Unspoken Tradition's "Weary Town" Tops Bluegrass Radio Chart

Unspoken Tradition's latest single, "Weary Town" --- a song that tackles the feelings of alienation and loss on a communal, rather than personal, level --- has topped this month's Bluegrass Today radio chart.
Written by North Carolina artist John Cloyd Miller (Zoe & Cloyd), long known for his ability to make new material sound like it emerged from an earlier time, "Weary Town" is reflective of Unspoken Tradition's own small North Carolina town, as described by singer and guitar player Audie McGinnis:
"Our hometown was a great place to grow up. It thrived for decades because of a trucking company founded by some of its citizens. Many locals found work there; it was almost analogous to a mining town. That trucking company was bought by a larger corporation that ultimately closed the terminal, and the town became a shell of its former self in a matter of a few years. It hurts in a way only bittersweet nostalgia can to know that the town where I made so many memories exists in name only."
With McGinnis' opening vocals emerging from a solemn acoustic guitar strum and bowed bass, the forlorn feel of the prelude sets an introspective, melancholy tone that shapes the track's moody, expansive arrangement and delivery. Breaking with traditional bluegrass arrangement approaches, the single forgoes instrumental solos in favor of bowed bass, unison passages, tempo and feel changes, and intricately layered instrumental sequences that create a dynamic listening experience, reflecting the lyric's somber invocation of a sense of place, a sense of loss and a search for a path forward.
"When John sent us this one," McGinnis concludes, "it just ripped at my heart, because it makes the struggle and loss of a fading town so real. 'What's it gonna take for us to hold on?' Iris Dement couldn't have written a better love letter to a fading town!"
"Weary Town" is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL. Listen to it HERE.
Tags : unspoken tradition bluegrass Weary Town
Hot Trends
-
Cory Asbury Apologizes to Forrest Frank, Emphasizes Grace and Growth Amid Viral Song Trend
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
What We Know About "American Idol" Winner Jamal Roberts' Faith
-
Jonathan McReynolds & American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Release “Still”
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
Comedian John Crist Announces Engagement to Lydia Fielder
-
William McDowell Walks Away From Car Crash After Black Bear Encounter
-
MAJOR. Drops Surprise Motivational Mixtape Of Spoken Word & Music
-
Church Musician Michael Kimon Rigsby Passes Away at 26
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
“House of David” Actor Michael Iskander Announces Conversion to Catholicism
-
Bebo Norman's Final Tour
-
Katy Nichole “Honest Conversations” Album Review
-
Gaither Vocal Band Announces Then Came The Morning DVD & CD — Available August 29
-
Gordon Mote and Wife Kimberly Announce They’re Going to be Grandparents
Most Popular
-
Cory Asbury Apologizes to Forrest Frank, Emphasizes Grace and Growth Amid Viral Song Trend
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
What We Know About "American Idol" Winner Jamal Roberts' Faith
-
Jonathan McReynolds & American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Release “Still”
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
Comedian John Crist Announces Engagement to Lydia Fielder
-
William McDowell Walks Away From Car Crash After Black Bear Encounter
-
MAJOR. Drops Surprise Motivational Mixtape Of Spoken Word & Music
-
Church Musician Michael Kimon Rigsby Passes Away at 26
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
-
“House of David” Actor Michael Iskander Announces Conversion to Catholicism
-
Bebo Norman's Final Tour
-
Katy Nichole “Honest Conversations” Album Review
-
Gaither Vocal Band Announces Then Came The Morning DVD & CD — Available August 29
-
Gordon Mote and Wife Kimberly Announce They’re Going to be Grandparents