What makes a good song? Does it have to be catchy? Have a good beat? Move your emotions? For me-it varies. I like slow songs, fast songs, songs that have a beating bass, songs that tell a story, songs that are silly, songs that make me mad, songs that make me cry-I’m sure by now you get the point-I like lots of songs.
Front Range is one of our favorite bands-even though they’re no longer a band. Front Range had its hay day during the 90s and early 2000s, but even then they didn’t seem to garner the respect and fame that we believe they deserved. I’ve often wondered if they’d hailed from Kentucky or North Carolina instead of Colorado if it would have made a difference in their Bluegrass Careers.
Not only was their music and vocals top notch-their songs were a cut above most. Bob Amos-their lead vocalist penned many of the songs they released. You can check out Pap and Paul performing 2 of his-The Hills I Call Home and Way Back In The Hills-2 of my all time favorite songs.
Fergus County Jail is another outstanding song we learned from Front Range-it was written by John Lowell. All those things it takes to make a good song-it has them: a tune that you can’t get out of your head, a story so real you feel like you’re there when the hammer comes down or maybe you were the person who hollered even up the score, emotions-it’ll make you mad-it’ll make you sad, and it’s even perfect for the weather we’ve been having-cold and snowy-wishing we could hear the whippoorwills of spring.
For this Pickin’ & Grinnin’ In The Kitchen Spot-check out Paul and Pap’s version of the Fergus County Jail-I absolutely know you’ll be glad you did-cause it still blows me away and I’ve seen it too many times to count.
So did you like the song? Four years after posting the video to youtube-I still cannot get over the song, Paul’s vocals, Paul’s flat top picking-all of which are outstanding in my opinion.
What do you like in a song?
Tipper
This post was originally published here on the Blind Pig in February of 2010.
Tipper. the song is very touching. Tipper your talents are with out numbers. Songs. what if we did not have songs or music? God is so awesome He never left out anything did He? To much is given. much is required.Thanks for given much Tipper.
Wow! I love the song and what a story. How many a man has let his emotions get the best of him to only wish he could turn back the clock and acted different?
Paul is one heck of a picker!! Thanks for sharing.
Fred Tarr…..
I think the Pressly girls, of Blind Pig fame, wrote “My Hearts in Brasstown”…
I think Tipper posted about the song some time back…I like it!
I really like the one they wrote…A novelty tune…”Give The Dog A Bath”! That tune is so true at our house…
Thanks Tipper,
Very nicely performed! I think I like the beat first and then appreciated the words. A good beat to get one going and wanted to toe step.
Nice song and rendition. I was not a subscriber 4 years ago, but I had picked this song out of the playlist and have enjoyed it since I found it. I also like Front Range, but was only introduced to them through a garage sale find.
There is a great radio station that plays blue grass,Monday night 7:00 to 10:00 There handle is WDVR ,Delaware Valley Radio 89.7 in central NJ. Check it out.
Front Range is also my favorite group. One song they do that was not mentioned, but is a wonderful tune, is “One Beautiful Day”. We play several of their tunes in our little band over here in E. Texas.
good one!
It’s no wonder you are so proud of the guys! I wish I had closed caption on my screen so I could sing along with them.
I have always heard The Bob Amos Park, located in Pikeville, KY, was named after a singer. I’m guessing it’s not the Bob Amos from the Front Range Band, since he was not from the area. Hopefully Google will have some information about the name of the park.
looking thru this edition of blind pig, and while reading Tippers article on a band from way back (colorado) I heard the feed and noticed first song on the SCM feed player “My hearts in brasstown” and wondered if this is an old area song as brasstown is near the school( the folk studies school)probably.
Tipper,
In my humble opinionm you don’t just like songs…you love music!
I always loved the Blind Pigs version of Fergus County Jail…
I think they all done good! That was a real pickin’ and grinin’ song!
Thanks Tipper, great post to perk up a cloudy rainy Sunday in East Tennessee…
We’re supposed to have a real “gully-washer” and a lot of it later this morning. I hope it don’t wash out my lettuce and onion sets…We planted a few last Monday afternoon! If it warms in the slightest and with the longer days starting Thursday, everything will shorely pop!
That’s mandolin man. I miss seeing him around the Blind Pig!
Yep, that is a good song and a job well done on that song.. And don’t let no body kid ya,, that Boy can pick that guitar.. and Pap and that other young man do very well also..