If you’ve been to Nashville recently you know the city has grown like a weed. Whether you’re in the music industry, the medical industry, or the bachelorette party industry, everyone is from somewhere else. Everyone, that is, except Teddy and the Rough Riders front men, Jack Quiggins and Ryan Jennings. They actually grew up just blocks from the Music Row epicenter of the city. With a front row seat to the changing times I actually take heart in their decision to focus on the traditional style of country music rather than the more recent pop sounds of the genre. After the success of their debut, Margo Price-produced, album they have a new one just out called Down Home.
Although they just won an Ameripolitan Award as “Best Honky Tonk Group”, I’d probably describe this record as more cosmic country than honky-tonk. Golden Light is a leading example of that with country rock harmonies featuring Emily Nenni and Erin Rae. Catfish Summer also features those harmonies in a 70’s carefree rock cut with a little Allman-style slide work. It was inspired by a Jennings experience spending a few weeks in his youth with his hillbilly uncle. Bullet has a Cajun dance rhythm that works perfectly with some Doug Sahm-influenced organ. It’s a fun metaphor about being in love: “well, I’m locked and I’m loaded/when I met you my head exploded.” Hippies is a little more of a southern rock number about an interaction with a fan, but the punchline is that “hippies make the best country music.”
You can also make the argument Teddy is still deep in their honky tonk roots. Edna’s Song is a classic country ballad about Quiggins’ dog. Mountain Girl is a two-stepper with a mandolin-and-fiddle solo twist. Gettin’ High is about as roadhouse as it gets in a tale of the temptation of vices when too much is just enough. Trouble Sleeping is another old school twanger that epitomizes what it would sound like if Merle Haggard sang about insomnia. Love After Life is a country shuffle with an over-the-top sad story of being so lonely you’re looking forward to finding love in the afterlife.
Regardless of whether you decide their music leans cosmic or honky tonk, there’s no argument Teddy and the Rough Riders are a raucous, rollicking good time. I had the good fortune to see them on a Friday night at AmericanaFest and no one in the crowd was just standing still. Down Home is a throwback to earlier country themes without invoking the slightest hint of bro country cliche. And it’s a damn fine way to put some twangy fun in your playlist.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.