of those whiskeys that can be extremely tough to find. While it is a wonderful bourbon in a beautiful bottle, I think it has “gone viral”, like other bourbons from Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is worth every penny if you can get it, like I did, at it’s MSRP of $35 (at @evergreenliquors), but it’s not worth anywhere close to the $80-90 I have heard some people paying. It has a nice complexity and a richness with notes of wet oak, brown sugar, honey, and corn. On the palate I get chocolate and hints of tobacco and cedar. According to the inscription on the back of the bottle, apparently this is what freedom tastes like.
@hellboundglory #hellboundglory #leonvirgilbowers #purescum #scumbagcountry #country #countrymusic #shooterjennings @eaglerarebourbon @buffalotrace #eaglerare #buffalotrace #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #vinylrecords #recordcollection #nowspinning @uturnaudio #discogs #supportindierecordstores
The Music: I was super stoked to finally pick up the indie record exclusive Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2 vinyl record today. I have been listening to the digital version since the album dropped a few months ago, but there is something special about hearing Sturgill play his bluegrass tunes in all of their glory on vinyl. Vol. 2 includes a little treat, an original song co-written with Merle Haggard. As I listen to Sturgill play bluegrass I can’t help but think of one of my other favorite artists, Leon Russell. Both Sturgill and Leon love to experiment with different music genres and have released bluegrass, country, and rock albums. Leon even released an album called “Americana” which has been as the term to define the current country music genre that Sturgill and others find themselves in.
The Whiskey: I picked up a bottle of Yellowstone Bourbon that was a barrel pick at Evergreen Liquors in Evergreen, CO. It comes in at a price point around $45, which is a little more than I usually spend on a bottle of whiskey, especially one I haven’t had before. But Yellowstone Select does not disappoint. It has a nice complexity and is well balanced. It has notes of lemon, pear, and cookie dough on the nose. It is clean but earthy and I get an oatmeal cookie taste with a hint of cinnamon. The finish doesn’t linger too long and I think entry level drinkers would enjoy this one as well as your whiskey aficionados.
#sturgillsimpson #cuttingrass #cuttingrassvol2 #ddss #bluegrass #country #americana #sundayvalley #merlehaggard @merlehaggardofficial @leonrussellrecords #leonrussell @yellowstonebourbon #yellowstoneselectbourbon #whiskey #bourbon #yellowstone #vinyl #vinylrecords #indierecordexclusive #twistandshout @twistandshoutdenver #supportindierecordstores
The Music: Sturgill Simpson has released two volumes of Cuttin’ Grass. They are both so good I am going to talk about them in separate posts. Sturgill dives deep in to his music catalog and pulls out some of his greatest hits from his solo albums and a few from his band Sunday Valley for Vol. 1 then rearranges them beautifully as bluegrass tunes for this record. Honestly, I feel some of these bluegrass covers are better than the originals. The bluegrass musicians he works with are amazing and style really showcases his songwriting talent. As I write this post, I am sitting on the deck of my mountain home spinning Cuttin’ Grass while sipping on some Mellow Corn and smoking a fat cigar. This is truly my paradise and I couldn’t ask for a better soundtrack to my Friday afternoon.
The Whiskey: Mellow Corn is from Heaven Hill distillery which makes other amazing whiskeys like the impossible to find Henry McKenna 10 year BIB, as well brands like Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Larceny, and Old Fitzgerald. Mellow Corn is Bottled in Bond and shares the same adherence to quality as its sister whiskeys. Mellow Corn is the cheapest of the Heaven Hill line-up but for a whiskey the usually comes in under $15 it punches way above its weight class. It is perfectly fine neat, but I don’t feel bad making cocktails with it either. I get vanilla on the nose with hints of cotton candy or bubble gum. On the palate I taste cinnamon candy and snickerdoodle cookies. It has a nice sweet and spicy balance and is very smooth with a medium length and pleasant cinnamon and vanilla finish.
