Songwriter Rob Williford, who has spent years on the road with Luke Combs, has launched a solo venture with new single ‘Johnny'.
Available today on streaming platforms, the song is co-written by Williford with David Mescon and Spencer Coats, and produced by Andy Park. The narrative follows a semi-autobiographical character looking for ways to survive the oft stereotypical southern upbringing – prayers before dinner chased with a shot of dad’s moonshine. The backbeat-driven track highlights Williford’s Appalachian influence, both sonically and in the storytelling.
“‘Johnny’ is a song about addiction, adultery, and murder. Where the lines between good and evil are blurred… and the dirt roads intersect at desperation and survival,” Williford said about the song. “A small town southern baptist saga, this ballad of a boy named Johnny seeks to answer one question…’How far can a man bend before he breaks?’”
The release is the first from Williford’s forthcoming project, due out this summer, and marks a career shift for the writer, whose co-writing credits include 2019 CMA Song of the Year ‘Beautiful Crazy', BMI Song of the Year ‘Forever After All', and GRAMMY®-nominated “Doin’ This” for Combs, and ‘Fool Me Again' for Tim McGraw. Williford left Combs’ band in 2023 after nine years on the road with him, and after recording and releasing his debut solo album, ‘Wildcard'.
“I knew after cutting that record that I couldn’t go back to the side-man thing. I thought about it, I prayed about it, and at the end of the tour I knew the decision I had to make. Thankfully, Luke was nothing but supportive – but that gig was harder to quit than drinking.”
More news will be coming from Rob Williford in the coming weeks and months, along with new music!
