In their eagerness to bring a new sound to the country music scene, the members of the Casey Donahew Band have created a unique style that blends traditional country with rock 'n roll and a pop sensibility.
The band's emerging success demonstrates the band member's determination to reach their goal of making a mark in the music industry. The four musicians from the Fort Worth, Texas have put together a rich and powerful blend of strong vocals, amazing lead guitar and solid rhythm that sets them apart from other acts in their genre.
Over the last few years, the band has developed a local following from their regular gigs at local venues such as The Horseman Club, The Aardvark, Overtime Sports Bar and The White Elephant Saloon, among others. They have also played at events such as The Ranch Texas Music Series, Pro Rodeo Events, The Fort Worth Cats Pre-Game Parties, 95.9 The Ranch’s Annual Pre-Willie Nelson Party and The Cowtown Ball.
The Casey Donahew Band signed with KB Talent in April of 2006, and are currently playing gigs locally and across Texas and Oklahoma.
Having shared the stage with Reckless Kelly, Stoney Larue, Kevin Fowler, Wade Bowen and No Justice they are looking to expand their horizons even further in the coming year.
In the tradition of such artists as Pat Green, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Jack Ingram, the band are true to their roots, and call their music pure Texas country.
The Casey Donahew Band lineup includes:
Casey Donahew (acoustic, vocals & electric)
Brent Wall (lead guitar)
“Taz” (drums)
Steve Stoney (bass)
California
Casey Donahew Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its 3am on west coast time
When you took everything
And you left me far behind
Chorus:
Theres no California
Thats all I heard her say
Feels so far away
I can see the sunset
All the skies are grey
She said she loves me
But not enough to stay
Since youve been gone this house feels empty
If you were lonely why'd you leave
Did I not give you everything you need?
Chorus
The lyrics to Casey Donahew Band's "California" describe a man's feelings of abandonment and heartbreak after his partner leaves him. The song begins by stating that it's 3am on the west coast time, and while the sun is rising up in New York, the man is staring out into the ocean from California feeling lost and far away from home. He feels empty and abandoned since his partner left him, questioning what he could have done differently to make her stay.
The chorus repeats the line "There's no California, that's all I heard her say," implying that the woman he loved said she couldn't stay and had to leave, regardless of the fact that he's still very much in love with her. He sees the grey skies and a sunset that he can't enjoy because he's heartbroken and missing the person who left him. He then questions why she left, wondering if he didn't provide her with everything she needs, adding a layer of uncertainty and self-doubt.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was released in 2016 as a single for Casey Donahew Band's upcoming album, following their signing with independent label, Almost Country Entertainment. It peaked at number 60 on the US Country Airplay chart. Another notable fact is that the song was co-written by Josh Abbott, a fellow Texas country singer-songwriter. The song's lyrics reflect the trend of artists in the genre, writing about heartbreak and lost love, but it is unique in its use of California as the setting for the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun is rising up in New York
It's early morning and the sun is rising in New York, showing that life continues even though the singer is feeling left behind.
Its 3am on west coast time
It's 3am on the West Coast time, which suggests the singer is up late, perhaps still awake from the pain of being left behind.
When you took everything
The person the singer is referring to took everything away, leaving the singer feeling lost and alone.
And you left me far behind
The person the singer is addressing left the singer behind, both physically and emotionally.
Theres no California
The singer's partner said there is no chance for their relationship to work, and the singer hears the word California as a metaphor for their hopes and dreams of a bright future together.
Thats all I heard her say
This line emphasizes the simplicity of the statement that ended the relationship and how it left the singer with little to no closure.
Starin at this ocean
The singer is looking out at the ocean, feeling distant and disconnected from the world around him.
Feels so far away
The singer's partner is far away and unreachable, both physically and emotionally.
I can see the sunset
The singer is watching the sunset, but even the beauty of the moment is overshadowed by his sadness and loss.
All the skies are grey
Despite the beauty of the sunset, the skies are grey, perhaps a reflection of the singer's mood.
She said she loves me
The singer's partner said she loves him, but it wasn't enough for her to stay.
But not enough to stay
The love between the singer and his partner was not strong enough to keep the relationship from falling apart.
Since youve been gone this house feels empty
After the singer's partner left, the house feels empty, as if their presence was the only thing that made it feel like a home.
If you were lonely why'd you leave
The singer questions his partner's motives for leaving, wondering why someone who was feeling lonely would choose to be alone.
Did I not give you everything you need?
The singer wonders if he could have done more to make his partner happy and fulfilled, perhaps leading to a different outcome for their relationship.
Contributed by Hunter S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.