by “Sweet” Lou Roberts, self-proclaimed expert on numerous topics

Somewhere between Johnny Cash and the Supersuckers, a new country and rockabilly scene is beginning to emerge. I’m not talking about some MTV or CMT the Dixie Chicks and countless others are even worse. It’s enough to make a grown man cry. Having grown up listening to my daddy crank up Hank Senior or Johnny Cash while two-stepping around the house with my mamma, I ought to know what true country really is. These days they call it alternative country. That’s where my story begins.

Along my life’s numerous journeys, I had lost my way. I abandoned country music and became a punk rocker. You name it, and I listened to it. And while I still hold a warm spot in my heart and a Dead Kennedy’s tattoo on my back to remind me of my love for punk, I knew that something was missing. I yearned for the simpler sounds I could still hear resonating from the RCA Hi-Fi that my daddy bought at Montgomery Wards. As fate would have it my good buddy Ronnie loaned me his Eddie Spaghetti CD and I was back on the country bandwagon! As I began to investigate, I noticed that the south had a burgeoning Alternative Country and Rockabilly scene that I didn’t even know existed. I soon began listening to everything I could by The Drive-By Truckers, Hank Williams the Third, The Two Dollar Pistols and numerous others. Around this time Ronnie approached me with a CD from a group of upstarts out of Rock Hill named The Truckstop Preachers. You see, he’d been approached to do a review on the Preachers new album. Well, Ronnie’s not much of a speaker let alone a writer. Knowing that I’m a man of many talents old Ron asked for some assistance. With some trepidation I agreed.

The first time I popped the CD in I could tell I was in for a treat. While not quite “Live at Folsom Prison” these boys don’t fall too short of the mark. Kicking off with Vegas bound the Preachers sound like some sort of strange amalgamation between Johnny Cash and The Reverend Horton Heat. Truck driving music with an ass kicking country edge. Their song selection ranges from broken hearts to broken bones. Prison, lost love, fighting, and unfaithfulness are all covered in the CD’s dozen tracks. My only complaint is a couple of slower songs towards the end of the CD that tend to break up the raucous tone set at the beginning. I guess that’s just a bit of the punk rocker in me coming to the surface. All in all, I would have to say this is an excellent debut. While it’s got a little something for everyone, let me give you a bit of warning in advance. If you love Garth Brooks or Billy Ray Cyrus then I wouldn’t waste your time on this album. It’s not for you. However, if you’re into David Allen Coe, Buck Owens, Southern Culture on the Skids, Merle Haggard, or any of the other bands I’ve mentioned in a favorable light, then this album might be just what the doctor ordered. Give it a shot and let me know what ya think. Your friend, “Sweet” Lou Roberts.