There are a thousand examples of country music artists who didn’t grow up anywhere near anything “country”. That doesn’t make them any less good at their craft. Occasionally though, you hear someone whose weary optimism reflects a lifetime of making do in rural America. That’s the case with Austinite Jonathan Terrell on his upcoming EP, A Couple 2, 3.
The record opens with Samantha, a nice little two-step, honky-tonk number about a friend of Terrell’s who moved out in the country during Covid, and the associated choice of quality of life. I Know is a little more heartland pop in its style. It was inspired by the true story of how Terrell met his fiancé, and in a “love at first sight” moment compelled him to walk out of the concert he was at so he could write the song then and there.
Things take an interesting turn midway through the album with Texas. It’s an unabashed love song to Terrell’s home state, and he does a brilliant job of channeling Willie in both vocal delivery and instrumentation. Following that is Place Out Back, a funky little remembrance about an almost-rented single-wide behind a dive bar. The squeaky percussion adds an authenticity to where you can almost smell the 50-year-old carpet and the roaches in the sink.
Jonathan Terrell has been banging around the Austin music scene for a couple of decades. He’s clearly picked up a few pointers along the way about how to write and perform good country music songs. A Couple 2, 3 showcases that talent and makes me wish it was a full length record.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.