Southern Sounds

 
 It's a Southern Thing, that you won't understand,
Why I stand at attention, when they strike up that band.
And you won't know why, I cry when I sing,
The chorus of Dixie, it's a Southern Thing.
Lyrics from the song, "It's A Southern Thing"
Written by Rick Revel, Copyright 2005      

 

At the age of twelve, Rick was playing every Saturday night with Uncle Bill and The Hillbillies at The Little Opry in Henry, TN. Within a year, the band members convinced Rick to step up to the microphone and "sing one". His first song to sing before an audience was "Little Green Apples" that was written by Bobby Russell and released by Glen Campbell in 1968.

After hearing a Ralph Emory interview with Dolly Parton, Rick was inspired that she had written over 500 songs at that point in her career. He knew if he was to ever catch up with such a well known songwriter as Miss Parton, he had better get to work. Rick began to craft his own songs at the age of thirteen and by the time he signed his publishing deal with King Coal Music at age twenty, he had written over 500 songs. By the age of thirty five, he was fast approaching 1,500 songs.

At the age of fifteen, Rick began to write songs about the South. His first ever, was a song titled, "General Lee" and his second was a song titled "Johnny, I Killed A Blue Soldier". The later being one of his Dad's favorites and a song that Rick recorded in his early twenties. 


On the Bicentennial Wagon Train, the song "General Lee" became one of the most highly requested songs at Rick's campfire, "sing-a-longs". One evening after a campfire concert near Berryville, VA, a music promoter from Nashville, TN by the name of Teresa Anderson made Rick an offer he couldn't refuse. She offered to send him back to Nashville, via Greyhound Bus and pay for a recording session at the Music Mill Studio.

The studio had been made famous by the group Alabama for recording their first hit album inside their sound chambers. Rick even got to use some the session players who had helped with Alabama's fast dash for success. The musicians really had fun with another of Rick's campfire favorites titled "The Almost Famous Ride of Paul Revere". The song has a comical twist on historical fact, based on Paul Revere's "Midnight Ride".

Follow Me Boys by Rick Revel.mp3

  Originally released on the "Songs of the South" CD album in 2002.

Ride With The Devil by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "Songs of the South" CD album in 2002.

Johnny Reb by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "Songs of the South" CD album in 2002.

There is another form of recordings that Rick is becoming known for and that is the art of recitations. On his "Songs of the South" CD, cut one is titled "The Pledge of the South" written by Edward Carmack. Rick brings to life the words written by fellow Compatriot Carmack, who was a Tennessee politician and newspaper man during the 1800's.

On the CD "An American Journey", the album begins with "A Patriots Prayer", which was written by Rick to use during opening ceremonies at reenactments and other heritage events.


Johnny I Killed A Blue Soldier by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "Songs of the North and South (East and West) album in 1989.

General Lee (1976) by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "Songs of the North and South (East and West) album in 1989.

The Almost Famous Ride of Paul Revere (1976) by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "Songs of the North and South (East and West) album in 1989.

After the "125th Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin", Rick continued to write new music about Dixie and spread his Southern wings for musical flight. The Thomas Cartwright inspired ballad, titled "Follow Me Boys, I'm Going Home", went through a rewrite after it's 1989 debut on the "Songs of the North and South" album. Rick rerecorded the ballad in 2001 and the results were magical.

Two other songs were cut during the 2001 sessions, that also really made their mark. "Ride With The Devil", which is a Rick Revel original and one written by a good friend by the name of Merle Kilgore. Merle wrote the song for Johnny Horton and Rick recalls hearing his Dad and Uncle Guy, both singing the song around the farm as he grew up. As always, Rick put his own brand to the song and Merle was more than pleased with results. Merle stated, "Hoss, that is the best version of my song I've ever heard, bar none."

The Pledge of the South by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "Songs of the South" CD album in 2002.

A Patriot's Prayer by Rick Revel.mp3

 Originally released on the "An American Journey" CD album in 2009.

 Southern Sons

From 2009 through 2012, Rick had a "period string band" by the name of "Southern Sons" that would play for reenactment military balls and other Southern Heritage functions. The highly versatile musical group was put on hold with the passing of it's bass player Tommy Ogle on February 7th, 2013. Tommy's talents as a musician and his example as a Christian gentleman will always be missed. Fiddle player Danny Conger and banjo player Dan Knowles still remain active in separate music endeavors.

Below are three demo selections from the bands dance set. Cut number two, "The Nathan Bedford Waltz" was nominated for an "Instrumental of the Year Award" during the 2012 "Southern Heritage Music Awards" held by Dixie Broadcasting. The "Nathan Bedford Waltz" is an original composition by fiddle player Danny Conger.

Southern Sons was a show band like no other, their energy and charisma on stage has rarely ever been matched.

01 Angelina Baker.mp3

02 Nathan Bedford Waltz.mp3

03 Jim-A-Long-Josey.mp3