Last October, while standing onstage in front of 20,000 people at London’s … Read Full Bio ↴Last October, while standing onstage in front of 20,000 people at London’s 02 Arena, it dawned on 49 Winchester lead singer/guitarist Isaac Gibson that on the same day, exactly 10 years ago, he formed the rapidly rising alt-country band.

“There’s been nothing in my life that’s ever lasted a decade,” Gibson says. “We had just gotten out of high school when we played our first show — 10 years later we’re opening for Luke Combs at the O2 Arena.”

On the heels of Combs’ European tour, 49 Winchester has been selling out storied venues across America, including a wildly successful Canadian run alongside Corb Lund. And, in celebration of these recent milestones, comes the release of 49 Winchester’s latest album, Leavin’ This Holler.

“We were on a slow simmer for a lot of years before things really started to pick up with our last record Fortune Favors the Bold,” Gibson says. “And this new album is going to do it even bigger.”

Leavin’ This Holler is 49 Winchester’s fifth studio album, and second collaborative work with Virginia-native producer Stewart Myers. In addition, the project also features the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, singer-songwriter Maggie Antone on backing vocals, fiddler Philip Bowen, and guitarist Cole Chafin. Chafin is not only the guitar tech for 49 Winchester, he’s also the younger brother of the band’s founding member and bassist, Chase Chafin.

“We take influence from a lot of different avenues,” Gibson says. “We don’t shy away from any of the music we like.”

Being in front of massive audiences, all eager to witness 49 Winchester’s raucous, live wire shows, Gibson felt it was a moment where he could honestly reflect on the hard-earned, unrelenting determination and grit within the band that’s brought them to this current juncture of increasing notoriety.

“It’s a testament to the uncommon fact that we’re musicians from a very specific place in the world,” Gibson says. “And it’s a testament to viewing each other more as family than as friends.”

Hailing from Castlewood, Virginia (population: 2.045) in the desolate backwoods of Southern Appalachia — a place where opportunity seldom knocks — 49 Winchester came to fruition when Gibson, his childhood best friend, Chafin, and his hometown crony, guitarist Bus Shelton, decided to step off the front porch (on Winchester Street) and take their music to whatever stage would have ’em.

“It’s always been a family affair,” Gibson says. “When you can look at it that way, as lifelong friends and not business associates or hired guns, you can look at it through a different lens, which just lends itself to longevity.”

Since its formation, 49 Winchester has fiercely retained this inner resolve to transcend one’s lot in life with a reckless abandon that’s led to widespread acclaim and fandom in the country, Americana and rock realms. “We’re happy to be doing what we’re doing and never could have imagined doing it on this scale,” Gibson says. “Everyday we’re out there is a blessing for us.”

Captured in a handful studios around the country whenever there was a rare moment between relentless touring schedules — including recording stints at White Star Sound (Louisa, Virginia), Pet Moose (Richmond, Virginia) and Echo Mountain (Asheville, North Carolina), as well as Nashville’s Blackbird and Front Stage — Leavin’ This Holler is that signature 49 Winchester sound of rollicking country and searing rock music, but with a matured approach this go-round.

“We’ve all grown a lot in our personal lives since Fortune Favors the Bold,” Gibson says. “Several of us have started families, and that’s kind of played into the lyrical themes — things are a little different with this record.”

Beyond its upbeat country tempos (“Hillbilly Happy”) and sorrowful ballads (“Tulsa”), whirlwind guitar riffs (“Make It Count”) and rumbling vocals (“Traveling Band”), Leavin’ This Holler offers up a more focused sense of self — this new, bountiful level of intent and purpose.

“Each album captures a kind of different season in my life,” Gibson says. “In terms of what I’m dealing with, what lessons I’m learning, what lessons I’m failing to learn sometimes.”

Both “Fast Asleep” and “Anchor” incorporate the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, with the stirring melodies showcasing Gibson’s voice erupting into the ether of an unknown tomorrow.

“We love the string arrangements from those great country acts of the 1960s, 70s and 80s,” Gibson says. “We wanted to explore every possible sound we could on this record. No stone left unturned sonically — we got it exactly where we wanted it.”

Now with a decade under its belt, 49 Winchester is also going through this full circle of emotions and sentiments as of late. Still calling the rural countryside of Castlewood, Virginia, home, Gibson shakes his head in appreciation and gratitude for the simple things in life, which, as you get older, become the most important.

