I’m not crying… actually, I might be.
Josh Abbott Band is gearing up to release a new studio album Somewhere Down The Road, which is slated for release here pretty soon on January 26th.
And today, they put out a sweet, sentimental new song called “She’ll Always Be,” which is written for and inspired by frontman Josh Abbbott’s six-year-old daughter.
He describes her as a “wildflower,” noting her independence and kindness, and if you’re reading between the lines, could even be a warning to some guy down the road that they’ll never be good enough for his little girl.
There’s truly nothing like the love of a father, and while she’s only six right now, I’m sure one day this song will eventually mean more to her than she’s able to comprehend right now:
“She’s a wildflower,
Growin’ up through the cracks in the concrete
She’s a wildflower, wild and free
She’ll always be
She ain’t scared to sleep alone
But she loves good company
She won’t make a promise that she can’t keep
She settles down where she wants
And her spirit rides the breeze”
This new record is produced by Dwight A. Baker (who also produced 2015’s Front Row Seat) and recorded at his Matchbox Studios in Austin, Texas.
It’s the band’s first full-length album since 2020’s The Highway Kind, and also features a newly reconfigured lineup, including longtime members Eddie Villanueva (drums), Austin Davis (banjo), David Fralin (keys) and Jimmy Hartman (bass) as well as recent additions Adam Hill (fiddle) and guitarists Cale Richardson and Kris Farrow.
Abbott says that this new project represents a new chapter for him, and represents his growth as both an artist and more importantly, a songwriter:
“For a long period of time I wanted to write hooky three-minute songs that would sound good on the radio, but now I’m writing from the heart more than I ever have.
This record came from getting back to who I really am as a songwriter, and there was a lot of exorcizing some of the demons from my past.”
A staple in the Texas music scene since 2006, The Josh Abbott band has continued to release great albums throughout the last 18 or so years, and this new record is shaping up to be no different.
Do yourself a favor and check out the new song (but you might wanna grab a tissue first):
“She’ll Always Be”
Somewhere Down The Road tracklist:
1. Astronaut (Intro) (Josh Abbott, Dwight A. Baker)
2. Astronaut (Erik Dylan, Randy Montana, Driver Williams)
3. The Sale (Josh Abbott)
4. What Were You Thinking (Josh Abbott)
5. Guilt of a Man (Josh Abbott)
6. She’ll Always Be (Josh Abbott, Neil Medley, Grant Gilbert)
7. Somewhere Down The Road (Josh Abott, Jon Randall)
8. Back To Normal (Josh Abbott)
9. Closer To You (Erik Dylan, Doug Waterman)
10. Unplug The Jug (Ryan Beaver, Neil Medley, Joe Clemmons)
11. Barstool Boys (Josh Abbott, Erik Dylan, Josh Kiser)
12. Brutus Judas And You (Josh Abbott, Erik Dylan, Brett Sheroky)
Josh Abbott Band 2024 Tour Dates:
1/5/24 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
1/6/24 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
1/26/24 – Key West, FL – Mile 0 Fest
1/27/24 – Key West, FL – Mile 0 Fest
2/1/24 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues Orlando
2/2/24 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
2/3/24 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
2/10/24 – Andrews, TX – Ace Arena
2/15/24 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre
2/16/24 – Starkville, MS – Rick’s Cafe
2/17/24 – Little Rock, AR – Little Rock Hall
2/22/24 – Springfield, MO – Midnight Rodeo
2/23/24 – Manhattan, KS – The Hat
2/24/24 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion Ballroom
3/22/24 – Wichita Falls, TX – The Warehouse
4/5/24 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge
4/6/24 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
4/10/24 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
4/11/24 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
4/12/24 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed St.
4/13/24 – Indianapolis, IN – 8 Seconds Saloon
4/19/24 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
4/20/24 – St. Louis, MO – The Hawthorn
4/26/24 – Indio, CA – Stagecoach Festival
5/31/24 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
