Turnpike Troubadours’ Kyle Nix Debuts New Song ‘Lightning on the Mountain’
Well what do you know. That dude standing to the side of Evan Felker on stage all those years sawing away on the fiddle in the Turnpike Troubadours was a singer and songwriter himself, even though he never dropped as much as a hint on us over that time. But now in the coming years, Kyle Nix may not need a prefix or suffix of some band title for people to know his name. He will have made one all his own.
After it was revealed earlier this week that Kyle Nix not only has a debut record in the pipeline, but that it’s an expansive 17-track opus with all but one song written by Nix himself and conceptualized in the vein of Ennio Morricone, the burgeoning songwriter has unleashed a lead song and the title track from the record called “Lightning on the Mountain.”
A blazing tune of bootleg, intrigue, and power, it lives up to Kyle Nix’s promise that storytelling will be the centerpiece of his debut album, while the brazen and galloping tempo reminds one of Turnpike’s “Before The Devil Knows We’re Dead,” partly due to members of the Turnpike Troubadours itself being behind the effort. The Kyle Nix album will have plenty of slow and mid tempo songs too. But for now it’s time to barrel down the mountain with a load of illegal hooch, and lay waste to anyone getting in your way.
Let’s be honest, bootleg tales are a dime a dozen in country music, but this one includes a much more involved storyline. And as the title track from the record, don’t be surprised if it dovetails or sets up subsequent storylines. At the same time, “Lightning on the Mountain” is effective as an autonomous work.
When you’ve never heard someone sing before, you’re not quite sure what you’re going to get. Some credit Kyle Nix for performing “Austin to Ashes” on Turnpike’s out-of-print first record Bossier City, but that was actually early Turnpike guitar player Casey Slinger. Nonetheless, Nix proves on this first song singing lead that yes, he’s got “singer” in his arsenal too.
When dealing with conceptualized works, you can’t get too wrapped up in coming to hard conclusions with just one song. But what “Lightning on the Mountain” proves is that Kyle Nix as frontman is not just a lark. All Turnpike Troubadours fans look forward to a moment when all the players are united once again with Evan Felker in the middle. But for now, they’ll take when they can get. And if or whenever any reunification occurs, it won’t be out of the question to turn the mic over to Kyle Nix for a song or two.
Pre-Order Lightning on the Mountain
LYRICS:
The night is clear, the liquor is warm
The cases, in the back of the Ford
The Carolina mountainside had come to life
His pockets would be full by the morn
A red-faced man in a black Cadillac
Pulls in behind the truck
Says they'll burn the fields, blow up the still
If they don't get their cut
Well, there's Lightning on the Mountain
And there's fire in the still
Now Billy's got a new set of plans
And a Colt 45 in his hand
He lights a cigar with a crooked smile and says,
"Do we have a deal?"
Bill doesn't move, he just spits in the dirt and says,
"Get your ass out of Waynesville"
They unstrap their pistols and soak the fields
throw dynamite into the barn
He winks at Billy as he slowly kneels
And lights it all with his cigar
Well, there's Lightning on the Mountain
And there's fire in the still
Now Billy's got a new set of plans
And a Colt 45 in his hand
He tracked them down just outside of town
To a station by a Blueridge mine
Tonight that son-of-a-bitch is gonna light his cigar
With the help of hellfire
Well, there's Lightning on the Mountain
And there's fire in the still
Now Billy's got a new set of plans
And a Colt 45 in his hand-
And a Colt 45 in his hand
THE RAD HATTER
May 7, 2020 @ 10:44 pm
OHHHHH YEAH!
Big Pete
May 7, 2020 @ 11:39 pm
I dig the charlie daniels vibe. Fiddle is a deeply underapprociated instrument, if you ask me
Grant
May 8, 2020 @ 12:05 am
Wet blankets here, get your wet blankets!
I want to love this so bad. It’s one of the coolest guys in the scene, from one of my favorite bands. So why don’t I? I think it just feels kind of cheesy to me. Almost like if Kyle wasn’t in Turnpike Troubadours we wouldn’t even be talking about it. Now with that said, I may have some unanticipated bias due to hearing Felker lead the Troubadours for so long (I know this isn’t the Troubadours, but it’s got quite a few members, and that lead guitar cuts through just as hot). So I’m going to put that aside and assume that the issue here is me, and not Kyle. Going to give this one some time to grow on me. And of course, I don’t want to judge the whole album based on just one song!
Excited to hear more and spend some time with this one. The instrumentation and production sound spot on.
Stefan
May 8, 2020 @ 12:14 am
Fiddle driven, as you might expect. The song reminds me of English Folk Rock, which is not a bad thing. Not convinced by the singing, though.
Strait Country 81
May 8, 2020 @ 7:58 am
Wonder how many people that complain about someone’s singing voice beats off to Cash or Kenny Rogers records?
Scott
May 8, 2020 @ 9:09 am
No he’s right about the singing. It doesn’t have that “it” factor that even technically-not-great singers have to have to be able to pull off lead duty. And the melody/lyrics aren’t strong enough to warrant being covered by someone who does have a lead voice.
Production is pretty good, but you can always tell as soon as the voice hits. And it’s always a disappointment when it doesn’t, especially when production is good.
Cool Lester Smooth
May 8, 2020 @ 5:12 pm
It’s just…thin.
There’s nothing wrong with it…but it’s almost like one of those Disney pretty boys who got recruited for dancing rather than singing.
Inoffensive, but just there, rather than adding anything to the song.
Nate
May 8, 2020 @ 10:56 am
A lot of things about this song really remind me of certain Flogging Molly songs, but with less gravity from the vocals and of course less Irish accent. “Every Dog Has Its Day” in particular feels similar to this. But Kyle’s song does have better fiddle solos
Rob Lee
May 8, 2020 @ 5:36 am
Oh I like this a lot. Excited for the rest of the album.
