The 18-track sophomore album arrives in January 2024
Raised on the plains of West Texas, Randall King honed his craft with countless nights spent strumming his guitar under the expansive skies, backlit by the stars’ neon glow. Flash forward to today, and King’s road warrior diet finds him revitalizing country music’s neo-traditional sound under a different kind of neon – the radiant glow from the signs of nearly 150 honky tonks he performs in across the country each year.
It’s this inspiration of nature and the humble establishments that have nurtured country music’s blue-collar roots since its foundation that inspired King to usher people Into the Neon – to a place where rowdy roughnecking, romantic tenderness and breathtaking emotion are all welcome – with his 18-track sophomore album, due January 26, 2024 via Warner Music Nashville.
“You grow wiser with age, you grow wiser while you’re working and experiencing life, and I feel like I have a deeper understanding of what my music really is,” King reflects of the growth he’s experienced since his 2022 release, Shot Glass. “We’re moving into the neon era of country music. The pendulum is swinging, and you’re watching it happen… Now I just hope people get their mind blown.”
Co-produced by King alongside Jared Conrad, the project incorporates a unique blend of the influences from icons and modern masters alike who have inspired King’s sound; inclusive of the timeless ‘80s country twang of George Strait and Keith Whitley, and the blood-pumping, Y2K-era rhythms of Dierks Bentley and Gary Allan.
Showcasing his ability to traverse from a toe-tapping waltzer with “When My Baby’s In Boots” to the yearning lament of “I Could Be That Rain,” King lays it all on the line with songs that could just as easily be enjoyed while slow dancing under the starry night sky or while line dancing at a local honky tonk. With the release of “Hang Of Hangin’ On,” available now, King finds himself graciously holding close to the girl he loves despite keeping “a goodbye up his sleeve” in the past.
“Think I’m getting the hang of hangin’ all this music out there,” King laughs. “I sure loved this song from the first time I heard it. Go spin your lady to this one y’all!”
Despite being in the studio recording new music in 2023, King has stayed busy on the road, recently returning from his first-ever European tour in September, Neon Overseas, with a set of 11 shows, including sold-out stops in Cologne, Germany; London England and more. As the year winds down, King will support Jon Pardi and Ian Munsick on select tour dates, while continuing to headline stops in Paso Robles, CA; Reno, NV; Salt Lake City, UT and more.
King’s third annual KingFest in Luckenbach, TX will take place on November 11th with Gary P. Nunn, Jon Stork and Braxton Keith at the helm for support.
1. One Night Dance (Randall King & Jon Nite)
2. Somewhere Over Us (Randall King, Mike Walker & Joey Hyde)
3. When My Baby’s in Boots (Trannie Anderson, Michael Carter and Jordan Walker)
4. What Doesn’t Kill You (Mitchell Tenpenny, Michael Whitworth, Nate Smith & Zach Kale)
5. Hang of Hanging On (Brett Sheroky & Brice Long)
6. Burns Like Her (Adam James, Greylan James & Mikey Reaves)
7. Good Feelin’ (Michael Whitworth, Will Jones & Benjy Davis)
8. The One You’re Waiting On (Adam Wright & Shannon Wright)
9. Into The Neon (Randall King, Ben Stennis & Matt Rogers)
10. Tonk ‘Til I Die (Randall King, Dan Smalley & Benjy Davis)
11. But It Ain’t (Randall King, Jared Mullins & Ben Stennis)
12. Coulda Been Love (Jake Worthington, Kim Penz & Roger Springer)
13. Damn You Look Good (Ava Suppelsa, Aby Gutierrez & Andrew Peebles)
14. Hard To Be Humble (Ben Hayslip, Corey Crowder & Chris LaCorte)
15. Right Things Right (Trannie Anderson, Chris Dubois & Jordan Walker)
16. As Far As We Go (Brett Sheroky & Drew Kennedy)
17. I Could Be That Rain (Brian Fuller & Mason Thornley)
18. I Don’t Whiskey Anymore (Randall King & Gordie Sampson)
