Joey Allcorn Returns with the “Same Ol’ Blues”
When the country music underground was really taking form in the late 90’s and early 2000’s behind artists like Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Dale Watson, and Hank Williams III, another big name with a sound that hearkened back to the classic era of country and had fans raving was Joey Allcorn. His 2006 album 50 Years Too Late remains one of the standout and defining releases from the era.
But after releasing his 3rd album Nothing Left to Prove in 2014, Allcorn signaled he had made his point about the benefits of classic country and had given back as best he could, and was moving on to greener pastures. However for the last year or so, Allcorn has been plotting a comeback, and he’s recently released his first music in six years with a couple of singles, the latest called “Same Ol’ Blues” (listen below).
Joey Allcorn says the song “…definitely hearkens back to the hillbilly / early honky tonk era of country music. As always, had some phenomenal players on this one; David Roe Rorick, Shawn McWilliams, Stuart Duncan, Eddy Dunlap and Sol Philcox-Littlefield laid down some solid, old school hillbilly sounds on this one!”
The new song is part of a 6-song EP that Joey Allcorn will be releasing exclusively through his website and in physical form Wednesday, May 20th called State of Heartbreak. He’s limiting copies to 250 total, and this will be followed by a second EP later down the line that will eventually be combined into a full blown LP.
Frustrated by the unsustainable business models for making music and the poor streaming payouts, Joey Allcorn recently started a Patreon account, and is releasing his music in this unique way in hopes of supporting himself and his music into the future. New tracks will be made available digitally over time, but direct supporters and buyers will get to hear the music first.
Along with a performer, Joey Allcorn is also a strong country music preservationist and Hank Williams fan who has worked closely with institutions such as the Hank Williams Museum and other places to keep the music and memories of classic country alive.
If you like the sounds of 50’s country, especially the moans and the unique sound of the stand up pedal-less steel guitar indicative of Hank Williams and early Hank3, Joey Allcorn will be right down your alley.
Tubb
May 19, 2020 @ 7:11 pm
Thanks for sharing this Trigger. Joey Allcorn is excellent, and his music deserves all the praise it can get.
Kyle Doty
May 19, 2020 @ 7:22 pm
Joey Allcorn is amazing I first heard him while I was listening to Wayne Hankcock and Alabama Chain Gang came on after that I listened to everything I could find then befriended him and got to hang out with him. He’s as amazing as his music. God Bless you Joey Allcorn… The real country music fans appreciate you!
Walter Henry
May 19, 2020 @ 7:25 pm
Preordered it last week! Can’t wait!
Mudcat Fatty
May 19, 2020 @ 7:25 pm
Everything about this single is right. The sound, the feel, the lyrics, the pickers, the artwork. It’s all there.
Janelle
May 19, 2020 @ 7:29 pm
I love love love his “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” cover. It reminds me a lot of the earlier stuff he did. Some type of eerie thing he does with his vocals go perfectly with the vibe and the production flows nicely. Love Joey. Glad to see he is still making music despite the decay of the industry.
Johnny
May 19, 2020 @ 7:43 pm
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time. I ordered 2 copies.
King Leonidas
May 19, 2020 @ 8:03 pm
Hola, another great record from an Artist that loves to write and sings true Country music.
Paulwitherell
May 19, 2020 @ 8:36 pm
After hearing this single I haven’t been this excited for a new country album in a long time but at least we’ve had the live shows to hold us over
Charles Kell
May 19, 2020 @ 9:05 pm
Traditional country music is making a comeback and this record is dead on traditional country. Joey’s music shows us that you dont need a massive financial entourage to make killer music. Make sure to get your copy of State of Heartbreak or you’re missing out.
Sean Crockett
May 19, 2020 @ 9:25 pm
Joey Allcorn is the Georgia Troubador that has been a class performer in his own right and also brings new and upcoming artists that have proven to be pure talents to be reckoned with. Trust me Joey can honky Tonk with the best of them.
Janice Brooks
May 19, 2020 @ 9:46 pm
Be sure and check out Lost Highway on You Tube for weekly shows from Joey and his friends including Jake Penrod.
I’ve also enjoyed the last couple Saturday night chats.
Janice Brooks
May 19, 2020 @ 9:53 pm
Joey and I go back to 2007 when he mentioned the Ram Radio in congressional testimony.
Check out the You Tube channel and message board for Lost Highway music
Blaine Jacobs
May 19, 2020 @ 10:08 pm
Great recommendation. I think I’ve heard the name before, but the voice didn’t sound familiar. Anyway, ordered a copy of the CD.
albert
May 19, 2020 @ 10:45 pm
hmmm…..as soon as I heard his voice I thought ” bluegrass….this is a bluegrass voice ” .
this is an admirable tribute to the music of another era . nothing wrong with tributes . but it’s still only a tribute , IMO . I’d like to hear him sing an acoustic-centric kinda thing with some 3-parts , a fiddle etc… . I think what he’s dog is respectful and done with care . But its been done a lot . It needs something to set it apart if only slightly
DJ
May 20, 2020 @ 4:14 am
Yessir!!
