Turnpike Troubadours – A Cat in the Rain

Turnpike Troubadours have endured an arduous journey to their current status; nevertheless, they remain as united as ever. Felker, fiddler Kyle Nix, steel player Hank Early, guitarist Ryan Engelman, bassist RC Edwards and drummer Gabe Pearson remain tight as ever.

They honed their craft in honky tonks across Oklahoma and Texas, perfecting their songs that reflect blue-collar life with humor and storytelling that leave listeners asking, “what the hell is going on?”.

A Cat in the Rain

Turnpike Troubadours have returned from an eventful period marked by tabloid headlines and social media chaos with A Cat in the Rain, their first album released since six years. Produced by Shooter Jennings, A Cat in the Rain sounds fresher than ever.

A Cat in the Rain’s songs reflect life’s complexities. It opens with an emotionally raw Felker lamenting the loss of Lorrie, who will prove pivotal throughout this record as one of Turnpike’s key story-tellers.

But sobriety has joined the band‘s repertoire, as Felker’s lyrics appear more articulate and focused than ever. On “The Rut,” he recounts his story of making it out of his lowest point while singing that while he no longer misses alcohol’s taste – his family does miss him more.

Brought Me

Turnpike Troubadours made their comeback this year with a string of sold-out shows and festival appearances, selling out many performances with each performance being attended by audiences of thousands or more. Composed of singer/songwriter Evan Felker, bassist R.C. Edwards, lead guitarist Ryan Engleman, fiddle player Kyle Nix and pedal steel/accordion player Hank Early; these musicians make up an ensemble capable of captivating any audience they play for.

Shooter Jennings produced A Cat in the Rain, giving the band an entirely fresh approach to authentic songwriting and their signature foot-stomping sound. A mature sound, this record emphasizes its own natural charms to bring out more of what made A Long Way From Your Heart special.

“Brought Me,” the band‘s debut single, takes inspiration from an age-old expression: ‘Dance with the one who brought you.’ In it, Felker creates an intimate narrative about family and friendship that feels both autobiographical and dramaticized at times; its lyrics capturing a spirit of camaraderie which characterizes this band even in times of difficulty and strife.

Wrecked

Felker writes most of the band‘s songs, which are narrative and deeply emotive even when not explicitly ballads. His Oklahoma roots inform these pieces as their stories depict rural poverty, heartache, hell-raising and fierce love – among many other elements.

After FeLKER left, his fellow bandmates continued touring while also realigning their lives: Ryan Engleman joined Reckless Kelly; Kyle Nix launched a new band, RC and the Ambers; while Gabriel Pearson and Hank Early continued producing from home studios.

After the departure of Turnpike singer Aaron Felker, they all missed performing together as an ensemble and their audience never stopped expecting them. On May 14 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver they will finally perform again and it is sure to be a memorable show!

Mean Old Sun

Turnpike Troubadours have not lost any of their brilliance despite six years away from the limelight, as evidenced by A Cat in the Rain which marks their return and betterment than ever.

Evan Felker makes clear in a full-band Zoom interview ahead of their upcoming performance at Denver‘s Red Rocks that this reunion wasn’t about sobriety or recovery – rather it was all about reigniting passion that inspired him to play music originally.

“Mean Old Sun” opens with an eerie chorus of voices supported by a mournful banjo strum. While this song celebrates life’s resilience, its heartbreak notes also serve as a testament to it – with singer Jen Felker providing heartbreaking yet hopeful vocals, while its melodies embodying both vulnerability and strength in equal measure.