1. “Country Enough” (Kenny Beard/Tim Owens/Jeff Bates)
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.
2. “The Love Song” (Jeff Bates/Kenny Beard/Casey Beathard)
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…
3. “Long, Slow Kisses” (Jeff Bates/Gordon Bradberry/Ben Hayslip)
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.’
4. “Lovin’ Like That” (Jimmy Yeary/Kenny Beard/Jeff Bates)
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.
5. “I Wanna Make You Cry” (Kenny Beard/Jeff Bates)
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!”
6. “Your Lovin’ Talks to Me” (Jeff Bates/Byron Hill)
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.
7. “My Mississippi” (Jeff Bates/Kenny Beard/Dave Loggins)
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!
8. “Already Spent” (Jeff Bates/Terry Clayton)
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.
9. “Rainbow Man” (Jeff Bates/Harley Allen)
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.
10. “My Inlaws Are Outlaws” (Jeff Bates/Byron Hill)
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.
11. “The Wings of Mama’s Prayers” (Jeff Bates/Kris Bergsnes/Terry Clayton)
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.
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.
2. “The Love Song” (Jeff Bates/Kenny Beard/Casey Beathard)
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…
3. “Long, Slow Kisses” (Jeff Bates/Gordon Bradberry/Ben Hayslip)
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.’
4. “Lovin’ Like That” (Jimmy Yeary/Kenny Beard/Jeff Bates)
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.
5. “I Wanna Make You Cry” (Kenny Beard/Jeff Bates)
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!”
6. “Your Lovin’ Talks to Me” (Jeff Bates/Byron Hill)
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.
7. “My Mississippi” (Jeff Bates/Kenny Beard/Dave Loggins)
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!
8. “Already Spent” (Jeff Bates/Terry Clayton)
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.
9. “Rainbow Man” (Jeff Bates/Harley Allen)
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.
10. “My Inlaws Are Outlaws” (Jeff Bates/Byron Hill)
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.
11. “The Wings of Mama’s Prayers” (Jeff Bates/Kris Bergsnes/Terry Clayton)
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.
Jeff Bates "Rainbow Man" CD
| copyright 2006 Jeff Bates Enterprises |
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