BR549

"This is BR549"

There's an energy, an anxious anticipation in the air, as BR549 fans await the retro honky-tonkers' June 26th release.

Over the course of their career, the band's garnered a loyal faction of supporters, consisting, by and large, of country music fans that had been looking for creative alternatives to today's lackluster mainstream fare. It's a fanbase that's leery, classifying any subtle change as a telltale sign that there's been yet another casualty in country music. Nervous that the lure of fame and fortune of mainstream country may have become impossible to resist.

They watched carefully, and small changes were duly noted. Take, for instance, the new wardrobe. Slick and coordinated, the new look had some suggesting it blatantly indicates a certain level of conformity. While the updated attire had some fans squirming in their seats, nothing was as earth rocking as the 'dropping of the dash'. A simple press release, announcing that the small, insidious mark would be no more, was answered with reverberating cries of lament. While message boards and e-mail lists endlessly debated the reasons for the dash's sudden demise, BR549 couldn't resist joining in the intense discussions with their own tongue in cheek 'missing dash conspiracy theories'. Their irreverent humor remains intact, add that to the 'good sign' list.

"BR549 Missing Dash Conspiracy Theories"

Theory #1: It was in the wrong place to begin with & certain people got tired of hearing "Y'know, the dash comes after the R and before the 5. That's how phone numbers were written."
Theory #2: The record company said, "That dash has gotta go!"
Theory #3: The dash was sacrificed in an attempt to get people who don't know any better to stop saying "Bee Are Five - Forty-Nine"
Theory #4: There is no theory number four.
Theory #5: BR549 teamed up with tattoo artists and laser removal services from around the globe in a sneaky attempt to make you all have to go out and get your tattoos redone.

BR549 newsletter

But ultimately, the primary indicator as to whether or not BR549 has indeed 'sold out', is their Lucky Dog debut CD. With a growing reputation as a holding pen for country music rebels and non-conformists, BR549 is the label's latest addition to their already impressive roster, which includes such revolutionaries as Charlie Robison, Jack Ingram, and Waylon Jennings. With less pressure to hit the big numbers to stay in the game, artists seem to have a little more breathing space to create and develop their musical signatures.

"This is BR549" is undoubtedly smoother and more polished than their earlier recordings, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The crux is that the essence of BR549 remains, from their rambunctious unpredictability to the unapologetic, hillbilly-rock backbeats.

Joining the 5 original songwriting efforts by band members is an eclectic grouping of covers, including a rock-solid version of "Price of Love" (Everly Brothers), and an energetic honky-tonkin' rendering of Nick Lowe's "Play That Fast Thing (One More Time).

Other highlights include the originally penned "Too Lazy Too Work, Too Nervous To Steal" and "Fool of the Century" (both written by Chuck Mead) and the retro-twang of the Harlan Howard/Kostas' collaboration, "Let's See How Far You Get".

From the first solid backbeat to the last twang, "This is BR549" will have you forgetting the trauma of their new duds and the 'nowhere to be found' dash in no time flat. The core of their music, its energy, originality and spontaneity, remains alive and well.

June 2001 - Laurie Joulie - Take Country Back

Visit BR549's official website: www.br549.com

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