"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."
The Rest of Us
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pull the curtains back smilin' at the sun
They hold their head high when the rain is pouring
Lay down in peace when the day is done
Oh, then there's the rest of us
The ones out here blowin' in the wind
Tryin to find what we shoulda been
Livin' on the prayers we say at night
Tryin' to out run the devil and the pain
Learnin' to live with what we cant change
God bless the rest of us
There are those who find love the first time
And do what it takes to make it last
They don't have to lose it to finally realize
The sweet sweet gift that they had
Oh, then there's the rest of us
The ones out here blowin' in the wind
Tryin' to find what we shoulda been
Makin' our choices hopin' were right
Livin' on the prayers we say at night
Tryin' to out run the devil and the pain
Learnin' to live with what we cant change
God bless the rest of us
Sometimes, Lord, its all I can do to breathe
But Ill be all right with my brothers and my sisters around me
The ones out here blowin' in the wind
Tryin' to find what we shoulda been
Makin' our choices hopin' were right
Livin' on the prayers we say at night
Tryin' to out run the devil and the pain
Learnin' to live with what we cant change
God bless the rest of us, God bless the rest of us
God bless the rest of us
The Lost Trailers' song "The Rest Of Us" showcases the distinction between people who have their lives figured out and those who are still struggling to find their way. The song begins by highlighting the individuals who wake up every morning with a smile on their face, regardless of the weather, and end their day in peace. The following line asserts that while these people exist, there's also a large group of people who are "blowin' in the wind" and unsure of their place in the world. These individuals are doing their best to make the right choices, but uncertainty constantly plagues them. They live on the hope of prayers uttered before sleeping, dealing with pain and trying to outrun the devil.
The song's chorus provides a vivid comparison between those who have found love and those who haven't. Some people find love easily and have the ability to hold onto it, but others are still waiting for their love and don't know when it will come or if it will last. The meaning behind the lyrics is that life comes with its challenges, and not everyone has an easy time getting what they want. Regardless of the struggles faced by some, the song ends by praising the perseverance of everyone else. The final line is an optimistic prayer to bless the rest of us.
Line by Line Meaning
There are those who wake up every morning
Some people wake up every morning feeling optimistic and grateful for the new day.
Pull the curtains back smilin' at the sun
These people are so happy to see the sun shining that they smile as soon as they open their curtains.
They hold their head high when the rain is pouring
Even when things are tough, these people stay positive and keep their heads held high.
Lay down in peace when the day is done
At the end of the day, these people are able to relax and feel content with their lives.
Oh, then there's the rest of us
However, not everyone is able to wake up feeling positive and content with their lives.
The ones out here blowin' in the wind
Some of us feel lost, confused, and uncertain about our place in the world.
Tryin to find what we shoulda been
We are searching for what we are meant to do and who we are meant to be.
Makin our choices hopin' were right
We make decisions and hope that they are the right ones for us, even though we may not be sure.
Livin' on the prayers we say at night
We find solace in praying to help us get through difficult times.
Tryin' to out run the devil and the pain
We struggle to overcome the hardships and pain that life throws our way.
Learnin' to live with what we cant change
We try to accept the things that we cannot change and find a way to live with them.
God bless the rest of us
Despite our struggles and hardships, we still deserve blessings and guidance from a higher power.
Sometimes, Lord, its all I can do to breathe
During the hardest times, we may feel like we are just trying to make it through each moment and catch our breath.
But Ill be all right with my brothers and my sisters around me
However, we can find comfort and support in the relationships we have with our family and friends.
God bless the rest of us, God bless the rest of us
We continue to need and deserve blessings as we navigate the challenges of life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRIAN SIMPSON, JEREMY STOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind