But if you ask JB when the band really started, he’ll reflect back to a time rooted less in music and more in his unfulfilled dreams.
“My son, Parker, is the reason this band exists,” he explains. “Because when I learned I was going to be a father, I knew I wanted to be able to tell him he can be whatever he wants to be as long as he sets his mind to it and works hard. But I realized there was something I had wanted to do that I never had the guts to try—being a singer/songwriter. And I thought to myself, if I’m ever gonna tell my kid that he can be whatever he wants to be, then I’d better at least give this a shot. Thankfully, it has worked out. But, succeed or fail, you’ve gotta try.”
Since taking the plunge into the music business, JB and the guys have seen enough success for JB to realize he’s already accomplished his first set of goals. In just over three years, JB has written a couple of tunes that wound up atop the Billboard Texas music charts and he and the band have recorded and released two acclaimed albums—Ain’t Goin’ Back to Jail and the current Beer for Breakfast on the Average Joes Entertainment label. They’ve also been pounding the road playing shows all over the country.
So, what’s the secret to the band’s success thus far in its young career? JB thinks it comes down to two simple things: band chemistry and his commitment to staying true to himself as a writer and artist.
“When I was a teenager and saw Willie Nelson, I was awestruck,” he recalls. “And I especially liked how his band is basically like his family. My band and I are friends, first and foremost, and secondarily, we play music together. I’ve been very fortunate to have such a good group of guys.”
And the combination of the band’s great chemistry and JB’s excellent songwriting gives these East Texas boys instant credibility wherever they play. Whether cranking out no-holds-barred honky-tonk drinking tunes or throttling back to sing about matters of the heart, JB and the Moonshine Band tunes have the ring of truth. Need proof? Check out JB’s lyrical take on the perfect hangover cure from the title cut of Beer for Breakfast:
I’ve seen ‘em all hunched over prayin’ to that toilet seat Not knowin’ all they had to do was pop a top and drink
But on the other end of the spectrum, “The Only Drug,” also from Breakfast, has plenty of romance, with just a touch of that trademark JB grit:
If you’re thinkin’ I’m addicted, I guess it’s kinda true, but they can keep their drink, their smoke, their pills and their cocaine, too . . . ‘cause your love’s the only drug I do.
While the band has achieved great success in Texas and is beginning to see it blossom in other parts of the country, JB knows he has to be careful not to forsake what’s made them popular in their home state in order to gain fans elsewhere.
“I have the responsibility to myself and to my fans to be myself on my records. That’s first and foremost to me. And that’s what’s brought us this far. I just have to always remain true to myself.”
The good news is fans are loving the music on Beer for Breakfast and the response to the CD’s summer single “No Better Than This” has been beyond great.
“We did a show recently and a bunch of people were all up at the stage and singing our songs—even songs that have never even thought about being singles. There’s no better feeling on stage than to look out at a sea of people singing a song that you wrote. That’s just the ultimate to me. And I’m fortunate and blessed to be able to experience that."
So, what about those new goals?
“I want to write a song that goes Top 10 in the Billboard charts,” declares JB with a smile. “And if I got a No. 1, that’s it. I can retire. All my wildest dreams would have come true.”
That would be great for JB, but as far as his fans are concerned, they’d probably be happy with a long string of No. 2 hits . . . to keep him out there playing more great music for years to come.
