Update 8/9
WHITEY MORGAN & THE 78s
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 12, 2010
“They all call me wildfire, everybody knows, hell, I’m bad news everywhere I go.”
Outlaw’s always been the rough-around-the-edges, tuff guy uncle at the country music family picnic. Denim and leather, not Stetson and Nudie. Hair by Pennzoil, not Pomade. But, in the right hands—Haggard, Paycheck, Junior, Willie and Waylon and now Whitey Morgan—Outlaw is more than beards and bandanas, ink and attitude, it’s goddamn folk music. It’s about doing the best you can, about getting by and about cold beer and colder women—everything that keeps the honky tonks full on a Saturday night. It’s about standing up when it’d just be easier to fall down.
Coming from Flint MI, the always forgotten civic little brother to Motown but no less a hard town with empty factories and emptier prospects, loaded Whitey Morgan & the 78’s with that survivors’ f.u. mentality. The self-titled debut Bloodshot album was recorded at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock NY, and while their antecedents are pretty clear, Whitey and the boys play with a muscular attack and energy that makes us think they HAD to learn to play it that way to be heard over the din of the stamping plant and its ghosts.
With several songs based around the classic half-time drumbeat creating a tension between the languid and the hardheaded, others like Johnny Paycheck’s “Meanest Jukebox In Town” (with that killer Bob Wills-inflected fiddle) and “I Ain’t Drunk” kicking out the hard swing, and the badass boogie of “Buick City” and “Where Do Ya Want it?” (a song gifted to Whitey by Dale Watson, about an infamous shooting involving outlaw legend Billy Joe Shaver), the album’s got an edge that Nashville’s misplaced or forgotten entirely.
Lyrically, Whitey shows that he’s learned well at the feet of the masters. The well chosen covers are there (Paycheck, Billy Don Burns’ “Memories Cost A Lot”), but he crafts lines like “turn up the bottle, bartender, and turn up the Jones” that should slip into the honky-tonk canon as easy as a worn biker wallet into a back pocket.
On “Hard Scratch Pride,”Whitey’s worker migration tale goes from the hollers of Kentucky to the factories of the North, when Detroit and Flint were still places to go to, and “Long Road Home” is a sinister, spaced out update on the Lost Highway.
Since the release of their first album Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels, Whitey and the band have revived a forgotten genre with a fierce dedication and determination. They’ve toured the country spreading their sound and real deal vibe everywhere they go. They play honky-tonk tunes in any club in any town without apology and with a purpose. Look out, this bad news sounds real good.
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Update 6/7
Some nice little shots of the band performing at The Pump House in East Lansing, MI.
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Update 6/4
What to Do Tonight: Whitey Morgan & the 78’s
Posted by Michael Gallucci on Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Though they hail from Flint, Michigan, Whitey Morgan and his band are closer to the old-fashioned heart of Nashville than most of what passes for country music these days. Their hardheaded honky-tonk twang is pure outlaw, channeling a rebellious spirit that’s as true to their name-checked predecessors (Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Hank Williams) as it is to the MC5. They even brought in pedal-steel vet Fred Newell (who’s played with Waylon Jennings and Jerry Reed) for their 2008 debut album, Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels. Their namesake leader (who was born Eric Allen) grew up in Kentucky before his family moved to Detroit. He learned to play guitar by listening to old Hank Williams songs his grandfather, a country musician, taught him. Allen has a deep baritone suited to the material, which covers traditional territory: failing relationships, whiskey-drowned troubles, and wailing pedal-steel ballads dedicated to “Love and Honor.” While Whitey Morgan & the 78’s hew close to the dog-eared but long-shelved formula, they add knowing, self-deprecating humor (“Cheatin’ Again”), a solid, if intermittent, rock backbeat, and a fine cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” surprisingly well-suited to their dusty backstreet style. Whitey Morgan & the 78’s, with Not So Good Ol’ Boys and Dan McCoy & the Standing 8’s plat the Beachland Tavern at 9 p.m. Tickets: $7.—Chris Parker
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Update 6/3
The new Whitey Morgan and the 78’s album is DONE: the album was mastered at Sterling Sound in NY and shipped to Bloodshot Records. Artwork has been completed and is being sent to the presses next week. Official release date TBA.
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Update 5/11
Two songs from the album “Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels” are featured in 2 new television shows: “Prove It All To You” can be heard on MTV’s The Dudesons, and “Sinner” on the AMC show Breaking Bad.
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Update 5/8
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s performing at the Red Eyed Fly – SXSW Bloodshot Records showcase, Austin TX.
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Update 4/27
The band has it’s first official photoshoot for the new label – Bloodshot records. Here is just a sample from the sessions shot by Doug Coombe.
