Apology to Kris K., but readers here will find true country music has become perhaps my most intense musical passion- going back to Hank Sr. and Roy Acuff, through the likes of Buck Owens, Porter Wagoner, Roy Clark … right up to “newer” legends such as Marty Stuart, Vince Gill and already ascendant songwriter/singer Jamey Johnson. And whether documenting a “down” or “up” side of life … honest country music is never a downer.
So let’s go over a few of my favorite Michigan-rooted, country bands- who all are big stars to me, in the best sense of that twisted label.
First, see my last post of Downriver son Ryan Dillaha’s instant country classic for my birthplace, “Detroit City”. He often country rocks out (even using soulful horns) with his band, The Miracle Men … but this is a de minimis, muted version. A true country craver/cracker has gotta love the chorus open, “I won’t cry for you Detroit City … the record player’s alive and living … the needle always finds your broken heart”. RD and the MM are starting a Midwest states’ tour, plus dropping down to Nashville- now it’s their turn to rise up and get him while he’s there.
Find Ryan and the band on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanDillaha
Second, also outta Downriver is Don (Doop) Duprie, who runs Doop and The Inside Outlaws (gotta love country wordplay like that!). This naturally (and) seasoned, rocking country songwriter/singer/guitarist easily moves from rowdy honky tonkers, tales of the working man … to woeful country blues, always with just the note-hanging amount of twanging accents. You gotta get out there to hear them to be really shaken and stirred, from your butts to your hearts.
Find Doop and the band at http://www.doopandtheinsideoutlaws.com
Third but never least, are the Deadstring Brothers, well-worn country veterans who record on Chicago’s eclectic, outlaw-loving label, Bloodshot Records. Lead songwriter/guitarist Kurt Marschke’s plain folks lead vocal sets the tone for some sloppy loose honky tonkers, not to mention some great country chorus harmonizing on two-steppers or low fi ballads. They’re just as at home playin’ around The D, as kickin’ up dust out on the road, from Nashville to the weird West Coast. A double name drop here- longtime Willie Nelson harmonicat Mickey Raphael is on their “Cannery Row” album … and my friend bassist J.D. Mack confided once he knows well the longtime Porter Wagoner guitarist Fred Newell- both signs of true country cool to me.
Find The Deadstring Brothers at https://www.facebook.com/deadstringbrothers
TimMusic- “I don’t fear the words and sounds … just try holding them close to my heart” 