"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."
Why Me
The Lost Trailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonder how long hard times will last
For this backward soul on a road that god knows where
As hard as I try ain't left no track
It's not enough to find my way back
I hit the ground like broken glass and just lay there
Singing why me, oh why me
And I say why me, oh why me
But pitty never ever did me any kinda good at all
So I walk on
And I wound up on the capital steps
Watching the lobbyists smoking cigarettes
And bury their shoes in the country club blues
And who got who by the short hairs
Standing there in their high dollar suits
Looking down at my tattered old jeans and boots
And this weathered guitar that seems to follow me everywhere
God it follows me everywhere
Playing why me, oh why me
All I got's another song about how money makes and breaks the law
And I sing why me, oh why me
I'm just a broke troubadour with a bark for the underdog
So I walk on
Now I ain't Jesus, but I can relate
To a man looking death square in the face
Even he hit his knees with a plea in the garden of Gethsemane
To his holy father he raised his eyes
In his darkest hours he cried
Please would you take this cup from me
Praying why me, oh why me
Knowing all the while he had to carry that cross and hang there
When I say why me, oh me
I know that somewhere up in heaven there's a big old book with my name there
So I walk on, I rock on
Even when I'm singing, why me, I rock on
Even when I'm singing, why me, I rock on
Even when I'm singing, why me
The Lost Trailers' song "Why Me" is a poignant look at the struggles, doubts, and frustrations that can weigh heavily on someone as they try to find their place in the world. The opening verse finds the singer walking through tall grass and wondering just how much longer they'll have to endure the hardships they face. Despite their efforts to make progress, they feel like they're going nowhere and leaving no trace of their journey.
The chorus finds the singer exasperatedly asking "why me?" as they throw an empty bottle against the wall. But they know that pity won't do them any good, so they "walk on" in search of something better. The second verse finds the singer in a more urban setting, watching lobbyists smoking cigarettes and wearing fancy suits while they bury their metaphorical "shoes in the country club blues." Despite feeling out of place with their "tattered old jeans and boots," the singer knows that they have a voice and a guitar that can help them connect with others.
The final verse draws on religious imagery to make sense of the singer's struggles. They acknowledge that they're not Jesus, but they can identify with the man who pleaded with God to take his burden away. Despite feeling like they're experiencing their own "Garden of Gethsemane," the singer takes comfort in the idea that there's a book in heaven with their name on it, waiting to be filled with their story.
Overall, the song is a powerful testament to the perseverance and resilience that it takes to keep going in the face of adversity. The singer may feel lost and alone at times, but they know that they're not the only one who has ever asked "why me?"
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I go walking through the long tall grass
I often wander through life without a sense of direction.
Wonder how long hard times will last
I often question when my struggles will end.
For this backward soul on a road that god knows where
I feel lost and uncertain about my journey and purpose in life.
As hard as I try ain't left no track
Despite my best efforts, I feel like I'm not making any progress.
It's not enough to find my way back
Simply getting back on track is not enough to bring me happiness or fulfillment.
I hit the ground like broken glass and just lay there
I feel shattered and defeated, unable to pick myself up when life knocks me down.
Singing why me, oh why me
I lament my struggles and question why they're happening to me.
And I throw another empty bottle up against the wall
I cope with my pain through self-destructive behaviors like drinking.
But pitty never ever did me any kinda good at all
Feeling sorry for myself hasn't helped me overcome my challenges.
So I walk on
Despite my struggles, I keep moving forward and pushing through.
And I wound up on the capital steps
I find myself in a place of power and influence where I don't belong.
Watching the lobbyists smoking cigarettes
I observe those with power and wealth engaging in destructive behaviors.
And bury their shoes in the country club blues
They hide their true selves and struggles to fit in with their privileged peers.
And who got who by the short hairs
They manipulate and control others to maintain their power and status.
Standing there in their high dollar suits
I feel out of place and inferior in the presence of those with wealth and status.
Looking down at my tattered old jeans and boots
I feel self-conscious about my humble appearance compared to those around me.
And this weathered guitar that seems to follow me everywhere
Despite my struggles, my love for music and creativity is a constant companion in my life.
Playing why me, oh why me
I channel my struggles and pain into my music and lyrics.
All I got's another song about how money makes and breaks the law
My music highlights the corrupting influence of money and power in society.
I'm just a broke troubadour with a bark for the underdog
I use my music to speak up for the marginalized and oppressed, despite my own struggles.
Now I ain't Jesus, but I can relate
Although I'm not religious, I empathize with people who've gone through immense struggles.
To a man looking death square in the face
I can imagine the fear and uncertainty someone must feel when facing their mortality.
Even he hit his knees with a plea in the garden of Gethsemane
Even Jesus, in his moments of doubt and fear, asked for help and guidance.
To his holy father he raised his eyes
Jesus looked to a higher power for support and strength in his struggles.
In his darkest hours he cried
Even Jesus went through times of extreme emotional pain and anguish.
Please would you take this cup from me
Jesus begged for his suffering to be taken away, showing the depth of his pain and struggle.
Praying why me, oh why me
Even the holiest figure in human history questioned why he had to suffer.
Knowing all the while he had to carry that cross and hang there
Despite his doubts and fears, Jesus continued to carry out the difficult task he was given.
I know that somewhere up in heaven there's a big old book with my name there
I believe that my struggles and journey are being watched and recorded by a higher power.
So I walk on, I rock on
I continue moving forward and producing my music, despite my struggles.
Even when I'm singing, why me, I rock on
My struggles fuel my creativity and passion, inspiring me to keep moving forward.
Even when I'm singing, why me
My music expresses my doubts and struggles, but also inspires others to keep fighting through theirs.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMBEAU HENSON, STOKES NIELSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind