Laid Back Country Picker: Kingsport
That sound you hear ripping through the valley and rambling over the hill is proudly brought to you by Laid Back Country Picker and his newest album, Kingsport.
A stalwart in the musically-enriched soil of Eastern Kentucky, Laid Back puts his talent to work with a combination of witty storytelling, head-bouncing rhythm, and some electric guitar work that is nothing short of precise and, sometimes, down right mesmerizing.
Released by Hickman Holler Records, the label owned by Tyler Childers, Laid Back was immersed in an unbelievable wealth of talent, including Producers David Ferguson and Kenny Miles out of The Butcher Shoppe recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee, Kingsport is a testament to what happens when creative forces combine – including the album art of the one-and-only Jimbo Valentine. Backed by the likes of Hayden Miles on drums, Russ Pahl on guitars, JT Cure on bass, Jesse Wells on Fiddle/Banjo and Honey (Laid Back’s sweetie) with backing vocals, there is something that is, undeniably, the “Laid Back” sound. Oh, Shady Boggs offers his talents with vocals as well. Let’s not forget him.
Right from the start, with the title track, “Kingsport,” you find yourself immersed in that rich, honky-tonk sound – a throwback comparable to Waylon Jennings. It induces that steady, toe-tapping beat and doesn’t let up – including Laid Back’s motto and continuous lyrical reminder that he’s “playin’ country music, treatin’ people right.”
“Truck Stop Sam,” a live concert favorite, offers a bluesy grittiness, including some fantastic guitar riffs from Laid Back, not to mention the rotary phone that has been amplified for use as a microphone and has become an iconic staple at shows. With a lyric of “one good woman loves you – but you try to love them all,” how can you go wrong?
There’s a great message flowing from “Other Side Of Town,” telling of the untrustworthy nature of some folks in these times, with the classic hint that you have to do things for yourself, pave your own path and rumble on – much like the tune. Laid Back even makes light of Theodore Roosevelt’s historical perspective “you stand in the arena alone.”
Kingsport offers the listener to take a step back and reflect on what’s going on around the world today – perhaps induce a laugh or two – along with some pretty slick sonic tones that are sure to get you moving and grooving – Louisa, Kentucky should be proud.
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