#sturgillsimpson #cuttingrass #ddss #bluegrass #country #sundayvalley @mellowcorn @heavenhilldistillery #whiskey #boubon #bottledinbond #mellowcorn #heavenhilldistillery #vinyl #vinylrecords #nowspinning #indierecordexclusive #supportindierecordstores
The Music: The Tossers are a badass Celtic punk band from Chicago and their album ‘The Valley of the Shadow of Death’ is full of great drinking songs and Irish ballads that will make you want to drink some Irish whiskey and “put on your dancin’ shoes”. The opening song, “Goodmorin’ Da” is a great drinking tune about having to call your dad to post bail...Still my favorite Tossers’ song to this day. While The Tossers may not be as well-known as Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, the Tossers have been doing for just as long, if not longer, and are definitely my favorite of the Celtic punk genre.
The Whiskey: Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey Proper No. Twelve is a relatively new Irish whiskey. It is the creation of mixed martial artist and UFC star Conor McGregor. Oftentimes celebrity liquors are reviewed more harshly, or favorably, based on the reviewer's opinion of the celeb. I’ll have to admit I was a little surprised by this one. It is extremely pleasant and easy to drink so when you pop a bottle it is easy to knock a few back and have a good time. On the nose it is floral with notes of pine, apple, vanilla, and caramel. In the mouth is subdued green apple and pear, and something that tastes like a hike in a mountain forest. It is on the lighter bodied side and does not have a long finish. It is very smooth and I can see it being popular for regular Irish whiskey drinkers and those who only partake on St. Paddy’s Day.
One bit of advice: drink this neat. When mixed with ice or water it takes on a much different taste profile.
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
@thetosserschicago #thetossers #tossers #celticpunk #irishmusic #folk #punk #thevalleyoftheshadowofdeath @properwhiskey #irishwhiskey #propernotwelve #whiskey #whiskeyandwaxtrax #vinylrecords #vinyl #recordcollection #nowspinning #supportindierecordstores @uturnaudio #stpaddysday
The Music: ‘Nebraska’ is easily one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time, and I’m really not a Bruce Springsteen fan. It all seemed a little cheesy, or maybe it was like @courtneylove said, it has too much sax. Either way, that changed when I heard Nebraska. Bruce recorded these songs in his basement by himself with his guitar, harmonica, and the random instrument he had laying around. The intention was that the songs would later be recorded by the full band in the studio, but it ended up so beautiful just as it was so it was released without the studio or the band. The whole album feels dark and desperate with tunes like “Atlantic City” and murder ballads like the album’s namesake “Nebraska” and “Johnny 99”. “Born in the USA” was actually written for this album, and holy shit I wish it would have made the cut. It would’ve taken on a whole new tone.
The Whiskey: Buffalo Trace is the namesake bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. The distillery has been around since the 1700s but this bourbon has only been around since 1999. Buffalo Trace is relatively affordable, usually around $26, but can often times be hard to find probably due to the reputation of its brothers and sisters from the same distillery: Weller, Thomas Handy, Stagg, Eagle Rare, CEH Taylor, and partners like Banton’s and Pappy Van Winkle. Buffalo Trace Bourbon is higher quality and more full-flavored than the price tag would suggest. On the nose it has notes of caramel, citrus, and vanilla. On the palate I get green apple and mellow oak. The sweetness makes it approachable for the occasional whiskey drinker and obviously whiskey connoisseurs enjoy it as well.
Shout out to @joshwhoahbell for introducing Nebraska to me.
