Pine Tar Records

06/05/2026

Pine Tar Project 365
#128

One of the saddest things over the last 25 years, for me, is the devolution of the Fox Network. When I was growing up, let’s say from 1986-2000, Fox was the network of youth rebellion, avant-garde comedy, dysfunctional family sitcoms, and sweaty teen and 20-something dramas. It was my favorite network.

It’s The Gary Shandling Show, The Tracy Ullman Show, The Simpsons, Married…with Children,
Get a Life, and Parker Lewis Can’t Lose. If you want to know why I almost always say, and always think, the most inappropriate things, look no further than the comedy I was consuming in the late 80’s and early 90’s. It didn’t make me a bad person like the squares thought it would. But it absolutely bent me.

The comedy formed me and the dramas gave me a very inaccurate belief in what high school, college, and first freedoms were going to look like. I’ve already mentioned BH90210 when speaking of the pop radio band, Flaming Lips but you also had Melrose Place, The X-Files, Party of 5 (I’ve got cancer, Bay!), Alley McBeal, and one of the greatest shows of all time, The Heights.

If you don’t remember The Heights, I can understand. It only aired 13 episode between August 27th and November 26th, 1992. Academics frequently point to 11/26/92 as the beginning of the end of American cultural relevance. How is it possible that every other Aaron Spelling show got multiple seasons and reboots while The Heights was canceled after 13 episodes? In my memory, The Heights was a hyper realistic depiction of what it was to be a band in the early 90’s. It was filled with earnest songs about love and heartbreak, warehouses, and most importantly, Jamie Walters. Jamie Walters was one of the most influential actors and musicians to come out of that 13 week period of 1992. He was the epitome of the Everyman musician that we all yearned for in that simpler time. The fellas wanted to be him and the ladies wanted to be with him. It was a shocking turn of events when two years later he turned up on BH90210 as Ray Pruitt. A working class bloke who also played guitar and sang songs. It was going great until he beat up Donna.

“How Do You Talk to an Angel” was the hit song from The Heights. It went to #1 on the charts. It was the first tv song to go to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1985’s “Miami Vice Theme” by the awesomely named musician, Jan Hammer. The Heights was canceled the week after the song fell from the #1 spot.

“How Do You Talk to an Angel” is not a great song. But I think it may be one of the greatest songs. And it never fails to remind me of a time when Fox was cutting edge.

Music video by The Heights performing How Do You Talk To An Angel.

05/23/2026

Pine Tar Project 365
#127

When I was a kid my dad used to tell me that the two greatest poets of the 20th Century were Bob Dylan and John Lennon. When I was a kid I accepted it without question. As an adult, I have questioned it for 30+ years and I don’t think I can say he’s wrong. But this post ain’t about them. It’s about Mike Ness.

The new Social Distortion album came out a couple of weeks ago. I’ve already written a post about their song “Born To Kill.” I’ve listened to it and least a dozen time now and I stand by my proclamation that it’s a great album. It has also led me to listen to a bunch of other Social Distortion albums and Mike Ness solo albums. I’ve spent 2 hours tonight watching Mike Ness solo performances on YouTube. Easy ladies, I’m married.

In 1999, Ness released two solo albums, Cheating at Solitaire and Under the Influence. Both of these albums saw Ness leaning even more in to country music than he had done previously with Social Distortion. Cheating at Solitaire has 3 covers out of 15 songs while Under the Influence is all covers.

My favorite song from both of these albums, and I love them all, is Ness’ cover of Bob Dylan’s timeless classic, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” Which was entitled “Don’t Think Twice” on Cheating at Solitaire.

This song has always been one of my favorite Dylan tracks and Ness handles it with aplomb. He takes a song that was originally a dude, a guitar, and a harmonica and makes it into a rock song. It’s one of the best Dylan conversions ever.

This song has one of my favorite lines from any song:

“So long honey, babe
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye's too good a word, babe
So I'll just say, "Fare thee well"”

That is magical. And in the hands of Mike Ness it is elevated even further.

I’m trying real hard in this 365 to not get caught up in recency bias. But the new Social Distortion album, Born To Kill, is so damn good, I can’t help but think about them and the catalog.

Do yourself a favor, go to YouTube and type in “Mike Ness solo live”. If you like rock and roll with a country twist you will love what pops up.

*let’s mention the way Mike Ness approaches a microphone. When he is into a song his left leg is close to the mic and his right is pushed back in an aggressive manner. It’s like he’s gearing up to punch you in the face with his voice. I love that.

