Mike Stevens grew up playing music in El Paso, Texas with his childhood friend, Beto O’Rourke. They had a band in the ’90s called Foss. You might remember the photo Republicans tried to use during Beto’s presidential campaign, where the candidate is seen with long hair and wearing a dress. I don’t think it hurt him. In fact, I suspect the exposure helped him with the youth vote. Mike is the one with the really long hair.
Years later, Mike moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he plugged in to the local music scene. He played in a locally famous band called, “Honky Tonk Chateau.” Somewhere around 2002 or so, I met Mike at an annual songwriters festival just south of Springfield, hosted by iconic local musician and producer, Mark Bilyeu (Big Smith, Creek Rocks), and his then wife, Liz.
One night, the closer was Mike, and he played a solo acoustic version of “Long Holidays.” I was struck with the simple profundity of the lyrics and Mike’s raw, honest performance. Later on, I heard HTC play a soul-blistering rock and roll version of the song. I was hooked.
Fast forward a few years, and my band, Brother Wiley, added Long Holidays to most of our set lists. We often used it as a closer, because it brought everything together, made us feel like we were home, and taught us we were all on the same side.
After a couple of decades, I finally got in the studio with my current band and recorded our version. We don’t pretend to compete with Mike’s performances — they will forever be the best — but we hope our efforts honor this great song.
Long Holidays is currently previewing exclusively on Bandcamp. It will be released on all streaming services Friday, July 19, 2024.
Credits:
Written by Mike Stevens
Produced by Barak Hill (Mid-Americana Studios) and Brett Miller; Engineered and Mastered by Barak Hill
THE GIGANTIC BAND:
Brett Miller – vocals, guitar, tambourine; Barak Hill – guitar, backing vocals; Melissa Rea – vocals; Jody Bilyeu – piano, organ; Karl Eggers – banjo; Todd Mincks – bass; Brandon Moore – drums (and count off…)
Cover Photo: Orvie Walker, ca. 1956
LYRICS:
Long holidays with you
Forget my family after day two
Say anything you want me to
Long holidays with you
Turn out the lights
I’ll play you country western songs all night (2x)
Sure death’s comin’ and I know we’re gonna be all right
Sure winter’s comin’ and I know we’re gonna be all right
…
Long hours without you
Jim Beam ain’t got a clue
Keep goin’ back to him
Until you come ‘round and tell me not to
Long hours without you
Turn out the lights
We’ll listen to country western records all night
Turn out the lights
And we’ll listen to the neighbors fight
Sure winter’s comin’ and I know we’re gonna be all right
Sure tomorrow’s comin’ and I know we’re gonna be all right
We’ll be all right (7x repeat)
Long holidays with you
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