Wheeler Walker Jr. has always been unapologetically himself, and the country music journeyman certainly isn’t shying away with his upcoming album Ram, which releases September 15th of this year.
Though the cover art for the album features Walker Jr. riding a ram, I’ve got a pretty good gut feeling that’s not the kind of “ram” he’s really talking about, considering some of the raunchy names making their way onto the track list (par for the course for Walker).
Wheeler seems to be putting country music on the shelf temporarily for this one, releasing a hardcore and in-your-face rock album that is sure to turn some heads as he kicks off the corresponding Spread Eagle Tour. His last album Sex, Drugs and Country Music kind of teased some elements of rock and roll, and now Wheeler is riotously leaning all the way into it.
Speaking on the transition to rock and roll music with Ram, Walker Jr. stated:
“I used to be the king of country. Now I’m gonna be the king of rock ‘n’ roll. Dan + Shay used to be my competition. Now it’s Greta Van Fleet. Same sh*t, different day.”
Country fans have always been drawn to Wheeler Walker Jr. because of his nods and obvious musical influence from the outlaw country movement that took place in the 1970’s.
Now that he’s got a solid fan base on board, he seems to be experimenting with his sound and keeping country fans on their toes (to put it lightly) with some of the songs attached to the new project.
The rock rebel has put together one of the wildest track lists you’ll ever see, leaning on the first single releasing titled “Money ‘N’ Bitches” to lead the way. The song marks a noticeable change from his traditional, older country sound, but that’s not a bad thing.
Wheeler Walker Jr. certainly doesn’t think so, saying of the new song:
“I make music for two reasons. So I just figured enough with the metaphors and just sing it.”
Walker Jr. himself as described the album as “pretty intense,” and many who have had early access to the album would agree. It’s as if Wheeler got his entire track list from the walls of a honky tonk bathroom, and I mean that in the best way imaginable.
In addition to “Money ‘N’ Bitches,” the set list also includes such future hits like “Born To F**k,” “Fingerblast,” and “F**k This Job.” Dave Cobb produced the kick-ass album, which is sure to shake things up in the country music and rock and roll industry.
The Spread Eagle Tour kicks off in September in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, then making stops in the bigger markets of Philadelphia, Cleveland and Denver. Walker Jr. then has two dates in Tennessee, with a visit to Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on October 18th followed up a stop in Memphis, TN on November 18th.
Wheeler Walker Jr’s full list of tour dates can be seen below, but make sure you take in this PG-13 (?) music video for “Money ‘N’ Bitches” first:
How about that? And there’s more where that came from.
Check out the full track list that will be coming our way in September:
Ram Track Listing
1.) Born To F**k
2.) Money ‘N’ Bitches
3.) Dumptruck
4.) Sniffer’s Row
5.) Skanks for Nothin’
6.) Puddin’
7.) Fingerblast
8.) F**k This Job
9.) Who the F**k
10.) Credit Card
And as previously promised, see if Wheeler Walker Jr. is coming to a venue near you:
Tour Dates:
09/20 – Sioux Falls, SD at The District
09/22 – Rosemont, IL at Joe’s
09/23 – Marietta, OH at The Adelphia Music Hall
09/24 – Asheville, NC at Salvage Station
09/26 – Columbia, SC at The Senate
09/28 – Winston-Salem, NC at The Ramkat
09/29 – Charles Town, WV at Hollywood Casino
09/30 – Waterloo, NY at Del Lago Casino
10/03 – Manchester, NH at The Goat
10/04 – Hampton Beach, NH at Wally’s Pub
10/05 – Philadelphia, PA at Brooklyn Bowl
10/06 – Cleveland, OH at House Of Blues
10/08 – New York, NY at Irving Plaza
10/11 – Indianapolis, IN at The Vogue
10/12 – Columbus, OH at The Bluestone
10/13 – Milwaukee, WI at The Rave
10/14 – Cincinnati, OH at Bogart’s
10/18 – Nashville, TN at The Ryman Auditorium
10/26 – East Moline, IL at The Rust Belt
10/27 – Minneapolis, MN at First Avenue
10/28 – Omaha, NE at The Admiral
10/29 – Kansas City, MO at Uptown Theater
10/31 – Denver, CO at Ogden Theatre
11/02 – Salt Lake City, UT at The Complex
11/03 – Garden City, ID at Revolution Concert House
11/04 – Tacoma, WA at Temple Theater
11/05 – Portland, OR at Roseland Theater
11/07 – Monterey, CA at Golden State Theatre
11/08 – San Luis Obispo, CA at Fremont Theater
11/10 – Del Mar, CA at The Sound
11/11 – Tucson, AZ at Rialto Theatre
11/12 – Albuquerque, NM at Revel
11/14 – Austin, TX at ACL Live at Moody Theater
11/16 – Houston, TX at White Oak
11/17 – Fort Worth, TX at Tannahill Tavern & Music Hall
11/18 – Memphis, TN at Minglewood Hall
