"Anyone who has ever seen us live is going to hear the first 15 seconds of "Holler Back" and say ‘There’s The Lost Trailers. Those are the guys I saw open for Chesney or open for Sugarland’," says Stokes, tagged on the band’s website as The Writer."
Music is important and has a lasting quality," adds lead vocalist Ryder, aka The Voice. "But music should be fun too, there needs to be a balance. "Holler Back" is a fun song that captures the element of our live show which is really important to us as well.
"Ryder and Stokes both gravitated towards music in high school, where they convinced another student, drummer Jeff Potter, to join them in a band named Ryder Stokes. Soon, Stokes’ younger brother Andrew came on as their bassist, a position now held by the fifth and last member to join the band, Manny Medina (Andrew moved over to keyboards).
The new band caught a break early, as their demo found its way to Willie Nelson, who invited them to perform on his annual Fourth of July picnic. By the time they got to Austin, they had changed the band’s name, thanks to some unfortunate incidents involving successive equipment trailers. The 15,000 fans there that afternoon witnessed the debut of The Lost Trailers, and the response was so enthused that Nelson ended up inviting them to open other dates for him.
"What we learned from that experience was that putting on a great show will build a fan base," remembers Stokes. "If you do it night after night, your fan base will grow. If you earn those fans early on, they will stay fans for life. Even after all these years, Willie puts on a great show every night, and he takes care of his fans, and we strive for that sort of connection with our fans."
The Lost Trailers hit the road, first crammed into an SUV, then a van and ultimately graduating to a bonafide bus, which was the place they called home 300 days a year for five years. "For five years, we were basically living in America," says Ryder. "That experience was the basis of this record. It was being a group of guys with unique personalities who learn to live as a family, who have been there, done that, and tell that story honestly. We learned a lot about ourselves from constant touring, and we were able to define our sound before we got signed.
"The Lost Trailers came to the major label table after SONY/BMG Nashville A&R head Renee Bell introduced them to label chairman Joe Galante, who immediately signed them, seeing in The Lost Trailers that same road-tested talent and passionate drive that Alabama brought to his label 25 years before. "Alabama has always been one of our biggest role models," says Stokes. "It turned out that the first songs Ryder and I ever performed in front of an audience were Alabama songs. It was such a thrill to be on the same label where they spent their career, and signed by the guy who broke them. It just felt like it was meant to be.
"Through 2006, The Lost Trailers maintained their permanent temporary bus residence, headlining clubs like they had always done, and opening dates in massive arenas for established stars like Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and another great teacher, Kenny Chesney.
"What we learned from Kenny was put out great songs, put out songs you believe in, and that your fans believe in," says Stokes. "Deliver to your fans. Give them what they want that’s the best of you. All the years of touring, we’ve learned what we do best. It was time to put that on a record.
"The band found the key to realizing that in producer Brett Beavers, who came into the picture with the same goal: capture the energy and excitement of The Lost Trailers’ live show and put it on a record. He produced several of the tracks, notably the album opener, "Holler Back," and the second cut, "How ‘Bout You Don’t". The wrenching ballad that does a complete emotional and musical 180 from the jacked-up title cut, and relies on Ryder’s resonate, soulful vocals to convey the desperation of a man about to lose everything, piercing the hearts of listeners who have been on either side of that door.
Ryder and Stokes not only share songwriting credits on several tunes, but also took the production reins in the studio on a couple of cuts, not unlike the way they used to do it before they were signed to a recording contract.
"We took six months off to make this record," says Ryder. "We haven’t taken that much time off the road in six years. We poured all of that energy that would have gone into performing live, and put it on this record. Everything we have done for the last seven years has led to this record."
Blacktop Road
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got my feet on solid ground
They don't want me to be who I am
Here in this place, its my daddy's town
Wont you meet me down by the river
Wont you meet me down
On the blacktop road, where the corn don't grow
Its a long shot ride, but well hold on tight
And well chase that wind till we make our street of gold
Out of blacktop road
Girl, I'm a wild horse that's ready to run
I know I don't belong behind to fence
I want a hill that's as big as my dreams
That I can try my heart against
Wont you meet me down by the river
Wont you meet me down
On the blacktop road, where the corn don't grow
Don't you think its time, baby, you and I find where it goes
Its a long shot ride, but well hold on tight
And well chase that wind till we make our street of gold
Out of blacktop road
Wont you meet me down by the river
Wont you meet me down
Its a long shot ride but well hold on tight
And well chase that wind till we make our street of gold
Out of blacktop road, out of blacktop road
The lyrics of The Lost Trailers' song Blacktop Road describe the desire to break free from the expectations and limitations of the place where one grew up and embrace the uncertainty and adventure of the open road. The singer expresses a restlessness and yearning to explore beyond the familiar boundaries of their small town, where others do not accept or understand the person they truly are. The imagery of the wide open sky and solid ground suggests a sense of freedom and stability that is lacking in the singer's current surroundings. The repeated refrain of "Wont you meet me down by the river" is an invitation to a loved one to join in the journey and share in the excitement of what lies ahead.
The metaphor of the "blacktop road" represents both the physical path the characters will take on their journey and the idea of taking control of their own destiny and creating their own version of success or happiness, represented by the "street of gold." The lyrics suggest that this path will not be easy, with references to the "long shot ride" and the need to "hold on tight" and "chase that wind." However, the message is ultimately one of hope and determination to find the place where one truly belongs.
Line by Line Meaning
Got the wide open sky in my eyes
I am filled with a sense of limitless possibility and potential
Got my feet on solid ground
I am grounded and have a strong foundation
They don't want me to be who I am
Others try to impose their expectations on me and constrain my true identity
Here in this place, its my daddy's town
I am living in a town that is associated with my family history and heritage
Wont you meet me down by the river
Please join me by the river to embark on our journey together
On the blacktop road, where the corn don't grow
We are traveling on a paved road, away from traditional rural farmland
Don't you think its time, baby, you and I find where it goes
It is time for us to explore and navigate our own path in life
Its a long shot ride, but well hold on tight
Our journey may be risky and uncertain, but we will persevere together
And well chase that wind till we make our street of gold
We will pursue our dreams and aspirations until we succeed and achieve greatness
Girl, I'm a wild horse that's ready to run
I am a free-spirited and determined individual, eager to take on new challenges
I know I don't belong behind to fence
I am not content with a mundane and predictable life, I crave adventure and excitement
I want a hill that's as big as my dreams
I desire a challenge that is commensurate with my ambitions
That I can try my heart against
I want to test myself and see what I am capable of achieving
Its a long shot ride but well hold on tight
Once again, we acknowledge that our journey may be difficult but we will remain steadfast
And well chase that wind till we make our street of gold
Our determination and effort will lead to great rewards and success
Out of blacktop road
Our path of self-discovery and adventure will lead to a brighter future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOHN BETTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind