Dig A Hole

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Dig A Hole" by Blackberry Smoke, the lead single from their 2024 album Be Right Here, and the Zoo Freaks are loving its swampy, psychedelic vibe. This track, written by lead singer Charlie Starr and keyboardist Brandon Still, kicks off the album with a gritty riff and a message about living life to the fullest. Starr shared in a statement that the song’s lyrics came quickly, reflecting on life’s fleeting nature: “We each have a finite amount of time on this earth, so you probably want to make the best out of it instead of wasting it. Eventually for all of us, they are going to dig a hole, so try to have a good life before they do that.” The song’s raw energy was captured live in the studio, with the band recording together in one room at Nashville’s RCA Studio A and Dave Cobb’s Georgia Mae studio in Savannah, giving it a loose, magical feel, as Starr noted in an interview with JamBase.

Another layer of "Dig A Hole"’s story ties to the band’s resilience during tough times. The song’s theme of seizing the moment hit hard for Blackberry Smoke, especially after their drummer and co-founder Brit Turner faced a heart attack and a glioblastoma diagnosis. As noted on RockMeeting, Turner’s health battles inspired the band to embrace the “be here now” ethos, with him still playing on the album despite being unable to tour. The track’s funky, muddy sound, blending Southern rock with a harpsichord-like Wurlitzer riff, was the first song Starr wrote for Be Right Here, setting the tone for an album about finding joy in the present, as highlighted on the band’s Facebook page announcing the album’s release.

Blackberry Smoke formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000, blending Southern rock, country, and Americana into a sound that’s earned them a loyal fanbase. Frontman Charlie Starr, whose great-uncles were part of the gospel quartet The Swanee River Boys, grew up immersed in gospel and bluegrass but found his rock calling after discovering an Aerosmith cassette in a mud hole near his home, as shared on Apple Music. The band’s name came from a suggestion by Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson, and they honed their craft playing relentless gigs, building a grassroots following. By 2015, they made history as the first independent band to hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart with Holding All the Roses, a milestone detailed on Wikipedia. Their commitment to authenticity and live performance has kept them thriving for over two decades.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Blackberry Smoke through their official website, where they share tour dates, merch, and news about Be Right Here. Follow their updates on Facebook, where they have over 426K fans, or check their Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots. On X, the band engages with fans, posting about gigs and new music. For deeper fan interaction, join the Blackberry Smoke Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community of supporters sharing concert stories and band love. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks can keep the vibe alive with these links, celebrating the gritty soul of “Dig A Hole” and Blackberry Smoke’s enduring legacy.