Went out last night to see The Dirty River Boys play a small venue and ended up talking to them all night about music, life on the road and songwriting. These guys have a intense focus and mission to be the best band every night for every single person that took time to come see them. It’s refreshing to see a group of guys that are not only thankful for the fans, but can’t help but smile and tell everyone they meet how much fun they are having.
These guys are All In when it comes to their craft. My buddy Brad wrote “they attach their lyrics to a driving train of music” and it’s a perfect description of what they do on stage. They get on stage, drop the hammer and don’t stop till exhaustion sets in… and they do it all with two acoustic guitars, a bass box and a snare. Freaking incredible!
They usually play more up-tempo type stuff but they side swiped me with the song Union Painter last night. It really shows off their talent as songwriters and how much the control the pace of the story within the song. One of my favorite lines is:
I’m surrounded by others, but I’m always alone
Such strong imagery. Last night they said it was birthed from meeting a guy in a homeless shelter one day out in El Paso. I only wish I could tell someone’s story as well as these guys have.
“Union Painter” by The Dirty River Boys
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Well I joined me the Union a long time ago
Now the paint in my bucket resembles my soul
I don’t paint for the Union they paint for me
And a fine Union painter I’ll always be.
On the way to Nevada, I broke myself down
Here I’ve been stranded 5 years in this town
Well I heard of a place, a place I could stay
They said I’d find Jesus and be on my way
Well they said I’d find Jesus that’s what they raved
But I wound up in prison just before I was saved
Yeah, I wound up in prison just before I was saved
Well I traveled the country, but I don’t have a home
I’m surrounded by others, but I’m always alone
When the painting time comes I jump back on the train
I spend all my green dollars just to poison my veins
Well they said I’d find Jesus that’s what they raved
But I wound up in prison just before I was saved
Yeah, I wound up in prison just before I was saved
I was dead on arrival when I opened my eyes
I’m still searching for freedom beneath southern skies
I don’t paint for the Union they paint for me
And a fine Union painter I’ll always be
Yeah, a fine Union painter I’ll always be


