Braxton Keith’s Debut ‘Real Damn Deal’ Due In May

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Braxton Keith will release his debut album Real Damn Deal May 15 via Warner Records Nashville. He’s leaning into the ’90s country spirit with the release of “Little Bit by Little Bit” from the new project, out now.

The track follows a run of previously-released tracks including “I Ain’t Tryin,’” and barstool anthem “I Own This Bar.” The Texas native co-wrote 10 of the album’s 15 tracks, each delivered with Keith’s crisp, high-and-lonesome vocal twang, as he glides from one dancehall theme to the next. Whether the reckless abandon of young love or the reflective pain of a good thing gone to waste, his passion for pure-country expression is evident on the new collection.

“I shot down the idea of this album title when it was first brought up,” shares Keith. “It felt cocky, and that’s not who I am. But, everyone is in on country music right now, so why not use it as a big flashing reminder that country music is cool? This album is my way of taking country music back to what it was…the real damn deal. We’ve been writing for a long time for this. I wanted it to be a nostalgic, classic sounding record and to showcase a little bit of everything—as country as we could make it in every way, shape and form. I’m really proud of it.”

“Real Damn Deal” sets the tone of the project, opening the set with a shuffling traditional country beat and twinkling keys. The intricate “Mrs. Green” is a gentle roots proposition co-written by Jim Lauderdale with Bob Minner. Keith tips his hat to the lyrical brilliance of Roger Miller on the Hall of Famer’s aching “Am I All Alone,” and the desolate “Hurt By Heart” featuring Mae Estes captures a pair of wounded souls in agony, both feeling the pain in their own way. “That’s How Hearts Get Broken” turns a beer-soaked roadhouse romance into an instant-classic hookup anthem, and in the border-town stillness of “Always Leaving Something,” Keith keeps a stiff upper lip, even as he’s left in the dust. Writers contributing to the album include Brice Long, Chris Stapleton, Trent Tomlinson, Liz Rose and more.

Keith will continue his headlining “This Ain’t My First Tour,” at venues across the country. He recently teamed up with rising Australian artist Tyla Rodrigues for a reimagined take on the country classic “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,” which they performed together at CMC Rocks during Keith’s first Australian run.

Real Damn Deal Track List:
1. “Real Damn Deal” (Braxton Keith, Brice Long, Paul Sikes)
2. “I Ain’t Tryin’” (Brice Long, Will Jones, Carson Peters)
3. “Mrs. Green” (Jim Lauderdale, Bob Minner)
4. “That’s How Hearts Get Broken” (Liz Rose, Morgane Hayes, Chris Stapleton)
5. “I Dreamed You Dreamed of Me” (Braxton Keith, Dan Isbell, Brice Long)
6. “White Walls” (Braxton Keith, John Pierce)
7. “Always Leaving Something” (Jessie Jo Dillon, James Melton, Clint Daniels)
8. “Hurt By Heart” (with Mae Estes) (Braxton Keith, Trent Tomlinson, Scotty Emerick)
9. “Don’t No More” (Braxton Keith, Liz Rose, John Pierce)
10. “Little Bit by Little Bit” (Braxton Keith, Liz Rose, Phil O’Donnell)
11. “Am I All Alone (Or Is It Only Me)” (Roger Miller)
12. “I Own This Bar” (Braxton Keith, Liz Rose, Phil O’Donnell)
13. “Wind Blows” (Braxton Keith, Tony Lane, Brice Long)
14. “Prescription” (Braxton Keith, Randy Montana, John Pierce)
15. “Baby You Do” (Braxton Keith, Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson, Wynn Varble)

Lorie Hollabaugh
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