How did the song Mississippi way come together?
Actually pretty easy, the riff came first which got me hooked on finishing the song in the first place. I usually try to finish the guitar parts first. Then work on the lyrics. Lyrics usually come easy to me well enough to get started to figure out a direction. Then I go back every few days and work on word phrasing. Long time friend and bass player Bradley Berryhill is my go to when I am stuck on a line. I also told him this song was going to be huge and it needed an epic intro. Bradley and I work well together on lyrics, but he is a master on the bass and coming up with killer parts. I knew I wanted to write a song about having fun and living life to the fullest. I do believe we accomplished this. It’s not just a song about growing up in MS, but a way of life anywhere on this big rock. California Way, New York Way, Boston Way, Louisiana Way Houston Way, Ole Canada Way, wherever you are from. Most people can relate to this song.
Tell us about the making of the album and some of the other songs that will be on the record?
The album will consist of 6 rockers and 3 acoustic songs. 5 of the songs are brand new with 4 previously released, but re-recorded with some minor/big changes. The second single (High Enuff) will drop on January 13th 2023. I don’t think I need to say anymore about this song. It was also inspired by a good friend of mine. Ghost inside me from our 2000 release is now an acoustic banger. It’s an anti-drinking & driving song. “Keepin’ On” a song Bradley wrote the music to, I actually came up with the bridge/solo part. He wrote the chorus, and I wrote the verses. It is a song about no matter how high/low, good/bad, or how life is treating you, we will never stop what we are doing. We shall overcome all adversity. Just to give a little bit on the new album release.
Who were your influences?
Our roots are the biggest influence on this record. Blue collar rock n roll. Southern Rock, Country, the stuff we grew up on. John Corabi, Chip Z’nuff, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Jr., James Gang, Allman Brothers, Zeppelin, AC/DC, Junkyard, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker Band, Jo Jo Gun, Them Dirty Roses, Blackberry Smoke, Jerry Reed, the list goes on and on.
When will the record be released?
Even if all the planets were aligned, we still would not know a solid date. LOL. The projected date is May 13, 2023, with 3 total singles released before it. Hopefully a video or two as well.
What are the band’s plans as far as touring?
We have around 10 shows on the books for the first half of the year with a couple more to come. Gonna be on a couple of small runs with some bigger names this year. We are in the market for a booking agent ASAP. We are in need of another guitarist as well, to round out our live sound. Looking forward to making our mark on the US this coming year 2023 and possibly even larger in 2024.
(1) 13South Mississippi Way Lyric Video – YouTube
