After Becoming a Fixture on the Texas Music Scene, King is Focused on Telling the World, “Welcome to the Tonk”
Written by Matt Corirossi
Well known British writer, chef, and baker Mary Berry was once quoted as “Life is all about sharing. If we are good at something, pass it on. That is the pleasure I get from teaching - whether it is television or books. We should all share.” This informed reflection reinforces the ultimate purpose of being proficient at any activity or profession. When an individual begins to outline their purpose for getting better at something, they frequently will cite reasons that involve inner enrichment or advancement. This mission is often tied to personal fulfillment, professional status and achievements, and monetary benefits. While all those reasons are worthy elements of a mission, it is missing a crucial component. A comprehensive purpose must include some sort of reciprocation to the community that supported the individual. Talent is not supposed to be kept internally but presented to the world. For an artist in the music industry, interacting with others is satisfied through their desire to connect with their audience. Songs are written and performances are given with the goal of resonating with others and inspiring further consideration. The best compliment an artist can receive is that their work motivated someone to follow a path, whether it is a similar profession or not. An artist is never content with their current reach. Instead, they strive to impact communities far beyond their point of origin.
Rising country artist Randall King was raised in Hereford, Texas, a cattle town located in West Texas. Growing up, he listened to a wide variety of country artists, which included country music legend and follow Texan George Strait. When King began experimenting with his sound, what emerged were vocals that had a cadence like Straits, but an authenticity that was all his own. He surrounded his vocals with melodies that transported listeners back to neo-traditional and ‘90’s country. To get the crowd involved, he throws in a healthy dose of honky-tonk stylings. Listeners are quick to point out that his music “sounds like Texas.” The reason for this is because it is Texas and arrived after years of trial and error on the Texas music circuit. He adapted his style playing the local honky-tonks, dance halls, festivals, fairs, and anywhere else with a stage in West Texas. There are limits to his sound exploration as it does not include common pop and hip-hop transferred elements found in most contemporary Nashville-produced country tracks. King explained his limitations to publication Texas Monthly as, “There are things that you’re not going to hear in my music because I cannot stand them, like the snap tracks and that hip-hop-type sound.”
The sound resonated among Texas radio, including a Texas Regional Radio Award for Best New Artist of the Year in 2019. Most artists would be content with a Texas-based career. Historically, contemporary country radio has not been kind to traditional-leaning acts. However, King has a different viewpoint. Seeing the success of fellow Texas artists like Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, and recently Koe Wetzel bringing their traditional-leaning sound to Nashville, King is betting on himself. As King proudly proclaimed to Billboard Magazine, “The pendulum for country music is really swinging and the honky-tonk sound is back.” King realizes the value in spreading his artistry outside of the Lone Star state. He shared his mindset with the publication Texas Monthly as, “You can stay in Texas and tour for your whole life. Not interested. I’ve seen everywhere I can see in Texas, and I love it. But I’m looking at the whole world.” King’s stage show is built around one phrase, “welcome to the tonk”. He invites everyone to experience the fun and frantic energy of a honky-tonk. Now that he has Texas tonking, he plans on turning the world into a honky-tonk. King’s approach begins now as his single “I Could Be That Rain” was released mainstream radio release on via Warner Music Nashville.
“I Could Be That Rain”’s Mainstream Radio Release Announcement. Photograph Credit: Randall King’s Facebook
King grew up immersing himself in music. Coming from a family rooted in the heavy-hauler trucking industry, they were surprised that their son constantly sang. King would practice his budding vocals in the back of a ’93 Chevy Suburban. As he sang, he would try to capture the vocals of traditional county legends Keith Whitley, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and John Anderson. This caught the attention of his father who felt that he should add guitar playing to his singing. Thus, at the age of seven, he received his first guitar. King would come home from school and pick on the guitar instead of partaking in more popular options like gaming or playing outdoors. The routine became a habit and soon King became hooked. The first song that he learned to play was George Strait’s classic hit “Amarillo by Morning”.
King began to learn songwriting at the age of seven. For a young kid struggling to express his emotions, lyrics became the vehicle to pour out his feelings. King discussed his affinity for songwriting to publication Pro Country Music as, “My guitar channeled emotions more than anything. As a young kid, I didn’t really know how to express myself, so that was my way of doing it. Songwriting has always been my way of channeling my emotions and what I feel through lyrics, chords and melodies.”
King unabashedly describes himself as an “old soul”. King references his family’s trucking background by revealing that his country music education was received from a passenger’s seat of a Freightliner on the road. Among his tutors while traveling was the music of Merle Haggard, Lefty Frizzell, George Jones, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, and Tim McGraw. King cites Keith Whitley as his greatest musical influence.
King’s musical ambitions were put on hold as he attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He wanted to honor his father’s wishes and earn a degree in business. However, King had trouble focusing on his studies. When the hours writing songs eclipsed the hours spent on classroom learning, a change was needed. King transferred to South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. There, he began studying music production and learned to produce records. This knowledge came in handy as he produced his debut five-track EP Another Bullet in 2016.
Another Bullet placed King on the Texas music industry’s radar screen. He signed his first management and booking representation and began gaining an audience. King continued the momentum with the release of his self-titled debut album in 2018. “Tuggin’ on My Heartstrings” became King’s first Number 1 on the Texas Music Charts. The follow-up single “Mirror, Mirror” spent almost two months at Number 1 on the Texas Music Charts. The crowds increased in size as he started selling out shows. The self-titled album attracted the attention of Warner Music Nashville. In 2019, he signed a record deal, joining the label’s roster as they were not interested in changing his sound. King mentioned the label’s attitude to publication Pro Country Music as, “The reason I signed is because they weren’t going to change me or tell me who I am. They believe in my music and what I’m doing. They’ve bought in, and they’ve helped us grow a hell of a lot.”
This growth has included numerous singles, the four-track EP Leanna, his major label debut album Shot Glass, a live EP Live at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, EP Honky Tonk BS, and his current album Into the Neon. He has amassed over 300 million streams and received spots on prestigious editorial lists including Whiskey Riff’s Top 40 Country Albums of 2022 and Billboard’s All Genre 50 Best Albums of 2022 (So Far). In addition, he founded Randall’s King Festival. The annual event is an outdoor headlining concert led by King and showcases the future of the honky-tonk, ‘90s country-inspired, and traditional country genre. King’s latest is the debut mainstream radio release for “I Could Be That Rain”.
“I Could Be That Rain”, written by Brian Fuller and Mason Thornley and produced by Jared Conrad and King, is a classic tale of unrequited love as a person’s desire to be close to another is not shared mutually. When reason and patience fail, the individual is hoping for a weather-related miracle to realize the obvious. The wishful lyrics balance mulling over wanting to be near and a concern that it may never happen. The conclusion is not known as the narrative remains in the present situation. However, King’s honest delivery engages the audience and provides hope for a positive outcome. To acquaint the audience with the single, an audio video has been released on King’s YouTube channel.
Those looking to remain updated on King’s music can follow him online at randallkingmusic.com.
King created his own lane within the country music industry. Built on an appreciation for classic country, tested in the West Texas honky-tonks, and accepted by legions of fans, he is a leader within the Texas Music Scene. Unsatisfied with previous achievements, King confidently embraces his next frontier of mainstream radio releases and reaching a worldwide audience as he welcomes the globe to the tonk.