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.
That's What I Get
BR5-49 Lyrics
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And closed up all the honky tonks in town
I just got used to being on my own
Waiting for no one to call my own
But now the hand of fate has laid a card on me
A winning hand I didn't wanna see
No one I could blame, I wanted in this game
That's what I get for falling once again
You made me forget with no regrets what I knew back then
Well I thought I knew it all, I swore I'd never fall
But here I go again that's what I get
Now I resign myself to you and I don't care
You make me feel like I'm a millionaire
And because of you I gave that wheel a spin
Even though I know the house will always win
And now the hand of fate has laid a card on me
A winning hand I didn't wanna see
No one I could blame, I wanted in this game
But now I'm right back where I never thought I'd be
And that's what I get for falling once again
You made me forget with no regrets what I knew back then
Now well I thought I knew it all, I swore I'd never fall
But here I go again that's what I get
Well I thought I knew it all, I swore I'd never fall
But here I go again that's what I get
In "That's What I Get," BR5-49 sings about a person who has spent years growing accustomed to being alone and not looking for anything serious. In the past, they were with people, visiting all of the local nightclubs, but now they have learned to be careful about getting into any relationships. The singer, however, finds themselves in a love affair that they never saw coming. They didn't want to be involved in this game, but here they are, back where they never expected to be.
The first lines reveal that the singer has been living a very solitary life. They have distanced themselves from everyone, filling their life with their own company. However, these lines also indicate that they used to live very differently. They used to go out and have a good time, dipping in and out of nightlife but all that has since changed. The second verse mentions fate, with the singer observing a winning hand, but this is not what they wanted. They never blamed anyone for wanting to be part of the game, but now that they are back where they swore they would never be, they cannot help themselves.
As the chorus comes, the singer acknowledges their downfall, knowing that they have lost sight of what they used to know. They have been swept away by the allure of a new relationship, and they now face the consequences. The final verse further explores the character's willingness to go along with it, despite the likely risk of losing. Though they believe they have hit a big win, deep down, they know that they have to be careful in this "game."
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's been years since I made all the rounds
It's been quite some time since I've visited all the places in town that I used to frequent.
And closed up all the honky tonks in town
I was responsible for shutting down all of the local bars and clubs.
I just got used to being on my own
Over time, I became accustomed to being alone and not relying on anyone else.
Waiting for no one to call my own
I didn't have anyone in my life, nor was I actively seeking anyone out.
But now the hand of fate has laid a card on me
Something unexpected and beyond my control has happened.
A winning hand I didn't wanna see
This unexpected occurrence is actually a good thing, but I didn't want to be in this situation.
No one I could blame, I wanted in this game
I can't point the finger at anyone else for my current situation, because I actively wanted to be where I am now.
But now I'm right back where I never thought I'd be
Despite my initial reluctance, I have ended up in a situation that I never thought I would be in again.
That's what I get for falling once again
I made a mistake by letting my guard down and getting emotionally involved with someone.
You made me forget with no regrets what I knew back then
This person made me forget about everything that I had learned from past experiences, and I don't regret it.
Well I thought I knew it all, I swore I'd never fall
I believed that I had it all figured out and wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
But here I go again that's what I get
Despite my best efforts, I am once again making the same mistake.
Now I resign myself to you and I don't care
I am accepting the fact that I am now in a relationship with this person, and I am okay with that.
You make me feel like I'm a millionaire
This person makes me feel incredibly happy and fulfilled, as if I have all the wealth in the world.
And because of you I gave that wheel a spin
I took a chance and decided to try my luck, based on my feelings for this person.
Even though I know the house will always win
I am aware that there are no guarantees in life, and that I might not get what I want in the end.
Well I thought I knew it all, I swore I'd never fall
Once again, I believed that I had everything under control and couldn't be swayed by love.
But here I go again that's what I get
Yet again, I am falling in love and giving into my emotions, despite my best intentions.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHUCK MEAD, RAUL MALO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Hunt
Chris Scruggs is an outstanding musician.
Scott Chapman
This is the only country music that exist. The style of Faron Young Hank Williams Ernest Tubb Johnny Cash. this is the only real style country that exists. everything else is just a poor excuse of it
Boonesborough Beach Boy
Wow, i love that 2nd by Chris. This band really evolved good music
Boonesborough Beach Boy
@Mike Herald i don't know either. I'll let you know, if i find out
Mike Herald
What happened to the other singer,Gary Bennett ? I just recently discovered this group. I like every song Chris sings but why'd Gary leave because his voice was NOT replaceable, i don't think, is he even alive ? "Honky Tonkin' lifestyle" is definitely my favorite new tune though👍i go around singing it non- stop 😁
ofrenchieo
Love that style!!!!! True country style!!!!!!
blues dogg music /rediker
saw these guys a while back in richmond,va....THEY WERE FANTASTIC!!
Marc Van Schil
love that kind of music, great band!
KEVEN OCHS
Great band, great sound!
stlouisflix1
This is Chuck Mead (vocals) Shaw Wilson (drums) Chris Scruggs (Guitar) Jeff Firebaugh (Bass) Donnie Herron (Steel,fiddle etc)