"Drinking My Way Up" is the 5-song EP by Wes & The Railroaders. Wes Hamilton answered the following questions in September 2020...
Hi Wes. How did you make “Drinking My Way Up”?
We had our standard
setup, so 2 guitars (me on acoustic and Steve Longo on electric), bass (Ethan Ricks), drums (Pat Bowden), and mandolin (Steve) on
a couple. Guest musicians include Jean Prewitt from Carolina Gator
Gumbo on accordion, Jason Atkins added keys, and Ian Pasquini played
fiddle. I also put some pedal steel on a few tracks. I tracked the acoustic
guitar the same day we tracked drums so I played for almost 8 hours that
day. Listen closely - I'm pretty sure you can hear my fingers screaming in pain on a few
songs. And Buzz Gibson did the cover art.
Waylon or Willie?
That's a really hard one to answer. It depends on the day really. I've been watching a lot of older episodes of "Austin City Limits" lately and I really think the first one with Willie and the '89 episode with Waylon are some of the best. In conclusion, I like them both equally.
Was it easier to start “Drinking My Way Up” or complete it?
Waylon or Willie?
That's a really hard one to answer. It depends on the day really. I've been watching a lot of older episodes of "Austin City Limits" lately and I really think the first one with Willie and the '89 episode with Waylon are some of the best. In conclusion, I like them both equally.
Was it easier to start “Drinking My Way Up” or complete it?
It was easier to start I think. We
tracked drums and acoustic guitar with Justin Faircloth and
we did the rest at Ethan's house. It took us a while, but we weren't really rushing it either. Every time I was
going to track vocals, my allergies were killing me and I couldn't sing.
It was a lot of stress making sure I
got everything ready to be released on time. I think I got everything in
at the very last minute.
Gram Parsons or Alan Parsons?
Gram. But I have really only become a fan in the last few years. I wasn't a fan for a while, but something clicked one day and I really started to dig it. I can also understand why a lot of people aren't a fan.
What are you doing to do next?
I'm stuck at home playing a lot of guitar and doing some writing. Hoping to have a fresh new batch of songs when shows are a thing again.
Roger Miller or Miller Lite?
Roger Miller, duh.
What’s an old email address that you don’t use anymore?
dead_sailor@dirtjump.net
At one point in my late teens I was really into BMX. I'm pretty sure the site doesn't exist anymore. It was basically like an Angelfire website in the late 90's/early 00's.
Showmars or Bojangles?
Bojangles, duh. Bojangles should do a gyro.
What is something that you would like to say to the you of five years from now?
Hey man!
What's some stuff that people should check out?
Everyone should listen to ZZ Top every day. Lately, I've been obsessed with Jim Ford. He doesn't have a big discography but he's got some killer Southern soul country stuff.
"Disgraceland", "Walking the Floor", "Dollar Country", and "Cocaine & Rhinestones" are all pretty solid music related podcasts. The "Disgraceland" episode about James Taylor is wild! I like a conspiracy theory podcast called "Conspiracy Theories". My favorite book lately has been the Winnie Winston pedal steel instructional book. I restarted it now that I kinda understand how pedal steel works.
Stop what you're doing and watch "Born in East L.A." right now.
Listen to "Drinking My Way Up" by Wes & The Railroaders on Spotify here
Buy it on Bandcamp here
Wes & The Railroaders Instagram
Gram Parsons or Alan Parsons?
Gram. But I have really only become a fan in the last few years. I wasn't a fan for a while, but something clicked one day and I really started to dig it. I can also understand why a lot of people aren't a fan.
What are you doing to do next?
I'm stuck at home playing a lot of guitar and doing some writing. Hoping to have a fresh new batch of songs when shows are a thing again.
Roger Miller or Miller Lite?
Roger Miller, duh.
What’s an old email address that you don’t use anymore?
dead_sailor@dirtjump.net
At one point in my late teens I was really into BMX. I'm pretty sure the site doesn't exist anymore. It was basically like an Angelfire website in the late 90's/early 00's.
Showmars or Bojangles?
Bojangles, duh. Bojangles should do a gyro.
What is something that you would like to say to the you of five years from now?
Hey man!
(Wes Play Pool - Photo by Ian Pasquini)
What's some stuff that people should check out?
Everyone should listen to ZZ Top every day. Lately, I've been obsessed with Jim Ford. He doesn't have a big discography but he's got some killer Southern soul country stuff.
"Disgraceland", "Walking the Floor", "Dollar Country", and "Cocaine & Rhinestones" are all pretty solid music related podcasts. The "Disgraceland" episode about James Taylor is wild! I like a conspiracy theory podcast called "Conspiracy Theories". My favorite book lately has been the Winnie Winston pedal steel instructional book. I restarted it now that I kinda understand how pedal steel works.
Stop what you're doing and watch "Born in East L.A." right now.
(At The Courtroom in Rock Hill, SC - Photo by Alex Lacey)
Listen to "Drinking My Way Up" by Wes & The Railroaders on Spotify here
Buy it on Bandcamp here
Wes & The Railroaders Instagram