Local rock icons, Toadies, were given a righteous shout out in the form of a cover of their hit “Possum Kingdom” by “Yellowstone” actor and award-winning musician Ryan Bingham this week. This North Texas classic is the second single from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s upcoming “Texas Wild” album set to be released in August. Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen, who appear on this track, are just a few of a dozen contributing artists that will appear on this album of covers that blend Texas genres like blues, cumbia and country with modern sounds like hip-hop, R&B and electronica.
“Possum Kingdom” was originally written and released by the Texas-based alternative rock band Toadies as the second single of their 1994 album “Rubberneck” with a cool video to boot on MTV. This song would become the band’s most successful song making it onto Billboard’s top 40 in 1995.
Toadies originally formed in Fort Worth, with a style that was frequently described as “distinctly Texas.” Almost 30 years later, the “Texas Wild” version aims to honor this fan-favorite while adding elements of blues, rock and country in a new musical arrangement produced by Texas singer-songwriter Walker Lukens.
“Ryan Bingham wanting to do ‘Possum Kingdom’ is exactly what makes an album like this special; a big artist in one genre taking a chance by doing a popular song in another genre,” says Lukens. “Plus, Richard Bowden’s fiddle solo is one of the coolest things that’s ever happened at our studio.”
The song’s title comes from the popular Possum Kingdom Lake, which is a body of water very close to the Fort Worth area. In the 2014 documentary "Dark Secrets: The Stories of Rubberneck", Toadies’ vocalist Vaden Todd Lewis says he intended "Possum Kingdom" to be a continuation of the story told in the song "I Burn" the closing track on “Rubberneck”. While he envisioned "I Burn" to be a story about cult members immolating themselves in order to ascend to a higher plane, "Possum Kingdom" was about one of the immolated people becoming "just smoke, and ...he goes to Possum Kingdom [Lake] and tries to find somebody to join him,” Lewis said.
Stephen Montoya
So, now that we know a bit of the background of this song, what do the members of Toadies think about the cover?
Toadies guitarist Clark Vogeler says Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen bring their own style to the tune, imbuing it with a uniquely haunting touch. “A lurid and chaotic violin pairs with the guitars creating an original appeal,” he says. “This is a great cover that takes the song to new places.”
Even Lead singer Lewis gives it his approval stating in a release, “I love how Ryan made the tune his own, really brought out the swampy, gritty vibe. Cool stuff.”
The “Texas Wild” album exclusively features Texas musicians, both well-known and rising stars, as they pay tribute to classic Texas tunes. The album is sponsored by notable Texas brands Rambler Sparkling Water and Tecovas. The upcoming album also features a unique, block-print-style artwork by Texas illustrator Mishka Westell. Butler, a branding studio in Austin, also collaborated on the project’s concept and design.
“We knew the possibilities were endless when we set out to make this album of cool covers, but never in our wildest dreams did we think Ryan Bingham would ask to cover Toadies,” says Phil Lamb, TPWF’s Director of Philanthropy, who is leading the project. “Ryan’s passion for the song shines through, and we’re thrilled that the Toadies have joined our album lineup with a Kelly Clarkson cover that we’ll share when the album drops later this year."
That’s right Toadies fans, you’ll have a chance to hear these North Texas rock icons get there Kelly Clarkson on this fall.
A full track listing will be available closer to the album release. So far the list below is what we’ve been able to verify.
Fat Tony featuring Paul Wall - “(Hey Baby) Que Paso” (Original Track: Sir Douglas Quintet)
The Texas Gentlemen - "(That's Right) You're Not From Texas" (Original Track: Lyle Lovett)
Shane Smith and The Saints featuring Hayes Carll - "Pancho and Lefty" (Original Track: Townes Van Zandt)
Luna Luna - “Si Una Vez” (Original Track: Selena Quintanilla)
Ryan Bingham - "Possum Kingdom" (Original Track: The Toadies)
The Suffers - "My Maria" (Original Track: B.W. Stevenson)
Shakey Graves featuring Jess Williamson - "True Love Will Find You in the End" (Original Track: Daniel Johnston)
Sir Woman featuring Ray Wylie Hubbard - "Texas Sun" (Original Track: Khruangbin and Leon Bridges)
Adrian Quesada featuring US and the Soul Supporters - "Say My Name" (Original Track: Destiny’s Child)
Sarah Jaffe - "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" (Original Track: Willie Nelson)
The Toadies - "Since U Been Gone" (Original Track: Kelly Clarkson)
Additional live events celebrating Texas Wild will be announced soon. “Possum Kingdom” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.
