About this episode

Jason Ringenberg discusses the making of the album 'Still Standing' and its impact on his songwriting and career.

Jason and the Scorchers (née Jason and the Nashville Scorchers) were cowpunk trailblazers before anyone was talking about alt-country or Americana. Frontman/songwriter Jason Ringenberg and his bandmates, including fiery guitarist Warner Hodges, infused country music with punk energy to thrilling effect. After EMI America signed the band and added its high-octane cover of Bob Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie” to its 1983 EP, Fervor , hopes were high. The first album, Lost & Found , generated rave reviews, yet when it came time to make the follow-up, the band had reached a pivot point. To mark the 40th anniversary of that second album, Still Standing , Ringenberg digs deep into the life-altering experience of making it and its aftermath. How did his songwriting change? Why did they hire Cheap Trick producer Tom Werman? Was the plan always to release a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “19th Nervous Breakdown” as the first single? How did Ringenberg get from a downstate Illinois farm to this point? Bonus: There are baby chicks. (Photo by Marty Howell)

People in this episode

Host: Mark Caro

Guest: Jason Ringenberg

Topics covered

• cowpunk
• alt-country
• Americana
• songwriting
• music history
• band dynamics

Keywords

• Jason Ringenberg
• Still Standing
• cowpunk
• alt-country
• music history
• songwriting
• band dynamics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: EMI America, Cheap Trick

Books & works: Absolutely Sweet Marie, Lost & Found, Still Standing, 19th Nervous Breakdown

Places: Illinois

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