Announcing the newest CD release from Alt-country and Americana song-kickers, Pig Farmer. “Makin’ Bacon” is the fifth album in the swine-themed discography from songwriter, James P. Hellerich and his roots music cooperative. The album contains nine original tunes and one Johnny Cash cover all performed in the distinctive Pig Farmer fashion.
The band is celebrating the new arrival with a CD release party at Magoon’s, 8th and Locust in St. Joe with a pre-thanksgiving “Hoe-down,Throw-down” on Wednesday evening, November 23. The band will perform live and have CD’s and Pig Farmer merchandise available for purchase.
Pig Farmer was founded by Singer/Songwriter, James P. (Jimmy) Hellerich of Savannah, MO in the late 90’s as a vehicle to perform and record his original music and select classic rock and roll and country covers. A devotee of Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Jerry Lee Lewis, Hellerich’s music and lyrics are often about personal events and universal struggles with stylistic nods to early rock and american roots music. The longstanding line-up for the band includes Hellerich on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Jay Albright on drums and backing vocals and guitarist, Jason Riley. Newly appointed bassist, Ben Leimkuhler makes his PF debut on the new record.
This album retains the true-to-life themes that typify Pig Farmer’s subject matter. Songs about strife and redemption, “gratitude for what you’ve got” and more traditional blue collar story lines. Jim shares the inspiration behind the album’s opening track….
“I was setting in the rehab family counseling center looking all around. There was a Millionaire setting next to me and a Mother who worked at Wal-Mart on the other side. There must have been 50 sets of families, from all walks of life, there to help a loved one with their addiction. I listened to all their stories of how addiction has affected their life. A great rumbling in my spirit began to stir and on the way home ‘Catch His Name’ was born.”
“Makin’ Bacon” is the fifth album in the band’s porcine set that also includes “Hambone” (’03) and “Mountain Oysters” (’06). While all of the previous albums were recorded in Nashville, TN, this newest project was recorded at Hellerich’s newly refurbished personal tracking center “The Studio” outside of Savannah. The album contains nine tunes and includes titles such as “I Want My Life Back”, “Hello Little Darlin’”, “I Got Drunk”, “Lonely and Blue”, “Walkin’ Through the Valley” and one cover of Johnny Cash’s “Frankie’s Man Johnny”. The album is already receiving airplay overseas in places like The Netherlands and Sweden. “Our music has always been very well received abroad. There is a real love of American music around the world. The Pig Farmer sound still has a lot in common with those early pioneers in rock-n-roll, rockabilly and American country.” says Riley.
“Makin’ Bacon” and all Pig Farmer titles are available online at iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby.com The band shot their first music video for the album late this summer. The “Rebel In My Town” video is also available for viewing on YouTube.
