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Confederate Railroad
October 1997 |
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Just as the legendary locomotive earned itself a lasting reputation for being a tireless and dependable mode of transportation, Confederate Railroad continues its mission to deliver an unequaled brand of Southern Country music anyplace the rails will take them. Now entering its 15th year as a group, the Railroad has played every inch of America, sold over 3 million albums, won national awards, enjoyed 19 top-ten singles and, with their recent tour of Europe, has flown their flag on foreign shores. |
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With their strong presence stateside and a new legion of fans across the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic Records carefully considered what to do for Confederate Railroad's fourth discotime for a Greatest Hits! |
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Confederate Railroad's ability to be humorous ("Trashy Women"), yet serious ("Jesus And Mama"), fun ("Elvis And Andy") yet philosophical ("Daddy Never Was The Cadillac Kind"), raucous ("Queen Of Memphis"), yet sensitive ("When You Leave That Way") has kept them in the hearts of country fans and radio programmers since their double platinum, self-titled debut LP came out in 1991. |
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While Confederate Railroad's Greatest Hits contains all the songs that have made the group an uncompromising force in country music, it also includes the first single "See Ya," a cut from When And Where that shows the band's tender side, along with two brand new selections, "The One You Loved The Most" (Written by Bob DiPiero and Reed Nielsen) and "Finish What He Started" (by Walt Aldridge and Billy Spencer). |
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"I'm very happy with the way this album flows," remarks Danny Shirley, Railroad's lead singer. "The two new ones are kind of light-hearted, but middle of the road . . . like 'Queen Of Memphis.' So it's got the ballads we've had luck with and a couple of off-thewall tunes. . . it's balanced out real nice." |
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When Confederate Railroad first emerged, country listeners were a bit bafffledo "you mean, 'Queen Of Memphis' and 'Jesus And Mama' are by the same group?' they asked. But by 1993, Railroad's sales and airplay impact prompted the Academy of Country Music to name them Best New Vocal Group.
Danny Shirley and band singing, "Queen of Memphis." |
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After their second album, the platinum Notorious, country fans overseas hopped aboard the train and turned the hilarious video for "Elvis And Andy" into a number one staple on CMT Europe. In 1995, the Railroad received three British Country Music Award nominations and in '96, on the strength of their third Atlantic disc, When And Where, were up for three more BCMA awards, including Country Video and Country Group of the Year. |
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Wayne Secrest, Bass player, with fans.
"I read several publications over there that said they were surprised to find that we had never played in Europe," remarks Danny Shirley, Confederate Railroad's lead singer. "They said it usually takes a few trips to build up to that level of success. So, we're going to try to build on Europe and stay busy in the U.S." |
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Most of Confederate Railroad -- Mark Dufresne (drums), Chris McDaniel (keys), Gates Nichols (pedal steel), Wayne Secrest (bass), Danny and new member Jimmy Dormire (guitar) -- played together as David Allan Coe's backing band through the early eighties. With Coe and on their own, they kept a rigorous touring pace, which groomed them for the day Atlantic chief Rick Blackburn saw them live and signed them up. |
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But the onstage antics and innovative musicianship displayed in a high-energy Railroad show are only part of the band's story. Chattanooga native Danny Shirley's honest, evocative voice and the group's no-holds-barred instrumental style helped enlarge the scope of country radio in the '90's while their one-of-a-kind creative vision has resulted in some of country's most memorable videos. Who can forget "Trashy Women," where the six burly bandmates do a scene in drag!
Confederate Railroad Plays To A Packed House in Butler (With excerpts from an interview with Danny Shirley)
photos, interview and review by Angie McIsaac |
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Confederate Railroad definitely keeps you guessing. The group's wide reaching stylistic ability hahem record a rocking rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" and a stone country remake of Waylon Jennings' "Ladies Love Outlaws" in the same year. Those songs were Railroad's contributions to Skynyrd Frynds (The Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute LP) and the Maverick movie soundtrack, both of which achieved Gold status in 1994. |
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So, you see, treading new turf is no problem for this versatile bunch. They are proven pioneers, both musically and geographicallyothe British, Swiss, German and French country fans are still recovering.
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"It wasn't really that different from what we're used to," Danny recalls. "I was a little concerned about the language barrier, but we got over there and everybody spoke at least broken English. We got to play at EuroDisney in Paris and we had a big show in Germany. It was a great trip, but uncommonly warmowe really missed air condition-ers!" |
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Click here to view photos of stars
Photo used by permission from
Randy Jeter |
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Well, even an air conditioner couldn't quell the heat on Confederate Railroad's Greatest Hits. The vibrant musical landscape of this ever-changing group is portrayed brilliantly on this one collectionobe it two steppin' twang, emotional ballads, left-field side-splitters or hard-edged country, it's here. So, while the rest of us take a brief look back on Confederate Railroad's achievements, Danny Shirley and the guys are no doubt plotting their next eye-opening move. Stay tuned! |
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Awards
Academy of Country Music Top New Vocal Group/Or Duet 1992 |
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