 Courtesy of the Artist
Kyle Park continues to make an indelible mark on the Texas country music scene with the release of his sixth studio album, Don’t Forget Where You Come From which was released June 1. Coming on the heels of back-to-back #1’s on the Texas Regional Radio Report, this new album is a return to Park’s signature neo-traditional country sound brimming with honkytonk-fueled fiddle, pedal steel and searing guitar riffs punctuated by his most honest and contemplative lyrics to date. Recently, Park kindly took the time to speak about the personal nature of the project, share the stories behind the tunes, and more.
Being this is your sixth album, did you approach anything differently this time around? I produced my last four albums, and I have found that I’m more confident and comfortable in what I do with each successive record. My last album, The Blue Roof Sessions, was more guitar driven rock, which was pretty edgy for me, but Don’t Forget Where You Come From is definitely more country and I think more approachable. It’s lyrically based with stories about my father, the American farmer, rodeo cowboys, and family…it’s who I am. People love my old stuff and I like my old stuff too, but I think this is my best record to date because of the personal aspect of it. If there is someone out there who doesn’t know me and would give me a chance, this is the album for it. This is who I am and who I’ll always be. I feel like I really found myself on this record. The album has ten songs, nine of which are originals. How did the songs come together? I wrote one myself, co-wrote 8, and then have the Merle cover of “If We Make It Through December.” I included that one because Merle is one of my favorites and when he passed away, I felt it was necessary to have one of his songs on the album as a tribute. Others, like "Beer Can” [the solo write] I wrote in about twenty minutes maybe four years ago. I recorded an earlier version for The Blue Roof Sessions, but didn’t like it, so I held onto it for this album. It’s a humorous song that’s been a crowd favorite for a long time. And “Over and Over Again,” I wrote with Cody Johnson about five years ago. That’s another one that I held onto because it didn’t really fit any of my other albums as well. It’s definitely a cohesive project. “Beer Can” closes the album out while “Ain’t Nobody Hotter” kicks it off. Was there any particular reason you chose to anchor the album with those tunes? We placed “Beer Can” last because it had that live feel to it with me, my producer, and engineer making those sounds, which is an idea we got from George Strait’s “Good Time Charlie.” I wanted people to hear the song so that when they came out to a show they were ready to sing along and have good time. “Ain’t Nobody Hotter” was put first because when I put a record on I want you to feel good. I wanted to start it off with something hot, no pun intended (laughing). 
There are two songs that have been getting a lot of love on social media, “Rio” and “Over and Over Again.” Could you share the stories behind those two?
I wrote “Rio” about four years ago after riding a horse named Rio in Colorado. Even though Rio is the inspiration, for me, the song is synonymous with life and how it’s important to let go of the reins every once in a while and let life take you where it wants to. It has an almost spiritual meaning where you realize that things aren’t always up to you. “Over and Over” is one of the more autobiographical songs on the record. It reminds me of me being a musician and knowing that when you get bucked off, maybe after having a bad show, you can’t stay down or give up…..you need to get back up and keep going. It’s another song that’s synonymous with life as well…..when things get you down, you have to saddle up and try again. Absolutely. Even though you wrote the songs from particular experiences, the listener can relate to them in their own way too. "Don’t Forget Where You Come From" is not only a song on the album, but it’s also the title. Is there any significance behind that? It’s my favorite song on the record. I lost my Dad, who was a plumber, when I was twelve, so he never saw me write or perform. I’d have probably been a plumber too, if I didn’t find music, so this song reminds me of my dad and carving my own path. For some people, my last album was a little out of the box for them, but I’ve not forgotten where I come from and this album shows that. This music comes from the country music I listened to with my dad growing up. There’s fiddle and steel on every song all of which have meaning and stories behind them. Also, the album cover is not some internet picture, it’s a photo taken by my mom of me at four years old playing nursery rhymes on a push button guitar. I knew when I was a little kid that music was a calling for me and I couldn’t think of a better name for the album. There’s another song, “God Made A Farmer;” is that based on the Paul Harvey poem? It was influenced by that 2014 commercial which was so powerful. I listened to Paul Harvey every day at noon with my dad and when I heard that speech, oh my gosh, it gave me chills. I believe the American farmer is one of the most important groups of people in the country - where would we be without them and what they do? You know, people can relate to “Rio” and other songs, but this one is so powerful that when people say it’s their favorite they really open up to it and it affects them in an impactful way. It’s one of those songs that makes you sit back and wonder. I can completely believe that. You’re currently on the road, is the plan to continue hitting the pavement hard? The lifelong plan is for me to tour, which I have been doing since I was twenty, playing over 100 shows a year for the past 12 years. Nowadays you don’t tour to promote a record, you make a record to tour. There are so many ways to hear music and so many artists from every genre wanting to be heard. Everything is so accessible, that as a musician to have to set yourself apart by touring and being yourself. The first eight years, I didn’t say a lot on stage, but now, I share with the crowd. I share the story about my father, Paul Harvey, and life on tour. It reaches people in a tangible way, which is very important. I couldn’t be more proud that I can do this for a living. I’ve found what I love. Which is so incredibly important for anyone to be able to say. Finally, is there any release which has your ear lately? I’m not the biggest fan of the music on the radio. I find myself going back and finding music I haven’t heard yet. Recently, I found Texas in My Soul from Willie Nelson. That’s my new favorite. Website/Facebook/Twitter/Insta Watch the video for the title track HERE. Watch the video for "Ain't Nobody Hotter" HERE
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