Biography
Biography
"....scattered pieces all around me on the ground...yeah and I'm still scared as hell to hear the sound. In this fucked up war we fight it seems there ain't no end in sight...and when I found my buddy's rifle I had to pry it from his cold dead hands..."
Those are the lyrics from "Cold Dead Hands," one of NOVEMBER SOUTH'S darkest songs off their debut album, WAR STORIES. The lyrics show they are willing to forge a creative path to music about subjects rarely addressed by other artists. NOVEMBER SOUTH is the collaboration between singer/songwriter Will Harrison and lyricist Colonel Jimmy Blackmon, U.S. ARMY (Ret). The songwriting duo joined forces in 2019 after many years of friendship and have created a sound that is raw and emotional with a distinct patriotic vibe. Diving head first into uncharted territory with songs about what it's like to live with the effects of war in the modern age, Harrison, having never served, draws inspiration from his own battles in life acknowledging, "We all fight our own wars. Some wars are just different than others." WAR STORIES is powered by Blackmon's life and service to our country and gives voice to some of what soldiers may face on the battlefield and at home. NOVEMBER SOUTH'S unique approach to Alt/Country, with songs about life, death, family, courage, anxiety, freedom and war, will draw you in and may never let you go.
Will Harrison's deep voice and haunting melodies carry the songs with certainty. Adding to that certainty, he delivers a solid foundation of acoustic and electric guitar to the songs, while also feeding the sonic landscape with melodic banjo and piano textures. Additionally, the sound is rounded out with a variety of exceptional musicians in various other genres of music. Hired gun, Josh Matheney, one of Nashville's most sought after session players, brings to the songs top level dobro and steel guitar leads that take your breath away. Matt Magerkurth with his eclectic cello stylings, brings new depth of emotion to an already deep record. Also hired in for the project was bassist Gabe Nelson (CAKE). Gabe's unique musical background and amazing ability as a player really helped shape the sound. But that sound wouldn't be the same without the creative mind of Matthew Putman (Living Sacrifice, Love Drug). Putman not only produced the record, but also played drums/percussion and performed most of the background and harmony vocals. He became totally immersed in the project, putting his soul, vision and passion into each and every track.
NOVEMBER SOUTH's mission is to help others through the medicine of music. Our most sincere hope is that by telling our war stories we can help bring some peace to others fighting their own war stories.
America
" America"
Written by Will Harrison & Jimmy Blackmon
Thinkin back on the place where I grew up..
it had a lot less pain
it had a lot less hate
it had a lot more love
but that’s not the way it was for everyone
and I see that now
and I think somehow
we should find a better way
in America
We’ve been waitin on a sunset that never came
our screens are feeding us lies
the lies are feeding divides
our minds are goin insane
we’re all just tryin to believe
in something meaningful
but as it stands right now I’d say we failed the test
What have we become America?
I don’t know where we are
but I know right where we’ve been
we're out here searching for truth
we’re out here searching for sanity again
and I know
and I know that it’s still worth fighting for
and the winds of change are bound to blow again
Love is what we need America
What have we done?
Where are we now?
Where do we go from here?
oh America...
What have we become America?
America...
