Jeremy Pinnell has been making a name for himself in country music since 2014 with his first album, “OH/KY”. Rolling Stone Magazine called his second album, released in 2017, “Ties of Blood and Affection”, ‘a stellar collection that could earn him comparisons to Sturgill Simpson’. Now his third album, “Goodbye L A” is due out Oct.1.
Pinnell grew up in Elsmere, Kentucky. He’s not sure growing up his whole life in Kentucky is responsible for his old-time country sound but admits it must have something to do with it. “It’s Kentucky, so I mean it’s wild. Like you grow up with some wild people. If you grow up in that environment you’re kind of used to being around it. You get a work ethic growing up in Kentucky and then that plays into the music. And then you work hard and you play music, I don’t know, it kind of came from that,” said Pinnell.
The 43-year-old said he listens to all kinds of music. But when it comes to country he points to the lateGary Stewart and his song, “Single Again” which Pinnell said you can feel in your gut.
“And you can go that way with uh, Billy Joe Shaver. If you listen to something he writes, you know he’s telling the truth and it’s just like you hear those songs and I just want to turn around and I want to reflect that back. I want to tell that truth the way I know the truth,” explains Pinnell.
Pinnell wrote “Wanna Do Something” in 2019 for this new album while on tour across the country. He said the road was exhausting and had him longing for a 9-5. Since the pandemic, with the tour canceled, he’s been working a 9-5 landscaping job. He tells about the song.
“Originally it started out as a song about not being able to turn the corner or seeing the corner. Like maybe you drink and there’s that blind spot to where you can’t turn the corner and that keeps you stuck where you’re at and then I was like you know what, I’m just gonna keep it with music. And I kind of regret writing that cause the bridge in the song says, ‘the road’s got me praying for a 9-5’ and that’s all I’ve been doing,” said Pinnell.
Along with the old-timey country sound, Pinnell’s honesty and authenticity are part of his appeal.
He said writing for this new album was the first time he felt like he could really write about anything he wanted and have fun with it. He was in Bakersfield when he wrote “Night Time Eagle” and was missing his family.
“I am a big family man. I mean there’s a lot of good character and character- building that goes along with being in a family. It’s not a task for everyone. But if you’re gonna commit to it, then you commit to it,” said Pinnell.
Touring may be hard work but he’s looking forward to getting back on the road. Pinnell said, “I know people like to dance and I like making people dance and the more I can do that the better life will be I think.”
Jeremy Pinnell is scheduled to open for his friend Arlo McKinley August 7th at Laurel Cove Amphitheatre in Pineville. He plans to perform at Elixir Downtown in Lexington August 8th.
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