@springsteen #brucespringsteen #theboss #nebraska #muderballads #folk @buffalotrace #buffalotrace #bourbon #whiskey #whiskeyandwaxtrax #vinyl #vinylrecords #supportindierecordstores
The Music: ‘Weight of a Trigger’ is a heavy album that is full sadness and violence, with a couple murder ballads and wild west tales that could have been scenes in Cormac McCarthy’s ‘Blood Meridian.’ But I will say that sometimes I get so lost in the beauty of the music that I forget how painful and self-destructive the lyrics are. Lead singer Benjamin Tod’s voice is almost angelic as he leads this outlaw punk folk country band accompanied by the talented Ashley Mae playing the fiddle, often times more like a violin than you would usually hear in country music. ‘Weight of a Trigger’ is the latest installment from one of my absolute favorite bands and I can’t wait for more.
The Whiskey: Old Grand-Dad 114The brand name conjures images of an old-timey grandfather sitting on his porch sipping whiskey in his rocking chair and Old Grand-Dad’s 114 doesn’t disappoint that nostalgia. It definitely tastes like whiskey. It has notes of baked bread and vanilla on the nose. On the palate I get cedar, tobacco, pepper and banana. Even with the higher alcohol content at 114 proof, it doesn’t over power this full-flavored whiskey. While this whiskey comes in under $30 it is most appropriate for pretty serious whiskey drinkers and might be a little too much for entry level drinkers.
@lostdogstreetband #lostdogstreetband #weightofatrigger #outlawshit @benjamintodmusic @ashleymaepigeonpie #outlawcountry #country #countrymusic #americana #punk #murderballad #bloodmeridian #oldgranddad #oldgranddad114 #whiskey #bourbon #114proof #whiskeyandwaxtrax #vinyl #vinylrecords #nowspinning #recordcollection #instavinyl #supportindierecordstores @uturnaudio
The Music: When Nathaniel Rateliff added the Night Sweats and their horn section and several piece backing band, it added a richness and fullness to the album with Nathaniel’s soulful voice, unique cadence, and style of bluesy folk. It is a great album with some of the catchiest tunes you will ever hear, like “S.O.B.” the song that played in every bar I walked into in 2016-2017. I have been following Nathaniel’s career from very early on. I was so happy for him when the Night Sweats album came out and he finally got the recognition he deserved. I had all of his early albums on heavy rotation on my iPod. For those that don’t remember, iPods were handheld devices that held music in a digital format that can’t make phone calls, take pictures, or get on the internet. It’s awesome Nathaniel Rateliff is on SNL this weekend so he can introduce his soul blues roots rock to a whole new audience who may not have had the pleasure yet.
The Whiskey: Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon Breckenridge Distillery’s claim to fame is that they are the “World’s Highest Distillery”. They actually put that it in quotes in their marketing materials. For some reason I found that curious. Breckenridge, CO is at pretty high elevation, but I can’t help but wonder if they are using the word “high” in reference to one of Colorado’s other well known inebriants. Either way, they make a pretty solid whiskey. On the nose I get caramel covered apples and hints of vanilla. The taste is fresh ground cinnamon and something that reminds me of a smoked rosemary cocktail I had at The Kill Devil Club in KC awhile back. They have only been making bourbon for about 10 years, and as the brand matures I look forward to seeing more releases from them with longer aged whiskeys.
#whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #vinylrecords #saturdaynightlive #whiskeyandwaxtrax #ipod
The Music: The Black Pumas are a modern funk-soul band. There is something so familiar about their style yet it is obvious it is new music. So far, they have only put out one full-length album but it has been nominated for three Grammys! I first saw them on TV at the presidential inauguration and knew instantly I needed to hear more. I love it when I find out about new bands that were previously unknown to me that are this good. The album is mostly soul, funk, and R&B, but they are not afraid to experiment with different arrangements, like the acoustic folk/country cover of “Fast Car” or the occasional classic rock electric guitar solos. I eagerly await future releases from them with their unique sound. This album is going to be on heavy rotation at my house for a long time to come.
The Whiskey: The Brough Brothers distillery is the first black owned distillery in Kentucky. They just launched in 2020 and their first release is the Brough Brothers Bourbon Whiskey. This is obviously a young whiskey that hasn’t spent a lot of time in the barrel, but it has great bones, and is perfect for mixing cocktails. It has notes of Graham cracker and lemon on the nose and is a cinnamon bomb in the mouth. I look forward to watching this brand progress and see what kind of products the future holds as their whiskey matures.