Mike Ness solo (Social Distortion)

05/13/2026

Pine Tar Project 365
#126

Back in the 90’s there were so many little subsets of music. Does that still exist? I guess it does but I’m too old to keep up with it.

I didn’t listen to the Freddy Jones Band until I got to college. Again, I spent most of my high school life listening to 60’s rock, heavy metal, hip hop, and punk. Freddy Jones would have been too soft for me until I kind of got forced in to it.

My freshman year roommate was a dude named Kirby and he was so much more accoustic than me. At the time his heaviest sounds were Led Zeppelin and I ruined that for him by talking incessantly about how much I thought they sucked. He was, and still is, much too kind to have made a big deal out of it. He just didn’t listen to his Zeppelin CD box set while I was around. I still feel kind of bad about that. I mean, I still don’t like that band but I feel about about ruining his joy.

Kirby had the Freddy Jones Band CD and it was in the 6 disc CD changer for the majority of our freshman year. It was in the first slot so it was the one that played every morning as our wake up call. From September 1995 through May 1996, i woke up most mornings to the sounds of “In A Daydream”. I hated it at first. But it eventually started to grow on me. By the end of our freshman year it had become one of my favorite songs.

Back then I thought that Freddy Jones Band was in the style of Hootie and Edwin McCain. I think that appraisal still holds up but the more I think about it I think they are more in tune with Widespread Panic.

I love this song and it reminds me of when I was 18 years old and only had to worry (loosely) about making it to class on time. It’s a real good time.

Recorded live @ Red Clay Music Foundry 7/17/15http://www.eddieowenpresents.comhttp://www.freddyjonesband.com/http://www.omplive.comExecutive Producer: Eddie ...

05/12/2026

Pine Tar Project 365
#125

When I was in 6th grade there were three things that I read religiously: Reader’s Digest, Guideposts, and Thrasher Magazine. Reader’s Digest and Guideposts were just out of proximity. At that time I read everything I could get my hands on and my mother always had subscriptions so I read them every month. Thrasher was mine. I bought it off the Winn-Dixie magazine aisle.

I wanted to be a skateboard punk but I wasn’t very good at it. But,
I had a good time cruising around and creating general mischief. Thrasher connected me with this underground world of anarchy. It appealed to my general lack of reverence for the world at large.

From a musical standpoint, Thrasher introduced me to some of my all time favorite bands. The back pages of Thrasher are where I first encountered Suicidal Tendencies, Red Hot Chili Peppers (before Under the Bridge), and most importantly, Social Distortion. By time I discovered Mike Ness and crew they had already been on the scene for a dozen years. Ness had written and recorded some of the finest songs ever while battling he**in addiction and going in and out of jail. It’s exactly what a 13 year old kid should be looking for.

Social Distortion started out as a SoCal punk band in ‘78 but even at the beginning they were a different kind of punk. They blended elements of country, rockabilly, and Stones-esque hard rock. Ness, the songwriter and lead singer, could go from a hard driving punk rock number to a tender lamentation about the disappointment of how life will grind you down to a nub. They have a sound that is unmistakably theirs and they have stuck to it for 46 years. I read a comment on Reddit today that I really like, “They’re like the Ramones. They make one song. But I happen to like that song a lot.”

Their new album “Born to Kill” was released last Friday. It is a really good album. You can’t really call them a punk band anymore. Honestly, they probably haven’t been a punk band since the mid-80’s. But they rock every bit as hard as they ever have. It’s been 15 years since the last released an album and this offering makes me feel good in my soul. I’ve listened to it a half dozen times over the last 4 days and it is just an excellent example of a band that has mastered their craft.

After middle school I didn’t really listen to Social Distortion that much for about ten years. I came back to them in 2001 when Aaron Irons and I lived together. Aaron loved all things Mike Ness. He was so excited when Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes was released in 2011. We constantly talked about going to see them live but we never made it happen. Aaron was real hard to impress but I just think he would love this album. They have recaptured an earlier sound and vibe that eludes most bands that have been around 46 years. He would bitch about them covering a Chris Isaac song and then I would counter that it might be the best song on the album. I don’t know that it is (I do think it’s an excellent cover) but I had my part to play in our friendship.

If you’ve read this far, and you don’t know who Social Distortion is you may be wondering about the social relevance of a band you’ve never heard of. Think about this. The clip I’m sharing is the title song off their new album performed live on Jimmy Kimmel last week. This is a band that’s never had a number one hit. They play a mix of punk rock, cowboy country, blues, and 1950’s rockabilly. Their lead singer is in his 60’s and they haven’t released an album in 15 years. When they finally do release a new album they are able to premiere their new song on one of the biggest stages in the world. That means that people dig it. Maybe you would too. Aaron Irons wouldn’t steer you wrong.

