By Judy Shields
Hollywood, California (The Hollywood Times) 10/16/2023
Highly-acclaimed country music artist Buddy Jewell has announced the much anticipated release of “Sweet Southern Comfort,” which is a rebooted version of his 2003 hit. The 20-year anniversary of the beloved song called for something special, so Jewell invited fellow country stars Clint Black, The Bellamy Brothers and Marty Raybon to collaborate with him on the new single. With the original essence of the 2003 song still there, this newly released version brings a freshness that will transport listeners worldwide to the beauty of the American south. The soft sounds of fiddle, banjo and steel guitar help deliver a tune as comfortable as a front porch swing out in the country.
“Misty sunrise in my hometown,
Rows of cotton ‘bout knee high,
Mrs. Baker down the dirt road,
Still got clothes out on the line,
Erwin Nichols there with Judge Lee,
Playin’ checkers at the gin,
When I dream about the southland,
This is where it all begins
From Carolina down to Georgia,
Smell the jasmine and magnolia,
Sleepy Sweet home Alabama
Roll tide roll,
Muddy water, Mississippi,
Blessed Graceland whispers to me,
Carry on, Carry on,
Sweet Southern Comfort carry on”
Co-written by Rodney Clawson and Brad Crisler, the new single was recorded at Station West in Nashville. Executive Producer was Mitchell Brown and Brandyn Steen served as Co-Producer. The project was engineered by Bart Busch. Studio musicians included Buddy Jewell III (drums), Sid Spiva (steel guitar), Craig Fletcher (banjo, fiddle), Mike Bryant (electric and acoustic guitar) and Mitchell Brown (bass).
Check out their video here (you will be able to see the harmonic Clint Black is playing that I mention in the interview with Buddy:
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to speak with Buddy Jewell about the remaking of that classic hit and getting Clint Black, Marty Raybon and especially the Bellamy Brothers to perform on it and on the video as well. How special it was to have his own son play drums on the recording.
Enjoy our conversation:
Keep up with Buddy Jewell on his official website at buddyjewell.com and by following him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube. Stream and download Buddy Jewell’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and more.
About Buddy Jewell
America chose Buddy Jewell as the very first winner of the USA Network’s hit reality show Nashville Star. Buddy was the true viewer favorite from the very beginning, capturing 65% of the nationwide voting and beating out 11 other contestants, most notably, Miranda Lambert, by over 2 million votes on the final episode. He and America have been involved in a love affair ever since.
His self-titled Columbia Records debut release landed at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts, was certified GOLD later that same year and garnered two back-to-back top five hits with “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song).” Both tunes are RIAA certified 1 million radio air plays.
Buddy has been recognized by the Grammy’s, ACM, CMA, ABC Radio Networks, ICMA, ICGMA and CMT with multiple awards and nominations. In 2011, he won the International Country Gospel Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” and “Crossover Artist of the Year” awards. In 2015, he was inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame. In 2018, his #1 Christian Country hit, “I’m There,” won the ICMA “Song of the Year” and in April 2019, Buddy won ICMA “Male Vocalist of the Year.”
His talents as a songwriter have garnered him an ICMA #1 for “When Mama Prayed.” Buddy’s touching ode to this father, “When I’m Good and Gone,” received Grammy consideration for Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White, and in May 2019, Buddy’s song, “One in a Row,” co-written with Thom McHugh, was released by Randy Travis as his first new song in over six years. His newest album release in 2020, “Bluebonnet Highway,” has received much critical acclaim from the likes of Robert K. Oermann, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah and Patty Loveless. Most notably, the first single, “Teardrop in the Gulf of Mexico,” debuted at #19 on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Singles Chart while the album, Bluebonnet Highway, reached #20 on RMR’s Americana Chart.
Buddy Jewell gives back to his community and beyond on many levels, serving as past spokesperson for The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation and Compassion International. He ministers to inmates at nearby facilities on a regular basis as well. Buddy especially has a heart for children and actively supports several worthy causes, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Buddy has served our nation throughout his career, supporting and entertaining our troops at home and abroad. He traveled with Sergeant Major Kenneth O. Preston, on an extensive USO tour to remote forward operating bases on the front lines in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Buddy Jewell is a proud American patriot, a devoted father and husband and an outspoken follower of Jesus Christ.
Buddy Jewell Social Media
Facebook 88K Followers
Instagram 4405 Followers
TikTok 3277 Followers
YouTube 9.89K Subscribers
Spotify 123747 Monthly Listeners
Amazon Music 2K+ Followers
Pandora 10K Monthly Listeners
YouTube Music 2.92K Subscribers