Tommy Townsend had no idea when he went into the studio with producers Waylon Jennings and Jerry “Jigger” Bridges that the music they recorded wouldn’t see the light of day for over 20 years. On April 29, 2022, the world will finally hear Southern Man, 10 timeless traditional country cuts composed by some of the best songwriters of the era and available on BFD/Audium Nashville.

“I’m super excited that this album that was produced by my mentors, Waylon Jennings and Jerry Bridges, is finally coming out for everyone to hear after all these years,” said Townsend. “Getting to talk about these songs again after this long has brought back so many great memories of being in the studio with these two legends. I’m thankful to get to share this with all the fans, and especially Jerry ‘Jigger’ Bridges, who is still in my corner cheering me on. Special thanks to Chuck Rhodes and all the staff at BFD/Audium Nashville for bringing this album to the forefront. Y’all Rock!”

Recorded over several years, Country Music Hall of Famer Jennings and his longtime bass player/tour manager Bridges gathered songs from Nashville’s top writers – including some in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame like Dean Dillon, Roger Murrah, Don Schlitz, Troy Seals, and Waylon himself. Many of the top-drawer songs were originally pitched to Waylon, who felt they would be a better fit for Townsend.

Waylon’s signature guitar sound and distinctive voice can be heard on many of the tracks, and the studio was often filled with star power as well. Marty Stuart played mandolin, Jeff Hale and Rick Lonow played drums, and Bridges played bass on all of the tracks. Fred Newell and the legendary Ralph Mooney play steel guitar, and Newell also contributed dobro, harmonica and guitar to several tracks. Long time Waylors Barny and Carter Robertson can be heard on keys and background vocals, respectively.    

Southern Man kicks off with an enthusiastic introduction from Waylon, whom Tommy met at age 13 after a show outside Atlanta. The title cut first single hit in February, and fans took notice. He went from 109 to over 44,000 Spotify Monthly Listeners in a few short weeks, and the song garnered over 100,000 overall streams in the same period. The raucous follow up single, the Waylon/Troy Seals-penned “Trouble With A Capital T” was released in late March to similar fanfare.

“When I heard the Southern Man project, I literally flipped out!” said BFD/Audium Nashville GM Chuck Rhodes. “Tommy’s vocal performance with Waylon’s backing vocals on Waylon co-produced tracks? What more can anyone want!”

Townsend entertained on last week’s The Country Music Cruise, sharing the stage with the likes of Josh Turner, Lee Greenwood, Lorrie Morgan, The Bellamy Brothers and many more and will be hosting album release parties in both Nashville and his native Blairsville, Georgia. 

Southern Man Track Listing:

1.    Waylon Jennings Introduction

2.    “Southern Man” (with Waylon Jennings)
(J. Fred Knobloch, Walter Carter)
Universal Music Publishing (BMI)

3.    “A Good Love Died Tonight” (with Waylon Jennings)
(Roger Murrah)
EMI Blackwood Music, Inc (BMI)

4.    “If You Can’t Stand The Heat”
(Roger Murrah, John Schweers)
Reservoir 416 (BMI), Universal Polygram International Publishing INC (ASCAP)

5.    “Trouble With A Capital T”
(Waylon Jennings, Troy Seals)
Vagabond Dreamer Music (BMI, WC Music Corp (ASCAP, East 64th Music (ASCAP)

6.    “Stompin’ Ground”
(J. Fred Knobloch, Barry Alfonso)
Almo Irving/Universal Music Group (BMI, Almo Music Corporation (ASCAP)

7.    “Could And Still Do”
(Dean Dillon, Bob Melton)
Universal Music Group (BMI), Universal Music Careers (BMI)

8.    “Holes In My Boots” (with Waylon Jennings)
(Roger Murrah, Steve Anders)
EMI Blackwood Music, Inc (BMI)

9.    “The Picker”
(Rob Mashburn)
Ida Recording And Publishing Co. (BMI)

10. “Lesson In Loneliness”
(Jerry Bridges, Donnie Epps)
Night Town Music (BMI)

11. “How High This Tree Will Grow”
J. Fred Knobloch, Don Schlitz)
Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP)

Connect with Tommy Townsend at:

https://www.tommytownsendmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/TommyTownsendMusic

https://twitter.com/ttownsendmusic

https://www.instagram.com/tommytownsendmusic

https://www.YouTube.com/tommytownsendmusic

About Tommy Townsend:  A native of Blairsville, Georgia, Tommy Townsend first met his outlaw hero as a teenager at an area concert. After the show, Townsend’s parents talked their way past the Hell’s Angels security guards and into the backstage area, where they introduced his son to the man who would become Tommy’s inspiration and mentor.

Jennings took the aspiring artist under his wing, later inviting him on stage to play guitar or sing a song. Tommy and Waylon spent time talking about lessons learned from life and conveyed through songs. Townsend spent the better part of the last 15 years singing lead for Waymore’s Outlaws, comprised of several of Jennings’ touring and studio musicians such as Bridges, the late Richie Albright, Fred Newell, and Carter and Barny Robertson. In addition to his own dates, he continues to perform with Waymore’s.

Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlisle, Tanya Tucker) produced Townsend’s 2018 Turn Back The Clock album, which was released on the Black Country Rock label. His “Drinkin’” single, written by Holly Williams, received strong airplay from Country and Americana radio. The corresponding music video continues to receive play across the country.

Bob Frank Distribution (BFD) was formed in 2012 as a boutique independent music distributor with a global sub-distribution arrangement with The Orchard. BFD currently represents over fifty labels and artists with thousands of masters including earMUSIC, Charly, Absolute, Righteous Babe, Astor Place Recordings, Once Upon A Time, Node Records, Cleveland International Records, Peak Records, Woodward Avenue Records, The Atlantic Screen Group (Filmtrax), REMT, Bad Dog/PRA Records, UFO, as well as artist owned labels and catalogs including Charlie Daniels’ Blue Hat Records, Crystal Gayle, Dale Watson, Dave Davies, Anthony Gomes, Mark Collie, Darryl Worley, Lee Roy Parnell, Trini Lopez and many others. 

Visit www.bobfrankent.com for more information. 

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Tommy Townsend had no idea when he went into the studio with producers Waylon Jennings and Jerry “Jigger” Bridges that the music they recorded wouldn’t see the light of day for over 20 years. On April 29, 2022, the world will finally hear Southern Man, 10 timeless traditional country cuts composed...