Whiskey Myers’ “Rowdy Days” Is A Message To All Those Afraid To Settle Down

As Luke Combs says, we are growin’ up and gettin’ old.

Recently, the East Texas southern rockers, Whiskey Myers, released their 7th studio record, Whomp Whack Thunder, via the band’s own Wiggy Thump Records. Of course, the six-piece band is known for their distinct southern rock sound, with a little bit of country flavor. For this record, the group worked with Jay Joyce (Lainey Wilson, Eric Church), and frontman Cody Cannon said that working with Joyce was the perfect outside perspective that the group needed to keep their sound fresh.

Cannon shared with Forbes:

“You don’t want your sound to get stale and even though the last two albums were vastly different, we wanted to bring in a producer to add a different element. And Jay is amazing. He’s not heavy-handed and is really good at bringing out the best in the band. He has so much foresight and knows what it’s going to sound like before you do. He’s three or four steps ahead, like a chess player.”

The magic created with Joyce is evident in the music with songs that fall right in line with their existing sound, with tunes like “Break These Chains,” “Icarus,” and also some tunes that dabble with a funkier side of their sound, like “I’ve Got To Move.” Additionally, fans can enjoy some thoughtful, introspective ballads, such as “Rowdy Days” and “Born To Do.”

“Rowdy Days” was one of the slower tracks that has stuck with me as I’ve become familiar with the project. The track at the core is the story of the aging musician, growing up in the literal and figurative sense as Cody Cannon sings about chasing this wild dream, and being grateful for the career they have. And while they definitely had some wild times living a rockstar life that most would dream about, the real happiness begins when you settle down, find the love or your life, and raise some kids:

“Yeah it’s true I’ve lived a life most people would dream about
But there’s been so many times I’ve tried to burn it all down
Oh but for once I’m finally free
My hands no longer shake
And my mind is at ease
You’re the only reason I’ve made it through
To see these kids grow up and to find a love that’s true

My rowdy days don’t seem so long ago they say I’m getting old
But the truth is honey I’m just now getting right
Rock bottom don’t make a man
It’s where you end up after you take a stand
It’s when you finally figure out about the finer things in life
It’s what you do with the rest of your time”

The words penned by Cannon cut to the core, and even if you aren’t a famed artist, they are relatable to all as we look back on our younger years. But as the song sat with me, it felt like many of these Texas rockers we all know and love, who spent a decade or more traveling non-stop, and getting rowdy on the road, can all relate to “Rowdy Days” as they settle down.

Artists like Koe Wetzel, Parker McCollum, Southall, and others. All of these men built their careers brick by brick, and certianly had some wild nights in that process.

Of course, we all know the stories of Koe Wetzel’s and Parker McCollum’s wild days in the early days of their career, especially during their Naughty or Nice tours. One story that I think is burned into my brain is their wild story of Wetzel breaking glasses at a Waco strip club after a show, and Parker McCollum, who was equally messed up, trying to find a way to get them out of there because he thought they were “either going to jail or we’re gonna die.”

These men have come a long way from those blacked-out nights and are now in committed relationships and fathers.

And while they can still melt faces with the best of ’em, many of the fellas of Whiskey Myers have settled down too, with guitarist John Jeffers welcoming his second child into the world this past summer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by John Jeffers (@thejohnjeffers)

Koe Wetzel reflected on his wild past with “Good Times” and “Rowdy Days” in a way that feels like a follow-up to the feelings of letting the party go on without you. Whiskey Myers penned a track that highlights the growth their generation of country artists is experiencing, and that life is more than drinking, being rowdy, and rocking out; it’s about the “figure(ing) out about the finer things in life.”

Whiskey Myers hit the nail on the head with this tune and this record. Turn it up.

The post Whiskey Myers’ “Rowdy Days” Is A Message To All Those Afraid To Settle Down first appeared on Whiskey Riff.