Whiskey found at @evergreenliquors
@blackpumas @broughbrothers #blackpumas #broughbrothersbourbon #blackhistorymonth #supportblackownedbusinesses #funk #soul #rhythmandblues #newartist #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #vinylrecords #instavinyl #nowspinning #whiskeyandwaxtrax
The Music: Langhorne Slim is a talented songwriter with a unique style of folk, a little poppy, a little bluesy, with a whole lot of rock and roll. Strawberry Mansion has a front porch rocking chair vibe with modern melodies about isolation, depression, and anxiety. It may be a little more serious than other Langhorne Slim albums, but it is full of some damn catchy tunes. While much of the album discusses the craziness and isolation of 2020, it is also an album of hope and love.
I was very excited to receive this album in the mail today. I live on the side of a mountain so it took a day or two longer than everyone else to get but it was worth the wait because I was able to get a test pressing copy to add to my collection. I really appreciate how the album came with an extra signed sleeve so I don’t have to worry about fucking it up.
The Whiskey: Woodford Reserve Bourbon is one of my favorites. It is very smooth and well balanced but not simple or boring. It has notes of ripe fruit, bananas, vanilla and cherry on the nose. It feels thick and velvety on the tongue with caramel and cinnamon and a hint of chocolate. It is the perfect sipper for sitting in your rocking chair or on your porch watching the fire pit flames and listening to some Langhorne Slim.
@langhorneslim @woodfordreserve
#langhorneslim #strawberrymansion #woodfordreserve #folk #country #bourbon #whiskey @uturnaudio #vinyl #vinylrecords #testpressing #instavinyl #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstores
The Music: Against Me! – Shape Shift With Me
This album is different from other Against Me! records with a more polished sound and higher production quality. It opens with a solid hard-core punk song, “Provision L3”, and as the album progresses it leans more towards new wave and arena punk with hints of pop punk. It’s heavy on the rock n’ roll and electric guitar and has that punk angst but at the same time is more technical and lyrically it feels like punk rock for grownups. Lead singer, @laurajanegrace sings and screams about breakups, longing and the trials of forming new relationships post breakup, etc.
I am at the age now where I am content to stand just behind the pit at an Against Me! show and nod my head to the rhythm, along with every other dude wearing a black concert tee rep’ing some other punk band, and appreciate their polished punk sound that has been achieved by perfecting their craft by rockin’ for a couple decades.
The Whiskey: “PB&J” (Pabst Blue Ribbon and a shot of Jameson)
If you are going to drink cheap domestic beer you should probably drink the 1893 blue ribbon award winning cheap domestic beer, PBR. And nothing will help getting your night started off on the right foot as tossing back a shot of the classic Irish Whiskey, Jameson. Jameson smells like banana bread and has a clean crisp taste with hints of vanilla and more banana. It is very delightful and easy drinking, so it is very approachable for non-whiskey drinkers too. PBR tastes like beer. The “PBJ” is a favorite combo in dive bars and punk rock venues across the land.
@againstme @laurajanegrace @jamesonwhiskey @pabstblueribbon #againstme #laurajanegrace #jameson #pbr #pabst #pabstblueribbon #whiskey #irishwhiskey #pbj #pounder #punk #punkrock #shapeshiftwithme #vinyl #vinylrecords @uturnaudio #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstores
The Music: Long Violent History wanders through some stripped-down bluegrass instrumental songs ending with a social justice protest song. It reminds me of a bunch of friends getting together and sipping on some whiskey and jamming out some blue grass tunes. They are aren’t the most polished songs, but that’s part of the charm. The main event is the album’s namesake “Long Violent History” that discusses the history of violence and oppression faced by Black Americans and white privilege told from the perspective a white boy from Kentucky. (I wanted to pull a lyric from the song, but I think every word is perfectly written and very powerful, so I ask that you listen to the song for yourself.)
