Bruce Robison’s The Next Waltz Brings The Classic Country Cover Song Challenge To Fans With The Release Of Randy Rogers’ Rendition Of Merle Haggard’s 1980 Hit "Misery And Gin"

Watch "Misery & Gin"  HERE

​Nashville, TN --- January, 2017 --- The Classic Country Cover Song Challenge is a dare you want to take: An opportunity to explore a fresh approach to country gold on award-winning, singer/songwriter Bruce Robinson’s site,  The Next Waltz. 

First up, Randy Rogers shares a poignant rendition of the classic mid-career Merle Haggard classic song “Misery and Gin” available this Friday, January 27 as the first installment in this must-listen series. Haggard was a seminal influence for both Rogers and Robison.   

“I got a call from Bruce inviting me to challenge my fans to request a solid gold country cover,” said Rogers. “I was thankful when I saw a Hag tune get requested and thrilled it was ‘Misery and Gin.’ Likely one of Hag's tunes I've listened to most through the years."

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Photo Credit: Jim McGuire

Birthed from Robison’s love of classic country, The Country Cover Song Challenge began when Robinson challenged a few friends to join him in the studio to cut one of their favorites. As a fellow fan of the classics, Rogers was quick to sign on.

“Randy immediately got what I wanted to do with The Next Waltz,” explained Robinson. “He knows how the history of this music ties us together. How the beauty of the songs is the story of our time. ‘Misery and Gin’ is one of those. Hag didn’t write it, but it is part of the soundtrack of our lives and that is what music enthusiasts – the people who create and the people who follow the music – will discover at The Next Waltz.” 

Rogers recorded the track in Austin at The Lockhart Texas Clubhouse, which Robison dubbed “a time machine to the ‘70s, where the country music sounds big, fat and sweet.”  Joining Rogers on the recording are Conrad Choucroun on drums (NRBQ, Patty Griffin),  Bukka Allen on keys (son of Texas legends Terry and Jo Harvey Allen), Geoff Queen on steel and guitar (who has played with Robinson, Rogers, Wade Bowen and Hayes Carll), Kelly Mckee and Robison on harmonies, along with Brian Beken from Robert Earl Keen's band on fiddle and bass guitar

Robison adds “the best of Texas and country music are making the trek to Lockhart to eat barbecue, tell stories, reminisce, and make music: Turnpike Troubadours, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Sam Outlaw, Kelly Willis have all come out.”  

While artists typically record behind closed doors, The Next Waltz has pulled back the curtain allowing the fans to experience the recording process from conception as well as offering interview segments with the artists behind the music.     

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