BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
FALLSBURG — The Laid Back Country Picker’s new album “Go West” will be streaming everywhere starting Feb. 2.
That’s right. Laid Back’s music will be hitting the internet for the first time. Fans of the Fallsburg-based country-rawk icon have been waiting for this moment since the release of his self-titled debut album in 2017.
“Go West” finds Laid Back back at his typical antics: singing about American heroes and scenes from life and legends of the tri-state underscored by blistering electric guitar.
This record takes on a grittier sound, featuring Hayden and Kenny Miles on supporting instruments. The Miles brothers, known for their band Wayne Graham, own Fat Baby Studios in Whitesburg, where “Go West” was recorded and produced.
The album art for “Go West” was created by Wayne Graham drummer/vocalist Hayden Miles and is a Gonzo reimagining of the famous Manifest Destiny-inspired painting “American Progress” by John Gast.
“Teresa and I travel West almost every summer,” Laid Back told the Mountain Citizen, referring to his wife and alter-ego of LBCP drummer and guitarist Honey. “A few of the songs are direct results of those trips. ‘Magic City’ and ‘Go West’ in particular. It just seemed to be logical and I love the Gast painting.”
As always Laid Back does an excellent job of distilling an entire idea, a feeling or vibe and bottling it as uncut Kentucky rock-n-roll. The album feels like a road trip to Vegas with Hunter S. Thompson at the wheel from start to finish.
“Also ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ played into the title. I love how Tarantino handled that culture and the whole Laurel Canyon scene,” said Laid Back.
Some of fans’ most beloved songs from the past few years of touring make an appearance on “Go West,” including “Honey Bun,” “LB’s Truth,” and “Cooper.” The latter two have been featured on Sirius XM shows produced by Johnny Knoxville and Shooter Jennings respectively.
The LBCP’s alter-ego David Prince also plays guitar in his wife Teresa’s band, Luna and the Mountain Jets, and is a heavily-decorated social studies teacher at Lawrence County High School. It’s no wonder considering the historical reference in the album’s cover.
His time spent and devotion to teaching are paralleled only by his dedication to rock, having spent time touring with national acts like the Georgia Satellites and raising cane with local favorites like his former band Night Train.
When asked if he had a message for the good people, LB simply responded: “Open your mind to the things you know to be true.”
Follow the Laid Back Country Picker on social media and his website laidbackcountrypicker.org to keep up to date with his latest releases and tour dates. Listen to his music on Spotify, Apple Music and everywhere music is streamed starting Feb. 2.