Just saw Ryan Bingham at a winery in Chicago(wtf). From seeing him at roadhouse dive bars in Kentucky, to now at City Winery; It was different lol. Decent show- just wish he had his original band The Dead Horses, with him. They split up though as he moved out to the Cali scene and kinda makes different music. Love the guy. He's a really cool and interesting person. But I feel he is one of those artists who had that one moment of pure talent where it all came together.
His album Mescalito is one of my favorite albums and kept me company during many long stretches on the highway. He had a really troubled upbringing and knowing that album was written from his experiences of trying not to be homeless, living out of a suburban while traveling the country playing gigs leaves it all the more meaningul. Add that to the death his parents, one from alcoholism the other from shooting himself, you really believe what he sings. It's sad. But it was real and as much as his new music isn't as good, I have nothing but respect and am extremely happy he made it; and carving a nice life for himself. I'll always go see him when he's in town.
Not many can tell tales of living in Paris, France at 20 years old for a job; then being told that his one way trip out there for the Disneys Cowboy and Indians show was unavailable due to an actor refusing to quit. Homeless, broke and no family support at home to call for help: He ends up living with a bunch of Navajo Indians and subway busks in Paris Subways for enough cash for a flight home. Or leaving at home at 17 years old because of the alcohol, eviction and drug problems his parents faced. Leaving home he joins the rodeo, writes a bunch of songs in the back of the pickup while traveling for rodeo shows. Also driving down to some shitholes in Mexico to do some rodeo gigs, nearly getting shot at, mugged and sleeping on couches.
And when him and his drummer were broke and living in a suburban. They decided after leaving a show in Colorado that they couldn't go back to Texas and live off of nothing: So they flipped a coin for NY or Cali. Coin said Cali. On way to California they pick up a hitch hiker, drive back to New Mexico, end up in a Indian Reservation getting a spiritual blessing from one of the elders there for safe passage for their future..
I read a lot of his stories in college and was so enamored by them. I always wanted to buy him a beer and hear some more. They gotta be endless lol.
[video=youtube;Pqnxdz3zjfA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqnxdz3zjfA[/video]
