One Horse Town

The Zoo Crew is spinning "One Horse Town" by Blackberry Smoke from their album The Whippoorwill, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this soulful Southern rock anthem. This track, a standout from the 2012 album, carries a bittersweet vibe, painting a vivid picture of small-town life where dreams often take a backseat to tradition. In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Charlie Starr reflected on the song’s meaning, comparing its misunderstood reception to Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the U.S.A." He noted that fans often sing along passionately without fully grasping the lyrics’ melancholic undertone, which speak to the struggle of breaking free from a cyclical, small-town existence. Starr co-wrote the song with Travis Meadows and Jeremy Spillman, and its opening line, “In the tiny town where I come from, you grew up doing what your daddy does,” echoes Springsteen’s "The River," a nod to the working-class storytelling that inspires the band.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s live performances. A live version of "One Horse Town" was featured on Blackberry Smoke’s 2019 album Homecoming: Live in Atlanta, recorded during their annual Brothers and Sisters Holiday Homecoming at Atlanta’s Tabernacle. This event, which has raised over $350,000 for children’s cancer charities, showcases the band’s deep connection with their fans. The live rendition captures the raw emotion of the song, with Starr’s gravelly vocals and the band’s tight instrumentation amplifying its heartfelt narrative. On X, the band posted in August 2023, thanking fans for keeping "One Horse Town" alive, calling their supporters “Brothers and Sisters” in a nod to their tight-knit community.

Blackberry Smoke got their start in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000, founded by lead vocalist and guitarist Charlie Starr, brothers Richard and Brit Turner (bassist and drummer, respectively), guitarist Paul Jackson, and later joined by keyboardist Brandon Still. The band’s early days were marked by relentless gigging across the Southeast, honing their blend of Southern rock, country, and blues. Influenced by icons like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, they built a grassroots following through sweaty club shows and opening slots for acts like Zac Brown Band and ZZ Top. Their big break came with The Whippoorwill in 2012, released under Zac Brown’s Southern Ground label, which hit the Top 40 on the Billboard 200. The band made history in 2015 as the first independent act to top the Billboard Country Albums chart with Holding All the Roses, cementing their reputation as road warriors and authentic storytellers.

Fans can stay connected with Blackberry Smoke through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, merch drops, and behind-the-scenes moments. The band’s official website, blackberrysmoke.com, offers tour dates, music, and exclusive gear like vinyl stickers and tees. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Blackberry Smoke Fan Club on Facebook is a hub for fans to share concert photos, trade merch, and discuss favorite tracks like "One Horse Town." Another fan-driven space, blackberrysmokefans.com, provides setlists, tour recaps, and a forum for fans to connect, keeping the Southern rock spirit alive.