Some music artists live for the recording studio, experimenting endlessly with song structures and sonic palettes. Other artists live for the road, the transcendent experience of connecting with audiences through the power of performance. And then there’s Sammy Kershaw. Over the course of more than a dozen studio albums and countless live performances on stages all over the world, Kershaw has proved himself to be extraordinarily accomplished in both settings. But with his newest single, a cover version of the classic Canned Heat song “On The Road Again,” Kershaw celebrates the heartache and triumphs of the open road.
Penned in 1967 by Canned Heat co-founder Alan Wilson, “On The Road Again” borrows heavily from early blues songs, which the band married to a psychedelic ’60s boogie track to create one of the most memorable songs of that era. Lyrically, the song captures the highs and lows of traveling an endless path, which is why the song has connected so powerfully with artists like Kershaw who spend a substantial chunk of their professional career living venue to venue, year in and year out. Kershaw’s connection to the song actually goes back much further as he explains, “I was 10 years old when I discovered the song “On the Road Again” by Canned Heat, and instantly knew it would become one of my all-time favorite songs”
Kershaw’s affection for the song comes through loud and clear on his version, which holds true to the original but offers several gratifying twists. He transforms Alan Wilson’s distinctive falsetto into a fully-voiced, sonorous vocal that gives the track a spine-tingling twangy punch. Producer Danny B. Harvey, a man who has often found himself at the crossroads of country, blues and rock, crafts a gorgeously lush backing track highlighted by a stellar harmonica performance by veteran performer Walter Daniels. Kershaw sums it up saying, “I have been immersed in the world of music for over six decades now, primarily focusing on country music. However, my passion for music spans across all genres, making me a true music enthusiast throughout my entire life.” That enthusiasm is evident throughout “On The Road Again,” and it’s infectious!
Stream/download the single: https://orcd.co/sammykershaw_ontheroadagain
Watch for more ingenious interpretations from Kershaw next year and be sure to catch his upcoming performances:
Dec 1 – Kentucky Opry – Benton, KY
Dec 8 – Miller Theater – Augustus, GA
Dec 9 – Cotton Eyed Joe – Knoxville, TN
Jan 18 – Paramount Arts Center – Ashland, KY
Jan 19 – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mount Pleasant, MI
Jan 27 – Waco Convention Center – Waco, TX
Feb 15 – Mississippi Coliseum – Jackson, MS
Mar 8 – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino – Niagara Falls, NY
Mar 9 – Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino – Niagara Falls, NY
