Drummer turned country artist, Jakeb Reel released ‘(Ballad Of The) Free Bird’ on July 1, 2023. It is the first single from his self-titled debut EP, set to be released later this year. Joining him on the track is A Tribe of Horsman, the Nashville by way of Tulsa hard rock band on the cusp of releasing their sophomore studio album. The band is fronted by Tulsa native, Dhalton Horsman. Although it may seem like an unlikely pairing, the two camps have managed to create an exciting sound that stands out even among the most hip and current noisy trends in Nashville.
“I was thrilled they were so willing to collaborate with me and I knew as soon as I heard the first notes hit in the studio that it was going to be something fresh,” Reel said. “Of course it was destined to be — Tribe’s sound is remarkable, big. It hits you like an elephant.” Horsman and Reel have been friends since the two met while playing in the same backing band for another Nashville artist some time ago. Horsman’s Tribe has been working diligently in the studio while also promoting their latest release ‘Live at the 5 Spot.’
“Dhalton, Sam, Teddy and Ben have all become very dear friends of mine. They are some of the few people I trust the most in Nashville and I love their sound and vision,” Reel said. “They are no doubt the hardest working band I have seen in a long time.”
‘(Ballad Of The) Free Bird,’ hearkens back to an old school sound; drawing from the influences of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet morphed with a modern honky tonk twang and swagger. It’s keystones include the timeless laid back Tulsa sound, bright country pedal steel, and hard and heavy guitar solos; it all flows together as a fitting backdrop for Reel’s lonesome baritone voice which rolls over it all like the thunder in the valleys of his home in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
The song was recorded over the last months of 2022 and is produced by Russ T. Nutz, a “raunchy tonk” singer in his own right and a long time staple of the underground country music scene. Russ T. Nutz (aka Russell Anders) has worked as an engineer on several albums including Tellico’s Dehlia Low (2009), Town Mountain’s Steady Operator (2011) and The Big Ol’ Nasty Getdown Volumes 1 and 2. He currently works on the road as audio engineer for the Artimus Pyle Band.
“We were in the middle of mixing the song when we heard Gary Rossington had passed away,” Reel said. “So obviously we wanted to do something that would pay tribute to him and really honor all the folks who we’ve lost recently that have contributed so much to our craft. You know, I hear folks say ‘nobody makes real country music anymore’ or ‘oh nobody is out there doing it like they did back then,’ we absolutely are. We’re out here making the most out of whats left of the music industry and I can show you a whole roster of artists you ain’t listening to but should be; we’re out here. You just ain’t looking in the right hollar.”
Reel wrote the song a few years ago with a childhood friend he grew up playing music with. “We were jamming and tossing a few ideas around and he handed me a sheet of lyrics; I took them home, reworked them, cut a demo and that was probably about 6 yeas ago,” Reel said. After his dear friend and co-writer was diagnosed with a rare form or lymphoma, he decided to include it on his debut record. “We sat down and got him set up with BMI so even though he’s fighting this awful thing, this is the year he also became a songwriter and got his first co-write under his belt,” Reel said. “Even if the song doesn’t go anywhere, there were so many talented people involved and everyone has given their absolute best to make this thing special…he hasn’t been able to work like normal and they have two kids to feed so the potential to help one of my friends, my family has really pushed me to get this record out.” Friends in low places, right?
Listen to ‘(Ballad Of The) Free Bird’ on YouTube and Spotify
Find ‘Live at the 5 Spot,’ the latest release from A Tribe of Horsman here.