Webster’s Dictionary defines “outlaw” as: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law and one that is unconventional or rebellious. While the first definition doesn’t apply to AmberLynn Browning in the literal sense, her style of country music earns the title “Outlaw” as it not only veers far away from today’s norm (aka the “law”) but also pushes against them as she follows the footsteps of the legends before her, and like Cash, Jennings, Haggard and others who carved the Outlaw path, AmberLynn is proud to continue the fight through the pop-country sound that has taken the reins of country radio and the industry in general today.
We recently caught up with AmberLynn to talk about those Outlaw influences on her music, her recent album which involved several direct connections to some of those Outlaw legends, her single with Georgette Jones and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
ALB: Hello I’m AmberLynn Browning I am an Outlaw Country singer songwriter and guitarist and just released my new album. I enjoy working on my ranch, fishing, hunting and raising my four beautiful children, songwriting, playing guitar, piano, fiddle, producing, continuously creating music; love my guns, love America, and God.
CN: You are inspired by the icons of classic and outlaw country – Merle, Waylon, Johnny, Kris, George. What personally drew you to them and their music?
ALB: What drew me to them was the beauty, honesty and true grit in their voices, songs and music. I grew up with it all around me, playing on the record player, and would go out dancing with my parents when I was little. I looked up to Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn as well as Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and George Jones. Loretta Lynn was inspiration for my parents to name me and I grew up with the music in my home and soul. From the start I was immersed in music, my grandmother a famous singer, dancer, and Hollywood movie star, my mother on American Bandstand, my father who gave me a lot of his music collection was from New York right in the 50s when music was hot, and rebellious. I was handed a guitar at 13 and at 14 and my grandfather took me on the road where I performed classic hits of Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline at honky-tonks. Since then I’ve never stopped writing music.
CN: Last year you released your new album “Outlaw Country” and on one particular track – “Texas Sunshine” – you co-wrote with someone who worked with all those greats that you were influenced by. What was it like to work with Chris Gantry?
ALB: I love to work with Chris Gantry, he’s an inspiration and prolific songwriter with a deep history in the music of the outlaw era. It was a blessing to work with him. He challenged my imagination and added some freedom to my songwriting in a way.
CN: Did he share any stories about working with some of those icons?
ALB: Yes he has many, each unique. I love hearing about those days of gold, him and Kris Kristofferson mastering their guitar work together living wild and free completely dedicated to the songwriting creation they honed and nurtured.
CN: What was the inspiration behind “Texas Sunshine”?
ALB: …One very integral part of this album is the co-writer Chris Gantry on the song “Texas Sunshine ”. Dynamics on this upcoming outlaw album include my dear friend and captivating songwriter pioneer Chris Gantry, Chris is a pioneer songwriter and a Nashville original outlaw, recording with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, (his best friend) Shel Silverstein at the House of Cash.
This upbeat Texas country song is perfect for rolling down the highway and getting lost or at a dancehall and a honky-tonk favorite. With a host of incomparable musicians behind this hit and the outlaw sound resonating with fans of Hank Williams, Jr. or Waylon Jennings, the song takes one away, and that was the original intent when it was written, a true love song about having fun and being wild with your partner.
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?
ALB: Each and every song I write is a different process. Some songs I have to write immediately because they’re already in my head i have a concept and it writes itself the verses and chorus lines start coming together along with the composition. Some days I just start playing guitar first and the song writes itself. Other times I awake from a dream and the song is already written. Other times I sit with pen and paper and start singing a melody and arrange the verses and chorus how I want, sometimes I just start with the chorus. Sometimes just one verse. Sometimes just the title, that’s one of my favorite ways to start a song, from an idea or title. And other times I will be so passionate about a subject that I will sit and write start to finish and like Johnny Cash says “I know when song is done”. It depends on what kind of song it is, where the feeling comes from. One time I wrote a song, “The last Outlaw” in one sitting inspired by my manager, Angel Gonsalves who has been in this music business a long time. She is one of my corner stones, who told me to write a song about pain…So I did. One will be immersed in a mountain song, an outlaw’s prayer, a passionate love story, on the set a Western classic movie, or drawn away to a song of pure faith and true grit. Prepare to be set in pastoral imagery, whisked away to another time yet a familiar place to all. I write only what is meaningful, passionate, and true..
CN: Did you find yourself writing more during the pandemic?
ALB: I found myself writing more on tour actually, inspired by a lot of things and places I saw. The pandemic doesn’t make a difference to me or to to that end.
CN: You were nominated in 2021 for the Josie Award in the category of “Songwriter Achievement of the Year.” Being such a passionate songwriter with such strong inspirations from the past, what did receiving that acknowledgment mean to you?
ALB: It means everything to me. I actually went to school for Medicine and Journalism. Always been a writer, so I know what it’s worth and the meaning and value of it.
CN: In addition to incredible songwriting, “Outlaw Country” also features some of the who’s who of country music on guitar, drums, pedal steel, etc. Please introduce us to those who helped bring this album together.
ALB: I would be honored to! My Outlaw Album with Country Producer Gene Breeden, Hall of fame for the Bakersfield sound; as revered architect producing legends George Jones, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Roy Acuff, Jean Shepard, Dolly, Stella Parton, Crystal Gayle, Red Simpson, Stonewall Jackson and many more. With my beautifully talented army of musicians heralding a deep true Country Sound behind each of my originally written songs, Handcrafted with a deep Outlaw sound, the musicians that definitively graced the album are Jamie Bowles on piano, Kurt Olson on drums (Georgette Jones), John Heinrich Pedal Steel for Ronnie Milsap, Mel Tillis fiddler Jim Buchanon, Craig Hutchins rhythm guitar from Collin Raye, and legendary engineer and guitarist Dave Dixon.
