Running With the Pack (Even When the Road Gets Rough)

The original track has always carried that worn leather, late-night highway feel—equal parts freedom and loneliness. It’s about loyalty, brotherhood, and the kind of miles you don’t just drive… you survive.

Blackberry Smoke leans into that spirit without trying to outshine it. They keep the bones intact—respect the legacy—but add just enough Southern grit and barroom dust to make it feel like it belongs in 2026 just as much as it did back in the ‘70s.

Charlie Starr’s voice doesn’t try to mimic—it nods. And that’s the difference. This isn’t karaoke… it’s communion.

This Ain’t Just a Song Right Now

For me, this one hits a little different.

Lately, life’s been throwing some punches that don’t pull back. Doctor visits. Surgery talk. Words you never think you’ll hear tied to your own name. The kind of stuff that makes a man sit quiet a little longer than usual… stare out across nothing and everything at the same time.

But here’s the truth of it—

I ain’t riding this stretch alone.

I’ve got a pack.

Not the kind you find on social media or in passing conversation—but the real ones. The ones who show up. The ones who call. The ones who sit across from you when things ain’t easy and don’t try to fix it… they just be there.

My wife. My people. The friends who’ve turned into family somewhere along the way. The ones who pray, who laugh, who remind me who I am when I start drifting too far into the dark.

That’s what this song’s always been about… and now it’s personal.

Loyalty Ain’t Loud—It’s Proven

There’s a line that runs underneath “Run With the Pack”—something unspoken but understood:

You don’t get to choose the road sometimes… but you do get to choose who walks it with you.

And right now, I’m surrounded by folks who don’t scare easy. People who’ve seen storms, been through their own fires, and still found a way to stand shoulder to shoulder.

That kind of loyalty?
That’s rarer than a rainstorm in August out here.

Reviving a Classic

Final Pour

Blackberry Smoke didn’t just revive a classic—they reminded us why it mattered in the first place.

Because whether you’re chasing freedom down a long stretch of highway… or staring down something a whole lot heavier—

You better have a pack.

And if you’re lucky like me…
they’ve got your back.

Y’all Come Go With Us

As the upcoming holidays approach I have begun streaming Blackberry Smoke’s latest drop, Come Go With Us.

Charlie Starr calls it “the closest thing to a holiday song you will ever hear from us.” Starr also added, “it’s an old song but now it’s a new song.”

The song is about family and coming together even when sometimes the comings are as pleasant as our memories of them were. I feel that in my life more and more lately. It’s seems that the only time we get together with more than one or two or three of our people is for a funeral or something. Ever since grandma passed, it’s like I live in the same town with some of my family yet I don’t even see them unless I run into them at the grocery store.

It’s a song about the good times and the happy times and how much time has passed and what we are like now. I have cousins that are grown and had kids and gave me cousins that I have never even met.

It’s a song that’s definitely worth a spin. If it weren’t for Blackberry Smoke i would not have half the family that I have. In fact, the very first time I met my wife I realized just how big of a BBS fan that she was.. the first time I ever saw these brothers play live was because of her birthday and all she wanted was a trip to John T. Floores. I hope that tradition will stick and we can do it again this year. Yall come go with us.

Pancho.

Floore’s up in Smoke

I left the oil patch of western Texas today for a much needed getaway, and an opportunity to finally see a band live that I had heard so much hoopla about.

Blackberry Smoke out on one hell of a rock show in Helotes today. Currently they are into the first half of their Be Right Here tour.

Blackberry Smoke John T Floores Helotes Texas 4/26/24

Today was also the first time for me to venture to John T Floore’s a venue I’ve had on my bucket list ever since Robert Earl Keen recorded Live Dinner #2 there.

The opener was Austin based musician Jeff Crosby. His country and rock licks were paired with a borrowed fiddle player from the OG Texas Country group Reckless Kelly.

Crosby played several original songs that he’d written and closed up the set with a perfect rendition of the Guy Clark penned, Anyhow I Love You.

Charlie Starr and his band BlackBerry smoke took the stage and the rock show began. This multi- talented group of musicians really gave the audience a show to remember.

The band recently lost their long time drummer, Brit Turner, but they didn’t miss a beat. Starr told the audience, “he’s still right here with us. Every night, and we are playing rock in roll for him now.”

Charlie Starr is one of the greatest guitarists I’ve personally seen play live . He must have changed his instrument at least a dozen times . Each guitar meant another amazing song and another story.

The weather was perfect for the outdoor event . The crowd was friendly and fun and the band played to the audience quite well.

The new album Be Right Here is out and available everywhere. Grab a copy you can hold onto. The Floore’s audience heard much of the new album as well as many old favorites. The fan loyalty to this group is impressive.

Blackberry Smoke fans from all over the world flocked into that little country store. We arrived as strangers and left as friends.

Thanks for sharing the music

Pancho.