Smith County Line
JB and the Moonshine Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your letter sure did take me back
You sure do have some pretty babies
Can't no one argue about that
He better treat you like he should
He better make you feel good
Cause if he don't
I'll meet you at the Smith County line
We'll leave here at midnight
And drive until daylight
And stop at the first spot we find
And make up for lost time
Make up for lost time
It's nice to know you think about me
I think of you from time to time
I probably shouldn't even tell you
But girl you're always on my mind
Yeah, he better realize what he's got
He better love you a lot
Cause if he don't
Then I made up my mind
I'll meet you at the Smith County line
We'll leave here at midnight
And drive until daylight
And stop at the first spot we find
And make up for lost time
Make up for lost time
I can't turn back the clock
But I can make the pain stop
Yeah, I can give you everything that you need
I can take you away
I can make it okay
The only thing you gotta do is believe
If you don't I'm drawin' the line
I'm leaving your memory behind
So don't write me again
I don't want to be friends
There's someone I've got to go find
And make up for lost time
Make up for lost time
Make up for lost time
Make up for lost time
At the Smith County line
The song "Smith County Line" by JB and the Moonshine Band is a ballad about an old flame rekindling a connection with the singer. The song opens with the singer receiving a letter from his ex-girlfriend. He expresses surprise and delight at hearing from her after such a long time, especially upon learning that she has become a mother. He then begins to reminisce about their past and how much he enjoyed her company. However, he also expresses concern about her current situation and how her partner may not treat her as well as she deserves. If things don't work out with her current partner, the singer makes it clear that he's ready and willing to meet her at the Smith County Line to make up for lost time.
The song is full of yearning and nostalgia, as the singer tries to reconcile his feelings for his ex-girlfriend with the life that they've both made for themselves since their breakup. There's a sense of regret as he sings about how he can't turn back the clock, but also a determination to try to right the wrongs of the past. Ultimately, the song is a testament to the enduring power of love and how it can still be rekindled even after years apart.
Line by Line Meaning
I hadn't from you in ages
It has been a long time since we last talked
Your letter sure did take me back
Your letter brought back memories
You sure do have some pretty babies
Your children are beautiful
Can't no one argue about that
No one can deny it
He better treat you like he should
Your partner should treat you well
He better make you feel good
Your partner should make you happy
Cause if he don't
If he fails to make you happy
Then I made up my mind
I have decided
I'll meet you at the Smith County line
I will meet you at Smith County line
We'll leave here at midnight
We will leave at 12 am
And drive until daylight
We will drive until sunrise
And stop at the first spot we find
We will stop at the first available place
And make up for lost time
We will catch up on lost time
Make up for lost time
We will make up for time we lost
It's nice to know you think about me
It is good to know you remember me
I think of you from time to time
I also think of you sometimes
I probably shouldn't even tell you
I might be better off not mentioning
But girl you're always on my mind
But I cannot stop thinking about you
Yeah, he better realize what he's got
Your partner should value you
He better love you a lot
Your partner should love you deeply
Cause if he don't
If he fails to love you deeply
Then I made up my mind
I have decided
I'll meet you at the Smith County line
I will meet you at Smith County line
We'll leave here at midnight
We will leave at 12 am
And drive until daylight
We will drive until sunrise
And stop at the first spot we find
We will stop at the first available place
And make up for lost time
We will catch up on lost time
Make up for lost time
We will make up for time we lost
I can't turn back the clock
I cannot reverse time
But I can make the pain stop
But I can end the pain
Yeah, I can give you everything that you need
I can offer you everything you may require
I can take you away
I can take you to a different place
I can make it okay
I can make things better
The only thing you gotta do is believe
All you have to do is believe in me
If you don't I'm drawin' the line
If you do not believe me, I will leave
I'm leaving your memory behind
I will forget our memories
So don't write me again
Do not contact me again
I don't want to be friends
I do not want us to be friends
There's someone I've got to go find
I have to go find someone else
And make up for lost time
I will catch up on lost time
Make up for lost time
I will make up for time we lost
Make up for lost time
I will make up for time we lost
Make up for lost time
I will make up for time we lost
At the Smith County line
At Smith County line
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@beckysmith2505
💟💟Love💟💟 This Song!
@shaneweber485
great song!!!!😍😍
@RabbitDreadful
This song says a lot that I never could without quite a few shots of bourbon running through me...
@libertoad
I cross the smith county line every day for that bottle of whiskey. (:
@556585623489
I've been through smith county the people seem nice.
@truckstuffmore875
haha I live in smith county,ms