Mix in like-minded co-producer John Rich (AKA J. MONEY) and this convergence really starts to make sense. “John was one of the first people in the business that understood how natural what I was doing really was and that it wasn’t an act, just a natural extension of myself and my musical influences,” Troy remembers.
Yet it’s precisely that different blend, a convergence of country, rap and rock that Troy dubbed “hick-hop,” that’s still causing quite a stir throughout the country music world. Two years ago, when Cowboy Troy’s Warner Bros./Raybaw debut, Loco Motive, debuted at number two on the Billboard Country Albums chart, the industry could not deny that something unique was going on. Despite minimal (to put it mildly) country radio support (the lead single, “I Play Chicken With The Train,” peaked at number 48 on the charts), the song managed to become the number one country download at the iTunes music store. The little Loco Motive that could has since gone on to sell some 342,000 copies.
And the world took note. Troy was everywhere—from the pages of People, Rolling Stone, Time, and USA Today to The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, Larry King Live and the list goes on. But perhaps more than anything else, it’s his hosting gig on USA’s Nashville Star that has kept him in the national consciousness these past two years. Troy has co-hosted this series with Jewel, and he’s fierce in his defense of the show and desire to separate it from what happens on American Idol. “First of all, there are no people on our show that don’t have any talent, nor is anyone interested in making a name for themselves by ripping up folk,” Troy said. “Now that doesn’t mean there won’t be critical statements, or that people won’t acknowledge when someone isn’t singing in tune or doing material that doesn’t work. But if you watch our show you won’t see anyone delighting in ridiculing a contestant or trying to follow their own agenda. The most important thing for everyone on our show is making sure that the best and most talented people win and that they get the seasoning and advice they need to make it in the business.”
Troy stands behind his words: he invited Nashville Star season five winner Angela Hacker to lend vocals to “Lock Me Up” and “Hick Chick” on his forthcoming album. For extra flavor, Black In The Saddle also features rocker M. Shadows, lead singer of Avenged Sevenfold, as well as the deep baritone of Troy’s MuzikMafia cohort James Otto. The resulting body of work is a tasty melting pot of country, rap, and rock ‘n roll.
As he prepares for the June 5 launch of his second release Black In The Saddle, Troy reflects on the evolution and emergence of a career that’s quite unique in many ways. Anyone who’s pegged him in either the novelty or strictly rap category may get a big surprise with this next release. “I’m going to be pushing the envelope a lot further than anyone expects this time,” Troy says. “I’ve done a lot of experimenting here. We’ve got strings, some songs where you might even think about the Beatles, others where the rock influence comes through, especially Motorhead, and of course the Run-DMC and rap. I’m comfortable pushing the envelope a lot more. There are also some songs here that are darker, and have a message. If you just thought that everything I did was comical or upbeat, this shows another side. I think music sometimes has to challenge and make people listen, just as much as make them feel good or want to dance. You can do all three of these things with the songs on Black In The Saddle.”
Call Cowboy Troy Now!
09/07/2007
Whaddup Kinfolk!?
Just thought I'd get back to many of you who have had questions, concerns or...
Go behind-the-scenes with CBT in the AT&T blue room
09/07/2007
Go behind-the-scenes with Cowboy Troy at the Miss Hick Chick USA regional final in Austin, TX. P...
Cowboy Troy Unplugged at Studio 330
08/28/2007
Cowboy Troy is shaking up the country scene with his contagious dance moves and fast-talking lyri...
COWBOY TROY Brings The Sharpie “Autographs For Education” Program To Nashville
08/14/2007
'Hick hop recording artist asks local students for their autograph in exchange for
school suppl...
CMT Video Premiere: "Hick Chick (Dance Mix)"
08/07/2007
Click here to c...
Cowboy Troy on The Place
07/11/2007
There is a great article about Cowboy Troy on CC San Antonio's ThePlace Click here...
Cowboy Troy Rhapsody Originals
06/13/2007
Can't get enough of Cowboy Troy? Head over to Rhapsody...
Cowboy Troy Interview on CMT Loaded
06/08/2007
Check out a brand new interview with Cowboy Troy on CMT Loaded! Click here...
Black In The Saddle - In Stores Now!
06/07/2007
Be sure to pick up your copy of Cowboy Troy's new album "Black In The Saddle" - available now whe...
Cowboy Troy Interview on Country Interviews Online
04/11/2007
Country Interviews Online just posted an exclusive interview with Cowboy Troy - check it out at www.countryinterviewsonline.net.
New MySpace Blog
01/23/2007
Cowboy Troy just posted a new blog on his MySpace - www.myspace.com/cowboytroy...
New Blog + CbTV Episode 7 on MySpace
11/15/2006
A new blog and CbTV Episode 7 are now up on Cowboy Troy's MySpace page! Here's a quick snippet.....
CbTV Episode 6
10/12/2006
Troy's latest episode of CbTV is now lilve on his MySpace page. Check it out!
COWBOY TROY TV on MySpace
06/29/2006
That's correct CbTV Episode 1 debuted on his MySpace. Cowboy Troy had to take matters into his o...
"My Last Yee Haw" on Rhapsody!
03/31/2006
Check out Cowboy Troy's new music video "My Last Yee Haw" and more...
Watch & Download Cowboy Troy's Rolling Stone Original
02/25/2006
It's Hick-Hop heaven when Cowboy Troy is joined by none less than Big & Rich for this raucous set...
Watch Cowboy Troy performs "My Last Yee Haw" (in studio) with Big & Rich on AOL Sessions
02/25/2006
If you don't know, better ask somebody
Get on the floor and grab that hottie
I gott...
Saturday May 10th, 2008 - Baltimore, MD http://www.baltimoreravens.com
Saturday May 31st, 2008 - Lewisburg, TN
Mama's Country
Friday June 20th, 2008 - Atlantic City, NJ
Saturday June 21st, 2008 - Atlantic City, NJ
Saturday June 28th, 2008 - Bean Blossom, IN
Rock Hill Music Fest | Buy Tickets
Sunday July 13th, 2008 - Sarnia, ON, Canada
Friday July 18th, 2008 - Eau Claire, WI
Wednesday July 30th, 2008 - Houston, TX
Eleanor Tinsley Park
Friday August 8th, 2008 - New Brunsfels, TX
River Road Ice House
Albums | |
 | Unplugged: At Studio 330 - Released: 09/12/2007
|
 | Buffalo Stampede (Live) (Rhapsody Originals) - Released: 06/12/2007
|
 | Black in the Saddle - Released: 06/05/2007
|
 | Hick Chick (Dance Remixes) (Digital EP) - Released: 05/01/2007
|
 | Hick Chick (featuring Angela Hacker) (Digital Single) - Released: 05/01/2007
|
 | El Tejano (Spanish Version) (digital single) - Released: 05/30/2006
|
 | Loco Motive - Released: 05/17/2005
|
 | Hook 'Em Horns (digital single) - Released: 02/25/2006
|
 | Rolling Stone Original (Exclusive) (Digital EP) - Released: 11/29/2005
|
Video Singles | |
 | Hick Chick (Dance Mix)
|
 | Hick Chick
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 | Hick Chick (Barn Dance Mix)
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 | If You Don't Wanna Love Me
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 | I Play Chicken With The Train (ft. Big & Rich)
|
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