Elk Tracker
May 8, 2020 @ 6:11 am
Trigger,
Great writing! I read every article and review you post. I truly dig this site. I’m a stickler for that traditional country sound these days—still can’t get enough Buck Owens & Don Rich—but your reviews always get me to open my mind up to discovering new stuff. Just wanted to pass that on to you, and share a big thank you for all your efforts.
Trigger
May 8, 2020 @ 8:09 am
Thanks for reading Elk Tracker.
Rusty
May 8, 2020 @ 6:50 am
Hey I work in Waynesville. Wish it was still the type of place he’s singing about in this song haha. I’m from the other side of the county. Canton. The best place on earth
RD
May 8, 2020 @ 7:33 am
Western NC might just be the best place on earth. There is no prettier part of the country.
D Ray White
May 9, 2020 @ 12:02 am
Ha, I worked the Cold Mountain Fire near Cruso last November. Had breakfast at the Kornerstone in Waynesville on the way out of town, and rolled through Canton on the way in. I’m with some of the others on this: Namely, the musicIans sound good, it’s got a decent rhythm, but I’m not feeling the vocals.
Rusty
May 9, 2020 @ 5:08 am
I live up Cruso and that fire brought to mind a little song by the Marshall Tucker Band. I think this Kyle Nix may have been listening to that a lot himself while writing this song. Sounds very similar to me
hoptowntiger94
May 8, 2020 @ 7:22 am
That got the blood pumping!
Although I’ve long left the Turnpike camp for good, I’m all in on any individual efforts. The only fun anyone had that awful, awful night in Knoxville in 2017 was when Evan left the stage for two songs. So these guys deserve and earned any opportunity they get on their own or in another outfit.
I’ll be waiting anxiously in anticipation for Nix’s full release.
The Original WTF Guy
May 8, 2020 @ 9:12 am
Every night in Knoxville in 2017 was “awful, awful.” In fact, every night in Knoxville was, is, and will be “awful, awful.” Know why? You are surronded by people from Knoxville.
I’m kidding. Sort of.
Go Big Blue!!!! 🙂
Oh, love the song by Nix, but boy oh boy, it’s hard not to hear it without Evan’s voice. Don’t know what’s happening with him but hope the trajectory is positive and hope that includes him doing again what he did so well, whether it be with the rest of the band or not.
hoptowntiger94
May 8, 2020 @ 11:38 am
I actually went to high school in Hopkinsville, KY so I more blue in me than you think. I now live south of Pittsburgh, PA. We just travel a lot for concerts.
Normal Street
May 8, 2020 @ 7:29 am
I had high expectations for this, and for once I am not disappointed by what I’ve heard so far. The musicianship is of the excellent standard I expected, I enjoyed the storytelling aspect of the song and Kyle Nix has a pleasant sounding voice. In my opinion, as well as demonstrating the fiddle skills he is known to be capable of, he has also proven his singing and songwriting abilities. I know he is modest, but how on earth did he manage to keep this multitude of talent secret for over a decade? I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.
Louisiana Blue
May 8, 2020 @ 12:03 pm
I’m definitely digging the song. Really looking forward to hearing the double album. In another Turnpike note, I recently saw where the TT Facebook group are calling it quits and putting all their weight and hate behind Kyle Nix. For the life of me I can’t understand why they dislike the SCM site so much. This is the only place I go for honest music news and reviews. I’ve been a long time reader Trig, so please keep up the great job!
Trigger
May 8, 2020 @ 12:42 pm
Thanks for reading! Not sure why there is so much hate for me on that Facebook group. I have never done anything to slight anyone over there. I think maybe they think they’re in competition with me or something. I just try to spread the word like they do.
Colter
May 8, 2020 @ 3:52 pm
The haters are in the Turnpike subreddit too. It’s weird.
Kevin Smith
May 12, 2020 @ 6:56 am
Maybe another article idea for SCM. The troubling and often outrageous super stan fan behavior that seems to swirl around The Turnpike Troubadors, Sturgill Simpson and other way overhyped bands and artists. The psychological aspects alone are interesting. What makes folks like that tick? Lack of stability in their own lives? Unbalanced mental state. Inability to discern what is most important in life? So weird.
OlaR
May 8, 2020 @ 7:36 am
Fiddle!
A 3.22 min movie. Great track.
Rooster Cruiser
May 8, 2020 @ 8:11 am
Only thing I disagree with is that he definitely gave us hints that he had this in his arsenal.
If you saw Turnpike long enough ago, you saw Kyle take center stage a sing a few songs at every show.
OneBySea
May 8, 2020 @ 8:16 am
Total jam. Definitely had a bit of an ‘uncanny valley’ feeling on the first listen, because it sounds so much like a Turnpike record. Gave it a second listen and decided I’m ok with that.
Cosmic Cowboy
May 8, 2020 @ 12:48 pm
I hope the rest of the recording has his voice more out front than this song did.
Andrew
May 8, 2020 @ 12:58 pm
Was actually disappointed by this, despite real excitement when the album was first announced. Certainly wasn’t expecting TT-level songwriting but this is just… middle-of-the-road. And his voice deserves to be buried in the mix like that.
No animus to anyone who digs this, just a disappointment for me.
Digs
May 8, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
Definitely weighing in on the side of loving this and it outperforming my expectations. Singles released ahead of albums typically let me down, so i usually ignore them.
the pistolero
May 10, 2020 @ 12:48 pm
My first thought was, “sounds just like Turnpike with Kyle Nix singing lead, and not just because they’re playing on it.”
Pretty damn good, though. Can’t wait to hear the rest of it. If it’s as just as good it’ll be a first-day buy at least.