“There’s no place like home — it’s a constant source of inspiration,” Gibson says. “I’ll be riding down some backcountry road and there’s just something about that movement, that hum of the motor, and the thoughts running through your mind that spark a song.”

With Leavin’ This Holler hitting the streets, 49 Winchester is gearing up for more worldwide touring featuring several arena gigs with Tyler Childers and their debut at Bonnaroo.

And, in a highly-anticipated appearance, 49 Winchester will also be headlining the famed Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion — a homecoming festival of sorts for the band, who played some of its earliest gigs at the renowned gathering.

“We’ve all just come along so far as musicians and as friends,” Gibson says. “The way we think musically has changed, the way we perform has changed — we’ve just grown and evolved.”

PRESS
”…Country Music’s Buzziest of Buzz Bands” - Rolling Stone

"This is Chris Stapleton, Aretha Franklin level shit." - Saving Country Music

“Take notes people…49 Winchester has arrived.” - Whiskey Riff

“Put simply, 49 Winchester’s Fortune Favors the Bold features a band bound to win. With Isaac Gibson, Appalachia’s Springsteen, at the wheel, 49 Winchester appear poised to cruise from and deeper into America’s heartland…” - Bristol Herald Courier

“49 Winchester has a bright future ahead as an outlaw-country institution.” - Magnet Magazine

Fortune Favors The Bold (2022)

The 25 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2022 - Rolling Stone

The Best Country Records of 2022 - Bandcamp

#2 Best Album Of 2022 - Holler

#2 Top 40 Country Albums of 2022 - Whiskey Riff

The 15 Best Country Albums of 2022 - PopMatters

2022 Single of the Year “Russell County Line” - Saving Country Music

Best Country Songs of 2022 - Wide Open Country

Outstanding and Essential Albums of 2022 - WMOT

#3 Album of the Year - Holler Readers Poll

Best Duo or Group of 2022 - Holler Readers Poll

The Road Home
49 Winchester Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We left out on Monday morning
Checkout was 11am
Three long shows over the weekend
Playing rock n' roll again
Ten more exits down the highway
And we'll almost be all the way home
Six men packed into an E150 van
More damn gear than The Rolling Stones

I hate being in the city
Makes my nerves tore all to Hell
Baby ain't it such a pity
I had to wait so long to tell

You I love you
You I love you
You I love you
Baby I'm coming home

Blew two tires out in Kentucky
Ten miles west of Salyersville
Spent the night there by the roadside
I hate to see that damn tow bill

Spent the whole damn night there laughing
Not a worry in the world
Boys it sure has been a good time
But I can't wait to see my girl

And say I love you
Say I love you
Say I love you
Baby I'm coming home
I'm coming home

Baby I'm coming home
Baby I'm coming home
Baby I'm coming home

Overall Meaning

The song "The Road Home" by 49 Winchester is a heartfelt reflection on the life of a touring musician who is finally headed back to their loved ones. The opening lines establish the setting of the song, describing a Monday morning departure after a long weekend of playing shows. The next few lines paint a vivid picture of the cramped and chaotic life on the road - six people crammed into a van with gear overflowing.

The first verse ends with the singer expressing their discomfort with the city, setting up the longing to return home that sets the tone of the song. The chorus repeats the declaration of love for specific individuals, a reminder of why the singer is willing to endure the trials of life on the road - to make it back to those they hold dear. The second verse describes a setback on the journey home, a blown tire that forces the band to spend the night in Kentucky. The beauty of this verse lies in the way it contrasts the frustration of a broken-down vehicle with the joy and camaraderie of spending quality time with good friends. The final chorus declares the imminent return home and a reaffirmation of love.

Overall, "The Road Home" is a powerful and introspective song that captures the complex emotions that come with a life spent on the road - the thrill of performance, the camaraderie of travel, and the deep yearning to return home.

Line by Line Meaning

We left out on Monday morning
We started the journey on Monday morning

Checkout was 11am
We checked out of the hotel at 11am

Three long shows over the weekend
We played three long shows during the weekend

Playing rock n' roll again
We played rock n' roll music again

Ten more exits down the highway
We have ten more exits to pass on the highway

And we'll almost be all the way home
We will almost reach our destination, which is home

Six men packed into an E150 van
We had six men squeezed into a Ford E150 van

More damn gear than The Rolling Stones
We had more music equipment than even The Rolling Stones

I hate being in the city
I dislike being in the city

Makes my nerves tore all to Hell
It makes me feel anxious and nervous

Baby ain't it such a pity
Isn't it unfortunate?