Joplin music featurette: Whisky Outlaws
New Toad music feature
written by Nathan Hurley
photographed by Andrew Clanton
photo by Andrew Clanton
Whisky Outlaws is the band and brainchild of Corey Reagin and Thaddeus Morton. Their band combines the sounds and influences of red dirt country (bands like Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland and the Stragglers) with the more refined and clean cut sound of the mainstream country stars of the 90’s. (Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley)
Corey and Thaddeus met in 2019 shortly after both moved to the beautiful town of Joplin from different parts of the country- Corey from South Carolina and Thaddeus from Montana. Just two months after meeting at Palen Music Center here in Joplin, MO, Whisky Outlaws was born. The guys rounded out the four piece band when they added father-son duo David and Joe Ebbs to hold down the rhythm section. The Outlaws have played quite a few shows together since then and have many more scheduled for the summer. (see an impressive run of shows listed below)
graphic by Jesse Solomon
Their new single, “Hollow Man,” just released on May 21, is available everywhere. This is a true love song, expressing appreciation for a supportive partner and the stability a healthy relationship can bring. As a married man, this song really resonated with me. I think anyone in a serious relationship will relate to the themes in this new track from the Outlaws. I am not an expert on the topic of country music (or any other topics for that matter if I’m being brutally honest with you) but I can tell you the song these Joplin boys have made can only be described as a bright, bouncy, beautiful summer love song. Don’t even try to describe it another way because it cannot be done. What you have here is a song worth listening to many times.
photo by Andrew Clanton
Corey croons these words with a nice southern drawl “without your love, I’m a hollow man” acknowledging the purpose and meaning that can be found in any healthy relationship. That’s what I got out of it. It is a beautiful tune that you’ll want to listen to either on your front porch at sunset or cruising down Main Street on a sunny day in Joplin.
In summary, the very first song from Whisky Outlaws is a great, toad-approved tune. You should go check out the band! Catch them in town this summer, and the song itself right here, right now:
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Follow Whisky Outlaws here:
https://www.facebook.com/whiskyoutlaws
https://www.instagram.com/whiskyoutlaws/
Summer tour dates for Whisky Outlaws:
5/21 - Joplin Avenue Coffee Co. - Joplin, MO
5/22 - Track 94 Brewery - Seneca, MO
5/28 - Mother’s Brewing - Springfield, MO
5/29 - Kansas Crossing Casino - Pitt, MO
6/4 - Wildfire Pizza - Webb City, MO
6/11 - Lions Club - Joplin, MO
6/18 - Good Vibrations - Rogers, AR
6/19 - Rivers Bend Campground - Joplin, MO
6/25 - Rogers, AR
6/26 - Indian Springs Brewing Co. - Neosho, MO
7/2 - Jolly Fox Brewery - Pitt, MO
7/3 - 66 Sports Bar & Restaurant - Webb City, MO
7/9 - Rivers Bend Campground - Joplin, MO
7/10 - Indigo Sky Casino - Wyandotte, OK
7/23 - Beard Engine Co. - Alba, MO
7/24 - Rumors Cocktail Lounge - Joplin, MO
7/30 - Indigo Sky Casino - Wyandotte, OK
7/31 - Dixon, MO
8/7 - Track 94 Brewery - Seneca, MO
8/12 - Indigo Sky Casino - Wyandotte, OK
8/14 - Kansas Crossing Casino - Pitt, MO
8/21 - Rivers Bend Campground - Joplin, MO
Nathan Hurley (writer)
Nathan is a writer of songs. He also enjoys writing about music, movies and any music & movie-related things that catch his interest. He has written a handful of short films, most of which get turned into music videos. He writes about bands he admires. That’s it. That’s all he does. He writes and then writes and writes about what he writes. He’s writing right now.
@royalenate
Andrew Clanton (photographer)
Andrew is a photographer today. Yesterday he was a custom builder. The year before that he was an industrial mechanic. He has toured with local bands Guys On a Bus and Fox Royale. He has repaired many vehicles. He lives alone with his four cats, one wife and three children. Andrew once said, “I am a man with many hats but only one head.”
@andrew_j_clanton
Jesse Solomon (illustrator)
Jesse Solomon is freelance graphic designer based in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated Chatham University in 2020 with a BA in Media Arts Graphic Design. His primary medium to work in is analog collage art. He uses this medium for cover art for his freelance business with bands and musicians.
@jrs_1998