New Live Single for “Amarillo Sky” comes out Friday, June 14 from upcoming live EP from McBride & The Ride
By Judy Shields
Hollywood California (The Hollywood Times) 06/13/2024
This is the bands 35th Anniversary and they are celebrating the
30th Anniversary of the blockbuster film 8 Seconds with Luke Perry which they appeared in as well as on the soundtrack.
It was then that their legion of fans began to form. “There is nothing like country music fans. It’s always so fun to see their reactions after hearing our harmonies live!” Herndon says. “The three-part harmonies have always been what set us apart from other bands.” He goes on to share how much country fans mean to the band. “We love getting to meet our fans, take a picture with them, and hear how one of our songs made them fall in love, or became their wedding song.”
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to talk with the band about their new release and all things McBride & The Ride. Enjoy our conversation and laughs:
When they first began releasing music in 1989, McBride & The Ride released three acclaimed albums Burnin’ Up The Road, Sacred Ground, and Hurry Sundown, with hit singles like “Love on the Loose, Heart on the Run,” “Sacred Ground,” “Going Out of My Mind,” and many more. The band garnered ACM and CMA nominations.
In the spring of 2021, they announced they were reuniting and going back in the studio to record new music. Though the band has been on and off over the past 30 years, its members have thrived through their individual careers.
Ray Herndon has been Lyle Lovett’s lead guitarist since 1985 and has had songs cut by Kenny Chesney, Aaron Tippin, Lee Greenwood, Linda Davis and more, he continues to operate his family’s historic club, Handlebar J, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Terry McBride has had quite a fruitful career, writing major hits for Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Easton Corbin, Cody Johnson and more. He toured with Brooks & Dunn through most of their biggest years playing bass and writing songs.
Billy Thomas moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1987 and immediately started working with Vince Gill along with many other country stars (Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner & Earl Scruggs). He’s been Gill’s drummer on the road and in the studio ever since, adding background vocals to his many hits, as well as joining him as a member of The Time Jumpers, one of Nashville’s favorite bands.
The trio’s previous EP, Marlboros & Avon, produced by all three members, was released in 2023, and their new LIVE EP will be coming out later this fall. (www.mcbrideandtheride.com)
About McBride & The Ride
“Right place, right time-mullets and tight jeans!” Get ready to ride. Everybody loves a comeback and the resurgence of the 90’s country would not be complete without McBride & The Ride triumphantly bursting back onto the scene. The original line up of Ray Herndon (vocals/guitar), Terry McBride (vocals/bass) and Billy Thomas (vocals/drums) have been in the studio recording new music and will take the stage to introduce fans to the new songs as well as delight them with the classics.
The band has reunited for an EP featuring four brand new originals and a remake of the Webb Pierce classic, “Honky Tonk Song,” for Marlboros & Avon, which will be released in 2023. Fans can expect the same tight-knit harmonies with a modernized sound and storytelling lyrics that is undeniably country. With nearly 30 years of collective touring between them, the trio has come together and are sounding better than ever. “Honestly we are having a blast. It feels like we haven’t missed a beat,” McBride shares. “Our harmonies are locked in, our musicianship is elevated, and we are just having so much fun. Our new music has a hint of that 90s sound along with our signature three-part harmonies that McBride & The Ride is known for. We kept it simple and recorded everything as a four-piece band, which allows us to perform these songs live with the same sound and instrumentation that was used on the record.”
McBride & The Ride was the brainchild of legendary producer, Tony Brown. As the head of MCA records in the 90s Brown had worked with all three of the phenomenal musicians in different capacities, yet none of them knew each other. Brown made the introductions and the magic started happening right from their very first rehearsal. “Tony put the three of us together but had no idea that the harmony would be what it is. That was a surprise to all of us,” Herndon recalls of that first breathtaking blending of their voices.
The trio agrees that one of the most exciting parts of their relaunch is that they will be able to share their music with a whole new generation of country fans. “I believe we can be terrific ambassadors for that period of country music while again making an impact on the format,” Thomas shares. Much like neon, real country music, and denim-everything, the 90s are back.
