Hard Road Easy

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "Hard Road Easy" by Anthony Gomes from the album Peace, Love & Loud Guitars. This track, a standout on the 2018 release, carries a deeply personal story. In a 2018 interview with Rock and Blues Muse, Gomes shared that the song was inspired by a close friend, a biker and devoted fan, who tragically passed away in a riding accident. The lyrics, “hard road easy, can’t stop me if you try. I’m going to love you till the day I die,” reflect the friend’s resilient spirit and love for life on the open road. Gomes described the song as almost autobiographical, capturing the raw emotion of loss and the drive to keep pushing forward, making it a powerful anthem for anyone facing life’s challenges.

The song’s gritty blues-rock vibe fits perfectly with the album’s mission, as Gomes aimed to blend soulful singing with electrifying guitar work. In the same Rock and Blues Muse interview, he explained his goal was to push his vocal and guitar skills to new heights, balancing the soul of blues with the edge of rock. “Hard Road Easy” showcases this, with its hard-hitting riffs and heartfelt delivery. The track’s energy has made it a fan favorite at live shows, where Gomes’ dynamic stage presence—praised by icons like B.B. King—brings the song’s story to life. Fans on Facebook often post about how the song’s raw honesty resonates, with one calling it “a tribute to living life unapologetically.”

Anthony Gomes got his start in Toronto, Canada, born to a Portuguese father and French-Canadian mother. As a teenager, he picked up the guitar, drawn to the soulful sounds of B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix. According to his bio on his official website, Gomes honed his craft in Toronto’s blues bars while earning a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto, focusing on the racial and cultural evolution of blues music. In the late ’90s, he moved to Chicago to immerse himself in the city’s blues scene, briefly playing as a sideman for Magic Slim and the Teardrops. In 1998, he won the first annual Buddy Guy’s Legends “Best Unsigned Blues Band” competition, launching his career. That same year, he released his debut album, Blues in Technicolor, which showcased his fiery guitar skills and set the stage for his rise as a blues-rock force.

Gomes’ journey has been marked by a commitment to keeping blues fresh and relevant. His 2018 album Peace, Love & Loud Guitars, featuring “Hard Road Easy,” hit #1 on iTunes and Amazon’s Blues Charts and was named Best Blues Album of 2018 by Blues Rock Review and SoundGuardian Magazine. Beyond music, Gomes founded the Music Is the Medicine Foundation in 2010, a nonprofit dedicated to the healing power of music, reflecting his belief in its ability to inspire. Fans can connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares tour updates and behind-the-scenes moments. For deeper fan engagement, check out the Anthony Gomes Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees swap stories, post concert photos, and celebrate his electrifying performances.