Country band The Howdies are gearing up to release their debut album Howdies All Around on September 29 via Normaltown/New West Records, and if you’re unfamiliar with the band, here’s some of their unique backstory, via press release:
Austin Darnell and Shoni Rancher, the two frontmen of The Howdies, have taken very different paths. Darnell has been playing around Athens for more than 20 years, gravitating toward the classic country of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Rancher loves the outlaws of the 70’s: Willie and Jerry Jeff, and especially Waylon, and at 48-years-old and having never played a live show, joined The Howdies as his very first band. Darnell says, “I think we contrast each other nicely. Shoni has such a unique voice, and we’re coming from these two different periods in country music. Between us, we get this weird thing that’s neither this nor that. It’s old, but it’s new. It’s Athens, so it has a little bit of weirdness to it. It gives us more versatility.”
In the summer of 2021 The Howdies played their first show—an outdoor gig in the parking lot of Buvez coffee shop in Athens. In the crowd were Mayor Kelly Girtz, Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers, producer David Barbe, and T. Hardy Morris. “We were drinking PBR tallboys on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and their songs just fit the moment and vibe,” recalls Morris. “The songs really stuck with me, too—good lyrics and great stories. They were doing classic country and were having a good time.” Morris and Barbe immediately offered to co-produce their debut, and soon The Howdies were holed up at Barbe’s Chase Park Transduction, tracking live with a minimum of overdubs.
We’re premiering new single “Buddies,” which takes lyrical inspiration from the death of Buddy Holly, and which has kind of a Ringo Starr covering Buck Owens country rock vibe.
“Long ago, I read in Waylon’s autobiography of him surviving that plane crash in ‘59, which killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson Jr. (The Big Bopper),” says Shoni Rancher. “I wrote the tune a couple years back when The Howdies first got together. Aside from the chorus, in which I imagine Waylon’s thinking after losing his pal, Buddy, this three-chord song is the truth. For instance, Waylon fucking told Holly, ‘I hope your plane crashes,’ and he was saved by ‘Chantilly Lace’ and ‘White Lightning’—songs Richardson penned and to whom Waylon gave up his seat. Sonically, I couldn’t be more pleased with the rocks of life and roll with the punches vibe the band gives to this track.” Listen below.
Tracklist
1. Hello, Jukebox
2. Buddies
3. Staying Standing
4. Biscuits & Gravy
5. The Devil’s Side
6. Dreaming About Water
7. Quitting Time
8. To Love and Forget
9. 50/50 (If You’re Lucky)
10. Cry Mercy
11. Twilight on the Plains
The Howdies — 2023 Tour Dates
8/18 — Nashville, TN — The Basement w/ Kristina Murray & Domestic Bliss
8/25 — Athens, GA — Southern Brewing Company w/ Pylon Reenactment Society
9/21 — Nashville, TN — The 5 Spot
9/22 – Chattanooga, TN – Cherry Street Tavern
9/24 — Atlanta, GA — Eddie’s Attic
9/28 — Athens, GA — 40 Watt w/ Cicada Rhythm
11/18 – Charlotte, NC – The Tipsy Burro Saloon & Cantina