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Obama, Spooner and a Drive By Southern Rock and Roller

Back in 1991 I was Executive Editor and co-founder of an alternative press entertainment publication called EDGE in Greenville, SC. We had a lot of  good times during those years, interviewing national and local music heroes and writing reviews and editorial commentaries on Carolina and local issues.

During those days, we staged a lot of concerts and events, and one of our favorite local bands was a group called The Dog Killers. The four-piece band blended elements of Pearl Jam and punk with Seattle grunge. The band featured the Taylor brothers, Jay and Jim, on guitar and bass respectively, and front man Jason Price. Sitting on the drum kit was a guy named Brad Morgan.

I was blown away a few years later when I first heard that Brad was with this hot new Southern Rock band called Drive By Truckers. I was even more blown away when I got my first earful of the band's unique Southern fried and totally cool sound via the album Southern Rock Opera.

Another year later I was down in Muscle Shoals when I met Swamper David Hood for the first time, and learned that his son Patterson was one of the primary figures in the Drive By Truckers. Talk about getting your talent honestly.

I became a die hard Drive By fan, and have since reviewed each of their albums and interviewed Patterson a couple of times. Their latest album is called Brighter Than Creation's Dark, and may be their best yet.

We are happy to present a brand new conversation with Hood, who discusses the album, working with Shoals legend Spooner Oldham and the state of the music business. Check out the interview here. Be sure to comment and let us know what you think.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.

Buffalo

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