NASHVILLE, Tenn. – OTM Productions indie country recording artist Joe Hermes, one of the hottest new entertainers in the country rock scene, celebrates the release of his new single, “Walk Away Whiskey”* AVAILABLE NOW via all digital retail and streaming outlets. Written by Hermes and Dale Oliver, and produced by Oliver (Carrie Underwood, Bucky Covington, LOCASH, Sawyer Brown, Blackhawk), the heartfelt grungy southern rock ballad convenes a break-up with a lustful make-up.
STORYLINE
An intoxicating force ignites history and temptation with an old flame. The sensibility to walk away from a push-pull relationship is compromised by chemistry and vulnerability intensified by an insatiable taste for a former love–a hard habit to shake.
Lyrics are a double entendre: "Whiskey" ("burnin' sweet when you kiss me”) can be enjoyed with every sip or stir trouble (“…better left as a memory”) round and round again.
THE SOUND
Spotlighting a grungy melodic guitar solo supported by progressive upbeat percussion, instrumentation sets the "walk away" swaying pace. Hermes' unrivaled raspy vocals are delivered with emotional depth and intensity heightening the desire and desperate yearning plea.
"When I put down the whiskey bottle a few years back, it genuinely felt like a 'break-up' in a long-term, on-again-off-again- relationship. The kind of relationship you know wasn't good for you, but you kept going back–especially in a moment of weakness," Hermes said. "I married the idea of walking away from the whiskey bottle to walking away from a woman named 'Whiskey.' Both can be inviting but can also lead to trouble."
The release of “Walk Away Whiskey” (available worldwide via all major digital retail and streaming platforms on Friday, May 24, 2024, with the presale/pre-save event beginning May 24) is in keeping with Hermes' swift momentum in the country music arena. The two new singles, “Baptized By The South” and “Walk Away Whiskey” are the first in Hermes’ 2024 Waterfall Series leading to a CD release anticipated in late fall 2024. The lead single, “Baptized By The South,” is approaching 89.5K streams since the March 2024 release.
SONG INFO
Written by Joe Hermes & Dale Oliver
Produced by Dale Oliver
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Run Time: 2:56
ABOUT
Joe Hermes (h•e•r•m•i•s•s), one of the hottest new acts in the Rock Country scene, is a bonafide ‘battle-tested’ entertainer. Dedicated to his pursuit and driven by his commitment to his faith, family and belief in working for the American Dream, the Illinois native beams with a pride he stands behind.
The good-hearted, fun-loving former defensive lineman packs a big punch with edgy vocal textures and hard-hitting musical storylines (both intimate and boldly straight-up) that sift between the angel and devil as a stand-out signature. His raucous sound and high-energy stage performances (self-described as “gunpowder country”) originate from his earliest influences (Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith, Pantera and Bon Jovi). Hermes strings together intense, soulful vocals, with raw, honest lyrics and his “Heart of Illinois” roots sound to rev a captivating listening experience.
With the encouragement and lending hand of renowned music producer Buddy Hyatt (TOTO, George Jones, Lee Greenwood, Mickey Gilley, Tracy Lawrence), Joe recorded the EP titled SOULS WITH STONES to make his official introduction in 2020. Unintimidated by the adversity and challenges of both the music industry and the COVID shutdown, Hermes pointed his concentration toward songwriting working alongside Grammy-award-winning songwriter/producer/manager Dale Oliver. In 2023, Joe released his full-length CD, ROCKIN’ A COUNTRY TOWN co-produced with Oliver behind the board. The project spotlights, original tunes penned alongside Oliver, Dan Couch (Kip Moore/Cody Johnson) and Big Vinny Hickerson (of the trio Trailor Choir) including “Stronger Than Whiskey'' and “Used To Be Me” which landed at No. 46 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart.
Reinforcing his conviction, dedication and talents, Hermes garnered early welcome and support from country radio, country music fans and his peers. In three short years, he’s shared the stage with some of the biggest names in country music entertainment [including David Nail, Ward Davis, Craig Campbell, Kolby Cooper, Myron Elkins and Kinsey Rose (The Voice) among others]. Establishing a foothold in the Rock ‘n Roll arena, Hermes has opened for Uncle Kracker, Black Stone Cherry, Head East, Jackyl and Lita Ford.
Connect:
PR CONTACT
Music City Media
K. Atwood | KATwood@musiccitynews.com | 615.770.2994
*To request a review copy of the track, please hit “reply.”