The last time I spoke with Randall King, it was not long after he joined Warner Music Nashville and excitement was in the air. Since then, he released his EP “Leanna” and several singles. This time, I sat down with him in Nashville to talk about Shot Glass (releasing tomorrow) and other impressive things going on in 2022.
Warner continuing to add more traditional country artists to its roster means great things for country music. “It honestly just means that the game’s wide open,” Randall said. “It’s cool to watch the pendulum swing.”
The opportunity with Warner is a stepping stone for modern traditionalists, with real country music emerging from a pop-saturated genre as of late. “The real country’s cuttin’ through,” he said.
Shot Glass
Country artists are known for being fantastic storytellers and the concept of King’s new album Shot Glass does not disappoint. The premise exudes thought-provoking visual elements. “The concept of this record is that every song ties back into [the] shot glass,” he said.
The shot glass signifies somebody sitting at the bar taking a shot and in their mind, they’re watching all the scenarios of their life unfold. Memories flood in out of nowhere, including things they’ve forgotten about, with both big and small moments they’ve experienced.
“Sometimes the smallest moments of your life are the biggest.”
– Randall King
Each song symbolizes a moments of that life. “It’s a representation of where I’ve been over the last four years since the release of my self-titled record. Who I am as an artist and a songwriter, my growth as a man, an artist, and a songwriter,” King explained.
Shot Glass Track Listing
Fans can expect to hear six songs they’ve been able to stream previously and five brand new songs, with a few that have never been played live. “It’s some of the best stuff I’ve written over the last four years,” King shared.
- Baby Do
- Record High
- You In A Honky Tonk
- Can’t You Feel How That Sounds
- Roger, Miller Lite and Me
- Hey Cowgirl
- Hard Way To Make It Rain
- Middle of Nowhere Church
- Around Forever
- Shot Glass
- I’ll Fly Away
Taking Mainstream Country by Storm
Recently, King performed at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, which was essentially an introduction of his sound to radio deejays around the country. It’s an important performance, one that can be daunting. “You’re playin’ to a lot of people that don’t know you,” King explained.
Playing to the radio gatekeepers can ignite nervousness, but King performed like a seasoned artist and squelched any nerves that emerged. “You kinda have to let that roll off your shoulders and just go up there and do what you do,” he said.
Overall, he enjoyed the experience. He commented, “It was really great, [I] played a brand new song that’s off the upcoming record Shot Glass.”
Grand Ole Opry Debut
This week, King accomplished one of the goals he set as a young boy and made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. The artist shared, “It was actually a goal that me and my dad set.” He stated that his “dream big” mentality began with his father instilling dreams into his children. “He always put his children before himself,” King said.
They spent time together creating these goals, which were penned into a notebook. He’s already checked a handful off of the list, including playing shows at Gruene Hall, The Ryman, Billy Bob’s, and now the Grand Ole Opry.
He stated that the Opry was the number one venue on his list, as it had been an integral part of his childhood. “On Sundays, it was our church,” he began. “We’d listen to bluegrass gospel right there at the Opry,” he said.
King looks up to his father and described him as the pinnacle of the 9-5 working man that works for what he wants. Even to this day, he still works and is raising grandchildren.
Thinking of his moment on stage, he said, “To be able to stand in that circle, fulfill that dream, and have all my family there, it’s going to be very emotional.”
At the time of this interview, the Opry debut hadn’t occurred yet, but afterward, King commented via Instagram with how it went:
Overall, we’re really excited about the new album and all the things that are in store for Randall King. We know the fans want real country music back and he’s helping to pave the way to make that happen. For more information on King or Shot Glass, visit https://www.randallkingmusic.com/.
RK is one of the best of the new breed. He. Josh Ward. Jon Wolfe. David Adam Byrnes. Cody Johnson.
More this. Less pop. Would be amazing.