CN: The connections to country’s past doesn’t stop there, as the album was produced by Hall of Fame Bakersfield producer Gene Breeden, who’s resume includes George Jones, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Roy Acuff, Jean Shepard, Dolly, Stella Parton, Crystal Gayle, Red Simpson, Stonewall Jackson and more. What was it like working with Gene?
ALB: Gene is a class act. I truly enjoyed his intelligence and grace, he is a gentle and sweet soul, and very talented. We worked together seamlessly. He understood my take and my composition and instrumentation, as well as the feel of each song, in detail. I’m all about details, the little hidden nuances within songs and notes and vocals. He projected everything to the T as well as infused the songs I wanted with the very outlaw sound from the era of the greats like Waylon and Merle whom he worked with. I’m very grateful and excited to unearth this album to the world.
CN: Did Gene share any of his stories in regards to working with these legends?
ALB: Yes many I loved hearing about his days with them, and have gotten to know some of them myself. I am very blessed with a big music family I cherish them immensely. Gene wrote for some of whom he produced and shared some beautiful stories with me working with Stonewall Jackson. He is a gem.
CN: While it’s deep in their blood, how did you, Gene and the musicians go about making sure you stay true to outlaw country?
ALB: That was all me I made it very clear just how I wanted everything right down to the production and the sound, and with their well seasoned help each instrument and the the direction of each song had to flow with the outlaw vocals and the writing needed to come through, the story. It’s all about the story. I am the boss so anyone who works with me knows I expect nothing but the best. And I never take no for an answer. A woman in today’s industry? A male dominated genre like Country? Very few females line the radio setlists. It’s either get in, or get out. I’m here to stay. I don’t play around. While everyone else is sleeping, I’m working. Unapologetically I’m always working. That’s what it takes. Loretta Lynn once said “To make it in this business, you either have to be first, great or different”.
I don’t see myself stepping out of the way so that more pop country can take over the airwaves. It’s time for Country music to shine, like it used to. I believe that.
CN: Do you have a favorite track on the album?
ALB: I love “Texas Sunshine,” and I really love “The last Outlaw”…
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
ALB: Robert Plant, or Crystal Gayle, or Dolly Parton. I love them a lot! Oh you said one! It will have to be Dolly Parton!
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
ALB: Willie Nelson !
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
ALB: Warrior. I have fought and won many battles, and countless wars. Spiritual or earthly, I stop for nothing or no one.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you?
ALB: I have a brand new album coming up this summer!
Now that I’ve composed the full length album ‘Outlaw’, now out for release as of November 2021, there’s much more in store. In September I walked the red carpet at the Josie Music Awards in Pigeon Forge at the Country Tonight theater where I was nominated for Songwriter achievement of the year and made Finalist for song “Watermelon Ridge” off of current album ‘Outlaw’ . I went on to tour through the South to perform and record live at the legendary Country music monuments such as The Ryman theater, Dolly Parton’s hometown square, Johnny Cash’s boyhood home Elvis Presley boyhood home and recorded a new second album called the Sun Studios Sessions, at the very place my heroes recorded such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. I had the honor of having the original drummer of Sun records on this album from Jerry Lee Lewis to Johnny Cash and more during the Sam Phillips days, J.M. Van Eaton. I recorded my own rendition of “San Quentin”, which is my rebel yell to the America were being forced to live in, along with new originals. There will also be some very exciting surprises on “The Sun Studios Sessions” including some hot Jerry Lee Lewis hits, done with his one and only drummer from Jerry’s original hit records. Here is a quote from him on our recent work together, which we plan to continue:
“I got to meet and record with AmberLynn recently. Loved her voice and original songs. Her outlaw CD is well worth a listen. Our tracks will be out later. Until then don’t overlook this one.” ~J.M. Van Eaton
I have a new Christmas album out as of this last December 2021, and a duet Single with Georgette Jones “White Lightnin” the incomparable hit from George Jones written by The big bopper JP Richardson. Georgette is George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s daughter. Here is her quote recently on our work together:
“AmberLynn is a wonderful and talented woman whose style is unique. I really enjoyed remaking my Dad’s song “White Lightnin” with her. It was fun to make a girl version of one of my favorites.” ~Georgette Jones
My second album will be due out 2022. I have plans to tour after great demand to see me perform, and will be touring the next albums. Also have a Rock ‘n’ Roll album in the making as it is some of my greatest inspiration and what I love to do on guitar along with Outlaw Country and traditional country. Expect great things, AmberLynn Browning Band has the heart of country right in our Cowboy boots, which are always on..as I grew up in the Rockies working on a ranch as I still do today. I also perform and continue to run large music groups on Facebook, and my music is on all major platforms. Love to collaborate, and have a wonderful connection with a lot of the wonderful musicians and veterans of this business in my genres and love helping them along any chance I get. A true love for making Genuine country music, & don’t play by the rules. I will do it my way. Official website for AmberLynn Browning is https://amberlynnbrowningband.com/. My latest releases and Albums are available for purchase there and the latest news.
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