‘Different approach’
Dallas Burrow ‘settling down’ after putting ‘party animal’ days behind
Dallas Burrow is hanging out with his 2-year-old son.
It’s time that he cherishes when he gets it.
“He’s watching cartoons,” Burrow says in a recent interview. “This is kind of the calm in between the storm of touring.”
The Nashville, Tennessee-based musician is gearing up for some dates on the road in support of his new album, “Southern Wind,” released on Sept. 20. Burrow will make a stop in Albuquerque on Friday, Oct. 25, and in Santa Fe on Oct. 30.
The album also marks a time of maturity for Burrow.
After years of bouncing from place to place, he grew tired of the pace.
“My 20s were a blur,” he says. “I remember the point I decided to make a change. It was Christmas, and I looked at my son and realized that he was now the priority. It was time to get sober and approach my life in a different way.”
The album finds Burrow bidding goodbye to his vices and taking one last look at the whirlwind of his young adulthood, a time filled with barely believable highs — including an inspirational jam session with Bob Dylan, a shared meal of buffalo stew with Dr. John, and time spent traveling with a Native American shaman — and crushing lows.
It’s a self-reckoning of sorts.
“There are songs on the record that recount those wandering, partying days,” says Burrow, who recorded the bulk of the album in two days, “and there are songs that tell the story of me becoming grounded and settling down. In a way, it’s a chronological story about the various parts of my life. I’m saying goodbye to the young party animal I used to be, and settling into a newfound, more mature version of whoever I am.”
Writing started on “Southern Wind” on Sept. 19, 2018. A year and a day later, he would have the album out to the world.
Burrow recorded the album with producer Eric McConnell, known for his award-winning work with Loretta Lynn, Todd Snider and others.
Joining them in the studio were a handful of all-star musicians, including guitar virtuoso Kenny Vaughan, former Johnny Cash bassist Dave Roe, Average White Band drummer Pete Abbott, Edwin McCain collaborator Larry Chaney, harmony singer Sierra Ferrell and guitarist Frank Rische.
Chris Scruggs played lap steel guitar, and world-renowned fiddler Billy Contreras contributed.
“I strategically approached the whole thing,” he says. “I put out records before, and there was not promotion behind it. I wanted this one to have a good run. It’s a defining album for me, as I have a different approach to life.”