Wheeler Walker Jr. Stirs The Pot Ahead of U.S. Tour
Whether you like what he’s throwing down, or you think he’s a foul-mouthed yob, there’s no denying that Wheeler Walker Jr. has become nothing short of a country music phenomenon, with continued strong album sales, high streaming numbers if from nothing else than a curiosity factor, and even some unexpected recognition from mainstream artists who’ve decided to have a little fun with the filthy country singer as opposed to being offended by him.
But that’s not the case with certain members of the media, especially when it comes to alternative papers owned by The Village Voice like The Houston Press and LA Weekly; both of whom have gone after Walker recently, with Walker responding in kind with swear word-riddled responses that have done nothing but strengthened the singer’s fervent fan base and swelled its numbers.
Amy McCarthy writing for The Houston Press (who Saving Country Music has had its own run-in’s with), has been a staunch opponent of Walker, but seems to be missing the underlying point, which ultimately means the joke’s on her. Now L.A. Weekly’s Nicholas Pell has also brought the poison pen against Walker ahead of an upcoming tour appearance in L.A. by Walker.
“…all of this would be forgivable were the music actually good,” says Pell of the Dave Cobb-produced record. “It’s not. It sounds like it was generated by the CountryTron 6000 by turning the Bro County knob down a few notches and turning the Charlie Daniels knob up a few more. Hootie’s career as a country musician has more vitality.”
But once again it appears to have backfired and only brought Wheeler Walker more attention as he pounces on these opportunities on Twitter. “Hack hipster weekly writers who contribute nothing to society but writing troll-bait?” Walker responded to Nicholas Pell, among other comebacks.
Meanwhile Walker’s upcoming tour, just like his record, is selling surprisingly well. The New York and L.A. dates are heading towards a sell out, and there appears to be a genuine groundswell behind him. It’s probably not a show you’d want to take your mother to, but Wheeler Walker Jr. appears to be here to stay, so you better get used to him.
Steve
May 26, 2016 @ 11:49 am
He is a comedy act. Like Sandler w/ a guitar.
Country Music Archive Brazil
May 26, 2016 @ 11:58 am
Hahaha. He is one of the best actors of all time. I like your songs and his performance.
Kent
May 26, 2016 @ 3:25 pm
We had a guy like him in Sweden to he died a couple a years ago. He wrote over 900 songs…And most of them extremly dirty…But he also wrote more “normal song”….Well fairly normal… And some of them in english even thou they were only intended for the Swedish market.
And I must emphasize that the song are are not meant to be taken too seriously…
Like this one….And I think I dedicate this one to the Bro-Country-people…
Its called “American Truck” And It’s is, beleaved or not, an attribut to American cars in generally…Not only to American trucks…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRNavi78aEA
Her is another one called “On the Road Again”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY-3q1Jh43M
Another Bro-Country… But the Pic-up truck is changed to a Caddy…
“Young girls and Cadillac cars”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRavPBPZekA
ElectricOutcast
May 26, 2016 @ 4:47 pm
Not going to lie, I’m probably not going to jump in the bandwagon but if he makes a big success at it, I wish him nothing but luck.
Mike
May 26, 2016 @ 6:01 pm
Hilarious! Anybody who hates it seam to write the jokes for him (Twitter) It’s funny, he has made the rules very clear if you pay attention. He is using Twitter like a boss! It is what it is, and Ben Hoffman is a fucking genius! He must be baffled at the fact that most everybody is playing into it. Fun to watch for sure; but at the end of the day, those in his crosshairs are looking like fools!
Trigger
May 27, 2016 @ 10:12 am
Yeah, if you’re a professional journalist, you would think at some point a light bulb would go off in your head saying, “Wait a second, I’ve let a fictional character get in my kitchen and make me angry on the Internet,” and you would immediately stop. Instead they’re writing think pieces about it. Joke’s on them.
Jim Bob
May 26, 2016 @ 8:07 pm
I love it! The good music is good. If the lyrics bother you, get a sense of humor. It really is ok to laugh.
I laugh hardest at the fact one of the best and most traditional country records in the last decade (mainstream, anyway) came from a comedian doing it as a joke-that shit’s fucking funny as hell!!
Scott H B
May 27, 2016 @ 2:19 am
I have to agree, also go and llisten to the Spotify Commentary to his record, it is hilarious, he also takes a hard punch at Jason Aldeans Spotify Commentary, so great…
Adam
May 27, 2016 @ 7:09 am
Nicholas pell is a fucking idiot if he thinks less bro country and more Charlie Daniels is a bad thing. I’m not rudhing out to buy the album or tickets to see wwj but I love it that he’s sticking it to these uppity fucking so called music writers.
Paul
May 27, 2016 @ 7:12 am
The fact that he’s offending the “hipster hacks” as he calls them makes me like him. Hope he keeps that up.
Funk Soul Bubby
May 27, 2016 @ 7:56 am
What you are seeing with Wheeler Walker Jr. is no less than a microcosm of the current Trump fervor in the political world. Both put on an elaborate and well-orchestrated act, and both do it well. And both are succeeding at it at the moment. The question is: Do we still revere success in America?
Jim Bob
May 27, 2016 @ 2:59 pm
Difference is Wheeler Walker’s not trying to become my next master, he’s just trying to entertain. And it’s working.
Dogit
May 27, 2016 @ 8:10 am
While I am not crazy about his entire album. I love the song “Fuck you Bitch.” I like the sound of most of the cuts on his record. I love that he is giving a big fuck you to lame industry writers and bros. The album cover is perfect. I laugh every time I see it on ITunes.
Side note: Trigg, can we get a Highwaymen Live album review? I am sure you are working on it. Not trying to be pushy. I fucking love it though.
therealbobcephus
May 27, 2016 @ 9:02 am
Anyone else catch a part of his Interview with Joe Rogan where he said he and Sturgill had a falling out because he has suggested Sturgill is a government assassin?
unwound81
May 27, 2016 @ 3:49 pm
I’m with Jim Bob. WWJ’s album does wear slightly thin after a while, but it certainly entertains along the way. The joke is on anyone stupid enough to be offended.
His album reminds me of Ween’s “novelty” country record from 1996, which was also a good country record on its own terms.