Artist on the Rise: Gethen Jenkins

Outlaw Country Artist Gethen Jenkins Brings Traditional Honkytonk Sound with Debut Album: Western Gold, Out Today!

With single, “Basket Case,” released earlier this year (Nashville, TN–June 20, 2019)–The Country music scene has its eye on singer-songwriter Gethin Jenkins as the next up-and-coming Outlaw Country artist with the release of his debut album, Western Gold, via Red Music/Five Music, on Friday, July 26. He exclusively premiered his debut single“Bottle In My Hand” on the billboard, catching the attention of the music industry with his captivating story:

“I made a promise to myself when I went overseas with a bunch of people from my platoon,” shared with Billboard, “we promised that we were gonna give music a shot when we got back…So we did.”

Recorded in Nashville’s Spunik Studio, Jenkins’ was in good company while creating the album, landing 4-time Grammy Award winner Vance Powell as the producer. Powell is known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Buddy Guy and more. Jenkins praises Powell saying,

“He’s a freaking genius,” and, ”an amazing guy to work with.”

Born in West Virginia and raised in rural Alaska, the full-length album showcases Jenkins’songwriting on each track while highlighting the whiskey-soaked honkytonk sound Jenkins’grew up on, citing Haggard, Billy Joe Shaver, Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings, and even Pearl Jam as his greatest influences. Get a first listen to western Gold HERE.

The Outlaw’s single was inspired by his time in the Marine Corps, leaving the military and feeling relatable to a basket case motorcycle (a motorcycle built from scrap pieces). Through his West Virginia roots, Jenkins quickly connected with Kentucky-born songwriter, Aaron Raitiere, “He’s a wild Kentucky boy!” Jenkins says of the writer, “[we] have that West Virginia-Kentuckyconnection.” Raitiere’s most recent cornerstone includes writing “I’ll Never Love Again” with Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby and Hilary Lindsey for the blockbuster A Star is Born.

The theme of using drinking as a remedy of heartache is at the forefront of the album with tracks like“Bottle In My Hand,” “Whiskey Bound,” and“Me, My Bottle and Nothing ButTime” following suit. The music video for“Bottle In My Hand” is set in a dive bar-as every good country song should be–singing, “I be here drinking, Just as hard as I can, Making brand new memories, With two great old hands.” The music video exclusively premiered on Taste of Country and can be viewed here.

After serving eight years in the U.S. Marines, Jenkins settled down in Southern California, where he has built a dedicated fan base, being honored with the Male Vocalist of theYear and Album of the Year awards at 2017’s California Country Awards. Recently, he was named a Top 10 Country/Americana Artistin Los Angeles County by LA Weekly and 2018’s Best Outlaw Country Artist.

The singer released a six-song EP titled Where The Honkytonk Belongs in July 2017, and the project gained airplay on Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country, as well as becoming one of the top-selling Outlaw Country albums on iTunes.Watch Jenkin’s recent cover of James Taylor’s 1971 hit “Country Road”, recorded at The Compound Studio in Long Beach, CA.

Gethin Jenkins has played over 1,000 live shows, sharing the stage with prominent country acts such as The Marshall Tucker Band, Billy Joe Shaver, Wanda Jackson, David Allan Coe, Asleep at the Wheel, Shooter Jennings, Dale Watson, Whitey Morgan and many more. Gethen has been touring in support of western Gold, stopping in major markets like Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, and Chicago as well as several festivals across the country including the 42nd Annual Redwood Bike Run, Horse Thief The Festival, and Day In the Country.

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for all upcoming tour dates via Gethen Jenkins’ official website.