Capital City goes country
Up-and-coming country singer Bobby Pinson rolled into Capital City in downtown Milledgeville for a midnight show with an attitude that said, “who cares, lets have some fun.” The crowd full of college students wishing to escape a week full of studies and fatigue wanted to do just that.
“When we are performing, my band and I like to have a good time. We make it about the words and try not to be too serious,” Pinson said.
Pinson’s raspy voice and carefree attitude put a new spin on country music. His music is sometimes described as a “John Deer tractor with an airplane engine” because of its mixture of country roots and rock and roll energy.
“I grew up with country music always in my house and church. It was handed down from my dad and grandfather. Since I was little, I have grown up with Willie Nelson, and even today I have Kris Kristofferson in my tape player. I didn’t know I would go pro; I just had a love for it,” Pinson said.
Pinson’s unique lyrics make his music stand out from the crowd. He has a profound ability to paint lively stories about everyday people into his songs.
Senior economics major Mark Wattenbarger said, “He has a distinct style and voice to his music. His lyrics are great.”
His lyrics are honest and real, and his tattered vocals reveal his strong belief in what he sings. His songs are true reflections that he has lived and learned.
“I am a storyteller. My lyrics come from real life situations that happened to me or people I know. I tell stories of people who have done some living and made some mistakes,” Pinson said.
Much of the inspiration for Pinson’s lyrics came from children’s poet Shel Silverstein. Pinson broke many rules with his lyrics by using alliteration and varied rhyme schemes. He has developed his own style that distinguishes his music from other country music of today and yesterday. At first, his fresh new style of music had a hard time catching on.
“There was a big timing issue with my music in Nashville. When I began singing, music in Nashville had a pop feel to it, and it wasn’t about the truth. My music is real and honest music. People are not as prone to take off with music that requires thought. My music asks the listener to think,” Pinson said. “But I had a gut feeling and a hunch that my music would catch on. I kept believing in myself.”
Along with his lyrics, Pinson’s stage performance gives the crowd more reason to love his music. On the stage, he is everywhere. He is not afraid to act out of control.
“I heard the guy before, but hearing him live was amazing. He put on a great show in Capitol City,” said senior biology major George Downey.
His wardrobe adds to his wild demeanor. He came on stage dressed in a raggedy hat, cowboy boots and a faded t-shirt with a picture of a cross on it.
Sophomore nursing major Kelly Eley said, “I like his cowboy boots and the way he acts goofy on-stage.”
Pinson just finished a road trip through the South and is now headed to Oklahoma. He toured a couple of college towns, including Milledgeville and Statesboro.
“I like performing to college kids because they are right in-between who they were and who they want to be. They are real close to what they did yesterday and what they are going to do in the future. College kids are excited about being excited. It is not about the gig; it’s about the music. It’s great to go to a new place and see somebody who didn’t expect to dig it say, ‘I get it,’” Pinson said.
Pinson’s career is exploding into a whirlwind of success. His debut RCA album, “Man Like Me,” hit number one on the Billboard Top Heat Seekers Album chart.
“My goal is to be able to sing my songs. Have people love my music for what it is and to stay true to myself,” Pinson said. “I value seeing people being touched by my work. It makes me feel like I am passing down something worth hearing.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Sep 16 2005. Filed under Other.
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