Turnpike Troubadours Explained

Turnpike Troubadours
Origin:Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Label:Bossier City Records, Thirty Tigers
Website:http://www.turnpiketroubadours.com
Current Members:RC Edwards
Kyle Nix
Ryan Engleman
Evan Felker
Gabriel Pearson
Hank Early
Past Members:John Fullbright
Casey Sliger
Chad Masters
Giovanni "Nooch" Carnuccio III
Luke Savage

The Turnpike Troubadours are an American country music band from Tahlequah, Oklahoma founded in 2005.[1] They started their own imprint, Bossier City Records, in 2007 and have released six studio albums. Their self-titled 2015 album peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200.

Career

The band was formed in 2005 by Evan Felker and R.C. Edwards. Their debut album, Bossier City, was recorded a month after the formation of the band, in order to have a recording to sell at live shows. Felker later said the musical arrangements were "not a good representation" of what the band later became.[2]

Their sophomore album, Diamonds & Gasoline, followed in 2010.[3]

The songs "Easton and Main" and "Bossier City" were re-recorded for their 2015 self-titled album.

In October 2017, the album A Long Way from Your Heart was released, peaking at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Following a string of poor performances in late 2018, stemming from Felker's insobriety, the band was forced to cancel 12 shows slated to be held in the weeks to follow, returning on November 30th to play at ACL Live.[4] [5] Felker's personal battles continued the following year, spurring the band to cancel all remaining tour dates. It left the band's future undecided but noting a possible return to the stage once "everyone is of strong mind, body and spirit and can deliver what our fans deserve."[6] [7]

In November 2021, the band's Instagram was cleaned of all previous posts and their website displayed only the band's logo and a message that read "Coming Soon".[8] In January 2022, the band announced their long-awaited reunion and return to live performances, holding their first shows on April 8–9, 2022 at Cain's Ballroom.[9] [10] One month later, another two-night run of shows were held May 14–15 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.[11]

On August 25, 2023 the band released their album A Cat in the Rain after releasing three earlier singles: "Mean Old Sun," "Chipping Mill," and "Brought Me."[12]

Musical style, composition, and influences

Critically, the Turnpike Troubadours' musical style has been labeled as primarily country music and its respective subgenres, such as red dirt,[13] [14] [15] honky-tonk,[16] Americana,[17] neotraditional country,[18] and country rock. Mark Deming of AllMusic referred to the Turnpike Troubadours as a "country-leaning roots rock band," with elements of political folk music, honky-tonk, bluegrass, Cajun music, and rock.[19]

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, band co-founder and bassist RC Edwards identified the band's musical style as honky-tonk.[20]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
US Country
[21]
US
[22]
US
Indie

[23]
US
Folk

[24]
US
Rock
[25]
Bossier City[26]
  • Release date: December 11, 2007
  • Label: Bossier City Records
Diamonds & Gasoline
  • Release date: August 31, 2010
  • Label: Bossier City Records
Goodbye Normal Street
  • Release date: May 8, 2012
  • Label: Bossier City Records/ Thirty Tigers
14577323
The Turnpike Troubadours
  • Release date: September 18, 2015
  • Label: Bossier City Records
317325
A Long Way from Your Heart
  • Release date: October 20, 2017
  • Label: Bossier City Records
32011
A Cat in the Rain
  • Release date: August 25, 2023
  • Label: Bossier City
934
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

