“We set out to do this,” says Kris. “We write our songs, play and sing; it’s what we’ve done, it’s what we’ll do. We want to create something that will stand the test of time, like Seger or the Eagles. We don’t really have a standard genre. If people want to call us country, let them. But with Bring Up the Sun, you’ll get a really good sense of what we’re doing in our style of country music, and it’s got ‘70s classic rock sounds, with a little pop, rock, and bluegrass.”
Sundy Best began as a high energy Lexington, Kentucky bar act. As kids coming up together in Eastern Kentucky, they played music in church and formed their own band in high school.
“Growing up, my earliest memories are of my dad playing and singing, and listening to records with him,” says Kris. He played drums along with Dad, and the cajon remains his instrument – part of what gives Sundy Best its distinctive sound. All songs on Bring Up The Sun were recorded using cajon, no drums or cymbals.
Nick recalls his mom playing piano. By first grade, he took piano lessons too, though practicing wasn’t his thing. “I remember my whole family played bluegrass at the holidays. I was shy growing up; I didn’t try to sing much.” Eventually, guitar became his love.
Both athletes, Nick headed to Pikeville College for football, while Kris played basketball at Centre College in Danville.
English major Kris read Twain and Melville when not on the basketball court; Nick started strumming guitar in bars. When his favorite football coach, a fellow musician, left the school, he gave Nick a parting gift – a real passion for live music.
“He introduced me to the bar and pool hall scene in Johnson City. The musicians I met inspired me, I found myself writing music. My life took a new direction.” He’d play football on a Saturday afternoon, then head to an off-campus bar and play for four more hours.
After college, Nick contacted his old friend Kris about buying some drums. He didn’t have any to sell, but Kris offered to come play drums with Nick and another musician. They jammed all night, revived a friendship and drank a few cold ones; the next evening they played their first gig.
In August 2010, Nick moved to Lexington with Kris. The pair played patios while working for the cable company.
November brought a life-changing performance at Redmon’s, the Lexington live music bar venue. There they coined the name “Sundy Best,” honed their performance skills and wrote music, as their incredibly enthusiastic fan base began to materialize.
In the three years since, they’ve grown powerfully, defining their sound with solid lyrics and the powerful beats of throwback ‘70s rock influence. Now Sundy Best has a dedicated grassroots following from Lexington to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and beyond.
They take pride in their original material. “I think we’re going to make the best music we possibly can, genuine music from where the heart is, and see where we go from there,” says Kris. “We’re childhood friends, we grew up together making music, we still do it, and, you know, we’re pretty down to earth.”
“Everything we’ve written is a true story,” adds Nick. “We are who we say we are. Our music is the real thing; it’s autobiography. We’re not trying to fit into a category or write the generic pickups-and-sweet-tea songs. Our music is real, it’s honest, and we’re trying to make something that’s relevant and influence others. “
Holy Ground
Sundy Best Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where my feet are in the ground
Buried on the hillside
Near a creek by my house
Trees dance like gypsies
In the shadows of local kings
And in the stories of my people
And all the songs I sing
It's written in your Bible
Or in a local company store
There's something in the water
When my lost soul was found
Now it's buried in my bones and blood
Beneath this holy ground
There's wood smoke in my clothes
A fire up on the hill
There's something in the fruit jar
You'll always get your fill
You can say a sinner's prayer
But it won't come running to you
Yeah, I'll be in church on Sunday
White-knuckled on the pews
We sing child, tell me what you're looking for
It's written in your Bible
Or in a local company store
There's something in the water
When my lost soul was found
Now it's buried in my bones and blood
Underneath this holy ground
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
The lyrics to Sundy Best's song "Holy Ground" speak to the deep connection that the singer feels to their homeland – the Appalachian region of the United States. They describe their roots as being firmly planted in the ground, with their ancestors buried in a local hillside and a creek nearby. The singer also describes the beauty of the natural world around them, with trees that seem to dance like gypsies in the shadows of local kings. The stories of the singer's people and the songs they sing are all deeply ingrained in their identity.
The chorus of the song invites the listener to reflect on what they are searching for in life – perhaps it can be found in the Bible or in the local company store. The singer goes on to describe how they found something profound in the water, a lost soul that is now buried in their bones and blood beneath the holy ground. This sense of connection to their homeland is evident in the wood smoke that clings to their clothes, the fire that burns on the hill, and the fruit jar that is always full. The singer acknowledges that a sinner's prayer won't come running to them, but they still find solace in attending church on Sundays and clinging to the pews with white knuckles. The song ends with a repeated refrain of "holy, holy, Lord God Almighty," evoking a sense of reverence and devotion.
Overall, the lyrics to "Holy Ground" describe a deep sense of connection to place and to the traditions and stories of the people who came before. The singer finds comfort and meaning in the natural world around them, their small community, and their religious faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a child of Appalachia
I was born and raised in the Appalachian region of the USA.
Where my feet are in the ground
I feel a deep connection to the land here, it's like it's a part of me.
Buried on the hillside
My ancestors are buried on the hills around here.
Near a creek by my house
The creek by my house is a special place to me.
Trees dance like gypsies
The trees move gently, like they're dancing.
In the shadows of local kings
The trees are a part of the natural beauty of this area, along with the mountains and rivers, and they're a home to many creatures.
And in the stories of my people
The stories and legends of the people who came before us are intertwined with this land.
And all the songs I sing
This land and its stories inspire me to sing songs and create music.
We sing child, tell me what you're looking for
When we sing together, we're asking each other what we hope to find in life.
It's written in your Bible
Some people find meaning and guidance in their faith.
Or in a local company store
Others might find guidance in the everyday lives and struggles of people around them.
There's something in the water
This area has a special quality that's hard to describe, maybe in the water or air.
When my lost soul was found
I found my sense of purpose and place in the world after struggling for a time.
Now it's buried in my bones and blood
My connection to this land and the people here goes deep, it's a part of who I am.
Beneath this holy ground
I feel like the land here is sacred, it's a special place.
There's wood smoke in my clothes
The smell of wood smoke from the fires that we use to heat our homes and cook our food gets into everything.
A fire up on the hill
We often build fires on the hills around us.
There's something in the fruit jar
Our homemade moonshine, which we keep in a fruit jar, is a symbol of our culture and way of life.
You'll always get your fill
We take care of our own and make sure everyone has what they need.
You can say a sinner's prayer
Even if you pray for forgiveness, it doesn't guarantee immediate redemption from sin.
But it won't come running to you
The way to redemption is often difficult and requires action on your part. It won't come easily.
Yeah, I'll be in church on Sunday
Even though I'm proud of my culture and identity, I recognize the importance of faith and community.
White-knuckled on the pews
I'm fully invested in my faith and community, and participate wholeheartedly.
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
A prayer or song of praise to God.
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alycevilines
great bathroom acoustics! Love "Holy Ground"!
@mackenziegarnett4511
One of my favorites!
@anniecollinsrocks
I think you guys just keep getting better!! Keep on rocking and rolling b/c it is OUTSTANDING!
@saramerritt7186
love yall's songs I listen to you everyday while I am working! I like this one especially!
@spapadon03
This song should be no.1
@MsTwistedGoddess
this makes me homesick for sure!
@turnerceleste
Love your new song!
@beckywakeland4334
love it one of my many favs
@sandramiller3207
Another great song, bathroom sessions are great!
@davenwilder211
love your voice man