Wednesday Word: Joshua Jones
Written by KHYI 95.3 on October 28, 2015
What I’m Listening to Right Now:
A few weeks ago I ran into an executive at a record label in Nashville that I hadn’t seen in over a decade. The last time I saw her, she had been with another label, and she (with a handful of her staff) had been pitching me a new album from a new artist over dinner. At the time she had compared the artist to Johnny Cash and Dwight Yoakam. I was all ears. Apparently, the rest of the music industry wasn’t, because that artist was never heard from again after that initial release. I sometimes wonder what he’s doing to stay afloat now? Teaching guitar lessons? Working at Home Depot? Maybe he’s an IT guy? Who knows- but I often wonder about the 99.9% of those who don’t make it. What in the world are they doing nowadays?
But I digress, in my time in radio I’ve seen many artists come and go (yes, that’s where I was in my story,) but I’ve had very few experiences where I have been completely jarred by the work of an artist. The first time I saw Chris Knight, playing outdoors on Squam Lake in New Hampshire, before he had ever set foot in Texas- was one of those moments. I was embarrassed by how giddy I was. It was that good.
Well, I’ve had another experience like that this year. Not a live performance- but a CD release. It’s the self-titled 4th album by Turnpike Troubadours. From beginning to end, it is amazing. And the first track, The Bird Hunters, might be one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Yes- I just said that. In fact, (gasp) I’ve been listening to it on repeat for over a month now. It’s heavy with metaphor and melody, in such a way that you feel like you and Evan (Felker) have been bird-hunting together for years. Except you’re alone. In your car. And Evan has no idea who you are. Ha.
The song is more about life than hunting. Both eloquent, and rich with imagery.
If you don’t have it- download/buy it now. You’ll love it.
953 The Range