Ryan Bingham has embarked on a new musical adventure with his latest album, “They Call Us the Lucky Ones,” collaborating with the band The Texas Gentlemen. Released this month, the album showcases a distinct shift in Bingham’s approach to music, embracing spontaneity and the essence of live improvisation.
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Bingham, now 45, reflects on the creative process that defined this album as not a meticulously planned effort but rather an organic jam session. “We literally just … let’s just go jam,” he recalls, describing the spontaneous spirit that guided the recording sessions. These interactions, which took place over just a few days, resulted in an unexpected wealth of material. Bingham notes, “We went in for two or three days and recorded some ideas… and then we just did that a few times,” ultimately realising they had enough content for a full album.
The energy harnessed during these sessions became a pivotal element for the album, influencing its raw and live sound. “It felt like we captured a little moment in time there,” he reflects on the collaborative effort that resulted in their latest work. The result is a collection that embraces imperfections, a notion that Bingham has grown more comfortable with over the years. In a nod to James Brown, he muses, “God is in the first take, and everything else is manmade,” adhering to a principle of letting the music exist in its original form.
Bingham’s songwriting process has evolved into a more instinctive and visceral experience. He describes how ideas often emerge out of nowhere, saying, “Sometimes it’s like something that’s coming through me from somewhere else.” This framing of creativity illuminates the broader themes on “They Call Us the Lucky Ones,” where the title resonates with both gratitude and resilience. He expresses, “It’s a nod to a lot of the hard times that we’ve all gone through together to get to where we’re at.”
Over the ten tracks of the album, Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen create a soundscape that draws from various Americana genres, taking listeners on a journey that spans from Montana’s wide-open spaces to the rich landscapes of Mississippi. At the emotional core of the album lies the title track, “The Lucky Ones,” which Bingham describes as a reflective piece that acknowledges life’s struggles while emphasising gratitude. “We’re a bunch of misfits, just a bit lucked out,” he explains, underscoring the connection between hard work and feeling fortunate.
As an artist and a father of three, Bingham acknowledges the challenges of balancing a demanding career on the road with personal obligations at home. His role on the hit show “Yellowstone” and his family life with co-star Hassie Harrison add layers of complexity to his already intricate life as a musician. “I can emotionally prepare for it a lot better than I could when I was younger,” he admits, illustrating how his perspective on juggling personal and professional spheres has matured over the years.
Despite the changes in his life, Bingham’s creative impulse remains strong. He succinctly states that “art and music really just is a reflection of your soul,” suggesting that inspiration can ebb and flow unpredictably. “Sometimes I just sit around and I won’t even try to write songs,” he explains, revealing the unpredictable nature of his artistry.
Finding a harmonious partnership with The Texas Gentlemen has significantly shifted Bingham’s view on performance. He credits the band with not only enhancing the depth of his sound but also fostering an environment of mutual trust on stage. “I get to do it with these guys,” he remarks, expressing his gratitude for their collaborative spirit. “If it weren’t for this group of guys in the band, I probably wouldn’t be doing it so much.”
With “They Call Us the Lucky Ones” now available on major streaming platforms, listeners can experience Bingham’s journey through sound, capturing both his evolving artistry and the palpable joy of live collaboration. As he continues to forge ahead in his musical career, the album serves as a testament to the grit and gratitude that underpin his experiences both as a performer and a person.