Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#851185 05/04/25 09:28 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Hot off the press...as the saying goes.

This is full on guitar driven song. With the Kill Branch Studio band, of course.

This is very reminiscent of one of the style of one of the road bands I was in. Wide open, guitars up front, and looking for a good time. This song gave me a good excuse to do what I enjoy doing. And that was simply playing the guitar and piano in a creative way and making no excuses.

So, turn it up and let a couple of minutes slip by in a blink.

Outlaw Music

The Band:
Bass 539
Drums Nashville Sw 8ths
Steel 370
Fiddle 2222

Vocals, all Guitars, and piano: Yours truly.
The guitar was my Modern Tele with the bridge and middle humbuckers depending on the part. Quilter amp with CL-80 speakers in an open back cab with Fender doing the tone. Clean settings and reverb on 6ish.

Lyrics:

They Don't Play Outlaw Music Anymore


There's dust on the jukebox, the records don't turn,
Memories of old songs, PBR sign don't burn.
The stories of drifters, rogues, and thieves,
Have faded from airwaves like whispers in a breeze.

[Chorus]
They don't play outlaw music anymore,
No Waylon or Willie, Hank Jr or Coe.
The rebels and ramblers aren't welcome anymore
They don't play outlaw music anymore.


The radio plays, but it’s all polished shine,
Three chords and the truth are, getting harder to find
They turned out the lights, put a lock on the door.
That Silver Eagle ain't rolling through midnight anymore.

CHORUS

SOLO

So I’ll pour some whiskey, drop a needle on black
Put on a record and let Merle take me back.
To when a man would sing, tell the truth in his song
A six string sinner in the spotlight all alone.

CHORUS & TAG

As always, comments and thoughts are welcome.

In case you're wondering..... or maybe you're not..... Organically home grown. Pure country from the heart.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,034
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,034
Herb, that was spectacular. You are right they don't play outlaw music anymore.
I have a number of "outlaw" records and this song would fit perfectly with them.
Everything about this is outstanding.
Loved it!

PS - I'd like to hear you do more list this song.


It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
C
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
C
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,751
Really cool song Herb. Top notch write, arrangement, production and spot on outlaw guitars and vocals. Enjoyed this a lot.

Charlie


BIAB 2025:RB 2025, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,556
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,556
Herb,

This is a great country song. Outstanding vocals and that telecaster sounds tremendous. Awesome mix as well.

Really great stuff!

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,994
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,994
Great song all around - instrumentation, etc. ! Love the lyrics and totally relate!


Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 804
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 804
Hi Herb! This song is a fine example of ‘less is more’ and subtlety …
- the odd tinkle on the ivories at key points and variations in arrangement from one verse to the next
- good use of alliteration in verse 3: ‘six string sinner in the spotlight’
- the guitar on the 3rd line of the chorus changing from open-ringing strums to staccato strums
- the guitar solo played to support the style of the song but with a variety of phrases that adds so much interest

Really enjoyed listening to it!

Andrew D

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 617
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 617
Herb, this is def my fav or all your songs to date! This is so well written, sung, and produced. It takes me back to the days when they did play all the classic outlaw songs. This one would have been a hit back in the day!!

Dewey

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,922
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,922
Wow, six-string sinner! Worth writing and producing a song, just to get that line in there. I'd copyright that song if I were you.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
MarioD #851224 05/05/25 03:20 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Originally Posted by MarioD
Herb, that was spectacular. You are right they don't play outlaw music anymore.
I have a number of "outlaw" records and this song would fit perfectly with them.
Everything about this is outstanding.
Loved it!

PS - I'd like to hear you do more list this song.


My collection of outlaw music is rather extensive and was a predominant part of the set list of several bands I was in. That was just some of the best music on the radio.

There's a good possibility of getting more of this style in the future.... And of course my all over the spectrum approach to genre boundaries

Thanks


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Spectacular. Fabulous. Loved every second of this, from every perspective. If the radio did play this kinda song any longer, it should DEFINITELY be on it. It's that good. Bravo.

