No-Bull Bingham

Name a music biz award and young pro-bull-rider-turned-dusty-throated-troubadour Ryan Bingham has probably won it. His song “The Weary Kind,” from the 2009 Jeff Bridges movie Crazy Heart, was awarded everything from an Oscar to a Grammy. And did I mention he used to be a pro bull-rider? That’s some serious country-western cred — I’d like to see Toby Keith or Kenny Chesney try and ride one.

And Bingham’s got the burnished-leather, whiskey-and-spurs sound to back it up. Bingham’s first few records, released on the Americana record label Lost Highway, quickly garnered the Texan songwriter heir-apparent-to-Steve-Earle status, having more in common with Ryan Adams than Garth Brooks. His latest release, 2012’s Tomorrowland, out on his own label Axster Bingham Records, continues in much the same vein, if perhaps pursuing Bingham’s dreams of arena-sized rock ‘n’ roll stardom a teensy bit harder.

Tomorrowland opens with “Beg for Broken Legs.” Bingham defiantly barks “I ain’t gonna bite my tongue” over an Aerosmith-esque guitar riff that resolves into an orchestral denouement recalling the Paul McCartney and Wings’ classic “Live and Let Die.” Bingham does a spooky-good Springsteen impersonation on “Flower Bomb” and “Rising Of The Ghetto,” while raiding Jack White’s sludgy and rusty guitar sound for “Guess Who’s Knocking,” in which the singer threatens: “Guess who is knockin’ on the door; It’s me, motherfucker, I’m knockin’ on the door.”

Ryan Bingham plays with Wild Feathers 7:30 pm Saturday, June 8, at WOW Hall; $20 adv., $22.50 door.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!