YearVideoDirector
2012"Gin, Smoke, Lies"[30] Brooke McDaniel
2015"Down Here"[31]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Liptak . Carena . 2021-12-10 . Who Are the Turnpike Troubadours? A Timeline of the Band’s Rise, Hiatus and Return . 2024-02-12 . Country Now . en-US.
  2. News: Wofford . Jerry . Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadours talks on the band's success ahead of its Cain's show . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200220095042/https://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/scene/offbeat/evan-felker-of-turnpike-troubadours-talks-on-the-band-s/article_7e39eb72-2257-5186-8c9e-1fa7fc3dbe3b.html . 20 February 2020 . 3 May 2018 . Tulsa World . en.
  3. Web site: Diamonds & Gasoline . AllMusic . April 10, 2022 . April 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409224351/https://www.allmusic.com/album/diamonds-and-gasoline-mw0002023125 . live .
  4. Web site: Freeman . Jon . 2018-10-30 . Turnpike Troubadours Cancel Concerts for 'Situation That Needs Our Complete Attention' . 2024-02-13 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  5. Web site: Trigger . 2018-12-01 . Turnpike Troubadours Make Return to the Stage in Austin - Saving Country Music . 2024-02-13 . www.savingcountrymusic.com . en-US.
  6. Web site: Freeman . Jon . 2019-05-31 . Turnpike Troubadours Cancel Tour Dates, Announce Hiatus . 2024-02-13 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  7. Web site: Crutchmer . Josh . 2023-05-03 . Turnpike Troubadours Talk Anticipated New Comeback Album and Real Reason Behind the Breakup . 2024-02-13 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  8. Web site: Liebig . Lorie . Turnpike Troubadours Reunite, Announce 2022 Show . The Boot . 26 February 2023 . November 30, 2021.
  9. Web site: 2022-01-12 . Turnpike Troubadours will play Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa . 2024-02-13 . www.fox23.com . en.
  10. Web site: Crutchmer . Josh . 2022-04-09 . Turnpike Troubadours Reunited to Play Their First Show in 3 Years -- Grown Men Cried . 2024-02-13 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  11. Crutchmer. Josh. 2021-11-30. Exclusive: Turnpike Troubadours Talk Unexpected Hiatus, Newfound Sobriety, and Surprise Reunion. 2021-12-01. Rolling Stone. en-US. 2021-11-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20211130233717/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/turnpike-troubadours-reunion-evan-felker-interview-1264002/. live.
  12. Web site: Winograd . Jeremy . 2023-08-20 . Turnpike Troubadours ‘A Cat in the Rain’ Review . 2024-02-13 . Slant Magazine . en-US.
  13. Web site: Freeman . Jon . Turnpike Troubadours' Triumphant Return . . November 12, 2023 . August 24, 2023.
  14. Web site: Wickstrom . Matt . CONCERT REVIEW: Turnpike Troubadours' Red Dirt Reunion Rocks Nashville's Ryman Auditorium . The Boot . November 12, 2023 . August 2, 2022.
  15. News: Vonder Haar . Pete . The Turnpike Troubadours Bring Red Dirt Country Back To Houston . November 12, 2023 . May 8, 2022.
  16. News: Wolgamott . L. Kent . Avett Brothers and Turnpike Troubadours combine for strong arena show in Lincoln . November 12, 2023 . . August 25, 2023.
  17. Web site: Crutchmer . Josh . Jason Isbell Says Evan Felker's Comeback Spurred Him to Join Turnpike Troubadours' Arena Shows . . November 12, 2023 . October 9, 2023.
  18. News: C. Mac . Sam . A guide to all the artists playing the Houston Rodeo this year . November 12, 2023 . . February 28, 2023.
  19. Web site: Turnpike Troubadours Biography. Leggett. Steve. Allmusic. July 12, 2012. March 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150303152432/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0002038565. live.
  20. News: Stewart . Allison . Turnpike Troubadours are giving that road thing a go again . November 12, 2023 . January 17, 2019.
  21. Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111030819/http://www.billboard.com/music/the-turnpike-troubadours/chart-history/country-albums. dead. November 11, 2017. Billboard. October 31, 2017.
  22. Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Billboard 200. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511121146/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-turnpike-troubadours/chart-history/billboard-200. dead. May 11, 2018. Billboard. October 31, 2017.
    • A Cat in the Rain: billboardcharts. 1699111025864237348. Debuts on this week's #Billboard200.... September 5, 2023. September 6, 2023.
  23. Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Independent Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111021127/http://www.billboard.com/music/the-turnpike-troubadours/chart-history/independent-albums. dead. November 11, 2017. Billboard. October 31, 2017.
  24. Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Folk Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111041518/http://www.billboard.com/music/the-turnpike-troubadours/chart-history/americana-folk-albums. dead. November 11, 2017. Billboard. October 31, 2017.
  25. Turnpike Troubadours Chart History – Rock Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111035243/http://www.billboard.com/music/the-turnpike-troubadours/chart-history/rock-albums. dead. November 11, 2017. Billboard. October 31, 2017.
  26. Web site: Bossier City . AllMusic . April 10, 2022 . April 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409224353/https://www.allmusic.com/album/bossier-city-mw0001934778 . live .
  27. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150917090733/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases . September 17, 2015 . Upcoming Releases . Hits Daily Double . HITS Digital Ventures .
  28. News: Top 10 Country Albums Chart: January 19, 2016. Matt. Bjorke. January 19, 2016. Roughstock. February 6, 2016. January 31, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160131190555/http://roughstock.com/news/2016/01/39623-top-10-country-albums-chart-january-19-2016. live.
  29. News: Top 10 Country Album Sales Chart: March 27, 2018 . Matt . Bjorke . March 27, 2018 . Roughstock . 13 April 2018 . April 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180426023714/http://roughstock.com/news/2018/03/42910-top-10-country-album-sales-chart-march-27-2018 . live .
  30. Web site: CMT : Videos : Turnpike Troubadours : Gin, Smoke, Lies. Country Music Television. July 23, 2012. July 27, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120727021939/http://www.cmt.com/videos/turnpike-troubadours/817848/gin-smoke-lies.jhtml. dead.
  31. Web site: CMT : Videos : Turnpike Troubadours : Down Here. Country Music Television. November 23, 2015. November 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151124060239/http://www.cmt.com/videos/turnpike-troubadours/1262708/down-here.jhtml. dead.