Leaning Into Barstow

03:38:05 - Americana

Recorded, mixed, and mastered in Nashville, TN

John Gardner - Drums/Percussion
David Francis - Bass
Jeff Roach - Keyboards/Organ
Rob McNelley - Electric Guitars
Pat McGrath - Acoustic Guitar
Steve Hinson – Steel Guitar
Chris Heers – Vocals/Background Vocals

Story behind the song:

I half thought about calling this album "Barstow" because that desert town between Las Vegas and Los Angeles seems to have influenced a bunch of the songs. I was extremely tired on the I-15 on the way to a show in southern California. I had come from a show in Sedona and decided to drive right on through. I was pulling myself up on the steering wheel; slapping myself hard "Leaning in" it seemed while I saw the Barstow 68 miles sign pass. I ended up pulling over and sleeping for a bit. I sing "Six Days on the Road" and "Willin" with my band. I Love truck driver songs. I wanted to write one that could hang with the greats. Those guys were taking little white pills. My guy is relying on the desert air, the radio, and a gallon of “Joe” to pull him through. On second thought, maybe I should have called this album "Joe".

I recently did an acoustic songs and stories show in Hollywood with Justin Furstenfeld from Blue October. I noticed that when he plays his ballady love songs he has all these beautiful women coming apart at his show. It reminded me of a show I did at the Gold Strike out near Stateline, NV except instead of beautiful women in the front row it was all professional truck drivers coming apart. Maybe I should start writing more ballady love songs.