Free MP3s: Two Vintage Country-Rock Songs From Gary Stewart And The Riley Album “Grandma’s Roadhouse”

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The late [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Gary Stewart[/lastfm] was a true-blue country artist, the nasal-twanged voice behind “Single Again,” “She’s Acting Single (And I’m Drinking Doubles),” and other hardcore honky-tonk gems. Before he grabbed Nashville’s attention with those whiskey-soaked beauties, though, he earned early chops as a member of upstart country-rock band [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Riley[/lastfm], named after the band’s […]

Riley, Grandma's Roadhouse, Gary Stewart

(L-R) Riley Watkins, Jim Snead, Gary Stewart

The late [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Gary Stewart[/lastfm] was a true-blue country artist, the nasal-twanged voice behind “Single Again,” “She’s Acting Single (And I’m Drinking Doubles),” and other hardcore honky-tonk gems. Before he grabbed Nashville’s attention with those whiskey-soaked beauties, though, he earned early chops as a member of upstart country-rock band [lastfm link_type=”artist_info”]Riley[/lastfm], named after the band’s leader, Riley Watkins. Riley released just one under-the-radar album, Grandma’s Roadhouse, in 1971, which has since been unearthed and reissued by Delmore Recordings.

Riley, Grandma's Roadhouse

(L-R) Jim Snead, Jim Noveskey, Riley Watkins

Grandma’s Roadhouse is all grease and grits, moonshine and leafy-green dreams (see “Field of Green”), so it’s curious to learn it was recorded at Bradley’s Barn, home of the clean-cut Nashville Sound (Stewart worked there as an engineer’s assistant). Riley and pals had wide musical taste and weren’t afraid to let it show. Or to blur the lines: The songs here are a fresh, impassioned mix of swamp blues and hippie honky tonk swirled with redneck rock ‘n roll and even some folk-inspired harmonies (see again “Field of Green”). It’s also amazingly well recorded, sporting sharp guitar playing and some truly catchy melodies. Drink it up and kick on back.

The lo-fi appearance of the "Grandma's Roadhouse" album cover belies the high-quality music inside

Buy Grandma’s Roadhouse direct from Delmore Recordings

Read more on the story behind Grandma’s Roadhouse