Bobby Chitwood Redefines the Heartland: A Deep Dive into “That’s Just Me (and a little redneckery)”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Artist Profile: Bobby Chitwood
Bobby Chitwood is a veteran of the country music scene with roots firmly planted in Brownwood, Texas. His musical DNA is a potent blend of classic country troubadours—the honesty of Merle Haggard and the traditional grit of Hank Williams Sr.—infused with the driving, electric energy of Southern Rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. This unique confluence gives Chitwood a sound that is both traditional and edgy, capable of delivering a tear-in-your-beer ballad one moment and a roadhouse anthem the next. Having served in the Wyoming National Guard and maintained an active touring schedule for years, Chitwood brings a genuine, blue-collar authenticity to his music. That’s Just Me (and a little redneckery) serves as the definitive statement of his persona: a man who is sincere about his faith, deeply connected to rural life, and ready to party when the work is done.
Album Overview
That’s Just Me (and a little redneckery) is an expertly balanced album that navigates the full spectrum of contemporary country themes. Far from being a one-note collection, the record successfully stitches together party anthems, poignant character sketches, and genuine reflections on faith and family. It’s an album built on contrasts: the roar of the electric guitar against the soft twang of the steel pedal, and the humor of a beer toast against the sincerity of a morning prayer. The production is clean and muscular, giving the traditional instrumentation a modern punch that caters equally to classic country purists and the arena-rock crowd.
Track-by-Track Analysis
1. Rush Hour in a Cornfield
The album launches with a high-octane celebration of rural life’s slow pace. Musically, this track is driven by a powerful rhythm section and features a twin-guitar attack reminiscent of Southern Rock, setting an immediate, energetic tone. Lyrically, it’s a humorous and relatable metaphor: the greatest traffic jam is waiting for a tractor to pass. This song functions as a perfect declaration of independence from city life and establishes the album’s unapologetic small-town setting.
2. Hold My Beer
This track dives headfirst into the “redneckery” promised in the title. A classic, up-tempo barroom stomper, “Hold My Beer” is built around a heavy, swinging groove and a chorus designed for singalongs. The song narrates a series of escalating, slightly reckless feats—the kind only uttered after a couple of cold ones—using the iconic phrase as a precursor to inevitable poor decisions. It’s an infectious, feel-good track that relies on Chitwood’s swaggering vocal delivery and some rowdy fiddle licks to earn its status as a quintessential country party song.
3. That’s Just Me
The title track acts as the album’s personal manifesto and emotional core, providing a necessary pivot from the comedic opening tracks. The arrangement pulls back slightly, emphasizing the acoustic guitar and Chitwood’s earnest, heartfelt vocals. Lyrically, the song lays out his values: his truck, his dog, his girl, his faith, and his lack of concern for high society. The honesty is palpable, making it instantly connectable. It’s a genuine declaration of self, solidifying the idea that the “redneckery” is simply an authentic byproduct of his small-town identity.
4. That Dash
A shift into deeper thematic waters, “That Dash” is a contemplative, mid-tempo ballad that uses the space between a birth year and death year on a gravestone (the “dash”) as a powerful metaphor for a life lived. Backed by weeping steel guitar and perhaps a subtle piano, the song encourages the listener to live fully, love deeply, and leave a legacy worth remembering. It’s a moment of necessary introspection, showing Chitwood’s ability to tackle profound, universal concepts with simple, grounded language.
5. Twisted
This track is likely the most Southern Rock-influenced song on the album. It features a bluesy, heavy guitar riff and a driving beat, possibly detailing a relationship that is complicated, messy, and intensely passionate. The vocal delivery here is more raw, leaning into the rock edge of his style. “Twisted” explores the darker, magnetic pull of an imperfect love, giving the album texture beyond the lighthearted themes.
6. Redneckery
The second thematic anchor of the record, “Redneckery,” is a celebratory definition of the term, reclaiming it from any negative connotations. Unlike “Hold My Beer,” which is about the actions, this track is about the lifestyle—the pride in hard work, the appreciation for simple things, and the sense of community. The song is a mid-tempo anthem, likely employing mandolin or banjo alongside a foundational rhythm guitar, painting a vivid picture of rural living with an almost patriotic fervor.
7. Bible and Sweet Tea
This song provides the album’s most explicit nod to faith and Southern culture. Opening with an acoustic guitar and a gentle melody, it serves as a spiritual balm. It’s a simple, reverent track that connects spiritual devotion (“the Bible”) with cultural comfort (“Sweet Tea”), establishing the importance of grounding elements in Chitwood’s life. It reinforces the sincerity introduced in “That’s Just Me” and showcases the warmth and clarity of his vocal tone.
8. One More Round
Returning to the barroom, “One More Round” is a classic country song of resilience or maybe desperation. The structure is traditional, featuring a strong fiddle line and possibly a walking bass pattern. The narrative centers on chasing away troubles (or maybe a lost love) with just one more drink, capturing that universal moment of weakness when the neon sign offers false comfort. It’s a relatable portrait of fleeting escape, delivered with a touch of melancholy beneath the steady beat.
9. Beer Toast
A brief, humorous interlude or a dedicated acoustic piece, “Beer Toast” is less about the party and more about the camaraderie. It’s a simple, short track dedicated to the unspoken rules and deep friendships forged over drinks. It’s the sound of clinking glasses, likely stripped down to just a guitar and vocals, offering a genuine, unpretentious salute to the audience and the road life that connects them.
10. Little Fuzzy Slippers (Superman Strong)
The album closes on a high note of domestic devotion and lighthearted romance. This song is a sweet, insightful tribute to a woman’s power—how the same person who wears the “fuzzy slippers” and offers comfort is also the “Superman Strong” force holding the family and home together. The arrangement is warm and uplifting, possibly featuring a piano and gentle percussion. It’s a mature and charming ode that shifts the focus from the rowdy self-definition of the opening tracks to the loving, grounded individual at the album’s core, ensuring the record ends on a note of heartfelt satisfaction.
Summary
That’s Just Me (and a little redneckery) succeeds by being unflinchingly honest. Bobby Chitwood doesn’t try to be anything he isn’t; he simply amplifies the humor, faith, and hard-won wisdom of his life. The album is a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional country values filtered through a contemporary rock lens, making it an essential listen for anyone who appreciates the “three chords and the truth” philosophy of music. The “little redneckery” is the fun, but the “That’s Just Me” is the lasting heart of the album.