Josh Card grew up in a small Florida town playing along to Conway Twitty albums and daydreaming of following in the footsteps of his favorite country legends. His teenage years set him on a different path, favoring punk clubs over country dance halls. But like fellow rocker-turned-honky-tonk-hero Cody Jinks, Card found himself drawn back into the world of classic country. And if his sophomore album With a Heavy Heart is any indication, Card is right at home.
Card, who spent time as a guitarist for Whitey Morgan and the 78s, enlisted Dean Miller (son of country legend Roger Miller) as producer. Veteran musicians Paul Franklin and Mike Johnson play steel guitar on the album.
Card says while making With a Heavy Heart, which Wide Open Country is premiering today, he set out to create a classic country record with honesty and true-to-life stories.
"'With A Heavy Heart' is a traditionally styled but modern produced country music record that I think any music fan can enjoy. The songs are written from real life experiences and written with honesty. The things we all face, feel, think, and do," Card tells Wide Open Country. "When I listen to music, I find myself relating so intently to a song that it feels as if the writer had me in mind when they put pen to paper. I can only hope that maybe someone finds that same shelter within my songs, and it can bring to them what music has always bought to me."
The album kicks off with soaring fiddles, steel guitar and pure, unadulterated heartache set to a country shuffle on "Suffer," while defeat gives way to acceptance on album standout "Won't Chase Your Love Anymore."
"Better Off That Way," which follows a man desperate to hang on to a relationship that's slipping away, wouldn't have sounded out of place on early '90s country radio. "I've been tryin' to fit into the plans you've made," Card sings. "But I feel five feet deep into a six foot grave."
The stunning "Forgotten Love" was inspired by Card's grandparents and written shortly after his grandmother was diagnosed with dementia.
Listen to the complete album below.
With a Heavy Heart is available everywhere on Nov. 9.
Upcoming Josh Card Tour Dates:
Nov. 7 — Louisville, Ky. — Bourbon Hall (with Joe Diffie)
Nov. 9 — Jacksonville, Fla. — The Jacksonville Landing
Nov. 10 — Tifton, Ga. — 41 and Maine
Nov. 13 — Lexington, Ky. — Cosmic Charlies (with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band)
Nov. 14 — Louisville, Ky. — Zanzabar (with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band)
Nov. 16 — Winston-Salem, N.C. — Ardmore Barber Shop
Nov. 17 — Asheville, N.C. — Asheville Music Hall (with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band)
Nov. 18 — Atlanta, Ga. — The Masquerade (with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band)
Nov. 19 — Columbus, Ohio — Woodlands Tavern
Nov. 21 — Newport, Ky. — The Southgate House Revival
Nov. 23 — Waterloo, Ne. — Buck's Bar and Grill
Nov. 24 — St. Charles, Iowa — The Talk Shop Lounge
Nov. 25 — Chicago, Ill. — Montrose Saloon
Nov. 27 — St. Louis, Mo. — CBGB
Nov. 30 — Bay St. Louis, Miss. — Harold and Lillian's
Dec. 13 — Baltimore, Md. — 1919
Dec. 15 — Brooklyn, NY — Skinny Dennis
Jan. 4 — Macon, Ga. — The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom
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