Travis Denning has always taken the road less traveled, and it's led him to impressive heights in the music industry. A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, Denning's journey in country music has been marked by a steadfast commitment to authenticity and a refusal to follow the crowd.
His breakout moment came in 2018 with the single ‘David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs,' a Top 40 hit that later earned Gold certification from the RIAA. This success was soon followed by the 2019 smash ‘After a Few,' which soared to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay charts and was certified Platinum. These early hits , alongside anthems like ‘ABBY' established Denning as a rising star in country music, known for his storytelling and relatable lyrics.
Denning’s career is characterised by a blend of country and rock influences, a style he describes as “a guitar player moonlighting as a metalhead in country music.” This unique sound is showcased in his three explosive EPs and high-energy live performances, earning him a reputation for being engaging and entertaining on stage. His first full-length album, ‘Roads That Go Nowhere', further solidifies his place in the country music landscape with its guitar-driven, full-spectrum country-rock sound.
Denning co-wrote 12 of the 15 tracks on offer ‘Roads That Go Nowhere,' and there is a binding narrative and cohesive feel to the album because of that. Collaborators include a familiar list of some of Nashville's best songwriters. Jessi Alexander, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover, Jon Nite, Paul DiGiovanni and Ben Johnson all have had input into this album too, feeding into and fleshing out Denning's unique style and unwavering authenticity. The album kicks off with ‘Why I’m Drinking,' a raw, bluesy track where Denning's evocative vocals and guitar set a powerful tone. The song’s gradual build, with drums and additional instruments joining in the second verse, offers an intriguing and emotional start to the journey.
‘I Know How It Sounds' follows, serving as a bombastic anthem for small-town life. With its Jason Aldean-style guitars and lyrics that celebrate Southern pride, Denning channels the spirit of rural America. This high-energy track contrasts with the mid-tempo heartbreak of ‘Better at Leaving,' where Denning captures the pain of a relationship's end with expressive guitar solos and poignant storytelling. The familiar country trope of a girl driving away is delivered with fresh, emotional depth.
The nostalgic ‘Strawberry Wine and a Cheap Six Pack' takes listeners back to simpler times, with chugging guitars and Denning’s vocals painting a picture of summer love. The elongated chorus and 80s FM radio vibes make this track a real standout. Meanwhile, ‘Going Places' offers a relatable narrative of contentment, telling the story of a man happy to stay behind while his ambitious partner moves on. Its rock-country vibes and powerful lyrics highlight the joy in embracing one’s own path.
Denning’s introspection shines in ‘Someone That Isn’t Me,' a mid-tempo, anthemic song about missed opportunities and regret. The commercial sound and atmospheric rock influence blend seamlessly with Denning’s heartfelt lyrics. ‘Southern Rock,' featuring HARDY, meanwhile, is a raucous tribute to Denning's roots, with a brooding build and bombastic energy that promises to be a live show favourite. HARDY’s verse adds an extra layer of Southern grit to this anthemic track.
Elsewhere you'll find a solid mix of southern bombast and lighter, commercial vibes with the odd ballad tossed in to the mix as well. ‘Add Her to the List' is a clever song about looking back with regrets and wanting to go back in time and make different choices. After a quieter, restrained start, something that is a feature of many of the songs on this album, it picks up pace in the chorus. The song also features a slick, commercial guitar sound as we find out that Denning would like to ‘add her to the list’ of all his other regrets. It's another very friendly radio song with a southern rock edge and infectious chorus. Similarly, ‘Can't Find One' is another commercial, lighter Country song which builds to an infectious, slightly retro sounding chorus that seems to last forever as Denning searches all over town, the lake and even in her ‘best friends kiss me eyes’ for a way to “find a damn about the things you’ve done.” It’s a goodbye song done in a very infectious and intelligent way. Middle fingers are definitely raised here as Denning gives his girlfriend the shove in some style. Think ‘ABBY' part two and you won't be far of the mark for a touchstone.
The most infectious and catchy of the upbeat songs on ‘Roads That Go Nowhere' is definitely ‘The Sound of a Beer Getting Cracked,' featuring Josh Ross. With a funky, beach / bar room vibe this song is different in tone and sound to the rest of the album. It's a drinking song that feels, sounds and smells like beer! Reminiscent of Garth Brooks’ ‘Two Pina Colada’s,' this bar room banger has a chilled feel and a shoulder shaking vibe with both singers making you want to crack open a longneck and gulp it down! “I’m running up a tab but it’s cheaper than a shrink,” might also be my favourite line on the whole album!
Not everything is a party on this clever album though. There's reflection and introspection on the title track and on tracks like ‘Love You Past That.' The former is a restrained, sentimental and very intentional ballad that tells the story of Denning's life so far. He's looking back on dead end roads, thankful for where he is right now. “One got me to music city, one got me a kiss from a pretty, smile, shotgun gun riding, now she’s wearing a left hand diamond,” Denning sings on this raw and very personal track. ‘Love You Past That,' meanwhile, is a quieter, acoustically strummed song that sees Denning pledging himself to the girl in a myriad of different ways. Relatable lyrics, tender, loving sentiments and a nice singalong chorus with a little Bon Jovi-esque guitar solo will make this song a strong contender for a radio single somewhere down the line too.
Travis Denning also chooses to end the album on a reflective note. ‘Ocmulgee River' brings the album full circle with its intimate, campfire vibes. The simple production and acoustic arrangement make it feel as if Denning is sharing his journey directly with the listener. This closing track encapsulates the heart and soul of the album, celebrating Denning’s path to where he is right now alongside an acceptance of a future unknown.
Overall, ‘Roads That Go Nowhere' is a dynamic, clever and yet introspective debut that showcases Travis Denning's unique voice in the country music landscape. From raw, emotional ballads to high-energy anthems, Denning’s authenticity and storytelling prowess shines through, solidifying his place as a rising star in modern country music.
Tracklist: 1. Why I'm Drinking 2. I Know How it Sounds 3. Better at Leaving 4. Strawberry Wine and a CHeap Six Pack 5. Going Places 6. Someone That Isn't Me 7. Southern Rock 8. Love You Past That 9. Things I'm Going Through 10. Add Her to the List 11. Roads That Go Nowhere 12. The Sound of a Beer Getting Cracked 13. Can't Fnd One 14. Here and Her 15. Ocmulgee River Release Date: May 24th Record Label: Snakefarm Buy ‘Roads That Go Nowhere' right here
