Introducing Jim Waneka and “I Ride Alone” –His First Release 40 Years After Writing His First Song
For Immediate Release July 28, 2021
Contact: Scott Reed
303-898-2477
You Can Now Hear A New Country Sensation, Decades in the Making
Muscle Shoals, AL – Jim Waneka has just burst upon the Country and Americana music charts today with an irresistible rocking song titled “I Ride Alone.” Available now on all streaming channels, https://ffm.to/iridealone this is the first of Jim’s many upcoming new songs, six of which will be featured on an EP later this year.
A First Release – Decades After It All Started
While this is Jim’s first release, Jim actually began performing professionally at age five, when patrons at a local venue in Colorado took up a collection as payment for his impromptu vocal performance. The next year he won the first singing contest he entered. This heralded a rare natural talent that seemingly foreshadowed success, but in his mid-thirties Jim reached a crossroads. He had to decide whether to continue with music or focus on raising a family and the endless demands of building the construction business he started. He chose the latter, locking his guitar and budding musical talent away. It appeared that Jim’s musical excellence would remain forever silent.
Then less than two years ago an ethereal voice came to Jim guiding him to pick up a guitar once again and starting him on a life-changing path and rebirth of his music and commanding voice that some have compared to Johnny Cash and songs that are reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam, George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Garth Brooks.
“I Ride Alone” Is Obviously a Fun Ride, But It’s Also Deep
Embedded in the fun of this smoking-hot, danceable rocker one might be surprised to find profound lyrics dealing with one of life’s eternal challenges. In “I Ride Alone” we find a man struggling to find redemption from unspoken previous deeds, knowing that to do so he must “ride alone, from my past.”
This bares a harsh truth: we each must face what we have done in our lives and are obliged to take that difficult road to move toward receiving our true forgiveness. The lyric “Lord, I want to be a better man” sums up the protagonist wanderer’s desperate desire – to at last find the elusive door opening on a redemptive path and a better life.
Jim said of his new song, “I enjoyed embedding meaningful lyrics in this upbeat, fun tune. I share a message that is deeply universal while balancing it with an uplifting melody and strong beat. In that way, it’s kind of like old Gospel songs that make you want to get up and dance and the message either hits you straight on or it might later sneak in.” The compelling beat, sizzling guitar, inspiring B3 organ, and soaring vocals prove “I Ride Alone” is for everyone to enjoy, whether or not its valuable message reaches home on the first listen.
Creating His Music
Born and raised in Colorado, Jim has been surrounded by music throughout his life. Years ago, he recorded some of his first compositions in Branson, MO, and Nashville. Recently, following the powerful ethereal voice telling him to follow a musical path, Jim began recording songs in Los Angeles that arrive from dreams at a remarkable pace. Things really came together at the beginning of this year when Jim started recording in legendary Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a place where the river sings. Jim found a supportive, nurturing vibe in The Shoals with a combination of highly skilled musicians, top sound engineers, comfortable studios, and a welcoming community to help inspire and boost his unparalleled new music.
Writing all his own music, Jim has partnered with some of the world’s best veteran musicians at the absolute top of their craft, who have recorded and toured with everyone from the Allman Brothers to Jeff Beck to Little Richard to Hank Williams, Jr. to Neil Young and many, many others. Jim has also pulled in young local musicians, all of whom add their virtuoso talents to the forceful soundtracks on an upcoming six-song EP that sizzles with energy, emotion, and an honesty that is deep and genuine.
An Eclectic Bunch of Musical Influences
Jim’s broad range of musical influences includes the aforementioned Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks, plus Elvis, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, the band Chicago – even Tony Bennett and the Beach Boys, and more. This makes for accessible tunes that hold listeners with virtuoso performances top by musicians, plus complex harmonies, hard-hitting lyrics, and some surprising twists on what one might expect. Careful listeners will hear these influences throughout the EP, with “I Ride Alone” leading the way.
“I Ride Alone” is Just the First Hot Song from Jim’s Upcoming EP
The remarkable songs on the upcoming EP hold depth and breadth that is timeless, yet display a razor-sharp edge honed by today’s experiences. With no overly slick studio effects – some of the tracks were recorded in the living room of a 100-year-old rented house – the music is right from the heart with truthful lyrics and clear vocals that unfailingly hit their mark. “I Ride Alone” is the first one of Jim Waneka’s songs out of the chute, and the five that follow are at least as compelling, meaningful, and enjoyable.
Contact: Scott Reed, Publicist 303-898-2477