John Baumann’s brand new album Border Radio is finally here.
The highly anticipated nine-track project from the Texas Troubadour will transport you to a different time and place near the Texas/Mexico border with his masterful lyricism and elite storytelling ability in the same vein as Lone Star greats of yesteryear like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark.
With each song, Baumann provides insight into life in South Texas through both his own point of view as well as that of several characters along the way.
It should come as no surprise that Baumann, who has long been lauded as not only one of Texas’ best songwriters, but one of the most impressive and underrated in all of country music, has compiled such a spectacular ode to his home state with his latest album.
The Austin, TX resident has spent the majority of his career not only living in Texas but touring the region extensively, seeing and experiencing nearly everything the area has to offer and honing his craft as both a writer and entertainer along the way.
In addition to two albums Baumann has been a part of as one of four members of Texas supergroup The Panhandlers, alongside William Clark Green, Josh Abbott, and Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry, Baumann has amassed a strong catalog of solo, original music throughout his career.
Beginning with his West Texas Vernacular EP in 2012, which features his most popular song to date “Midland,” Baumann has released a number of singles, two EPs and now four full albums. And despite how great the rest of it is, Border Radio may be his best work yet.
In a press release, some additional context was provided to set the scene for what Border Radio is and how the concept came about.
“As a fifth generation Texan and a self-proclaimed geographical songwriter, Baumann will always see the Lone Star State as the ideal canvas for his writing. In fact, he says ‘Border Radio’ is simply a collection of ‘colors and vignettes from San Antonio and Hill Country down to the border. In the words of Steinbeck, ‘Texas is obsession, the proper study.’
And some brief commentary from Baumann himself…
“I hope the listener can transport themselves out of their lives and go somewhere else in a cinematic way. I hope listening to this album is like going to the movies. It’s about experiencing something else, somewhere else.”
So, without further ado, take John Baumann’s Border Radio a spin.
“Gold El Camino”
“Revving Engines, River Street”
“South Texas Tradition”
“Border Radio”
“My Heart Belongs To You”
“Saturday Night Comes Once a Week”
“The Night Before the Day of the Dead”
“Turning Gold”
“Boy’s Town”
And if you’re lucky enough that Baumann is coming to a city near you as he closes out a big 2023, I suggest you hop on the opportunity to see him live.
10/7 – McGonigel’s Mucky Duck – Houston, TX
10/8 – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels, TX
10/13 – Third Coast Theatre – Port Aransas, TX
10/24 – 3rd & Lindsley – Nashville, TN
10/26 – Purple Fiddle – Thomas, WV
10/27 – Pearl Street Warehouse – Washington D.C.
10/29 – Bird’s Nest Listening Room – Dunn, NC
11/9 – The Ice House at LSDG – Abilene, TX