Travis
May 20, 2020 @ 7:59 am
It’s been a long time since I’ve listened to Allcorn but I used to play 50 Years too Late all the time. I followed the link to order the EP figuring it would be vinyl but since it’s a cd, I have to pass (that would have sounded crazy 10 years ago). It’s harder and harder to play cds without disc drives on laptops, taken out of cars, etc., and with the resurgence of vinyl, I’ve been putting more effort into my home system for vinyl listening. I guess I could always play it through the blu-ray player. Can anyone comment if cds still sell more than vinyl and if it’s more profitable?
kapam
May 20, 2020 @ 5:04 pm
Hi Travis. I wonder if you’re like me and you set about “back cataloging” your record collection with CD’s, starting in the late 80’s. I mean, CD’s just made more sense to me at the time – no more worn-out vinyl records, no more worn-out record player needles…..etc. In the early 2000’s I sold off the last of my records (and a large collection of tapes) in the belief that the CD format was staying around. I haven’t gone back to vinyl records, because they’re very expensive to buy and (I guess) I thought I had said goodbye to the old “hiss/pop” noises that went along with vinyl. Looks like I lose, as CD/DVD drives are becoming a thing of the past. I haven’t gotten ride of my CD collection yet though. I think I might just run it into the ground (I still have a couple of CD drives at home) until I die – either that or a new “format” arrives to imprint the songs in my brain!
Joey Allcorn
May 20, 2020 @ 5:29 pm
Believe it or not CD’s do still sell. Part of the reason why though is not as a medium for people to listen to, but more as a collectors item or a memento of seeing a band live. That’s why I decided to do this CD as a limited run and hand number each copy. I’ve already sold about 200 between pre-orders and my Patreon subscribers, so yes, it is still a viable medium. Vinyl on the other hand is extremely expensive to produce ($2500 – $3500 for anywhere from 300-500 of them) and they are more expensive to ship and they are a hassle to take on the road. You have to keep them in coolers so they don’t over heat and melt. As Kyle explained in his story, the plan is to release another EP this fall and then press those two albums up as a full length LP that will be released on 12″ vinyl. It’s a lot of money for an independent artist to invest in a product that may or may not sell, but if you are running a successful Patreon operation, it helps to reduce a lot of the financial risk and allows you to create product that maybe only a limited amount of fans are interested in.
Travis
May 20, 2020 @ 8:15 pm
I really appreciate the feedback and ended placing an order for the CD but will also look forward to the vinyl format. I see that you have the Midnight – Death of Hank Williams cd on your store too. I remember making a contribution to that project and finding my name in the Thank Yous on the inside cover. I thought that was cool. Anyways, looking forward to the new music and miss the days of discovering this scene back when I was listening to you, Hank 3, JB Beverly, and others. Thank you
hoptowntiger94
May 21, 2020 @ 4:11 am
I don’t own anything that plays a CD (and haven’t for years … maybe a decade). My last 3 trucks didn’t have a CD player. My last two laptops didn’t have a CD player. I haven’t own a CD alarm clock in years. It’s good you sold 200 copies, but you’re excluding a bigger part of your fan base (until the fall).
In 2015, I bought a Steve Earle / Supersuckers CD not knowing I didn’t have a way to play it. It was a coaster for 3 years on my desk, then it eventually got tossed… never heard.
Chuck Ellison
May 21, 2020 @ 12:18 pm
I discovered Joey through Hank 3, years ago. I may be in the minority but I’ve come to believe that Joey’s heart is more in it for the love of the music. I went to a show to see Joey last year for the first time. And it was pretty cool to get to spend some time talking to him and getting to know what he’s really about. I have an immense amount of respect for him that he’s been doing this so long for the Love of the music. I encourage anybody that likes true country and western music to check out Joey’s latest release.
Slackeye Slim
May 22, 2020 @ 10:32 am
I might have missed it, but I don’t believe this has been mentioned here yet. Joey has also put together Live From the Lost Highway, which is a Facebook group where country music performers can play live streaming shows and reach audiences who may be unfamiliar with them. Rachel Brooke and I played an online benefit show for Feeding America in April and raised quite a bit of money using Joey’s platform. Go check it out! https://www.facebook.com/groups/LostHighwayNetwork/
Susie
June 28, 2020 @ 10:26 am
Joey’s singing and classic sounds both inspirational and excellent. Thankfully a few remain real country artists. Come to TEXAS!!!!