Charlie Starr Says New Blackberry Smoke is Not Like The “Crap” On Country Radio
When Blackberry Smoke released their last album Holding All The Roses back in February of 2015, it became the first independently-released record to go to #1 on the Billboard Country Album’s charts in the modern era. Now they’re getting ready to release their latest installment, the self-produced Like An Arrow through Thirty Tigers, and the album is already receiving considerable buzz.
The October 14th release date can’t come quick enough for some Blackberry Smoke and Southern rock fans. So what can they expect from the new record?
“It’s not an afterthought like the kind of crap that is on country radio now,” said Blackberry Smoke frontman and primary songwriter, Charlie Starr in a recent interview. “It might be some people’s thing but it’s not mine. There’s not much of a statement, there’s no emotion — it’s hollow and that’s a drag.”
After taking fairly long stretches in between releases, Blackberry Smoke’s sixth album is the first they’ve released in back to back years.
“When we are making records, we’re trying to make a listening experience,” Charlie Starr continues. “It’s not just about recording a bunch of songs and putting them on tape then passing them out and making them the songs we’re going to play. I feel like we look at it sort of like our heroes did … We’re trying to make honest music that has something to say lyrically and musically — something that will move people, not just sell a T-shirt. We want to make music that will last.”
If you can’t wait to listen to the new Blackberry Smoke record, it’s currently streaming on The Wall St. Journal.
albert
October 6, 2016 @ 7:07 pm
These boys have something to say and they damn-well say it .You can almost taste the ‘REAL ‘ in this track top to bottom . Loved the last record lyrically and musically for the same reason . Smarts, passion and talent . There’s a combination radio doesn’t see much of .
One problem with this track ….too damned short !
sbach66
October 6, 2016 @ 7:30 pm
Listened to some of this in between hurricane preparations. Good good stuff.
scott
October 7, 2016 @ 6:40 am
Stay safe!
sbach66
October 7, 2016 @ 7:15 am
Thanks. Just east of Orlando, so far not as bad as predicted here, but it’s supposed to ramp up for a few more hours.
scott
October 7, 2016 @ 8:41 am
Went thru Andrew in the early 90’s. Got my happy ass back to the Midwest after that.
Blackwater
October 6, 2016 @ 8:37 pm
Its been leaked for about two months now… and at first I didn’t think it was great. Not bad, don’t get me wrong, but not to the standard we’re used to. However, the more I listen to it, the more its growing on me. So give it a chance, its well worth it. BBS has never released a bad album, that’s for sure, and this is no different.
And yes, I pre-ordered it and bought a bunch of other junk from the site. Support your favorite artists folks!
Bertox
October 6, 2016 @ 8:54 pm
Damn, I love this track!! It boogies like Skynyrd while waving a big middle finger at Nashville and/or towns like it. I have a strong inclination that Charlie won’t be back pedaling from his “country radio is crap” comments like Mr. Lewis, LET IT BURN!!
Jack Williams
October 7, 2016 @ 7:10 am
I agree. Great, fun song. I’m thinking Skynyrd meets Little Feat. A little Gimme Three Steps, a little Oh Atlanta.
musiccityman
October 7, 2016 @ 12:25 am
He’s right. It’s like the “crap” on classic rock radio.
Stringbuzz
October 7, 2016 @ 7:29 am
I am listening to the album..
First impressions, really reminds me more of the Whippoorwill than the last album.
I like all BBS stuff, Whippoorwill I consider an all time classic album, so I am pretty happy.
I’ve seen BBS half dozen times. This album is getting me excited to see them again.
Need to let this sink in and wait for the Trigger review.
But Man!! What a good year for music..
Go BBS!! Hope all the success in the world to them..
BJones
October 7, 2016 @ 9:01 am
This is kind of lost on me. It’s classic rock. First track sounds like a mix of Zeppelin and AC/DC. If I wanted to listen that, I’d listen to Zeppelin and AC/DC.
Stringbuzz
October 7, 2016 @ 10:22 am
When I first discovered BBS, I was kinda in the same mindset.
Then I saw them live and in person and I just completely clicked with them and what they do.
It is definitely in that style, but more southern rock.
They just right really good songs and are talented and good guys.
My wife has always been a fan too, so I am always hearing them either at camp or out at the bar.
Nadia Lockheart
October 7, 2016 @ 10:34 am
That interview certainly dwells a lot more on what they’re not as opposed to what they are. It would have been nice to hear Starr be more specific as to what the band drew inspiration from in composing this listening experience, or hint the stories behind several tracks.
Either way, I’m definitely on board as someone who has followed them for six years now and especially loved “Holding All The Roses”.
Corncaster
October 7, 2016 @ 10:51 am
I like some of their songs just fine, but it seems like they’re writing mainly out of being a fan of this style of music. “We’re good guys, and we like good time southern-style rock and roll, don’t you?”
This is good material for a party, but only a party.
stringbuzz
October 7, 2016 @ 10:56 am
They definitely have that side, but they do have some real deep, thoughtful beautiful music as well.
One of the things I do like a lot is the lyricism.
glendel
October 7, 2016 @ 12:08 pm
it’s rehashed Georgia Satellites. That’s not a bad thing at all.
Mule
October 8, 2016 @ 5:37 am
I got to interview them shortly after A Little Piece of Dixie came out when they were signed to Zac Brown’s label and Zac had given them one of his tour buses. Really nice and down to earth guys. One of the things we bonded over was the love of the Satellites and Charlie told me he had written a few songs with Dan Baird but they never really came to much. Definitely kindred spirits with them and the Black Crowes, who’s lead singer Chris Robinson, Charlie said, actually named their band. He simply said, after a few puffs, “y’all should name yourselves Blackberry Smoke.” Ummm…okay, sure! 🙂
JohnWayneTwitty
October 7, 2016 @ 10:13 pm
2016 is a good year for some good country-BBS, Cody Jinks, Matt Woods, and Justin Wells are all joining my record collection
If Whitey Morgan can join them with a new album release, I’ll be one happy son of a bitch
Mark Munoz
October 8, 2016 @ 6:04 am
Blackberry Smoke makes real music – from blues to rock to funk to country, and its not the ‘plastic’ crap you hear on most Country Western radio stations. This is real honest-to-God-down-to-Earth music that listeners with a real ear can enjoy. Hold your head high Blackberry Smoke – you are indeed the REAL DEAL. Rock on brothers and sisters….
Aaron
October 9, 2016 @ 1:13 pm
Hows retirement treating ya Mark??
Scott Kleindorfer
October 8, 2016 @ 7:35 am
Discovered these guys by mistake about 10 years ago. 8 shows and countless nights jamming their cd’s later I have tickets to 2 upcoming shows and don’t plan on slowing down soon. Got to hang with them at the Bluebird and down at the Victory Theatre in Evansville. Super guys in a super band.
Russ
October 10, 2016 @ 10:00 am
Love these guys and what they do I’ve been a fan for 8 yrs and I’m sure I’ll be a fan for years to come.This is Southern Rock to me not country,Hell the only “Country”you’ll hear these days is Jamey Johnson as far as I’m concerned I can’t tell the country stations from the pop stations anymore it’s all so soulless and produced for the mindless masses.If I want southern rock you bet your ass I’ll be jamming to some BBS if I want country I’ll just put my old Waylon and George Jones CDs in
D. Meadows
October 10, 2016 @ 8:23 pm
This is the truest statement I have heard! Country definitely isn’t like country used to be…but this BBS is as much like southern rock has always been!!