Rising country singer-songwriter Ben Burgess chatted about his new country album “Tears the Size of Texas.”
On the song selection approach for the new album, Burgess said, “We wanted to make sure that we were giving it as honest of a shake as we could. I feel like honesty is a great equalizer. We wanted to make sure the songs were as honest and we wanted to make sure that they didn’t sound like anybody else.”
“I think the theme of the album kind of revealed itself,” he said. “The older I get, I turned into the man that I am. I grew up in a fire station, my father was a fireman and he was around a bunch of badasses and first responders and heroes. I feel there is a cowboy hero element to this album and I think that’s where I got it from.”
Big Loud Records’ Dallas-born bandit Ben Burgess has been waiting for this day for almost 15 years. His debut album consists of eight classic cowboy songs and two murder ballads all co-penned by the award-winning artist is long-awaited and right on time.
“Being on Big Loud Records is a dream come true,” he said. “I have been working with them for nine years (pitching songs to them), and I am a fan of everyone that works there. There is nobody that I trust in town more than them. They really allow me to be myself and focus on my craft.”
“This means everything to me. To have a project with my voice on it that represents me?” Burgess said. “That’s a lifetime achievement. It’s my life’s work to make it here.”
Burgess fondly refers to his debut as a miniature “greatest hits” collection, a 10-song soundtrack co-written with top-notch collaborators like Kevin Kadish, Jesse Frasure, Brandy Clark, Josh Kerr, Randy Montana, Ashley Gorley, and others, made up entirely of songs that were too risky, too original, for anyone else to sing.
He listed the title track “Tears the Size of Texas” and “Kill a Man” as his personal favorite tunes on the album.
Foundational advice from songwriting mentors like the Big Loud owner and founder Craig Wiseman and Nashville mainstay Rhett Akins gave him the courage to bring these songs to life.
“The way that Craig writes and has taught me to write through watching him…I think about it in every session. And Rhett…Rhett told me, ‘Write what you love. Eventually, your wave will be the wave everyone’s on.’ They shaped me as a writer and now as an artist; I’m honored that they ever even believed in me, let alone that they’ve given me what they have creatively,” Burgess explained.
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Burgess said, “Virginia is for Lovers (On the Road Again).”
He addressed being an artist in the digital age, especially now with streaming and technology being so prevalent. “It feels good to be able to be heard by people all over the world, literally, with the click of a button. That is pretty interesting, and as an artist, it’s really exciting,” he said.
Burgess listed the “Queen of Texas Country” Miranda Lambert and Sierra Ferrell as his dream collaboration choices in music. “Sierra is on the folk side of things but I think she has something really special, I really love her voice,” he said.
He defined the word success as “focusing on small wins such as getting out on the road and recording new music.” “I am looking forward to a lot more small wins,” he admitted. “Those are what counts.”
“Tears the Size of Texas” is available on digital service providers by clicking here.
“I hope the fans learn that even country boys cry and that honesty is the best policy,” he said. “I hope through my honesty, people can find some strength. In my life, I have taken a lot of losses and this is a big win for me. I hope they never give up.”
To learn more about Ben Burgess, check out his official website and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
