Bottom of This

Not much direct chatter from Blackberry Smoke themselves about the song "Bottom of This" from their 2009 album Little Piece of Dixie pops up in interviews or social media, but a 2009 review from Musikreviews.de gives some insight. They describe the track as a gritty, Southern rock gem that “screws itself into your ear” with a vibe reminiscent of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “On the Hunt.” The song’s got this raw, swampy edge, with lyrics that hint at a guy wrestling with his demons, probably at the bottom of a bottle, which fits the band’s no-nonsense, blue-collar ethos. It’s not a single like “Up in Smoke” from the same album, but reviewers called it a standout for its jagged guitar riffs and Charlie Starr’s snarling vocals. Fans on Facebook sometimes mention it as a deep cut they love at live shows, where the band stretches it out with some fiery guitar duels.

Another tidbit comes from the album’s production. Little Piece of Dixie was helmed by Dann Huff and Justin Niebank, big names in Nashville, which gave “Bottom of This” a polished yet rugged sound. According to a Sleaze Roxx review, the track’s a “textbook example” of why fans dig Blackberry Smoke—it’s got that authentic, unpolished soul that feels like a Friday night bar brawl. While the band hasn’t shared specific stories about writing the song, their Instagram posts from back in the day show them grinding through small venues, suggesting tracks like this were born from late-night jam sessions and life on the road. Fan groups, like the Blackberry Smoke Fans on Facebook, often swap stories about how songs like “Bottom of This” hit home for folks dealing with hard times, which seems to be the band’s sweet spot.

Blackberry Smoke kicked off in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000, a bunch of guys who just wanted to play the music they loved—Southern rock with a mix of country, blues, and a bit of gospel. Charlie Starr, the lead singer and guitarist, started out playing in local bands, but it was his knack for writing songs that felt real—about life, struggle, and good times—that set the foundation. Brothers Richard and Brit Turner (Brit sadly passed in 2024) brought the rhythm section, with Richard on bass and Brit on drums. Paul Jackson on guitar and later Brandon Still on keys rounded out the core. They cut their teeth in dive bars, building a following the hard way, without any big label pushing them. Their debut, Bad Luck Ain’t No Crime, dropped in 2003, but it was Little Piece of Dixie in 2009 that got them noticed, with outlets like Paste Magazine giving it props.

The band’s DIY spirit made them stand out. They were one of the first independent acts to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart with 2015’s Holding All the Roses, a feat they repeated with 2016’s Like an Arrow. They’ve toured with heavyweights like ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and their X account is full of posts about life on the road, from sweaty club gigs to opening for Guns N’ Roses. Their official site, blackberrysmoke.com, has all the latest on tours and merch, while their Facebook and Instagram pages are packed with fan interactions and throwback photos. For diehards, the Blackberry Smoke Fans group on Facebook and sites like AllMusic offer deep dives into their discography and vibe. The