"Beginning with "Tennessee Brown", an uptempo single which erupts into a harmonically layered Motown chorus, country-folk singer Justin Pickard's debut solo album is like the soundtrack to an impassioned road trip through the South. High Price wanders through the varied regions of Americana, rock, and freshly cut bluegrass, each one employed deftly to Pickard's advantage. Making use of vintage recording techniques, the album's unceasing twang oscillates between George Jones' beatific quality and Johnny Cash's gravitas"
Eva Raggio, Dallas Observer
"Pickard proffers earthy-feeling honky-tonk, punk, singer-songwriter ballads, soul and even a sea-faring tune authentically. Pickard's warm vocal works well in so many ways, giving him chameleon-like flexibility. Offered primarily on colored vinyl, Pickard really commits to the vintage aesthetic this album embodies"
Kelly Dearmore, Dallas Observer
credits
released June 21, 2014
Justin Pickard
A High Price for the Low Life
Produced by Andrew Delaney & Justin Pickard
℗ 2013 Justin Pickard
All songs were recorded and mixed live to 2-track reel-to-reel tape by Andrew Delaney in Garland TX / Universal Rehearsal, Dallas TX with an emphasis on the use of vintage instruments and gear.
Edited and mastered by Steve Christensen at The Tree House, Houston TX
Produced by Andrew Delaney & Justin Pickard
Tennessee Brown (Pickard)
Justin Pickard: Vocals/Guitar
Julie Bonk: Keys
Stephen Price: Sax
Bonnie Whitmore: Bass/Vocals
Brondon Esco: Drums
Don’t Tell Me Lies (Pickard)
Justin Pickard: Vocals/Guitar
Newell Hardy: Banjo
Patrick Smith: Bass
Brondon Esco: Drums
Special thanks to:
Andrew Delaney for initiating this project and seeing it through; Julie Bonk for loaning us the tape machine and killing it on keys; Vince Barnhill/Universal Rehearsal & Backline for the recording space and gear; Peter Holland & Patrick Shea/The Very Verys for the 3am session; Eric & Sarah Van Valkenburg for hooking me up with Bonnie; Melissa Bonham; Jes Spires & Theresa Mangum; Steve, Angel, Misty, Ted & Corona/O’Riley’s Dallas; Zack & John/Deep Ellum Brewing Company; Clay Hartmann/WBC Bottle Shop; Trevor & Wim/Lakewood Brewing Company; Charlotte & Don Good; Everyone from WOB Dallas & WOB Arlington; Mark Oman; Orion & Peanut; Taylor & Stewart Robinson; Jill Jackson; Kim Taylor; Brent Butcher; Andy & Alicia Borman; Steven Perry; Scott, Carrie & Drew Davidson; Sam Collins & family; Mindy Davis for the dollars; Clint Johnson, John Zendejas & Les Brannon for some of the gear we used; Menghis for the rides & lectures; Morgan Audio Media Service; The Blondelles; Lone Star Percussion; D. Anson Brody; Alligator Dave; Jeff Hopson; Brett Dillon/KHYI
And a very special thanks to:
Linda “Tippie” Drake for being my anchor; Vicki Pickard for raising me to believe in myself; Jaco Dylan Pickard for giving me a reason; Candace, Julian, Cash & Crew Cofer for “Uncle Justin”; Jake Pickard for brotherhood and fortitude; Lara Berry for support and true love in the thick of it; Aidan & Liam Greathouse; Lawrence, Joanne, Dale, Delores & Priscilla Pickard; Leonard Drake; Aint Nessa, Ashley, Tyler, Victoria, Colton, Coby & the kids; Howard Smith; Collin & Kevin Dennehy; Lucy & Jack Brady; Austin Stevenson; Jennifer Rieck & family, including Blaze, Chris & Megan for being good to the boy; Josh Williams for when it really counted; Big Jake, Jason & Patrick Oneal; Clint Johnson; Matt Brannon & Jeremy Oliver
Thank you all for the encouragement.
-Justin
Cover Photos by Candace Cofer
Collogue Photos by Vince Barnhill, Patrick Smith, Jeff Munn, Mario Valdez & Celia Caldas
Art Design by Brent Rambo
In the course of Justin Pickard’s musical pilgrimage, his songwriting has covered a gamut of subjects: smoking and drinking,
the ins and outs of grave-robbery, love and loss, and UFOs that resemble bananas. These subjects in any other writer’s care may not coalesce as seamlessly as they do in the hands of Pickard, who ties them together with wit, passion and heart.
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