Photo: Steve Rapport
JJ Grey Releases New Single ‘Rooster’ From Upcoming Album ‘Olustee’
On Friday, December 1, renowned singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist JJ Grey will premiere his intoxicating new song, “Rooster,” the second track released from his upcoming album, Olustee. Olustee will be released on Alligator Records on February 23, 2024 on CD, LP and at all digital services. JJ Grey & Mofro have also announced a massive, months-long tour to follow. Grey previously released five groundbreaking albums on Alligator between 2007 and 2013.
On Olustee, Grey’s first self-produced album, the North Florida-born and bred Grey sings his personal stories with universal themes of redemption, rebirth, hard luck, and inner peace. With his music, Grey also celebrates good times with lifelong friends, oftentimes mixing the carnal with the cerebral in the very same song. Fueled by his vividly detailed, timeless originals, spun from his own life and experiences in the Northern Florida swampland, Grey’s gritty baritone drips with honest passion and testifies with a preacher’s foot-pounding fervor.
Talking about “Rooster,” Grey says, “I grew up with chickens all of my life. We had a rooster once named Jim-Jim who was a natural born badass. He was an absolute gentleman with the hens. He always called them to food, made sure the young ones got back in the coop before dark (our chickens roamed free), and never roughed the hens or other young roosters up. When the time came he ran at the danger instead of running away and paid the ultimate price (which was no price to him at all) to save his family. Reminds me of the men I grew up with.”
With a delicious funky groove and crisp guitar riffs, JJ Grey tells the tale of the rooster strut via a charming and funny video. The lyrics are clever and downright fun. And who would have thought that roosters were so tough in all the best ways? Horns strike as Grey growls “I’m a rooster. In the cut. Shining on girl, watch me struggle. Still a man, guess you’ll have to change them plans.” A modern iteration of a 70s blues-funk tune, Grey has it going on vocally, hitting it perfectly with his phrasing.
“Rooster”
Last month, Grey unveiled the album’s lead track, “The Sea.” Nationally syndicated radio program Acoustic Cafe aired the song across over 120 stations around the country. Additionally, “The Sea” was the #1 Most Added song across the Americana radio format.
With Olustee, JJ Grey has once again pushed the boundaries of his own creative musical, lyrical and vocal talents, delivering an album that is destined to become a classic. Many of the songs are steeped in the mythical Southern stories of his ancestral Florida home and filled with people from JJ’s life. The songs overflow with the sights and sounds of the region as told through the eyes of a poet and sung with pure, unvarnished soul.
The album’s eleven songs range from the raucous, celebratory first radio single, “Wonderland”, to an escape from an out-of-control wildfire in the title track, to the inward-looking closer, “Deeper Than Belief.” Singing of his own personal triumphs and struggles, his hopes and desires, his friends and family, Grey’s message is simple and strong — respect the natural world and always try to live in the moment. And never forget the importance of having a good time.
Now, with Olustee, JJ Grey & Mofro will bring their music directly to fans as they also announce the first set of dates of the 2024 Olustee Tour, along with ticket purchase information. Tickets are on sale now. Information on access to the “Olustee VIP Tour Experience” can be found HERE
JJ Grey & Mofro website
Excellent tune and cool video too!