If we’ve learned anything about Travis Feutz since he released his debut EP, Country Music Forever, in late 2021, it’s that he’s proud of his traditional country influences and isn’t afraid to inject them into his music. From the title track of that EP, to the final song, a cover of George Jones’ “Choices,” to his last single “Cowboy Songs,” Feutz continues to profess his undying love for the country music he was raised on.
Keeping with that tradition, Feutz is once again paying influence to The Possum with a his newest single, “George Jones,” which tells the story of a wild night out on the town with the man himself, which he says came together quickly in the studio.
“Similar to ‘Cowboy Songs,’ there wasn’t really any pre-production done. I wrote the song in Nashville, so lyrically, it was finished before I got to Texas. I’m not going to lie, I was very hesitant to record ‘George Jones,’ even up to the day I arrived at the studio. My producer, John, the band and I all went in the room and just started running the song, working out all the bugs,” says Feutz. “It’s very nerve-racking and exhilarating all at the same time when playing a brand new song with top notch musicians. I was just doing my best to keep up. Ideas come fast in these situations. I really didn’t have much of an arrangement for the solo when I got to the studio, but within the second run through, the idea hit me, and that’s what you hear on the record. I might be a little biased, but I think the solo section is second to none. I just came up with the idea, the players executed it to perfection. It was definitely a fun one to watch grow and come to life in the studio. I hope people like it as much as I do.”
With a sound plucked straight from somewhere between a 70s outlaw tune and a 90s country sound, Feutz’s newest effort is one he hopes packs the dance floors in the Lone Star State.
“I wanted to create a honky tonk anthem. Knowing this song was going to be a standalone single, not part of a bigger project, my producer and I really believed it could only go in one direction,” says Feutz. “We wanted a super up-tempo song, one that if you’re in a Texas Dancehall, ‘George Jones’ is the last song you hear before they turn out the lights. I believe we did just that.”
In continuing his tradition of honoring country music greats, Feutz says he carries the great respect he has for them into each release.
“Growing up, I was always taught to respect my elders. Listen more to their words of wisdom and talk less. That’s how I approach country music. Many of my country music heroes didn’t have a blueprint on how to do this; they paved their own way. I try to listen and learn, and do my best to carry on what I believe is a legacy being passed down,” says Feutz. “I want to do so with the utmost respect for ones who came before me, and I’m thankful for what they created. My heroes have already written all the best songs, so I’m just having fun and tipping my cap to all the greats.”
In doing so, Feutz has been hearing plenty of properly due love for songs like “Cowboy Songs” where he tips his cap to those legends.
“All the love and support I received for the release of ‘Cowboy Songs’ has been really special. So many people reached out: family, friends, fans, and even strangers to provide some really positive feedback,” says Feutz. “I definitely believe it reached more people than my previous release, and that’s all any artist can ask for. I’m very proud of ‘Cowboy Songs’ in so many ways, and I’m very thankful that it was so well received.”
With two releases already under his belt in 2023, Feutz has new music already in the works.
“I’m looking to make 2023 our busiest year yet. My touring band, Travis Feutz and The Stardust Cowboys, had a really good 2022, and we are hoping to build on that momentum,” says Feutz. “The Stardust Cowboys and I are going into the studio this month to record a full-length album. I couldn’t be more excited about what me and the boys are working on.”
Pro Country 
Leave a Reply