Travis Meadows – Killin' Uncle Buzzy

17-02-2022

Travis Meadows (born 1965) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has released four albums, as well as writing songs for other country artists. Meadows was born in 1965 in Mississippi, growing up in Jackson. He began using drugs at an early age, and when he was 14, he was diagnosed with bone cancer, which eventually led to the loss of most of his right leg. At the age of 16, he began playing in local bands, starting his musical career as a drummer before beginning to play the harmonica and guitar by the time he was 21. During his early 20s, he performed with blues musicians such as Sam Myers, and moved to Gatlinburg, where he began writing songs. In his mid-20s, Meadows became a Christian missionary and later a preacher, traveling around the United States and overseas, as well as writing and performing Christian music. By his late 30s, however, he had become disenchanted with the church, and moved to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. He signed a contract with Universal Music Publishing, but at the same time his life-long drinking and drug habits led to a multi-year descent into alcoholism and abuse. After four trips to rehab, he succeeded in regaining sobriety in 2010. In 2011, Meadows released a studio album, titled "Killin' Uncle Buzzy", written in 2010 while he was recovering from his alcohol addiction during his fourth period in rehab. According to Meadows, a counselor had suggested keeping a journal, which led to him writing songs instead. In 2013, after his songwriting contract with Universal expired, he began writing independently before signing with independent record label Kobalt Music and releasing a third album, "Old Ghosts & Unfinished Business". In 2017, Meadows released his fourth album, "First Cigarette". The album was produced by Jeremy Spillman and assisted by Jay Joyce, and it the first album by Meadows to receive label support. It is also his first album to appear on Billboard charts, reaching No. 21 on Heatseekers Albums and No. 48 on Independent Albums. It sold 1,100 albums in its debut week, reaching No. 17 on Americana/Folk Album Sales and No. 34 on Country Album Sales. In 2021, Earache Records reissued "Killin' Uncle Buzzy" for its 10th Anniversary, on CD and black and limited edition clear vinyl. This was the first time the album had been available on vinyl and released via a record label. Living comfortably under the radar and overwhelmingly recognized by top recording artists as a true songwriter. Travis Meadows' long list of cuts include country music icons and rockers alike. Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Jake Owen, Wynonna Judd, Blackberry Smoke, Lynyrd Skynyrd and recently Hank Williams Jr.. Performing across the country and sharing his story of survival across oceans. Stripped to bare bones, the facts of Travis Meadows' life contain the elements of a great country song. He battled cancer and substances at an early age, his troubles driving him to music and the ministry, but he only found focus after entering recovery in 2010. Once he got sober, he started releasing indie records and racking up songwriting credits in Nashville, penning songs recorded by Jake Owen, Eric Church, and Dierks Bentley, who turned Meadows' "Riser" into a hit in 2014. Following that success, Meadows signed with Blaster Records, which released "First Cigarette" in October 2017. He achieved sobriety in 2010, swiftly issuing the self-released "Killing Uncle Buzzy" in 2010. Inspired by his recovery, the album earned the attention of many Nashville insiders, but it still took a while for him to capitalize on his burgeoning reputation. This is a country self loathing to recovery album of Travis' journey through drink and drugs. The term "Killing Uncle Buzzy" refers to becoming clean and sober and breaking the ties of addiction, and this album chronicles one mans journey. This record provides the listener with a hell of a ride, that starts with the opening lines of the first track. "Bring out the picture, the drink and the pill, sharpen the scissors and see how they feel. Cut out the stitches so it never heals. It's time to go play in a minefield." While this album has it's share of darkness, Travis Meadows shows us that there is a glimmer of hope as well. "Uncle Buzzy : 1. An alter ego or a state of being created by an individual who is unable to function comfortably without the use of alcohol and/or drugs. see also "Life of the party" "great dancer" "fearless" "flirty" "an idiot"". "This record documents almost seven months of me climbing out of a hole that I dug for myself. A glimpse into the thoughts and honest emotions found in their struggle. It's not all of them by a long shot but every one is true. Part exorcism, part exercise in creativity. Part killing "Uncle Buzzy" & part finding me again. These 10 songs are done, I am not." (T. Meadows, April 2011). If you haven't had a chance to check out Travis Meadows' music you are really missing out. This guy is a true artist. Talk about an insane writer. He recently put out an album called "Killin' Uncle Buzzy" chronicling his 7 month struggle to break free from a drug and alcohol addiction. And wow, what a great piece of work. His weathered voice says it all. It's heavy but mature and somehow hopeful. From the very first track to the very last this guy kills it. Favorites are 'Minefield', 'Davidson County Police', and 'What We Ain't Got'.

1 Minefield

2 Grown Up Clothes

3 It Ain't Fun No More

4 Good Intentions

5 Let It Go

6 God Speaks

7 It Gets Better

8 Davidson County Police

9 What We Ain't Got

10 Learning How To Live Alone

Travis Meadows - vocals, guitars

Special Guest Vocalists :