It’s always a good day when Pony Bradshaw releases new music.
Last month, Pony Bradshaw announced his next record, Thus Spoke The Fool, releasing the lead single “Ginseng Daddy.” Bradshaw noted that the record would round out the North Georgia trilogy, highlighting the region’s myths, history, and folklore. He came out of the gates swinging with “Ginseng Daddy” and keeps hitting with the second single he dropped today, “The Long Man.”
While Bradshaw is not known for releasing many singles leading up to the record, he noted that in this day and age, he has to “play the game,” but if he had it his way, he would release the collection of songs in full.
The song is a historical ballad about the figure that watches over the mountains, rivers, and Cherokee land.
“The Long Man is a historical song about our region. To the Cherokee, the Long Man is a “personification of the river, whose head lays in the mountains and feet stretch to the sea.”
Some folks believe in the legend, passed down through generations, which tells the story of a spectral figure who wanders and watches over the rivers and mountains of Cherokee land.
I grew up in East Texas in a region dubbed the Ark-La-Tex (where Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana join together). It also includes the southeastern tip of Oklahoma.) Growing up us kids were always told we were part Cherokee. When I moved to North Georgia 20 years ago, I knew nothing about where the Trail of Tears began, nor the geography and culture of the people. Turns out I ended up right at the beginning of it all.
I dove into the history of the Cherokee soon-after and still read about and visit rivers and mountains they once lived by and in. The Cherokee’s existence, knowing what happened here and how they honored the land and respected these rivers and mountains, is palpable. I never want to romanticize it, but I also don’t want it to be forgotten.”
With any Pony Bradshaw song, you will find intricately woven lyrics with rich lines detailing the legend of “The Long Man.”
“Yeah, I’ve read Bartram’s accounts
That flower-hunting hound
D’s hill-folk flesh the hides Highland men uncivilized
The mountaineers cook the shine
Then run it down the line
Ask Virgil for directions
He’ll match you stride for stride..”
The accompanying music video brings the words he sings to life, providing the perfect visual representation of how “The Long Man” watches over the region and how he helps keep the people alive and well. The track is beautifully done, and you will quickly find yourself hitting the replay button as you dissect the lyrics further with each listen.
With only two singles out from Thus Spoke The Fool, this album is already shaping up to appear on the 2024 list for best albums of the year.
PONY BRADSHAW TOUR DATES
July 19 – Teton Village, WY – Mangy Moose
July 20 – Gallatin Gateway. MT – The Westerner
July 22 – Billings, MT – Pub Station
July 25 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
July 27 – Davenport, IA – Raccoon Motel
August 10 – Camino, CA – Delfino Farms
August 11 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
August 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge
August 15 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
August 16 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace
August 17 – Flagstaff, AZ – The Museum Club
August 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
August 21 – Denton, TX – Dan’s Silverleaf
August 29 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat & Gas Hill
August 30 – Mill Spring, NC – Earl Scruggs Music Festival
September 5– Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
September 6 – Nashville, TN – The Ryman
September 7 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Indy
September 12 – Shreveport, LA – Louisiana Grandstand
September 14 – Pryor, OK – Born & Raised 2024
September 15 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
October 3 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
October 4 – Saint Paul, MN – Turf Club
October 19 – Waverly, AL – Standard Deluxe
October 30 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
October 31 – Ft. Worth, TX – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
November 1 – Austin, TX – Sagebrush
November 2 – San Antonio, TX – Sam’s Burger Joint
November 8 – Pineville, KY – Bell Theater
November 9 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville
November 14 – Raleigh, NC – The Rialto Theatre
November 16 – Atlanta GA – Terminal West
