Outlaw country artist Gethen Jenkins continues to gain the attention of the music industry with the release of his debut full-length album, Western Gold, via RED MUSIC/Five Music. Ahead of the release, Billboard gave fans an exclusive listen to the album’s leading ballad, “Strength of a Woman,” inspired by Waylon and Jessi’s love, the track, “features his [Jenkins’] striking baritone at the forefront of the track as he sings of a powerful love.” Western Gold is now available via all digital retailers. Listen to it HERE.
Recorded in Nashville’s Sputnik Studio, Jenkins’ worked with highly respected four-time Grammy winning producer, Vance Powell who is known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Jack White and Buddy Guy. “It was an honor to help Gethen bring this record to light, he’s such a real, honest, hardworking talent... “ Powell raves about Jenkins, “I can’t wait for the world to hear this record!”
Born in West Virginia and raised in an Indian village in rural Alaska, the former Marine Corp Veteran’s debut showcases his songwriting on each track with sole writer credit on five of the 11 titles. Western Gold highlights the whiskey-soaked honkytonk sound Jenkins’ grew up on, citing Merle Haggard, Billy Joe Shaver, Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings and even Pearl Jam as his strongest influences. Americana Highway praises the album saying, “Jenkins has clearly put a lot of time into listening to classic country. He shows real skill not only in up-tempo foot-stompers, but also in pensive [thoughtful] songs.”
The current single “Basket Case” was inspired by Gethen’s time in the Marine Corps, leaving the military and feeling relatable to a basket case motorcycle, “the only thing that keeps me sane these days is riding my motorcycle,” Gethen shares of the song. “Basket Case” was recently named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear Now,” saying it “…hits all the outlaw-country marks, with Jenkins taking pride in the very things that separate him from normal society.” Jenkins co-wrote the track with Aaron Raitiere, whose most recent cornerstone includes writing “I’ll Never Love Again” with Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby and Hilary Lindsey for the blockbuster A Star Is Born. Listen to "Basket Case" HERE.
Earlier this month Wide Open Country premiered the music video of “Basket Case” in which Jenkins called upon a few of his rowdy friends to help film at famed biker bar, Cooks Corner Bar in Trabuco Canyon, California, “A bunch of great people showed up at the drop of a hat... it's a family and it means a lot to me that they were there to be in my video.” View the music video HERE.
The singer-songwriter released a previously successful six-song EP titled Where The Honkytonk Belongs in July 2017. The project gained airplay on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country, as well as becoming one of the top-selling Outlaw Country albums on iTunes.
After serving eight years in the U.S. Marines, Jenkins settled down in Southern California, where he has built a dedicated fan base, being honored with the Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year awards at 2017's California Country Awards. Recently, LA Weekly names Jenkins a Top 10 Country/Americana Artist in Los Angeles County and 2018’s Best Outlaw Country Artist.
The up-coming Outlaw artist has played over 1,000 live shows, sharing the stage with prominent country acts such as The Marshall Tucker Band, Billy Joe Shaver, Wanda Jackson, David Allan Coe, Asleep at the Wheel, Shooter Jennings, Dale Watson, Whitey Morgan and many more. Check for upcoming tour dates here: http://www.gethenjenkinsmusic.com/tour/
Western Gold Track Listing:
1. Bottle In My Hand
2. Heartache Time
3. Whiskey Bound
4. Maintenance Man
5. Restless Ways
6. Waiting
7. Western Gold
8. Strength Of A Woman
9. Basket Case
10. While I’m Away
11. Me My Bottle and Nothing But Time
