A true cowboy, CJ Garton earned his well-worn boots just like the five generations before him, on an Oklahoma ranch founded by his family during the land run in the 1800s. And, like the red dirt that is his home, his life is the foundation for his stories: rich and complex, the result of hard work.
Old-school in many ways, CJ did his own polling on what kind of country music people prefer. He and his 13-year-old son got on horses and rode from Oklahoma to Tennessee, asking opinions along the 31-day trip. Hearing that people longed for old-time country music gave Garton what he needed to take the risk.
The result, Tales Of The Ole West And Other Libations To Please The Palate drops September 16th, with stories about travelers and heroes, freedom and imprisonment, lovers and family. The album was produced by CJ and partner Joe Spivey, known for his fiddle and his studio work with some of country music’s biggest names.
CJ spoke with Elmore Magazine about this cut, “Drinkin’ Man”: “I wrote this song with my father in mind who struggled with alcoholism, and a veteran I met at the VFW one night who overcame the addiction and habit. This song means a lot to me and is very personal because I experienced first hand what it can do to a individual and a family. After meeting the gentleman at the VFW, I noticed he always drank coffee but was there often. He told me a story of how he did two tours in Vietnam and picked up a mighty strong habit for the drink, so he gave it up to save himself and his family. He was going on 20 plus years then, but still loved the bar environment and catching up with old buddies. It hit home to me and gave me an opportunity to see a different path that my father could have taken. It spoke volumes to me and the song fell out onto a few bar napkins at the VFW. About 20 minutes later ‘Drinkin’ Man’ was born.”
With the help of the Mayor’s office in Bristow, Oklahoma, CJ plans to reconstitute country music festivals in small towns along Route 66 that were bypassed with the instillation of Interstates. The first 3-day event kick edoff in August 2021, in his home town of Bristow.
Learn more about CJ Garton HERE
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