New Artist Spotlight: Flynnville Train
By Kristen Scherer
© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service /
Country Music Association, Inc.

Take two regional powerhouse bands - one rock and one blues - and leave them to their own devices way out in the country. If you're lucky, you might wind up with something half as undeniable and unstoppable as Flynnville Train. Hailing from small towns around Muncie, Ind., the five members of Flynnville Train - brothers Brian and Brent Flynn on vocals and guitar respectively, guitarist Jeremy Kent Patterson (aka Tombstone Slim), and the powerhouse rhythm section of bassist Tim Beeler and drummer Tommy Bales - go way back on the Indiana music scene.

While the Flynn brothers were rocking the local clubs with their band Milestone, Bales and Patterson were laying it down in the area's blues bars. The two groups formed a fast friendship.

The opportunity to finally come together came from Kentucky HeadHunter Richard Young, who offered to produce the Flynn brothers in the Glasgow, Ky., studio of engineer David Barrick. Looking to augment their sound, the brothers knew exactly where to look.

Powered by the unique dual-guitar dynamic of Brent Flynn and Patterson, and countrified by Brian Flynn's turbo-twang vocals, Flynnville Train comes roaring out of the gate like a tricked-out Harley on their debut album, on Toby Keith's Show Dog Nashville record label and produced by the band with Barrick and Young. The album is set for release on Aug. 28. Leadoff single "Last Good Time," written by Neal Coty and Craig Wiseman, captures the band's go-for-broke approach. Patterson credits Show Dog with giving the musicians total freedom to be themselves.

"They just turned us loose and let us do what we do," he said. "And once it gets rolling, it's awfully hard to stop a train."

In early June, Flynnville Train performed at CMA Music Festival and on June 21, they helped kick-off Toby Keith's "Big Dog Daddy Tour." The band is currently opening for the trek's 50-plus shows.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

What CD is on your stereo?
Brent Flynn : "Beatles '65."
Brian Flynn : "Flynnville Train."

What word or phrase do you find yourself saying over and over again?
Bales: "Y'all ain't gonna believe this ... "
Beeler: "Priceless."
Brent Flynn : "That's what she said."
Brian Flynn : "I don't know, you tell me."
Patterson: "It's not rocket science."

What book or magazine is on your nightstand?
Bales: "Modern Drummer."
Brent Flynn : "Country Weekly."
Brian Flynn : "Hot Rod Magazine."
Patterson: "The Bible."

What do you sing in the shower?
Bales: "'Dance to the Music.'"
Brian Flynn : "'She's So Heavy.'"
Patterson: "Al Green."

What is your pet peeve?
Bales: "Backseat drivers."
Brent Flynn : "Long checkout lines."
Brian Flynn: "Being behind schedule."
Patterson: "Mornings."

On the Web: flynnvilletrain.com  
 

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