NASHVILLE, TN (2/19/12)—Kentucky native and celebrated musical iconoclast, Tommy Womack, experienced a veritable “re-birth” of his lengthy musical journey with his 2007 release of There, I Said It!, but on February 21st—some 5 years down the road—the artist asks, Now What!
And, as Womack’s official website admits, “Following up a career-defining album release can be a daunting task, as it’s by definition putting oneself behind the proverbial 8-ball from the start.”
Thankfully, fans of Americana artist/ songwriter/author/producer Tommy Womack are not likely to experience a letdown on Now What! (February 21/Cedar Creek Music), Womack’s fifth solo studio album and a release that he is categorizing as a natural progression following 2007’s aforementioned fourth studio effort, There, I Said It!
“This record is totally a sequel,” says Womack. “Hence the title. The last record was all about being washed up. This one is about what happened when There, I Said It! gave me my career back.”
Indeed, Now What! picks up where There, I Said It! left off. Songs about home and family (“Play That Cheap Trick, Cheap Trick Play”; “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Good”) collide into songs about the perils of road life (“On and Off the Wagon” and the hilarious – if blood-chilling – “90 Miles an Hour Down a Dead-End Street”.) In between, there are songs about old flames in the grocery (“Bye & Bye”), growing old ungracefully (“Over the Hill”) and pondering simple love (“I Love You to Pieces”; “Wishes Do Come True”; and the album closer “Let’s Have Another Cigarette”).
Ironically, on There, I Said It! Womack sings resignedly about how his better days appeared to be behind him. But the song “Nice Day”, a heart-tugging tale of a father enjoying a day swimming with his son while financial worries swirl in his head, won the “Best Song” award in the 2007 Nashville Scene Critics poll (an award Womack also received in 2004 for the “The Replacements”, an 8+ minute song about the band of the same name). And Womack’s epic tour de force “Alpha Male & The Canine Mystery Blood,” is (another) eight minutes of cathartic musings on life, love and aging that often moves audiences to standing ovations.
An award-winning songwriter, recording artist and a published author, Womack writes songs as honest as anything Hank Williams or Steve Earle ever recorded, and has attracted the attention of the national press while accumulating a loyal following. Womack is omnipresent in Music City, both live and in the studio, whether working with Will Kimbrough in their band DADDY, who have released two records, or being in his harmony vocalist’s band backing Lisa Oliver-Gray (who’s record he co-produced), or simply playing his own show being backed by his own fine band, the Rush to Judgment. He has also had songs recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Todd Snider, Jason Ringenberg, Dan Baird, Scott Kempner and others.
“I like being busy.” Womack says, “It keeps me out of trouble, and I’ve been in enough trouble as it is. I feel lucky getting to do all this. After growing up such a square peg and spending so much time miserable, I like getting near 50 and actually thinking, ‘hey, it’s fun being me.’”
Womack came to Nashville from Kentucky, where he led the legendary post-punk band Government Cheese. Then came the short-lived bis-quits (who made one great record for John Prine’s Oh Boy! Label and brought Tommy and Will Kimbrough together for the first time of what has become a long, fruitful partnership). After the demise of the bis-quits, Womack immortalized Government Cheese’s story in the cult classic rock bio Cheese Chronicles: The True Story of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Band You’ve Never Heard Of. (With the release of a 2 CD anthology of Government Cheese’s, a sell-out reunion tour, and the success of the book, the Cheese is arguably a bigger band now than they ever were when they were together!)
“[Womack is a] Nashville rocker whose best songs are insightful, funny and penetrating.” – USA Today
“Womack leavens searing emotional honesty with observational wit and wry wise-guy charm as he moves among rock, country and blues.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer
For those interested in contacting Tommy Womack, please see the contact information listed below:
Publicity: Mike Farley/Michael J. Media Group/ 608-848-9707 /
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Management: Mary Sack / Mary Sack Management /615-275-7225 /
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Booking: Rodney Metoyer / The Metoyer Outfit / 615-260-7676 /
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Radio: Leslie Rouffe / Songlines / 615-298-2262 /
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To learn more about Tommy Womack, click here.
Luke Short
SurfKY News
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