You can see from the photos I went for the fanboy bundle when ordering this album.
The Whiskey: Four Roses Bourbon is a bourbon that punches above its weight-class. It is more full-bodied and complex than you would expect from a $20 bottle of whiskey, yet delicate and almost fruity with notes of apples. I can see why it has become a favorite of mixologists in creating unique craft cocktails.Fun fact: For decades leading up to the early 2000s Four Roses was not available in the US. It was made for export only but made its triumphant return in time to enjoy the whiskey explosion in the US over the last couple decades and has become a staple at whiskey bars across the country.
@timmytychilders @fourrosesbourbon
#tylerchilders #longviolenthistory #bluegrass #countrymusic #country #fourroses #bourbon #whiskey #kentucky #vinyl #vinylrecords #whiskeyandwaxtrax #supportindierecordstores @uturnaudio
The Music: Live on Red Barn Radio I & II is a combination of two previous EPs. It consists of live recordings of some of his earlier tunes like the drug and booze drenched “Whitehouse Road” and the amazing cover of a more obscure old country tune “Rock Salt and Nails.” The striped-down acoustic performances really highlight his amazing lyrical talent and songwriting abilities as he sings about longing, love, and loss/remembrance mixed within some boozin’, getting stoned, and doing a bunch of cocaine. My favorite anthropomorphic line comes from “Bottles and Bibles” about a preacher battling drunkenness after his girl left “The bottles and bibles broke out in a fight, the whiskey fought hard, son, and took the victory that night.”
Don’t call it Americana, this is country music at its finest.
The last time I saw a Tyler Childers’ show was at Red Rocks. It also happened to be the first time I ever saw a show at Red Rocks. The secret is definitely out on Tyler Childers. While he may not be on rotation on pop-country radio, the fans in attendance at that show sure know how special he is. That was the most money I have ever spent on concert tickets, and worth every penny.
The Whiskey: Bulleit Bourbon is a higher-end campfire bourbon at a very reasonable price (usually around $30.) It has notes of bananas and ripe fruit. It leans towards the sweeter side has a nice full flavor profile of oak and spice that pops out but is not overwhelming, so it is approachable for entry-level whiskey drinkers but will also please the pallet of whiskey lovers.
@timmytychilders @bulleit @redrocksco #tylerchilders #redrocks #country #countrymusic #bulleitbourbon #whiskey #bourbon #vinyl #vinylrecords @uturnaudio
The Music: @sturgillsimpson has made country, southern rock, experimental rock, and blue grass albums. But I wanted to start with his first solo album, “High Top Mountain”, which is most definitely a country album. And this album ain’t no she-thinks-my-tractors-sexy-pop-country-bullshit. Sturgill looks more like a 90’s Nirvana kid on stage than he does a country artist. He has been compared to Waylon and the outlaw genre, which is high praise, and you can see why when he sings about whiskey, weed, women, heartbreak, love, and loss with a mix of heel-stomping tunes and dramatic ballads. This is the type of country that country music so desperately needs more of.
The Whiskey: @wildturkey Wild Turkey 101 is what whiskey is supposed to be. It tastes like whiskey. It is well balanced and smooth enough you can drink more than a few. And it has that 101 kick so you know you are drinking a real whiskey. You can always judge a “whiskey bar” by how many Wild Turkey labels they have. Wild Turkey is what real whiskey drinkers drink. Don’t let anybody tell you any different.
#sturgillsimpson #ddss #hightopmountain #somedays #somedaysyoukillit #wildturkey101 #wildturkey #whiskey #bourbon #kentucky #vinyl #vinylrecords #whiskeyandwaxtrax #countrymusic #realcountrymusic #outlawcountry #supportindierecordstores @uturnaudio