Over the last few years, Kendall Shaffer has proven himself to be no stranger to a good honky tonk drinkin’ song. As summer of 2024 kicks into high gear, Shaffer has added a new notch to his belt full of drinkin’ songs with “Beer I Come, Beer I Go,” a rowdy tune layered in steel guitar and twanging telecasters.
We caught up with Shaffer to talk all about “Beer I Come, Beer I Go,” as well as his favorite drinking songs, new music on the way and more!
Pro Country: You began 2024 with the release of “Right Road Home,” an acoustic/bluegrass, faith-inspired song that you wrote with Todd Viator. How important is “Right Road Home” to you and sharing that message.
Kendall Shaffer: That song hits home to me because although I’m a rowdy honkytonker/sinner, I still stand firm in my faith and have a great relationship with the Lord. I credit all I have and have done to him. I think we all want the Lord to point us to “The Right Road Home.”
PC: Your new single, “Beer I Come, Beer I Go,” is a rowdy, honky tonkin’ tune. Why did you feel it was the right follow up to “Right Road Home”?
KS: I’m always going to have good ole honky tonkin’ tunes. It’s in the heat of the summer, and I figured we all could use a “beer drinker” right about now.
PC: “Beer I Come, Beer I Go” was written by Mark Houser and Wood Newton. Can you tell us how you heard the song and what drew you to record it?
KS: I wanted to record this song because I’ve been the guy in this song quite a few times! I can’t help but write and record songs that I’ve lived. I met Mark & Wood through Jim McBride. I was recording a song Jim and Mark wrote that was sent to me, “20 Days & 40 Nights,” and then came “Beer I Come, Beer I Go.” As soon as I heard it, I knew I had to cut it. It just hollers Kendall Shaffer! [laughs]. Between all of these guys, their resumes well exceed doing anything for an old construction hand from Louisiana, but they took a chance on me, and I’m sure glad they did! We all love country music and are very passionate about it getting back to what it needs to be, and that’s why it all works out!
PC: “Beer I Come, Beer I Go” was the number one downloaded song on Texas radio last week. How encouraging has the response to the song been out of the gate?
KS: Well it says a lot about the song already. I can’t thank radio enough for latching onto it this early in the game. It’s been going over great at the shows as well!
PC: “Beer I Come, Beer I Go” is the latest in a great collection of drinking songs you have released. Can you tell us a few of your favorite country music drinking songs?
KS: Wow, there are so many. Really, any song by George Jones, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley, Hank Jr. or Sr. but a few stand out:
- If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me – George Jones
- Back to the Barrooms – Merle Haggard
- Tennessee Courage – Keith Whitley
- Lonely at the Top – Keith Whitley
- Stoned at the Jukebox – Hank Jr.
PC: With “Beer I Come, Beer I Go” now released, what do you have planned for the rest of 2024?
KS: I’ve got a slew of songs I’ve got to record soon. A lot of great songs that I’ve written with those we mentioned earlier and many others. I’ve got some tear jerkers and honky tonkin’ stuff like always, and just playing as many shows as I can to get good ole country music to the listeners’ ears. I still just want to put out real country music.
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