Eleven Bravo
" ELEVEN BRAVO"
Written by Will Harrison & Jimmy Blackmon
When I was was young
I wanted to be all I could be
so I signed up for the infantry
They trained me well
they put a rifle in my hand
said give em hell and don’t let up
Well up till then
I’d just been wanderin through a dream
now my life made perfect
perfect sense to me
They sent me out
and soon I met the enemy
I took my gun and shot him down
And as he lay
I watched the life fade from his eyes
as the blood ran down his face
Said oh my god what the hell have I just done
I took his life, right there he lays
And up till then I’d just been wanderin through a dream
I’d never killed a man
I’d never felt that sting
they sent me out and soon I met the enemy
I took my gun and shot him down
When I was was young
I wanted to be all I could be
so I signed up to go to war
They trained me well
but they don’t train for how it feels
it sends a chill down through my core
I don’t know how to deal with how this feels
how was I supposed to know
how could I know how could I know
how could I know how could I know
how could I know how could I know
MIKE
" Mike"
Written by Jimmy Blackmon & Will Harrison
In a valley far away
a team of kiowas made their way
along a road in east Afghanistan
an Afghan man he walked along
but nothin seemed so wrong
with the situation as you checked him out
so you decided to move on
but a gun was quickly drawn
and the bullet with your fate was sent along
you tried to stop the bleeding
but you felt your life was fleeting
and you realized your race on earth was run
You never really know
how or when your life will go
all you get to choose is how you live
I often wonder bout that man
I don’t suppose he had a plan
you flew by and he decided to risk it all
he thought he had a shot
and something said maybe he ought
so he made a choice that changed our lives that day...
with the new of the casualty
grief spread throughout the cavelry
we’d lost another brother to this damn war
and I sat that day in total misery
when I was told that you had passed away
You never really know
how or when your life will go
all you get to choose is how you live
well just two months prior you and I flew under fire
through the valleys of east Afghanistan
but now all I have are tattered photographs
of a man I love and a hole inside my heart
You never really know
how or when your life will go
all you get to choose is how you live
in a valley get away
a team of kiowas made their way
along a road in east Afghanistan
Monterey
" Monterey"
Written by Jimmy Blackmon & Will Harrison
Monterey, I always thought I’d go back home to Monterey...
I’d never dreamed it’d end this way well Monterey
just a single year away and then...
I’d come back to you
I’d have so much to say oh well Monterey
I’d tell you all about the time I spent away
Fighting for our freedom in a world away
And now that I am gone
I can see everything
you never know the price you’ll pay
I did my best but I can’t change a thing
I never meant to stay
And I’m sorry love, I’m sorry that I’ve gone away
But Monterey, I always thought I’d go back home to Monterey
Before I left, I told you don’t forget to pray
but I suppose God had other plans for me
I’m headed out and this time I ain’t goin back
to Monterey
Now that I am gone
I can see everything
you never know the price you’ll pay
I did my best but I can’t change a thing
I never meant to stay
And I’m sorry love, I’m sorry that I’ve gone away
Monterey, I always thought I’d go back home to Monterey...
Life And Death Game
" Life and Death Game"
Written by Jimmy Blackmon & Will Harrison
Don’t know if I’m dreamin
or just tryin to remember it all
I’m tangled in memories between home
and a far away fall
well I wanna go home
but the home that I know is now gone
rounds popping off rocks like the sparks
from a fire and I’m gone
And I love it and I hate it
but I just can’t explain it
it twists up my guts and it tattoos my brain
with pictures that I can’t explain
it’s a life and death game
We were pinned down in a valley
with echos of home in my head
said I’ve got to survive cause that little girl
sure needs her dad
so I move out with purpose
and take care of the task that’s at hand
just another deep valley
somewhere here in Afghanistan
Well I love it and I hate it
but I just can’t explain it
it twists up my guts and it tattoos my brain
with pictures that I can’t explain
it’s a life and death game
Artillery thunders as helos come chopperin in
they fire and maneuver
as the enemy covers their heads
and like manic they’re gone
and we don’t even know if they’re dead
so it’s back to the base where we’ll rest up and do it again
Well I love it and I hate it
but I just can’t explain it
it twists up my guts and it tattoos my brain
with pictures that I can’t explain
it’s a life and death game
Away in my head tryin hard to make sense of it all
the price that we pay man sometimes
just feels like it’s wrong
well Mike and J.C. hell I miss em both
but they’re gone...
so try hard not to think
cause it just might not add up at all
Well I love it and I hate it
but I just can’t explain it
it twists up my guts and it tattoos my brain
with pictures that I can’t explain
it’s a life and death game