The band was formed in Nashville by co-leads Gary Bennett and Chuck Mead. Their music, referred to as alternative country or neotraditional, contains elements of western swing and rockabilly. They eschew modern Top 40 pop-country for a more raw, honky-tonk sound, with songs about 50s pin-up/dominatrix Bettie Page and The Ramones. They took their name from a telephone number regularly used in a Junior Samples sketch on the television show Hee Haw.
BR549 toured with Bob Dylan, the Mavericks, Junior Brown, the Black Crowes, and Brian Setzer. Whike on hiatus, multi-Instrumentalist Don Herron is touring with Bob Dylan, and lead vocalist Chuck Mead is performing with the honky-tonk country supergroup The Hillbilly All-Stars, along with Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin of the Mavericks and solo recording artist/actor Mark Collie. Former co-lead vocalist, and co-founder, Gary Bennett released his solo debut, Human Condition, in February of 2006, and former bassist Geoff Firebaugh is a member of the Nashville based rockabilly outfit Hillbilly Casino. Despite shows in Europe in 2007 it's unclear if the band will return to its capacity as a full-time touring band.
The group disbanded, and Chuck, Shaw and Donnie returned to Lower Broadway to play weekly gigs with musical collective The Hillbilly All-Stars. The three were soon revitalized to again play music within an unpredictable scene, leading them to reform BR549 in 2004 with bassist Geoff Firebaugh and singer/guitarist Chris Scruggs for their Dualtone debut Tangled In The Pines. But following victorious tours of the U.S. and Europe (marred only by two separate thefts of their instruments and gear), BR549 was faced with their ultimate challenge when Donnie Herron was invited by Bob Dylan to become the new fiddle and steel guitar player in his band.
“It was a real test of our abilities as a family,” admits Mead. “Donnie went on the road with Dylan. Shaw moved to Arizona. I’d moved on to other projects. But for us, BR549 had always been something that needs to be respected and nothing we could ever take lightly.” Following months of heart-to-heart phone calls, plate-spinning scheduling and the addition of new bassist Mark Miller, the band finally convened in Athens to record in a way they never had before. “In the past, we’d always made a record coming off the road, with songs we’d been played for weeks and sometimes months on tour,” Chuck remembers “But this time, we were all coming in fresh, making the record then and there. It’s an album that’s truly in the moment.”
BR549 released six albums and two EPs, including three albums on Arista Nashville and two on Dualtone Records. The band's self-titled debut album produced three singles on the Billboard country charts in 1996. The band was nominated three times for the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Lifetime To Prove
BR5-49 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the store for some cigarettes and bread
I started walking there got as far as the square
Then the smell of beer went to my head
The thing about beer it can make a man hear
Voices from days long since past
And with every third drink it'll make you think
That your youth will always last
To yourself I could have been more
I got one foot in the door I just want one more
I thought of a time when my future was mine
It didn't matter what anyone said
I was handsome and strong and when I walked along
I stood erect and looked straight ahead
But then I lost my fight goin' to turned to might
Somewhere along the line I lost my will
And now I'm sittin' here my life full of beer
And I try to pretend it's not real
No matter which way you move it takes a lifetime to prove
To yourself I have been before
I got one foot in the door I just want one more
[ guitar ]
These days I barely survive on lot number five
In the mobile acres on the eastside of town
I swore this kind of life I'd never lead
I guess I let too many things get me down
If my pappy could see what they done to me
I swear he'd march down there and make it all right
But he's long since gone and I'm old enough now
I should be able to fight my own fight
No matter which way you move it takes a lifetime to prove
To yourself I could have been more
I got one foot in the door I just want one more
The song "Lifetime To Prove" by BR5-49 is a reflective narrative about a middle-aged man, who is revisiting his past and anticipating his future. The opening lines depict the present state of the man, who is sent to the store by his wife, but unable to resist the temptation of beer due to his vulnerable state. He recalls that beer can evoke experiences from the past that resurface with every sip, and make one feel youthful again. However, amidst this nostalgia, he realizes the hard truth that proving oneself is a lifetime pursuit.
As the song proceeds, the man reminisces about his past when he was confident, energetic, and invigorated. His youthful self was courageous and determined, and he had an unshakable will. However, along the way, his strength and will diminished, and he found himself cornered by life's challenges. Now, he finds himself living a life of mediocrity and longing for more. He regrets not being able to live up to his full potential, and realizing that it takes a lifetime to prove oneself.
The song portrays an autobiographical story, which resonates with many listeners. The theme of regret, nostalgia, and the desire for a better future is relatable to many people. BR5-49 delivers the song with country-style accompaniments, which complement the narrative of the song effectively. The band's harmonies and guitar work add charm and substance to the track, balancing the melancholic lyrics with a lighthearted tone.
Line by Line Meaning
My pockets are empty though my wife has sent me
Although my wife has given me the task to go to the store, I have no means to buy the items.
To the store for some cigarettes and bread
The items my wife sent me to buy were cigarettes and bread.
I started walking there got as far as the square
I began walking to the store but stopped once I reached the square.
Then the smell of beer went to my head
The aroma of beer heavily influenced my thoughts and actions.
The thing about beer it can make a man hear
Beer has the power to make a person hear things from their past.
Voices from days long since past
The sounds I heard were memories from my past.
And with every third drink it'll make you think
After every third drink, beer will cause you to reminisce more.
That your youth will always last
Beer can make you believe that your youth will never end.
No matter which way you move it takes a lifetime to prove
To find your true identity and purpose in life, it takes many years of experience and reflection.
To yourself I could have been more
Reflecting on your past, you may believe that you could have accomplished more in your life.
I got one foot in the door I just want one more
Despite having achieved some success, I desire to continue striving for more.
I thought of a time when my future was mine
I recalled a time when I had control over my future and it was promising.
It didn't matter what anyone said
I was confident in myself, and the opinions of others did not affect me.
I was handsome and strong and when I walked along
I was physically attractive and confident in my abilities, which showed in my demeanor.
I stood erect and looked straight ahead
I held myself with confidence as I walked, looking straight ahead.
But then I lost my fight goin' to turned to might
Eventually, I lost my determination and courage, becoming weaker and less confident in myself.
Somewhere along the line I lost my will
At some point, I lost my motivation and drive to excel in life.
And now I'm sittin' here my life full of beer
Currently, I spend a significant amount of time drinking beer aimlessly.
And I try to pretend it's not real
I attempt to ignore the reality of my situation and the direction my life has taken.
These days I barely survive on lot number five
Currently, I live in a mobile home park in a difficult financial situation.
In the mobile acres on the eastside of town
The mobile home park is located on the eastside of town, called Mobile Acres.
I swore this kind of life I'd never lead
I made a vow to myself that I would never live a life like the one I am living now.
I guess I let too many things get me down
Unfortunately, I allowed myself to be negatively impacted by several challenges and struggles.
If my pappy could see what they done to me
If my father were alive to see my current situation, he would be upset.
I swear he'd march down there and make it all right
I know my father would be willing to fight to help me out of this situation.
But he's long since gone and I'm old enough now
Unfortunately, my father has passed away, and I have become mature enough to handle my life on my own.
I should be able to fight my own fight
I have the ability to overcome my struggles and challenges.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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