ANALYSIS/OPINION:
Even if Colt Ford hadn’t released his live DVD “Crank it Up!” on Veterans Day, it would be impossible not to compare it to that day’s “Concert for Valor” on the National Mall.
Although billed as a tribute to veterans, the concert had more than a few polarizing moments, from the Bruce Springsteen-Dave Grohl-Zac Brown Band cover of John Fogerty’s “Fortunate Son” to Eminem’s profanity-laden shout outs. Top performers who have overtly supported the troops and veterans — such as Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels and Mr. Ford himself — were conspicuously absent from the concert lineup.
That’s a shame. Hearing Mr. Ford praise veterans and the United States can make one wish more artists did so.
“I think more people should be saying that,” Mr. Ford said. “I thank God I’m in a country where I can say that I love this country. “
On “Crank It Up!,” the Georgia native celebrates America in many of the 20 songs recorded at the Aug. 2 concert at the Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia. An abbreviated version of the concert will be televised this winter; details have yet to be announced.
The songs span Mr. Ford’s catalog and include plenty that celebrate life in the South, including “Dirt Road Anthem,” which Mr. Ford co-write with Brantley Gilbert (and which Jason Aldean took to No. 1 on his 2011 album of the same name).
However, most of the songs — which Mr. Ford often sings while holding an American flag — have patriotism running through them.
Several are from his recent “Thanks for Listening!” album, including “The High Life” with its lyric “You gotta find a girl you can love, live life for all that it’s worth / Every day y’all, thank God for it, this life is such a blessing.”
Other pro-America songs on the 129-minute DVD include “Answer to No One” (from his 2012 album “Declaration of Independence”) — “I’m climbing for the top, representin’ for the country / I’m the people’s champ right out of their camp / Shotgun toter, Republican voter, Hank Junior supporter, let’s protect our border / To hell with anyone who don’t believe in the USA, ’cause this is what I say.”
Mr. Ford seems surprised that many consider it unusual that he fills his songs with spoken-word lyrics.
“If you look at country music, recitation and spoken-word lyrics — those have been around a long time, long before I was born. It’s sort of amazing when people say, ’Look at what you created,’” he said, noting that Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash often recorded recitations. “A lot of artists are doing them now, but all I ever say is that I am a country artist.”
Like other traditional country artists, Mr. Ford has come under fire, presumably for his unwavering patriotism.
While some performers would use their concerts to respond to such criticism, Mr. Ford never does. Instead he proudly delivers good-ol’-boy, family friendly banter on stage and a set list that includes light-hearted songs such as “Chicken & Biscuits” and “Country Thangs,” which he recorded with Eric Church.
“I really like to keep the shows fun,” said Mr. Ford, praising his band of virtuoso players on whom he often turns the spotlight during his concerts. “I think some people, some artists, think the shows are all about them. That’s not what I want. I want to make it fun. This is the entertainment business.”
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