"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."
I'm A Country Man
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can tell how I speak, I've lived by the creek.
Cotton fields and pickin' tress are my earliest memories.
I'm Country,
Ain't scared to fight if one comes my way,
But I'm tryin' to see if I can be the man momma hoped to raise.
Even Momma understands, I'm a country man.
Got the same truck since I was eighteen,
Gonna drive it til the wheels fall off.
I'm country that's what I said,
Early to rise and late to bed.
When I come home, I ain't alone.
I rock it til the rooster crows.
Baby you ought to know, I'm a country man.
I'm reckless,
I like shrimp and grits, and crazy chicks.
I cant help but lick my lips,
When she makes each grit with the flip of the wrist.
I'm hungry,
What I deserve is coming my way.
I ain't to proud to work all day,
Come home late for a roll in the hay.
I'm holding the world in my hands.
I'm a country man,
Born to be, kickin' it from Texas to Tennessee.
Got the same truck since I was eighteen,
Gonna drive it til the wheels fall off.
I'm country thats what I said,
Early to rise and late to bed.
When I come home, I ain't alone.
I rock it til the rooster crows.
Baby you ought to know, I'm a country man.
I'm country that's what I said,
Early to rise and late to bed.
When I come home, I ain''t alone.
I rock it til the rooster crows.
Baby you ought to know, I'm a country man.
The Lost Trailers' "I'm A Country Man" is a song that celebrates the life of a country man who is proud of his roots and upbringing. The singer speaks in a straightforward manner, saying that he can be identified as a country man just by the way he speaks and his earliest memories of cotton fields and picking trees. He is not afraid of fighting but also tries to be the best man his mother hoped to raise. Being a country man, he is often driving his truck and lives a simple life, starting and ending his days early. He also enjoys some of the pleasures of life like shrimp and grits and crazy women. However, he knows the value of hard work and is willing to put in the effort to achieve his goals.
The lyrics of the song depict the life of a person who is true to his roots but does not shy away from change. He is ambitious and works hard, but at the same time, he values his family and his upbringing. The song beautifully describes the simplicity and beauty of country life, where the people work hard but also value the simple pleasures. The singer's love for his truck is a testament of his loyalty and commitment to his values.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm Country,
I identify as a country man.
You can tell how I speak, I've lived by the creek.
My accent indicates my upbringing by a stream.
Cotton fields and pickin' tress are my earliest memories.
I have fond recollections of cotton fields and fruit trees.
Ain't scared to fight if one comes my way,
I am willing to defend myself if necessary.
But I'm tryin' to see if I can be the man momma hoped to raise.
However, I am striving to be the kind of man my mother would be proud of.
Even Momma understands, I'm a country man.
Even my mother acknowledges that I am a country boy at heart.
Born to be, kickin' it from Texas to Tennessee.
I was destined to travel and enjoy life from state to state.
Got the same truck since I was eighteen,
I have been faithful to my trusty vehicle for years now.
Gonna drive it til the wheels fall off.
I plan to continue driving it until it can no longer function.
I'm country that's what I said,
I am reiterating that I am a country man.
Early to rise and late to bed.
I am accustomed to waking up early and staying up late.
When I come home, I ain't alone.
I always have someone waiting for me when I return.
I rock it til the rooster crows.
I enjoy staying up all night having fun and making noise until morning.
Baby you ought to know, I'm a country man.
My significant other should be aware that I am a country boy at heart.
I'm reckless,
I take risks and am not always cautious.
I like shrimp and grits, and crazy chicks.
I have a fondness for southern cuisine and spirited women.
I cant help but lick my lips,
I am unable to resist the temptation of delicious food.
When she makes each grit with the flip of the wrist.
I am impressed by a woman's cooking skills and technique.
I'm hungry,
I have a strong desire for food or other things.
What I deserve is coming my way.
I am confident that the things I deserve will come to me eventually.
I ain't too proud to work all day,
I am willing to work hard and put in long hours.
Come home late for a roll in the hay.
I am willing to put in the effort at work to enjoy intimate moments with my partner afterwards.
I'm holding the world in my hands.
I feel like I have control over my life and everything around me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STOKES NIELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind