"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."
Mary
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got words worth listening to.
But you've been scarred just like your Mama said you might.
But you still treat people right, every night.
But you've got ways to make people drop their pain.
And that's worth everything you take; everything.
Mary, ain't it something; they never thought that you could make it this far.
Mary, ain't it something; they never thought that you could make it at all.
Without a dollar or a place you could fall, but it's all just ahead of you now.
You've got a past worth bringing out.
You've made a path worth following.
But you've got arms that need to hold more than the streets,
And the cold beneath the sheets.
'Cause you've got ways to make me drop me my pain.
And that's worth every mile it takes to LA.
Mary, ain't it something; they never thought that we could make it this far.
But now we're driving past the corner of Broad and Hollywood Boulevard.
Mary, ain't it something; they never thought that we could make it at all.
With out a dollar or a place you could fall, but it's all just ahead of us now.
Mary, ain't it something, we had nothing at all, we had nowhere to fall,
Now, we've got it all.
The Lost Trailers' song "Mary" is a powerful anthem that celebrates the resilience and perseverance of a woman who has overcome all odds to achieve success. The lyrics begin by acknowledging Mary's tough exterior, driven by the walls she has built over the years to protect herself from the harsh realities of life. However, despite the scars left on her by her past, Mary is still able to treat people with kindness and empathy, which is a testament to her inner strength and spirit.
The song then transitions into recognizing the path that Mary has paved for herself, one that demanded determination and grit. Though she may have once been forgotten or cast aside by those around her, Mary has proven them all wrong by reaching the corner of Broad and Hollywood Boulevard, two of the most iconic streets in America. The lyrics are a celebration of the sheer willpower and determination that Mary possesses, which has allowed her to overcome not only a lack of financial stability but also her own doubts and fears.
The powerful declaration in the chorus, "Mary, ain't it something, we had nothing at all, we had nowhere to fall, Now, we've got it all," rings out as a testament to the powerful spirit that Mary embodies, as well as the duo's shared admiration for her. They recognize that their success is also thanks to Mary's influence, and they owe her a debt of gratitude for teaching them the value of hard work and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got walls worth tearing down.
You have built emotional barriers that deserve to be broken down.
You've got words worth listening to.
You have something meaningful and valuable to say that others should hear.
But you've been scarred just like your Mama said you might.
You have experienced emotional pain just as your mother warned you might.
But you still treat people right, every night.
Despite your own struggles, you continue to show kindness to others.
But you've got ways to make people drop their pain.
You possess the ability to help others let go of their own emotional burdens.
And that's worth everything you take; everything.
The impact you have on others makes any sacrifices you make worth it.
Mary, ain't it something; they never thought that you could make it this far.
Others doubted your ability to succeed and overcome challenges.
But now you're standing at the corner of Broad and Hollywood Boulevard.
You have achieved a level of success and are in a prominent location.
Without a dollar or a place you could fall, but it's all just ahead of you now.
Despite starting with nothing, you have a bright future ahead of you.
You've got a past worth bringing out.
Your experiences and history make you who you are today.
You've made a path worth following.
You have created a positive example for others to follow.
But you've got arms that need to hold more than the streets, and the cold beneath the sheets.
You desire a deeper connection and more meaningful relationships than those found on the streets.
'Cause you've got ways to make me drop me my pain.
You have provided emotional support and helped alleviate someone else's pain.
And that's worth every mile it takes to LA.
The positive impact you have on others makes any distance traveled worth it.
Mary, ain't it something, we had nothing at all, we had nowhere to fall, Now, we've got it all.
Despite starting with nothing, you have achieved success and fulfillment in life.
Contributed by Asher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.