Social Distortion performs Born to Kill on Jimmy Kimmel Live.SUBSCRIBE to get the latest : http://bit.ly/JKLSubscribe Follow Jimmy Kimmel on Instagram...

05/09/2026

Pine Tar Project 365
#124

The events of the last couple of years, and the last week in particular, has me thinking about The Who’s 1971 song, “Won’t Get Fooled Again”. It seems like we’ve been fooled, again.

The first African slaves landed in North America in August 1619. It would take 346 years until their descendants, and those of millions of other enslaved people, were guaranteed equal voting rights. That lasted less than 61 years. It’s not right. There is no moral argument that makes it right.

“We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
A change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again, no, no
I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half-alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
For I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do you?
Yeah
There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are effaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again, no, no
Yeah
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss”

-The Who “Won’t Get Fooled Again”

42K likes, 5.8K comments. "The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again (Live at Kilburn 1977)"

05/09/2026

James McMurtry is what I want out of a singer/songwriter. His lyrics build worlds that are inhabitable. You can’t help but running in to people that you’ve known your whole life. He shines a light on themes and situations that most songwriters would be afraid to look at, much less talk about. The Black Dog and The Wandering Boy was released in 2025 by New West Records and finds McMurtry still at the height of his powers. This copy is sealed and autographed and is trading for around $90 on Discogs. You can pick up this copy for $40 at the Pine Tar Records booth at Cotton Patch antiques in beautiful Baxley GA. Come on down and check it out. It’ll be the best record you’ve heard in awhile.

04/29/2026

Kris Kristofferson was 45 years old in 1981 and at the height of his musical prowess. Gilley’s Club, a year removed from its star making role in the hit movie, Urban Cowboy, was basking in newfound role as an IT place. The two stars, Kristofferson and Gilley’s Club, came together on September 15,1981 for magnificent show. For 30 years the performance was only a memory in the minds of the lucky folks who were at the show. In the summer of 2022 it was finally released for the world to hear. Come on down to Pine Tar Records at Cotton Patch in Baxley and grab your copy while it lasts.

And if you like the back ground, look around and find yourself some fine linens and plates and other grand things at the PW Pete booth!

04/29/2026

Pine Tar Records 365
#123

Carrie and I went and saw Ani DiFranco at Victory North Savannah last night. It was a great show. You should have been there.

We got there a little earlier than neccesary and were hanging out in the little outdoor patio area when Carrie heard music so we walked in. As we walked in there were two ladies in the hallway off the stage picking on a couple of banjos. I’ll always remember that as the first time I heard the melodic sounds of Sweet Petunia. I thanked them for the private show.

I had never heard of Sweet Petunia before but they put on a hell of a show as the openers. I’ve never opened for anyone but that’s gotta be such a hard spot to be in. The crowd was predisposed to be receptive because, Ani brings in pretty welcoming crowd but a lot of folks were still talking and getting drinks and hitting up the merch table. These ladies did their thing and did an absolutely amazing job. The bounced back and forth between banjos and guitar and killed on both. Both of them have such classic folk music type voices. I really dig it.

When I sat down to write this I fully intended to give my impressions of Ani at this stage of my life. And, I may still do that tomorrow. I’ve been listening to her music for 32 years now. She’s my favorite musician of all time. But when I got started, I just thought yall might like to hear about someone you’ve never heard before. Sweet Petunia are super talented and unique. They do remind me a little bit of Freakwater. Two powerhouse voices with strong lyrics and subverting traditional music in the best kind of ways.

They were also real nice to me when I bought one of their CD’s at the merch table. Anyhow, I think you ought to check them out if you get a chance.

35 likes, 1 comment. "I Wanna Run (Live For Righteous Babe Records)"

04/28/2026

At the Ani DiFranco show in Savannah, GA

04/26/2026

We took a big step for Pine Tar this week. We actually invested in some new records for y’all. Now, they aren’t necessarily new releases but these are records that were ordered direct from New West Records. If you aren’t familiar with New West Records, you should be. They put out some of the greatest bands and Singer/Songwriters in the world. This small collection is very much representative of one little neighborhood of music that Pine Tar Records loves. Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earle, Vic Chesnutt, Kris Kristofferson, James McMurtry, Ben Folds, and Steve Earle. If you are a fan of the greatest songwriters of the last 60 years they are now available to you in Baxley, GA. Come on out to Cotton Patch Antiques (Mon-Sat 10-5) and support local.