"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."
Holler Back
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He goes by E. Diddy but his name is Earl
Cocks his hat to the side in his Grandma's ride
Pumpin' nothin' but bass
He says things like, 'Dawg, are you down with that'
And, 'Don't that fly girl got some back'
And I feel so doggone outta place
When he says,
Holler back when you get back home'
I say, 'The only holler back that I know is'
In that holler back in the woods
Where the country folks got it good
Homebrewed, homegrown
Where the wild seeds 'a get sown
It's a blast from the past
All the cowgirls shakin' their sassafras
Let out a howl if 'ya feel like 'ya gotta
If you wanna go on back to the holler
Holler back
Take a left off the Interstate
Go ten miles
Take a right on Farm Road 99
And just roll 'til the blacktop ends
Ya see Mary Jo rockin' that front porch swing
Bikini top and them cut-off jeans
And that's where Hillbilly Heaven begins
Ah, she'll pour 'ya some of that cherry wine
Boy, you're guaranteed to have yourself
One hell of a time
In that holler back in the woods
Where the country folks got it good
Homebrewed, homegrown
Where the wild seeds 'a get sown
It's a blast from the past
All the cowgirls shakin' their sassafras
Let out a howl if 'ya feel like 'ya gotta
If you wanna go on back to the holler
Holler back
In that holler back in the woods
Where the country folks got it good
Homebrewed, homegrown
Where the wild seeds 'a get sown
It's a blast from the past
All the cowgirls shakin' their sassafras
Let out a howl if 'ya feel like 'ya gotta
If you wanna go on back to the holler
Holler back
(Home brewed, homegrown
Where the wild seeds a get sown
Its a blast from the past
All the cowgirls shakin' their sassafras
Home brewed, homegrown
Where the wild seeds a get sown)
The Lost Trailer's song "Holler Back" tells the story of a city boy who is out of place in the country. The singer describes his friend, who goes by E. Diddy, as a hip-hop enthusiast who wears a hat to the side and drives his grandmother's ride. E. Diddy talks in slang and praises attractive women. The singer feels out of place and responds that the only "holler back" he knows is in the country, where cowgirls shake their sassafras and have a good time.
The singer then gives specific directions to get to the "holler back," a secluded spot in the woods where country folk have a good time. Mary Jo is featured, pouring cherry wine and wearing a bikini top and cut-off jeans. The scene is a blast from the past, where homebrewed and homegrown drinks and food are enjoyed. All the cowgirls are shaking their sassafras, and the singer invites the listener to "let out a howl" if they feel like they need to. Overall, the song celebrates rural culture and encourages all to enjoy it, regardless of their background or where they come from.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a city folk friend in a hip-hop world
I have a friend from the city who loves hip-hop music.
He goes by E. Diddy but his name is Earl
He calls himself E. Diddy, but his real name is Earl.
Cocks his hat to the side in his Grandma's ride
He wears his hat to the side when he's riding in his Grandma's car.
Pumpin' nothin' but bass
He only listens to music with a lot of bass.
He says things like, 'Dawg, are you down with that'
He talks in slang and asks if you're into what he's talking about.
And, 'Don't that fly girl got some back'
He comments on a woman's physical appearance.
And I feel so doggone outta place
I feel uncomfortable and out of place around him.
When he says, Holler back when you get back home
He tells me to get in touch with him when I'm back home.
I say, 'The only holler back that I know is'
I reply that the only 'holler back' I know of is
In that holler back in the woods
In that secluded spot in the woods
Where the country folks got it good
Where the people from the country have a good time
Homebrewed, homegrown
The drinks and crops are made on-site
Where the wild seeds 'a get sown
In an environment where anything can happen
It's a blast from the past
It's an experience that reminds of days gone by
All the cowgirls shakin' their sassafras
The women are dancing and having fun
Let out a howl if 'ya feel like 'ya gotta
Shout with joy and excitement if you feel like it
If you wanna go on back to the holler
If you want to revisit that secluded spot in the woods
Take a left off the Interstate
Get off the freeway by turning left
Go ten miles
Travel for ten miles
Take a right on Farm Road 99
Turn right onto Farm Road 99
And just roll 'til the blacktop ends
Keep driving until the pavement ends
Ya see Mary Jo rockin' that front porch swing
You'll see Mary Jo sitting on the front porch swing
Bikini top and them cut-off jeans
She's wearing a bikini top and cutoff shorts
And that's where Hillbilly Heaven begins
This is where the party really starts
Ah, she'll pour 'ya some of that cherry wine
She'll give you some of her homemade cherry wine
Boy, you're guaranteed to have yourself
You'll definitely have
One hell of a time
A really good time
(Home brewed, homegrown
The drinks and crops are made on-site
Where the wild seeds a get sown
In an environment where anything can happen
Its a blast from the past
It's an experience that reminds of days gone by
All the cowgirls shakin' their sassafras
The women are dancing and having fun
Let out a howl if 'ya feel like 'ya gotta
Shout with joy and excitement if you feel like it
If you wanna go on back to the holler
If you want to revisit that secluded spot in the woods
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIM JAMES, GEOFFREY NIELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jennifer Ortiz
This group came to the children's Hospital in nashville- visiting the kids including my son- who was almost killed in a car accident. They were very nice and stayed for a few minutes and also left a signed autograph. My son has a brain injury and does not remember it but It was a nice visit!! Thank you guys so much!!! Keep it up!
Tom Pass
How is your son now ?
Blackout
man, why can’t country music still be like this? This is awesome! I’ve just been itching for years to figure out who sung this song and the title of it as well, but now I have and I’m happy I did.
CherokeeBaby101
I'm a skater girl but was born country and no matter how far I go from my hometown, certain country artists will always have a place in my heart. <3
TrevorTheLegoEnderman
this song was randomly stuck in my head today, and I'll be honest, it made my day a bit better!
joehendrickson5
Wish they would play it on the radio more
Angie Martin Hall
I'm a 50-year-old black woman, and I LOVE this song! It's playing full blast in my kitchen right now, y'all.
gilbert bel
Hope your still listening Merry Christmas
The Badger
That’s the joy of music, anyone can enjoy any music. ❤️
Music shouldn’t be hindered by Race, Gender or Age. We love what we love. ❤️
Mark Baker
You get it grandma xoxo