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,220
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,220
Ha! Perfect song, Herb! Definitely fun for the listener, and sound like you were having a ton o' fun, too. Super vocals, guitar and piano. That BiaB bass sets a nice beat. Nice!!


DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Originally Posted by Charlie Fogle
Really cool song Herb. Top notch write, arrangement, production and spot on outlaw guitars and vocals. Enjoyed this a lot.

Charlie
Thanks Charlie.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
rsdean #851302 05/06/25 05:41 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Originally Posted by rsdean
Herb,

This is a great country song. Outstanding vocals and that telecaster sounds tremendous. Awesome mix as well.

Really great stuff!

Bob

The funny thing is I have put humbuckers on the tele and they have a sound that I wasn't feeling on this.... so I used the only remaining original PU which is, coincidentally, a bucker too. But it is brighter being in the bridge position. I'm glad you liked this.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
WaoBand #851304 05/06/25 05:43 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Originally Posted by WaoBand
Great song all around - instrumentation, etc. ! Love the lyrics and totally relate!


Thanks.... except for a local radio station which does have an oldies show....... it's hard to find Outlaw Music con the radio very often these days. The most you can expect from the mainstream is a couple of days of airplay when one of those icons passes away.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Andrew Dee #851305 05/06/25 05:45 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Originally Posted by Andrew Dee
Hi Herb! This song is a fine example of ‘less is more’ and subtlety …
- the odd tinkle on the ivories at key points and variations in arrangement from one verse to the next
- good use of alliteration in verse 3: ‘six string sinner in the spotlight’
- the guitar on the 3rd line of the chorus changing from open-ringing strums to staccato strums
- the guitar solo played to support the style of the song but with a variety of phrases that adds so much interest

Really enjoyed listening to it!

Andrew D


Thanks for noticing the "less is more" aspect. It's something I try to keep in mind when playing and especially when I'm mixing. Surgical, extreme, volume edits.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,016
Hi, Herb.

Really good! Toe-tapping and well written classic country.

Nice guitar work as well!


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,440
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,440
When you said outlaw music I thought you meant music by long haired hippie freaks pretending to be country. Maybe some old dude with long hair and ponytails and a red bandana smoking a joint who couldn't even afford to buy a real guitar without a hole in the front of it.

Or something like that.

But I had no idea you meant music that literally was outlawed, like no one should ever play this, or this music had been banned, and should never be played on the Internet or the radio or anywhere else.

Man that one caught me by surprise.

Naw just kidding man.

This really sounds like Willie and Waylon and the vocals are actually pretty good!

You always sound real happy when you're doing songs like this!!

😄😄

You're probably dreaming of the good old days when you were standing behind that chicken wire.

User Showcase
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,801
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 4,801
Ain't no dust on a jukebox with this one on it. Perfect, Herb. Love the lyrics, and the vocals. Great playing too, and I like you choice of bandmates. I'd outlaw is the only law in the country. Well said, well played, well sang, well dang, that's a good one, Heb.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 11, EZDrummer
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,715
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 2,715
Lyrics with "They don't ... anymore" are a sure sign of the 'get off my lawn'’ generation grin

That being said, it's a really good song, that's the cool stuff we we Europeans associate you US guys with.
Toe-tapping goodness.
Enjoyed my listen.
A lot [Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]

Dewey_MI #851383 05/07/25 03:09 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,665
Originally Posted by Dewey_MI
Herb, this is def my fav or all your songs to date! This is so well written, sung, and produced. It takes me back to the days when they did play all the classic outlaw songs. This one would have been a hit back in the day!!

Dewey


30 years too late I reckon. Dewey, Glad you enjoyed this.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe

This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®

With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
  • Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
  • Playable RealTracks Set 5
  • RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
  • SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:


  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
  • Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
  • Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
  • RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
  • SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!

Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!

Special offers until December 31st, 2025!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,311
Posts790,810
Members39,855
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
gim77, StratMan1965, CPIA2002, janhardo, Minstrel
39,855 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 332
MarioD 223
DrDan 213
Noel96 161
DC Ron 146
Rob Helms 127
Today's Birthdays
Country Fever, EddieP.Morrison, Mariothegreat
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5