Hit the Road

Greetings, Zoo Freaks! Your favorite hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the gritty Southern rock anthem "Hit the Road" from Danny Joe Brown’s 1981 album Danny Joe Brown & the Danny Joe Brown Band. This track, the closer on the album, is a high-energy rocker that captures the raw, no-frills spirit of Southern rock with Brown’s signature raspy growl. One juicy tidbit about this song comes from fan reviews on Amazon, where listeners praise its relentless drive, likening it to the best of Molly Hatchet’s catalog. Fans note that "Hit the Road" could’ve been a stadium shaker if the album had gotten more push from Epic Records. The song’s vibe reflects Brown’s love for hard-living themes, with lyrics that evoke the open road and a rebellious streak, perfectly suited for the Zoo Crew’s free-spirited audience.

Another piece of trivia ties to the album’s production at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, overseen by legendary producer Glyn Johns. According to Wikipedia, the band poured their heart into tracks like "Hit the Road," aiming to match the intensity of Brown’s former band, Molly Hatchet. However, the album struggled commercially, partly because the label didn’t promote it heavily, as Brown himself recalled in a candid 1999 interview with Swampland. He mentioned a fateful bathroom conversation with an Epic Records exec, where they agreed to reunite with Molly Hatchet after the solo album’s modest sales. Fans on the Molly Hatchet Fan Club Facebook group often lament that "Hit the Road" and the album deserved more love, with some calling it a hidden gem that rivals Molly Hatchet’s "Flirtin’ with Disaster".

Now, let’s dive into how Danny Joe Brown got his start. Born on August 24, 1951, in Jacksonville, Florida, Brown grew up steeped in the Southern culture that would define his music. As detailed on Wikipedia, he graduated from Terry Parker High School in 1969 and promptly enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving two years in New York City. After leaving the Coast Guard, Brown turned his focus to music, joining Molly Hatchet in 1974. Though not a founding member, his deep, throaty voice became the band’s hallmark, propelling hits like "Flirtin’ with Disaster" and "Whiskey Man". His stage presence and songwriting chops, honed in Jacksonville’s club scene, made him a Southern rock icon. Brown’s brief solo stint with the Danny Joe Brown Band in 1980 came after health struggles with diabetes forced him to step back from Molly Hatchet, but he returned to the band in 1982, cementing his legacy.

For those wanting to dig deeper into Danny Joe Brown’s world, official resources are scarce since his passing in 2005, but you can visit Molly Hatchet’s official website for band history that prominently features Brown. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for updates and throwback posts about Brown’s era. On X, the band occasionally shares tributes to their former frontman. Fans keep his spirit alive on the Molly Hatchet Fan Club Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and rare photos. Another fan hub is the Southern Rock Community group, which celebrates Brown alongside other genre legends. Sadly, no dedicated Danny Joe Brown fan sites remain active, but these communities are the next best thing for connecting with fellow freaks who love his music.