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Update 4/22
Best Local country Artist or Group
Whitey Morgan & the 78’s
At the forefront of the D-Town country-rock renaissance, MT has said that Whitey and his crew — who released an album on the mostly metal Small Stone last year — and their modern take on country are “as emotion-stirring and wildly exciting as anything heard in rock ‘n’ roll lately.”
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Update 4/16
Nice little write-up on the band from this Chicago Publication.
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Update 4/8
WHITEY MORGAN AND THE 78’S
Whitey Morgan and The 78’s hail from Detroit, Michigan (well, Flint, Michigan, if you want to get technical). The Motor City may not be a traditional heartland of country music, but it is definitely someplace where folks know a thing or two about being down and out. The silent factories of the 21st century Rust Belt are proving to be just as fertile ground for country music as the boll weevil South 80 years before it – and Whitey Morgan owns one of its most commanding voices.
Whitey Morgan (real name, Eric Allen, but let’s stick with Whitey Morgan) and his band play down and dirty gutbucket country music. His vocals sound like Waylon Jennings stealing the songbooks of Hank Williams Jr. and Jerry Reed. The 78s sound like a craggy, street-smart honkytonk house band and would be worth a listen even without Morgan’s towering presence. Leroy Biltz and Benny James pound out impressive old-school country guitar. Tamineh Gueramy is almost frenetic on fiddle. While the prominent, driven bass work of Jeremy Mackinder and the aggressive beat of drummer Mike Popovich help give The 78s their energetic sound.
At times, every member of the band, Morgan included, seems to be going full throttle and full volume all at once. For most bands, that would be a recipe for a distracting cacophony. Somehow, Whitey Morgan and The 78’s manage to pull it off in an audible tidal wave of country glory.
With lyrics like “Turn up the bottle, bartender, and turn up the Jones,” “Woke up this morning and realized I didn’t sleep at all,” and “leavin’ little girls that hate to see me go,” Morgan’s songs are the finest traditions of down and out, low-down country made flesh.
Many of his stories also have fascinating back stories behind them. “Crazy” was a song originally written for Waylon Jennings that found its way into Morgan’s hands when Jennings died before he recorded it. Given the undeniable Jennings-esque quality of Morgan’s vocals, it couldn’t have found a better home.
“Where Do You Want It” was a song written by the great Dale Watson, and gifted to Whitey Morgan and The 78s, dealing with instantly legendary 2007 Billy Joe Shaver shooting.
Like the great country artists of yore, Morgan also manages to impart a little wisdom through his music. For example, reminding the audience that, “memories cost a lot when you don’t take the time to make them.”
There is absolutely nothing warm and fuzzy about Whitey Morgan and The 78s. Morgan’s stage presence is powerful, intimidating, maybe even a little menacing – and you get the impression he likes it that way. But there is also an irresistible magnetism to the man, the band, and the music that are breathing such tremendous new life into classic country.
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Update 3/29
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s performing the Bloodshot Records Showcase at Red Eyed Fly – SXSW, Austin TX.
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Update 3/27
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s performing the Bloodshot Records BBQ at The Yard Dog – SXSW, Austin TX.
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Update 3/20
The Nominees are in for the 2010 Detroit Music Awards: Best Country Artist or Group – Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, Best Country Instrumentalist – Whitey Morgan, Best Country Songwriter – Whitey Morgan, Best Country Vocalist – Whitey Morgan.
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Update 3/15
*A great little write-up on the band from this great Country Music source. (click on the image above)
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Update 3/13
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s stick to country’s roots
Stephanie De Pasquale | Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010 2:00 am.
The “78” in the band’s name has a double meaning: an old record’s 78 revolutions per minute, or rpm, and the fact the band doesn’t play any country music that sounds as if it was written after 1978.
“The pop and the fiddle doesn’t fly for us,” said Jeremy Mackinder, the bass player for the band. “You’ve got to play the music that you love. If you come into my house and sit down, there’s 200 records of old country, and most of it a lot of people haven’t listened to in 25 years, and that’s all that spins in my house all day. There’s no way that I would want to walk onstage and play something that I didn’t believe in.”
So Morgan and the 78’s play country music in the same vein as Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. They sing about cheating, drinking and hard living, something the band members say they learned a thing or two about while growing up in Flint, Mich.
“The first time we toured Texas, I was told when I was booking it that we were going to have a hard time being Michigan boys going down and playing Texas-style music, and it was the exact opposite,” Mackinder said. “They welcomed us with open arms.”
Before leaving on tour Wednesday, Morgan and the 78’s worked on the final mixing process of their yet-to-be-titled sophomore album, which was done with the entire band in one room instead of recording parts separately.
“The first album, ‘Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels,’ is pretty clean, and this one sounds a lot like what we do live, which is a little bit rawer, a little bit in your face,” Mackinder said. “Even though we have this great love for country music, I don’t think there is any way you can take the Detroit/Flint music scene out of our blood. We’re always going to rock. There’s no way to get around it, so there’s no reason to fight it.”
