South Carolina-born singer-songwriter Mac Leaphart channels the humor and heart of folk heroes like John Prine and Hayes Carll on "Blame on the Bottle," the debut single from his forthcoming album Music City Joke.
The song centers on a man hellbent on telling others how to live (and what to avoid) — without taking self-will into account.
"Don't put the blame on the bottle/ Now that you've got yourself dry/ And your needin' someone or somethin' to call the bad guy," Leaphart sings. "Too fast and too many/ Too much for way too long/ Don't put the blame on the bottle/ 'Cause that whiskey don't pour on its own."
"'Blame on the Bottle' was inspired by picking up a preacher on the left end of the radio dial," Leaphart tells Wide Open Country. "He was indignant about the bad things that can happen when people drink too much and lose control-which I completely understand/agree with. However, all of his anger was directed solely toward the alcohol itself, not taking into account that we do have self-control, and most of us can use temperance. This perspective bothered me at the moment, and it stuck with me. A few days later I sat down and wrote this song."
Listen to "Blame on the Bottle" below.
Leaphart made his solo debut with 2009's Line, Rope, Etc. In 2015 he released Low in the Saddle, Long in the Tooth, followed by the Sadler Vaden-produced EP Lightning Bob in 2018.
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