Mickey McGivern & Hard Times
Good afternoon, friends and thanks for tuning in. Hard Times, the second Single from my upcoming album, Lost Country was released yesterday and is streaming everywhere now. If you’d like a free download of the track, head to seanburns.bandcamp.com and while you’re there, sniff around at the pre-order bundles to see what’s been made available in addition to the record.
So, Hard Times.. we’ve all had ‘em and there’s a ton of songs about it. But this one is my favourite. It one stands alone in terms of mood, subject matter and feel on the record. The song originally appeared as the title-track to Mickey McGivern & The Mustangs [featuring Billy Adams] 1967 album on the legendary Arc Records label.
Mickey has been referred to as the most-heard and least-credited Guitar picker of his time with over 350 documented recording sessions. Many of which were on the Arc label. As fine a Honky-Tonk, Country music guitar picker as Canada has ever seen, Mickey’s contributions extended beyond the reach of his Telecaster, serving as solo recording artist, band leader and occasional songwriter.
Noted writing credits include a co-write with Johnny Paycheck on his single, Down On the Corner at a Bar Named Kelly’s. Recorded in 1967, the song stuck around on the Billboard Country Hits Charts for 4 weeks when it was finally released in 1979. Other notable names Mickey backed up - most likely at The Edison Hotel (“Canada’s Home of Country Music” in the 1960’s) include Roy Payne, Dick Nolan, Del Reeves, Bob Luman, Red Sovine, Dave Dudley, Stonewall Jackson, Johnny Burke, and many, many, many more.
Hard Times, the song and the album, remain a highlight for me in terms of releases under Mickey’s name. It should be noted that his, Down East Guitar Pickin' is another (on the Paragon label) is also worth digging around for. It’s hard to top Mickey’s masterful pickin’ on the 1970’s, ‘Roy Payne No. 2’, another quintessential Canadian Honky-Tonk record but there’s just something about Hard Times for me. The whole album carries a special mood and vibe. In the style of the time, the record is comprised of some hits-of-the-day along with songs written by Mickey (sometimes with help from Producer, Ben Weatherby). I Don't Want To Be Me, penned by Mickey and the group’s young vocalist at the time, Billy Adams is another highlight on the Hard Times record and a song we’d considered for our Lost Country album, but I couldn’t ignore the impact of Hard Times as a song.
If you’re still with me and at all intrigued by my infatuation with Mickey and his hot pickin’ then allow me one more recommendation… On Stage at The Edison, on the Arc label. A classic Opry style variety show that sees Mickey and the Mustangs (who were at the time, the house band at The Edison) backing up a cast of singers & pickers, locally and in some cases nationally known, in what I’ve been on record as calling one of the finest Live Country music albums of all time. It stands right up there with Charley Pride at Panther Hall in my opinion.
On one former episode of Boots & Saddle, I spun the entire record from the Edison stage on the radio program. If you’re interested, it’s there - otherwise, you’ll have to track down a physical copy of this thing somehwere. I found mine on discogs.com. A MUST-HAVE record, to be sure. The Edison no longer stands but you can see it on the cover of my, Lost Country record that’s due out October 27.
Hard Times (Sept. 8) and Destroy Me (Aug. 4), the lead-off singles, are both out in at the world available to stream everywhere you do that kinda thing and each tune has an accompanying video.. Follow me on YouTube to stay up to date with video releases. We’ve got a few more coming on the back of this record.
Before I split, I must extend my appreciation to everyone who has pre-ordered my new album. There’s a bunch of other goodies available to you if you pre-order; new merch, lifetime guest-list access or even a private house concert, if that’s what you’re into; I don’t know your life. It’s in full swing and available for you at: seanburns.bandcamp.com/album/lost-country
I’ve been checking in on Instagram every Tuesday to chat about the album, the songs, the process. All of it. Come by and say hi sometime. Until then, thank you again for listening and supporting. I love Country music so damn much and especially this brand of “lost: Honky-Tonk. It’s a privilege to share this with you. Truly. Thanks for getting on board.
Sean Burns -
Room 578, Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa
Moose Jaw, SK
10:30 AM. Saturday, September 9, 2023.
Sean Burns - Hard Times
Studio:
SB - Vocals, Bass
Jessica Lyons - Background Vocals
Sean O’Grady - Drums
Grant Siemens - Guitars
Andrina Turenne - Background Vocals
Mike Weber - Pedal Steel
Engineered & Mixed by Chris Stringer
Live Video:
SB - Vocals, Fender Bass
Joanna Miller - Drums
Austin Parachoniak - Acoustic Guitar
Grant Siemens - Guitars
Vide by Brodie Parachoniak
Engineered & Mixed by Micah Erenberg