A fresh single from Amberlynn Browning breeds a crisp and lively country sound with plenty of swagger and attitude, belting and soulful vocals, classic instrumentation, and tons of character.
Originally a Waylon Jennings song, "Lonesome Onry and Mean" is an instant classic as it rolls out with harmonica, twanging crisp guitar tones, and a clever groove that you can't get away from if you tried. But you won't. It's addictive and refreshing. it makes you feel alive and gets your blood pumping.
Browning's singing is spot on with a genuine aesthetic and feel so it's hard not to find yourself dancing around the living room as this one cranks.
The song has lyrics we can all relate to, and it just feels so liberating in a way.
It all feels perfectly real, and it certainly seems like she relates. She's tired of feeling lonesome. Tired of feeling mean. She's breaking out of it, and it feels great to join the vibe.
Browning has that vintage country star sound. Like you've been listening to this song for years now. It just feels welcoming and once you've heard it you have no idea how you did without it. Especially as a real country fan.
The instruments kick and jive and you get the vibe of singing songs into your hairbrush as a kid. It's got that energy and collective catchiness to it.
Amberlynn Browning drops performances that Dolly Parton herself would more than approve of.
With the release of such an authentic single, we wanted to have a chat with her about where this came from and what may be next for her.
Here's what happened.
RAG: Okay so let's start with "Lonesome Onry and Mean". This song has a genuine country undertone to it! Where did this track come from?
This song is a Waylon Jennings classic, one of my favorites and it goes back to my Outlaw country roots. What I cut was a version that is true to how it makes me feel and resonates deeply for me. I wanted it to be raw and authentic, true to the original version of Waylon's, with my own grit and stye. It definitely is real country!
RAG: So how did this all begin for you? When did you fall in love with music really?
It All began for me at 4 years old I would play the piano and by 13 I was given a guitar, and I've never stopped writing songs since then. There was always music given to me, old records and both my grandmother's sang for the radio and performed professionally. It was something I always knew I'd do and following my dreams and working hard at it every day is something that will never get old, and I will never stop. I started singing in the honky tonks at age 14 on the road with my grandfather and after paying my dues as a songwriter and musician as a young adult, A Nashville producer Gene Breeden, in the Country Hall of Fame for the Bakersfield sound who produced Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens Stonewall Jackson and many greats took my original songs and brought my vision to life with renound musicians in the industry. Everything I strive for is happening because while everyone else is sleeping, I'm always working.
RAG: Who is in your headphones right now?
I have been listening to Etta James and Willie Nelson and Elvis Presley, I've been taking Celtic fiddle lessons from Mairead Nesbitt, the founder of Celtic Woman. I will be incorporating much of this magic into upcoming album.
RAG: What inspires you to write a song?
Usually real life experiences inspire me to write a song, sometimes a message that needs to be heard… it can come out of nowhere, or be in my head for years. Usually it's the story that touches the listener that really inspires, there's nothing like a good song. A well written good song is what it takes though. I write about the stories of our lives from love to loss to scorn to battle, from joy of the country and outdoors, to the sorrows of the soul and the humbling of the Lord, or being in love and rolling down the highway…anything that sparks the imagination makes your heart skip a beat or stir ones soul.
RAG: I'm hearing some great styles on this track. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Some of my biggest musical influences on my music and style are Dolly Parton Loretta Lynn and Stevie nicks also Robert plant. Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, George Jones and Elvis Presley have a huge influence on me that runs deep in my country roots. Rock n roll, Southern Rock, blues and old country music is some of the first music I learned and played on the guitar.
RAG: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
When I'm not working all the time on tour or in the studio or writing I am working on my Ranch and planting or canning and raising my four beautiful children and growing crops.
RAG: Would you say live performances are a big part of what you do?
Yes I love to perform! I'm on tour right now with the outlaw Country tour show. I love to do acoustic sets as well, it really is an intimate setting with the audience, I think they can understand and feel songs and relate a lot deeper in a way.
RAG: This single feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming artists out there?
I will always say never give up and never let the industry tell you that you can't do it, be adventurous and take risks, always follow your heart and dreams and work really hard. If you are following your passion and it comes through as a profession then you are blessed. Do it for the right reason, for the music.
RAG: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I have a second album coming out called the 'Sun studio sessions' where I performed and recorded San Quentin by Johnny Cash and some brand new originals I have written I am super excited about this album recorded there in the historic Sun studios. It's going to be hot!
RAG: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thank you so much for being supportive of my music if it wasn't for my fans I would never be able to get my music out there and heard and that is so meaningful to me I'm a songwriter and that's the most important aspect even though I put a lot of perfection in being a vocalist and instrumentalist and performer, the songs written hold the most meaning and it is such a wonderful feeling to get them out there and unearth these albums a long time in the making; and very worth it . Please get these songs to your local radio station and you can find my music and all the latest at my official website!