Victoria Bailey – “End of the Line”
Americana Highways brings you this premiere of Victoria Bailey’s song “End of the Line” (written by Corey Adams) from her new album A Cowgirl Rides On. The album is due to be available on October 6 via Rock Ridge Music. A Cowgirl Rides On was produced by Brian Whelan.
Musicians on the project are Victoria Bailey on vocals, and guitar; Brian Whelan on guitar; Ted Russell Kamp on bass; Jeremy Long on pedal steel and dobro; Philip Glenn on fiddle, Mando and banjo; and Leeann Skoda on backing vocals.
Americana Highways had a short chat with Victoria about the song. The premiere appears just beneath the interview.
Americana Highways: This song was written by a friend of yours. Whose song is it and what made you decide to record it?
Victoria Bailey: This song was written by one of my best friends, Corey Adams. He is a part of an amazing bluegrass/Americana group called Moonsville Collective. I am lucky to call all of those guys in the group family, and they have made a big impact on my life, especially musically. Their band is really what steered my genre into the direction it is now, and all of their albums have impacted me immensely… especially this song I included on my upcoming album.
I started covering this song, “End of the Line,” in 2017 when a local surfer and musician in my town, Eric Reno, died in a tragic surfing accident. We played this song in dedication of his life, that ended far too soon, at our local beachside honky tonk bar, Mothers Tavern. This song and its lyrics have come to me at really big moments in my life, including this one, and it has always been a really big comfort. It really hasn’t left my set lists ever since 2017, and I knew I wanted to put it on this record. It ties in so beautifully to the album and really hits home for everyone who hears it.
AH: What kind of a vibe were you going for on this song? Is it different from the songwriter’s original version?
VB: I really wanted to keep the song as true to the original as possible. This isn’t always the case when I do a cover. Sometimes it’s really fun to put your own spin or even phrasing on cover songs, but this one is truly gold just how it is.
It was really special to have my good friend, Philip Glenn, on this track leading on fiddle and mandolin. He is also a musician and singer in Moonsville Collective, so it was really cool to have him as a piece of this cover and ode to this great band.
AH: What do you hope listeners get from hearing the song?
VB: I think each listener can take away a different thing from these lyrics, but I truly believe it’s relatable to all. This song reflects on life’s big questions and heartaches and sweet moments, too. It’s all the things your mind races through when you get a moment of peace and clarity, and when you realize what’s most important in life, and what to hold on tight to. At least that’s what my connection to the song is. I hope it comforts others as much as it has me.
AH: How does this song fit in among the others on the album?
VB: It really fits so perfectly. Musically and lyrically. This song was actually added halfway through our year of recording. I was still writing the last few for the record, and this song came to mind, and I reached out to Corey about covering it. It is truly an honor to have this song be a part of the record, and it is such a big piece of the album’s story as a whole.
AH: What is coming up next for Victoria Bailey?
Just gearing up to tour for this record and these songs, and I am so looking forward to it. I have a few tour runs I will be heading out on this year, and I can’t wait to play these songs stripped-down, so true to how they were recorded. We recorded these songs all together in one room live, and I want that to be replicated at our shows for these songs. They’re personal and filled with faith and bluegrass and a little bit of heartache. Can’t wait for you to hear the record!
This song is rich with strings, hitting the road, and reflections on life’s trials, the seeds of time, and mortality. “And we keep on rollin’.” Pretty and philosophical. You can find her music here at this link: https://lft.lnk.to/Cowgirl
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Victoria Bailey “Jesus, Red Wine & Patsy Cline” is Powerful and Colorful Soprano