By Gill Holland
Kentucky has long been famous for birthing and rearing famous bluegrass, folk, and country music singers and songwriters. From Bill Monroe and Sam Bush, Tom T Hall, Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, the Judds, Ricky Skaggs , Dwight Yoakam, to more recently, Tyler Childers, Carly Pearce, Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton; there must be something in the water!
While there are dozens more names that merit inclusion on any list of Kentucky country music stars, here is a brand-new name to put on the radar: Ben Fugate, a young man from Hazard in Perry County. Pronounced “Few-git”. He and his band The Burning Trash Band are releasing this April 12th his self-titled, second record after the success of his first single “Pronounced Appa-Latch-Uh.” The album release party is April 11th at the Monarch Music & Arts Community on Bardstown Road.
Ben grew up imbued with gospel music in a local Perry County Pentecostal church, then became an Elvis impersonator in elementary school and continued performing, playing Lynyrd Skynyrd songs in a cover band in high school talent shows. He also knows a ridiculous number of John Cougar Mellencamp songs! With his Hazard twang and heart-tugging slow country warbles, one could call him a “honky-tonk traditionalist” in the vein of Hank Williams and George Jones.
"This album is a big departure from my garage days with just one mic,” said Fugate. “We aimed to reflect our unique sound, while drawing inspiration from country legends, and I believe we've captured that essence!" The Burning Trash Band is an incredibly tight sextet of music veterans, comprising sometimes co-writer Kevin Howard on lead guitar, Travis Fugate on rhythm, Mike Howard on bass, Jacob Mack-Boll on fiddle and Derek Mullins on drums (the latter also wrote “Ticks Blues”).
Signed to our label sonaBLAST!, the band jumped at the chance to come to Louisville to record. Ben, who is a ASCAP registered writer, remembers that time fondly, “Recording at LaLaLand was an experience that provided a state-of-the-art recording experience right in my home state. The guys and I felt right at home when we got to work in the studio and Anne Gauthier (producer and engineer) is amazing at what she does!”
Ben Fugate is a Hazard boy with a mountain of talent, writing songs that will cause your heart to ache and your soul to sing. If you can’t catch Ben at the Monarch record release party, he will also be on Wave Country with Dawn Gee on April 11th.
Let’s close with lyrics from two of his soon-to-be jukebox hits! When asked if the song “County Fuzz” was autobiographical, Ben smiled and said, “no comment.” And if you are wondering what the Dipsey Doodle is, it is a curve outside Hazard where the police would do roadblocks back in the day!
Lovesick Over You
The T Shirt in the corner Still smells like you.
Since you’ve walked out, I’ve had nothing to do
Except write this old sad song, of how you left me blue.
It’s Time like these I wonder, what would Hank Williams do?
(Chorus)
He’d turn to the bottle to try and ease the pain
He’d only go out when it’s raining to hide the tears from his face
Now I know how he felt when he sung them lovesick blues.
Me and Ol Hank Williams are Lovesick Over You
(2ndnd Verse)
I tried to make you stay. Your gypsy heart was set to leave.
For a while I was blind but thank God now I see.
I hope he gives you the world. Well, I hope he’s better than me.
I’m just a lonesome cowboy ridin’ on my old horse misery.
(Chorus)
Well I’m turning to the bottle - To try and ease my pain.
I only go out when it’s raining - To hide the tears on my face.
Now I’m living how he felt when he sung them lovesick blues.
Cause me and ole Hank Williams are Lovesick Over You.
“County Fuzz”
Woke up in this mornin’ in a heap of pain
Last night I held my name for a picture at the ole county jail.
I’d worked on a pretty good buzz, ran into the county fuzz, by Dipsey Doodle
And they began to question me
I didn’t want to take their test. They called it resisting arrest
So they forced me in the back of a Crown Vic car.
(Chorus)
Well I said, People, take heed to me. A drunk tank’s no place to be.
Signed, an old patron of the county fuzz.
(2nd verse)
Threw all my money in that ole pay phone. Answer baby, I wanna come home.
I’ll make the promise that I’ve made so many times.
Honey, if you’d just listen to me, this old fuzz might set me free
And I’d be in your loving arms for the rest of time.