Heartache, relationship struggles, and loneliness heavily influenced West of Texas frontman Jerry Zinn as he crafted the band's latest album, Hot Motel Nights. With his dry wit, incisive writing, and sharp musical sense, Zinn brings something fresh and thought-provoking, even to the most conventional interpretations of country music.
“I love traditional country and western swing music, and I’m keeping up with tradition,” he notes. “Maybe some might think I’ve fenced myself in, but I’m happy right where I am. I might stick my toe outside the fence from time to time, but there will always be something grounding me in tradition.”
Fans have taken note. The band was nominated for an Ameripolitan Award for Best Western Swing Group in 2023, where they shared the stage with Summer Dean, Brennen Leigh, Timbo, and more. They headlined Chicago’s A Day In The Country music festival and were featured on the cover of Honky Tonk Times magazine. The band did some short runs in Indianapolis and Louisville and managed a couple of the well-attended Honky Tonk Tuesdays in Nashville. “November will see us traveling up the west coast,” Zinn states. “And we’ll be doing a run to Texas in the new year.”
The original band came together in 2010 and released a three-song EP. However, shortly after, Zinn faced significant health and vocal challenges, which took almost a decade to overcome. In 2021, just after the pandemic, the band released their first full-length album, Heartache, Hangovers, and Honky Tonks, to critical acclaim.
“The last album was well-rounded, meaning it had a lot of variety, and the only thing it didn’t have on it was a waltz,” Zinn observes. “I promised listeners a waltz on this record, but it has eluded me once again. But I do feel this album has a lot of range.” From the driving shuffle of “Wall of Memories” and the lively western swing of “Doin’ Time,” to the touch of spaghetti western in “I’ll Ask Gin,” and the late ‘70s, early ‘80s country vibe of “I Can Almost Taste The Whiskey,” the album certainly offers a rich blend of styles.
The first single from the album, “I Can Almost Taste The Whiskey,” was inspired by the kind of song Zinn imagined fitting perfectly on the Urban Cowboy soundtrack. He explains, “Another inspiration came from Kenny Price’s song ‘Biloxi,’ where I’d always loved the imagery of him saying, ‘got the taste of cherry lipstick still clinging to my mouth.’ So I sang, ‘cherry lip gloss makes me never want to quit.’ It’s my tip of the hat to him.”
When writing “I Only Listen to Heartbreak Songs,” Zinn says he was deep into 80s Merle Haggard. “The title came from something my soon-to-be ex-wife said. I was in the bedroom, practicing guitar and listening to music, when she opened the door and said, ‘All you do is listen to heartbreak songs.’ She walked out, and I grabbed my notebook. In about 10 minutes, the song was finished.”
The album closes with “Tell Me,” one of the oldest tracks in the collection. “This song, along with ‘I Hate The World Again,’ was written about 18 or 19 years ago,” Zinn shares. “Both have a similar theme of life’s struggles. I just wanted it slow and simple, without the instruments overshadowing the emotion of my hurt.”
On Hot Motel Nights, witty lyrics and sharp riffs, reminiscent of George Jones, Johnny Bush, Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard, feel perfectly at home in the hands of Jerry Zinn and West of Texas. When asked what he hopes people take away from the album, Zinn says, “It sounds like country music should sound.”
Hot Motel Nights releases on Friday, November 1st, 2024.
