Country-blues artist Ben Danaher debuts the new track “My Father’s Blood,” from his upcoming album, Still Feel Lucky.
Right in time for Father’s Day, we have an exclusive first listen to Ben Danaher’s new track “My Father’s Blood,” from his forthcoming album Still Feel Lucky, available September 7.
Written as an ode to his dad, “My Father’s Blood” showcases Danaher’s lyrical talent. The song’s deeply personal storytelling reveals the roots of a family upbringing, evoking memories of your own.
"Growing up with a father as a songwriter meant a lot of things to me. It meant that I had a strong-willed example to follow. Someone who defied social norms to get a 9-5 job and settle for that lifestyle. It might have meant that we grew up poor, but the wealth in living free and happy overshadowed that. We grew up in a house with musical instruments everywhere and both of my brothers played as well. My dad played every nightclub, festival, restaurant, and nursing home that would let him set his stuff up. He was fearless. Which is amazing because as a songwriter I have learned that rejection and disappointment can be as common as breathing," says Danaher.
The humble and well-formulated tune by the talented Texas native tugs at the heartstrings. Balanced with only sweeping acoustic guitar and a winsome piano composition, it provides listeners with a shared solitude and a common ground.
"The thing I admired the most about my dad was that despite never getting another artist to record his songs, or having a big gold record, he was writing songs up until the last week of his life. That was a pretty eye-opening realization. There wasn’t a light at the end of the tunnel. There wasn’t a chance to even record them himself. He just did it because he loved it. I feel very lucky to get to step in front of a microphone and sing songs to strangers that I have made up about things I have lived, and am very grateful that people listen or clap or cry, but if I never get a chance to do any more than I have done in this business today, I hope I maintain his persistence and pureness for writing," Danaher says.
Give a first listen to “My Father’s Blood” below, and be sure to share it with your dad this Father’s Day.
For more information on Ben Danaher and upcoming tour dates, visit his website. On his Twitter page, he’s been sharing some of his favorite memories of his dad and wants to hear your stories, too. He invites you to head to https://bit.ly/2JzGdat to upload a favorite memory with the father figure in your life and a short message to create a vintage-inspired gift.
To pre-save Danaher’s Still Feel Lucky new album on Spotify, click here. Photography: Ryan Nolan.
More Song Premieres
The Dryes’ “Simple Truth”
Paul Cauthen’s “Lil’ Son”
Sihasin’s “Strong Together”
