Gathering former Redline members and penning a new song inspired by an uncanny near-sighting of the band’s late and lamented leader Audie Blaylock is an excellent tribute to the recently deceased bluegrass giant. Felled at 61 years old in January 2004, Blaylock’s onetime bassist, friend, and songwriting partner Reed Jones sings a heartfelt look back on the Texas-born Blaylock’s impact entitled “Ran Out of Road”.
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It is as authentic as its title implies. The clean and impassioned delivery prevalent during “Ran Out of Road” never needs to thump its chest or rely on empty-headed histrionics. Instead, Jones’ songwriting leans on plainspoken poetry culled from the heart rather than trite cookie-cutter sentiments. His full investment in singing this is obvious from the outset. Country and bluegrass legend, even part-time Eagles vocalist and guitarist, Vince Gill supplies tenor vocals, and Darren Nicholson’s baritone vocals buttress Jones’ lead vocals with superb results.
“Ran Out of Road” unfolds in such a way that an expanded cast of musicians contributes. Jones pulls triple duty as singer, guitarist, and bassist. Harry Stinson lays down a snare pattern accentuating the song’s pulse. Two banjo and fiddle players provide the musical firepower needed. Russ Carson’s and Evan Ward’s banjo playing snap and crackle with energy while Mason Wright and Patrick McAvinute’s fiddle wizardry imbues “Ran Out of Road” with emotive lyricism. The latter supplies stirring mandolin playing that strengthens the song.
It’s a noticeably complete performance. Few, if any, listeners will hear this as a grower. Knowledge of Audie Blaylock’s musical influence isn’t necessary to emotionally connect with this piece. Virtually all of us have experienced losses at this level. Jones’ songwriting deserves plaudits for resisting any misguided urge to unnecessarily dress up the subject. Instead, he writes about missing his friend with endearing candor and clarity.
It helps sustain our interest in an already fine song. There’s no way around it that “Ran Out of Road” is a throwback. Bluegrass, as a genre, exists in a pristine time warp of sorts, blissfully unconcerned with a century’s worth of stylistic advances down the decades. Jones’ aforementioned skill for writing about deeply affecting adult realities in an unvarnished yet intelligent fashion gives “Ran Out of Road” enduring relevance. It’s about life.
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It’s an appealing quality that keeps you returning for additional listens. Even though he’s singing about a dead man and the lyrics don’t always see the world through rose-colored glasses, life-affirming energy abounds. It’s another testimony to the fact that, ultimately, there are no sad songs. The act of giving an artistic shape to the music we hear in our hearts is exclusively redemptive; it snatches lasting meaning from the ephemeral. It leaves a mark on the wall of oblivion that will never fade. Audie Blaylock, thanks in a small way to Reed Jones’ songwriting, will never die entirely.
It’s the magic of art.
Reed Jones and his fellow Redline bandmates conjure it with offhanded joy. Longtime genre fans will especially like the “live” first-take feel surrounding this fantastic single. Let’s hope they continue.
Chadwick Easton