Ron Barrett drops his new album “Whiskey Memories.” “Ron’s rich vocals, authentic lyrics, and country rock sound keeps listeners engaged and leaves them wanting more. Inspired by Toby Keith, his sound is the perfect blend of traditional country and rock elements, poised to be popular in the future of country music. His small town experiences make his lyrics raw and real; Ron’s lyrics are one hundred percent truth and strike the chords of relatability with all of his listeners. Produced by Grady Saxman, this Texan has given his fans a taste of Nashville & Texas. This latest album features five new songs; “Fine As Hell,” “Break My Heart,” “Damned Thing,” “We Need A Party,” and “Cheat On Whiskey.” Fans of the artist (named Country Music Fan Favorite by the Josie Music Awards in 2024) have been anticipating this blended Southern masterpiece. Ron’s ability to blend the rich traditions of his Texas upbringing with fresh, modern influences has set him apart as an artist who constantly pushes the boundaries of the genre while simultaneously celebrating his influences.

 

“Fine As Hell” tells the modern day tale of a country star's admiration for a honky tonk princess. The twangy driving guitars and gritty slides are sure to get listeners two-stepping. In the chorus, Ron sings “Cuz She’s not just a beautiful every day, American, sweetheart’d country girl / she’s got that angel halo on them devil horns / But I’d love to take her for a whirl” These playful, catchy lines make for the perfect tune to take your lady out spinning on the dance floor.

 

“Break My Heart” is a classic country heartbreak song about letting go of someone you have to constantly fight for them to stay. The swelling guitar and smooth drum beat paired with Ron’s emotional vocal bring listeners chills. In the verse, Ron sings, “I won’t stand in your way ya I’ve heard this tune before / Nothing that I say keeps you from walking out that door,” which portrays a familiar and relatable feeling for most listeners in this situation. He wraps the idea up in the chorus; “I can’t keep you from leaving / And tearing me apart / And I can’t keep on letting you break my heart” This tear jerker is the perfect add to your country breakup playlist.

 

“Damned Thing” portrays the internal battle of self-doubt that Ron feels, as he states “Ya I guess I can’t do a damned thing right.” His colorful lyrics bring new life into the age old metaphor of the angel and devil on the shoulder. This can be seen in the chorus, “I’ve got an angel on one arm and a demon on the other / And I can’t decide which one to listen too / I must be damned by the devil / I’m a puppet in their fight.” The lyrics' strong imagery paired with the upbeat country elements make this song poised to be a Texas country hit.

 

“We Need A Party” is the perfect beer drinking tailgating anthem. The songs southern rock elements and ear catching guitar licks keep the listener engaged. With lyrics such as “We need some hot girls with them daisy dukes / Dancing to some old school country tunes / We work hard play hard game time baby game on / Cups up drink up staying out all night long,” listeners are easily able to drunkenly sing along to this party anthem earworm. 

“Cheat On Whiskey” tells the emotion-evoking story of alcoholism from the perspective of an addict. Many people use alcohol or other substances to fill the void that is left due to a loss of a loved one. It’s quite common to feel the need to turn to liquor to fill the void and feel happiness, which is something that Ron brings awareness to in this sullen country tune. With lyrics such as “I search for happy in a bottle / I look for answers in a glass and by the time I hit rock bottom / I’ll probably drink myself to death” Ron helps listeners understand the gravity of this addiction. He wraps up the chorus with, “If There’s something that would help / release me from her vice / Maybe then I’d break free from her grip / Aww the hell with that I can’t cheat on whiskey.” These devastating lyrics paired with acoustic guitars and gentle steel guitar swells make the message of this powerful tune stick strongly with listeners.