Brandon Rhyder

Brandon Rhyder

Brandon Rhyder

Brandon Rhyder is two records hence this interview was made at Blaine's Pub in November 2007. But this is one of my favorite podcasts. I didn't know much about Rhyder at the time (as my reactions will reveal in this interview). He was relatively new then. His Conviction record saved his music career. He told me that record was his last attempt. If the music business didn't work with that album's debut, he was going to have to find an engineering job somewhere.

But Conviction had the song that, if you know Rhyder for nothing else, is his signature tune: "Freeze Frame Time." The chicks digged it, and it's usually the song saved for the end of his shows, or the encore. That song encouraged fans to explore his other songs. "Back Roads," "I Have Waited for So Long," and the tune he co-wrote with Wade Bowen, "One Step Closer."

On the date of this interview, Rhyder was touring on the release of his live record, Brandon Rhyder Live that showcased all of his popular songs, and in my opinion one of the best reocrds in the Texas country music genre. But he was also getting ready to release the follow-on to Live, the Radney Foster-produced Every Night.

On this podcast, Brandon talks about the inspiration behind "Freeze Frame Time" and performs it on acoustic guitar. He also plays the early version of "Fingers to the Bone," a song that is a tribute to his dad and was included on Every Night. At this time, "Home Again" was the song climbing the charts, and he performs it as well. It's a longer podcast than usual, but there are three songs performed live, on acoustic guitar. And it's good. Please enjoy!