Parkin' It With Antsy McClain

Old Dogs and Guitars

2009-09-20T20:30:00Z

This podcast originally published in Summer 2008

"It seems I keep coming back to the same old things: Old dogs and guitars and back porch swings." - Antsy McClain
In this songwriters workshop of sorts, Antsy presents several demos of new songs. Some are older ones that have never been heard before, and some are brand new, having just been recorded in the last 48 hours. Antsy gives a little background to the songs, and the stories behind them. "A Good Wishing Song," "Old Dogs and Guitars," "Hunky Dory," "The Ghost of Stevie Goodman," "Another Road to You," and "Drive-Thru Life." "I've been in a real writing spurt lately," Antsy says, "And I wanted to let Flamingoheads know what I've been up to. The songs are pretty simple, as far as production value -- It's just me and an acoustic guitar and layered background vocals and mandolin here and there -- but I think folks will get the idea. Some of these demos, like "The Ghost of Stevie Goodman," may never even end up on an album anywhere, I don't know. They were written as exercises, really, or journal entries, and because of their tone or message, they may not fit into a Trailer Park Troubadour set list. They're kind of misfits, I guess, but I still wanted folks to hear them." Antsy mentions in this podcast that he'll continue to share these songs under the condition that he get feedback from listeners. Let Antsy know what you think of the new music by e-mailing him at thetroubs@comcast.net. Your feedback is always carefully considered, and even shapes the content of future albums.

The Right Side of the Dirt

2009-09-20T20:11:00Z

"The only times I've ever grown was when I got pushed out of my comfort zone." - Antsy McClain
Antsy gives us an inside track to his preparations for his upcoming album with The Trailer Park Troubadours. He also talks about having a song in the filmWitless Protection, and meeting the film's star, Larry The Cable Guy. Antsy's new album, due out September 1st, is tentatively titled Let The Good Times Roll, and will feature a cover of The Cars' classic hit of the same name. The album will carry on the "Enjoy The Ride" philosophy of Trailercana, with many of the songs addressing the theme of travel and wanderlust. Songs in this podcast include demos of Let The Good Times Roll, Right Side of the Dirt and a brand new song entitled A Better Past.

New Album Previews

2009-09-20T20:02:00Z

Originally released as podcast in August 2008-- "It's all good if nobody gets hurt. Another day alive, amen!" - Antsy McClain
Antsy takes you into the studio as he previews several songs on NOT ONE, BUT TWO NEW ALBUMS! Flamingohead assistance came through to help with studio time and production costs. Antsy promised there'd be an album released with the money, and lo and behold, there are two – one to be released in October and the other in November – containing many live concert favorites and a bunch of surprises. During this 15-minute-long podcast, Antsy gives you a sneak peak at these songs: Another Happy Song, Right Side of The Dirt, That's What I Do, Charla's Motel 6, The Last Man on Earth to Get The Cooties and more! This is the first of a three-part podcast keeping you up to date on the progress of these albums. More to come. Stay tuned.

The Voice of Degeneration

2009-09-20T19:55:00Z

"She took the sad outta Saturday night..."
Antsy relives a painful but poignant moment during a recent show in which he lost his voice. Suffering from laryngitis, he persevered in front of a sold-out crowd in Chico, California. The concert, held at the renowned Sierra Nevada Brewery, had sold out in four days, and was being broadcast live and over the internet by local radio station KZFR. In these days when it's not uncommon for artists to cancel a show or walk off the stage when things aren't going perfectly, Antsy applies the blue collar work principles he grew up with, and sticks it out. In this rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be, well, behind the scenes at a Troubs concert, you get Antsy's unique perspective. Features NEW SONGS never heard before, which are fast becoming hits with Flamingoheads at shows around the country: Everything's a Dollar, and The Facebook Blues. Also featured is A Better Past, from The Beige Album.

A Daddy Understands

2009-09-20T19:08:00Z

"And I want you all to know how fun it is just being here and watching you grow..."
Antsy discovers a long-lost recording of the first "real" song he ever wrote, a duet with his then-five year old daughter Lauren singing "I Might As Well Be Talking To The Wall." The song was found on an old cassette tape made on a Yamaha four track recorder, the first song writing tool (other than a guitar) Antsy ever purchased. It was recorded in the kitchen while little brother Buddy and little sister Emily played nearby. Polly was leaning against the kitchen counter wearing a big, matronly grin. Also featured in this podcast is a song never released on a Troubs album, called "A Daddy Understands." It depicts the quiet, contemplative life of a father who's heart is open to the beauty of the passing of time. The two children mentioned in the song are his daughter Brooklynne and his son Grant, who came padding out of their bedrooms and onto Antsy's lap as he was quietly working on the song one Saturday morning. "I Might As Well Be Talking to The Wall" is slated to be recorded in Memphis at The SUN Sessions in October. My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-c7e976d1c2ccff73d3a2d0bbf55dd244}

Podcast Feed

2009-07-29T16:29:00Z

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What is Folkabilly?

2009-07-29T15:21:00Z

"Genres... labels... compartments... Can't we just call it music?"
Antsy attempts to answer a frequently-asked question, and recruits his own band members to help solve the mystery. Songs include: The Folkabilly Shuffle, Mobile, The Croquet King, Without a Hitch and many more.

**This is a repost from 2007

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Antsy Meets Dr. Demento

2008-09-05T16:22:00Z

"If we weren't all crazy, we'd just go insane." - Jimmy Buffet
Antsy gets to meet the man who is responsible, at least partly, for his career in songwriting. Having hosted his two-hour weekly radio show for over 35 years, Dr. Demento shares his vast record collection with the world, playing wonderfully wacky songs like "Who Put The Benzedrine in Mrs. Murphy's Ovaltine," "Fish Heads," and "Pencil Neck Geek." These songs were exposed to Antsy during his impressionable teenage years, and charted his course to write songs which aren't afraid to make us laugh. Dr. Demento is also credited for having discovered Weird Al Yankovic, among others. Antsy and the Doctor talk – and even sing – about music, radio, humor, and life in this 40 minute podcast. Antsy also gives you an advance listen to the song: Another Happy Song, featured on his new album New Good Old Days, coming out in October '08. Also mentioned in this podcast is the music of Carla Ulbrich. Check her out.

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