Drinks & Memories marks the debut solo album from country singer-songwriter Tay Bronson but it’s not his first rodeo in the music industry.
He picked up a guitar in seventh grade and hasn’t put it down yet. “It’s kind of like my therapy in a way,” says Bronson. Since 1991, Bronson has been active in perusing his musical aspirations. With Push Down & Turn—the alternative rock group that achieved national and international acclaim with Bronson as bassist and primary songwriter—Bronson got to live his dreams until the band decided to take their hiatus in 2003. At that time, the lifelong Indiana-basedmusician turned his time and focus to raising his daughter and continuing to build upon his life experiences which all started to pour out into the 12-song Drinks & Memories, released August 21, 2020.
“I was always a big fan of the ‘90s alternative rock scene but a few years ago I began really digging back into some of my early influences like Waylon Jennings, John Prine and Hank Williams Jr.,” notes Bronson. The authenticity of what those artists sang about can be found throughout the grooves of Drinks & Memories.
A standout single from the album, “Key Over The Door,” quickly earned its way onto 45+ radio stations nationwide with a climbing spin count over 400 per week. The video for the single also earned a Premiere on the popular online Americana Highways.
“In a hot red 1961 Thunderbird, Tay Bronson sings a timeless song of love, loss and an abiding sense that nothing is ever really over. This song is for all of us who’ve ended it but wanted to leave the door open a crack, just in case. Listen to the album all the way through and savor Tay Bronson’s appealing songsmanship.”.
– Americana Highways
“Willard’s Song,” a tune Bronson penned just following the passing of his father, is an endearing sentiment about the desire for quality time between a father and son. It’s anchored to the simple theme of spending time on the lake fishing, something that is ever-present in Bronson’s life. “If I’m not singin’ rhymes, I’m castin’ lines,” he declares with a smile and chuckle.
During Bronson’s tenure with Push Down & Turn, his songs appeared on all four of the band’s albums and Demo EP in addition to compilation albums the band was featured on including major brands like Abercrombie and Fitch, Lidz and Cool Cigarettes. Their music was also featured on every major daytime soap opera, sans General Hospital, in the U.S. and abroad. Additional band highlights include a five-show stint on 1997’s HORDE tour and opening for the Counting Crows, extended tour dates with the BoDeans, Freddy Jones Band and many others. They also shared the stage the following year with Oleander, Everclear and Kid Rock at X-fest 1999.
“With this album, I’m just excited to get it out there,” says Bronson. “It was a long road traveled to arrive at Drinks & Memories and I know it all comes down to the songs so I hope some folks relate to them.”
The new album—produced by Eric Klee Johnson at The Pop Machine Studios in Indianapolis, IN— is available digitally and on CD everywhere..
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