Posted in Music on Thursday, March 11, 2010 2:00 am |
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Update 3/5
Check out the new photo gallery film from the Levon Helm Studios recording sessions I & II now up on the gallery page.
Other quick news – the band has confirmed 4 (yes 4!) shows at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, TX. Head on over to the Tour page for the most up to date schedule.
The new T-shirts have arrived and will be up in the store shortly: new designs include a great Biker logo with front and back print, a new 70’s style Baby Doll just for the ladies, and a revamped Guitar Logo on Dark Brown! We hope you like em’, we sure do. These are currently available at all shows.
*Spoiler Alert: http://www.songsillinois.net/2010/03/sxsw-preview-and-honky-tonk-friday-with-whitey-morgan-and-the-78s/
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Update 2/16
A few photos from Thursday’s SOLD OUT show with Luke Bryan.
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Update 2/6
Photos from the Levon Helm Studio Sessions II.
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Update 1/23
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s performing Goodbye Dixie from the Lafayette Brewing Company – Lafayette, IN.
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Update 1/11
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s performing at this year’s Honky Tonk Detroit II – Magic Bag Theatre, Ferndale, MI.
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Update 12/28
Whitey Morgan at the world famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, TN.
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Update 12/21
Photos from the Levon Helm Studios sessions: December 5th, 6th, and 7th.
The band would like to thank the studios Grammy Award winning engineer Justin Guip for all the hard work and talent.
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Update 12/10
The Special Edition Vinyl release of “Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels” is now available. This is a very limited release and each copy comes with a special collectible insert. Available online over at the Store or at all shows. Thanks to Mike (shown right) at Archer Records in Detroit for the fine work and the use of the vinyl production press photos above.
*Due to the overwhelming number of requests, Autographed copies of the album are not offered through the website and will only be available at shows
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Update 11/25
The band heads to Levon Helm Studios to begin work on the highly anticipated follow-up to “Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels”.
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Update 11/8
Some photos from the Wayne “the train” Hancock tour:
Row 1. Wayne and the van outside The Town Fryer, Cleveland OH. Wayne and the Whitey sticker – Crystal Corner, Madison WI. Wayne through the window – Tootles Pumpkin Inn, Circleville OH.
Row 2. Wayne Hancock tour poster – Ribco, Rock Island IL. “Huck” from Wayne’s band. Matt from Wayne’s band. Whitey Morgan and Wayne Hancock outstide Tootles Pumkin Inn.
Row 3. Whitey Morgan sittin’ in with the Wayne Hancock band – Tootles Pumpkin Inn, Circleville OH.
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Update 11/2
Another long awaited fan gallery – we have the best fans in the world!!!!
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Update 10/29
Check out the feature story in this month’s Detroit Metro Times: “Motor City Rides”
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Update 10/28
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s take a field trip to the St. Louis Arch.
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Update 10/27
The band heads into KDHX studios in St. Louis for a LIVE on air broadcast – songs include 3 selections from “Honky Tonk and Cheap Motels” and 2 songs from the long awaited follow album scheduled for recording in December.
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Update 10/21
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s have finally reached Sirius Satellite radio! The band was part of the new Don Was program “The Motor City Hayride” on the Outlaw Country station – keep your ears tuned in. For info on Sirius and the Don Was program click on the link below:
Sirius Satellite Radio – Outlaw Country
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Update 10/16
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s Live on WLDR 101.9 Sunny Country at the Turtle Creek Casino in Traverse City, MI.
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Update 10/15
Whitey Morgan Live on WLDR 101.9 Sunny Country in Traverse City, MI.
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Update 10/11
Tune in this Thursday to Sunny Country 101.9 WLDR (Traverse City, MI) to hear Whitey Morgan and the 78’s LIVE on the air. Thursday morning starts with an in studio acoustic performance and interview at 8:30 a.m., later that night the band performs at the Turtle Creek Casino in Traverse City for a 2 hour performance. This show will be broadcast LIVE on Sunny Country 101.9 WLDR from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
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Update 10/7
Whitey Morgan and the 78’s would like to congratulate Jeremy “Leroy” Biltz and his wife Katie on the birth of their first child – Paige Biltz.
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Update 9/30
Whitey Morgan makes the trek to Nashville to the infamous Tooties for a special solo acoustic performance. A good time was had by all and some great memories were made! The full band returns for an official “audition” on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3rd – 12:00 to 2:00.
* While visiting Nashville you just never know who you might run into – Ladies and Gentlemen Mr. Randy Travis!!!
