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Rainbow Man - Jeff Bates - Cut By Cut | |
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“The whole record has a great ‘feel’ to it. I wanted Kenny Beard to produce the album, because he’d recorded a lot of the songs that got me my recording contract. But Kenny didn’t want to risk ruining my first try, or put it at risk with his first attempt at producing. So we tossed around a few names for co-producers who could hold Kenny’s hand. The label had us record four songs, two with Kenny and Scott Hendricks and two with Kenny and David Malloy. When they listened to the results, everybody liked both teams. So we wound up with four songs produced by Kenny and David, four produced by Kenny and Scott and three produced by the three of them together, including this one. Everybody got along great and I’m so proud of the results!”
1. “Country Enough” (Kenny Beard/Tim Owens/Jeff Bates)
2. “The Love Song” (Jeff Bates/Kenny Beard/Casey Beathard)
3. “Long, Slow Kisses” (Jeff Bates/Gordon Bradberry/Ben Hayslip)
4. “Lovin’ Like That” (Jimmy Yeary/Kenny Beard/Jeff Bates)
5. “I Wanna Make You Cry” (Kenny Beard/Jeff Bates)
6. “Your Lovin’ Talks to Me” (Jeff Bates/Byron Hill)
7. “My Mississippi” (Jeff Bates/Kenny Beard/Dave Loggins)
8. “Already Spent” (Jeff Bates/Terry Clayton)
9. “Rainbow Man” (Jeff Bates/Harley Allen)
10. “My Inlaws Are Outlaws” (Jeff Bates/Byron Hill)
11. “The Wings of Mama’s Prayers” (Jeff Bates/Kris Bergsnes/Terry Clayton)
Album cover, used with permission of RCA Records.
I first heard this song when Kenny was trying to sing it in the studio a couple of years ago. I told him he sucked at it and asked him to let me try. Then he told me I sucked at it and not to ever mention getting a record deal to him again. Then we forgot completely about it.
I remembered it as we were planning the recording. Kenny was adamant about not wanting his songs on this record, because as the producer, he didn’t want to come across as egotistical or greedy. But I think a good song is what we want, whether he’s a writer on it or not.
Oh, this song has been awesome for me. I can’t believe the incredible response it’s gotten. The inspiration for the song came from Kenny’s two daughters and I just feel completely blessed to get to sing it.
I also love that it covers my vocal range, from my lows to my highs. Though I think I can actually go a little higher…
This is the first song I wrote as a professional songwriter. The title came from a personal ad I read on the internet. People try to think of the coolest things to say in their opening lines in the personals. I look for song ideas in them. And this one lady wrote, “I like long, slow kisses.” I thought, “Now there’s a song.”
I put that together with an argument my wife and I had once. She told me, “I don’t feel like I’m Number One in your life anymore.” I remembered the resulting conversation and used it to create the song. I’ve definitely had to turn around and go back home just to say ‘I’m sorry.’
On this album I really wanted to work with the people who have stuck by me and written with me through the bad times and the good. Jimmy Yeary is one of them. The day before we went into the studio, he came over to watch a football game and we wrote this song. That’s also him playing the electric guitar solo.
This is the first song that Kenny and I wrote together. In fact, it’s how we met. Our music publishers decided to introduce us and see how we worked together. Kenny has written lots of hits with other artists, so when he walked in the door I was nervous, because I know who Kenny is and I’m nobody. He said, “Hey, I’m Kenny Beard. What kind of songs do you like to write?” I said, “I like to write songs about love and making love.”
He told me all about this idea he had. After I’d listened, I said, “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!”
This is one of the first songs we recorded for the album. It’s not as traditional-sounding as most of the songs. Byron Hill is just a great writer and a good guy and the first time we met, we just really hit it off well. He “gets” me and what I’m all about. We’ve written several songs together.
This entire album is my life as I have lived it, set to music. It is every bit the truth. The story about my first guitar and the ‘57 Chevy is all true. I was the ultimate Elvis fan. One of my first musical jobs was at a VFW hall in Columbia, Mississippi as an Elvis impersonator for an hour every Saturday night. I even had a little costume.
I wrote this with Kenny and, one of my heroes, Dave Loggins. He might not be from Mississippi, but he’s all soul. What a guy!
This is another one of those songs that is just the pure truth. I’m a welder by trade, and I’ve lived every line of that song. I’ve been to the bank to get a loan and been told, “Mr. Bates, your credit looks good. If you could just show us some more income, we’ll give you a loan.”
I’ve worked hard all my life, so that’s where everything comes from in this song. I believe a lot of people can relate to it.
I met Harley Allen for the first time over lunch. He said, “Well, tell me about yourself, hoss.” So I told him the whole thing, how my mama gave me away and all that. When I finished telling the story, he said, “Hey, I’ve got a hook that fits you perfectly: The Rainbow Man.” I said, “Goll-eee! Let’s go write it!”
In two and a half hours, it all came pouring out. That song is a blessing and Harley’s a genius.
You know what? This one’s true, too, believe it or not. My in-laws are a pretty rambunctious group. My father-in-law loves this. The first time I sang it for him, he stood up and laughed so hard he was about to cry. He said, “That’s a hit!” He calls at least once a week to see if people in radio are liking it, and they are.
It’s a good ol’ honky tonker, and it would just tickle me if they would release it right around Thanksgiving or Christmas one year _ when the relatives are together.
This is another song that comes straight from my life and it’s my Mama’s favorite song.
I called to tell her about this big concert tour I’m going to be on this summer. She said, “Well, that’s nice, honey.” Then I said, “And I’m going to be on the Grand Ole Opry.” She said, “Oh, my God!” But they won’t be there. Mama and Daddy have just about never been out of the county that they live in. The only time they ever go anywhere is if they have to go to Hattiesburg, the next county over, to go to the doctor or the hospital. They don’t want cable TV. They don’t want a satellite dish. They have a VCR. So I guess I’m just gonna have to send ‘em a tape.