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Update 9/24
So every once in a while the band gets inquiries to play private events or parties – last weekend was a first for us: the kind folks at Midwest Freefall invited the band to perform at their end of the year party. A great gathering of friends, family, and all around “jump nuts”. We had no idea what to expect but I think we could all agree that this day was one of the most interesting and enjoyable events this year. The entire staff at M.F.F. could not have been any nicer or more professional (they even offered the entire band and spouses a complimentary jump). If you have ever considered skydiving please consider this group – Midwest Freefall come highly recommended by Whitey Morgan and the 78’s!
And so the drummer jumped:
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Update 9/8
The latest adventure takes the band south to Cleveland, OH., Louisville & Lexington, KY. Never a dull moment – the band comes within 50 miles of the show in Louisville and has to make an emergency pit stop for a busted rear axle seal. Thanks to our “road / merch/ bouncer/ mechanic / all around good guy” Stubby, the van is fixed (in an Auto Zone parking lot no less) we are back on the road just in time to make the show. Thanks to everyone for coming out – we will return soon!
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Update 9/1
The new promotional video for Goodbye Dixie – from the album “Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels”. Edited and assembled by Ryan Kulinec & MPopovich / Photography by Cupcake Detroit, Get Mad Baby, Michael Spleet, MPopovich, Kelly Mendenhall, and Michelle Donnelly.
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Update 8/27
* We are very sorry to inform our fans that ALL Michigan David Alan Coe Shows have been postponed until further notice. Keep an eye on our calendar for rescheduled dates.
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Update 8/18
The latest fan gallery – we have the BEST fans in country music!
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Update 8/11
A couple of shots from the past 2 weeks trips: the first is the bands little merchandise display at the Dunegrass festival in Empire, MI. This was the band’s first year at the festival and we all had a blast. Mother Nature decided to give us a break by warming up a bit and stopping the severe rain but did not let up on the wind – as the band performed the wind blew into us at about 35 miles an hour.
The second photo is from this past weekends Rib Cook-off in Novi, MI. What was supposed to be a short afternoon set turned into an all day marathon. Due to an emergency with the second act’s drummer – the band was asked to perform 5 sets for the event. The band had a good time and ate some pretty decent BBQ!
* Some very exciting news has come into our office: Last week the band’s song “SINNER” was heard on the new MTV reality series The T.O. Show. It’s currently being aired – keep an ear out for it!
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Update 7/31
A great fan photo of Benny James & Jeremy at the Hard Rock Cafe in Detroit, MI.
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Update 7/27
A few photos from last weekends Beaver Island performance – the weather held out and the crowd could not have been better. Thanks to everyone who came out to the show.
* A few updates to the site: please check out the new t-shirt design in our store, and the tour page is now including links to the official show/event website that will include location details and times.
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Update 7/14
On Saturday, July 11 “Another Round”, a song from the band’s latest release, was featured on the nationally televised NASCAR start-up.
The band, at that time, were in transit after our first of 3 shows that day so we missed all the excitement. We are very proud none the less.
Thanks to everyone who came out to last weekends shows – 4 shows in 24 hours is no easy task but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We met so many great fans and hope to post another fan gallery soon – keep your eyes on the site in the next few week, you may see yourself here!
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Update 7/9
A nice little ad for Heckler Custom Pick-Ups: Heckler Custom Guitars
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Update 6/24
Talk about 2 weeks of runnin’ a million miles an hour – the band has been on a break neck schedule playing 9 shows in the past 14 days.
Last weeks show with Shooter Jennings was a blast. The crowd could not have been more supportive and the band could not have put out more energy! After a short but powerful set the band heads out for the second show of the night at Jackson’s Hog Palace for the Wheels of Thunder Bike Rally. A good time was had by all.
Saturday nights show paid tribute to the late great Waylon Jennings. Whitey Morgan and the 78’s played host and back up band for the evening and had the pleasure sharing the stage with some area heavyweights: Ty Stone, Doop and the Inside Outlaws, Brandon Calhoon, Deadstring Brothers, Dirt Road Logic, among others.
This past week the band headed to a new venue in Ann Arbor called Circus for their themed “Bluegrass/Country” night – we had no idea what to expect but where soon overwhelmed by the record setting crowd and the amount of energy they put out. We had a blast and hope to return.
Friday and Saturday the band returned to Benny’s Bike Rally for the second year – this year headlining the main stage on Friday and performing the Beer tent on Saturday. During the Beer tent performance we all had the pleasure of witnessing our very first oil wrestling competition – after an extended set the band left the fairgrounds dripping with sweat and full of smiles.
Sunday was down by the Detroit riverfront for the annual River Days event – our second year performing this event as well. The band plays a short and energetic set to an attentive crowd.
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Update 6/16
Whitey Morgan with world famous custom bike builder Ron Finch. Ron came out to the Wheels of Thunder show at Hog’s Palace in Jackson, MI.
