Ride Through the Country is the debut album released by country rap artist Colt Ford. It was released on December 2, 2008, on the independent Average Joe's label. It features guest appearances by John Michael Montgomery on the title track (which was released as the album lead-off single) as well as an appearance from Jamey Johnson on "Cold Beer". "Dirt Road Anthem" was later re-recorded by co-writer Brantley Gilbert on his album Halfway to Heaven, and covered and made famous by Jason Aldean for his album My Kinda Party, both from 2010, while "Gangsta of Love" featuring Bone Crusher interpolates the Steve Miller Band's 1973 chart-topping hit "The Joker".
As of August 6, 2014, the album has sold over 1,000,000 copies in the United States without the benefit of a major radio single.
Critical reception Matt Bjorke of Roughstock compared the album to a Cowboy Troy album. Bjorke stated "Cowboy Troy's fun music often felt like a novelty, Colt Ford's Ride Through The Country is an underground, indie rap album that recalls southern rapper Bubba Sparxxx."
Track listing
Revisited album The album was re-released on five years later as Ride Through the Country (Revisited) on September 30, 2013, with new versions as well the original versions of the hit songs.
Personnel Kelly Back- electric guitar Bone Crusher- vocals on "Gangsta of Love" Gary Burnette- electric guitar Carmelita Diane Davis- background vocals Tiffany Davis- background vocals David Warner Ellis- dobro, fiddle Colt Ford- lead vocals Brantley Gilbert- acoustic guitar and vocals on "Dirt Road Anthem" Kevin "Swine" Grantt- bass guitar Lindsey Hager- vocals on "Never Thought" Rob Hajacos- fiddle Jamey Johnson- vocals on "Cold Beer" and "Saddle Up" Wayne Killius- drums Sunny Ledford- vocals on "Waffle House" Catherine Styron Marx- keyboards, piano John Michael Montgomery- electric guitar and vocals on "Ride Through the Country" Anthony Randolph- piano Scotty Sanders- steel guitar Paul Scholton- drums Cory Sellers- background vocals Michael Spriggs- acoustic guitar Jason Sylvain- background vocals Adrian Young- drums
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (2009–2013) Peak position
Year-end charts Chart (2009) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 61
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US Country 2009 "No Trash in My Trailer (Revisited)" — "Ride Through the Country" 57 2010 "Cold Beer" 53 "—" denotes releases that did not chart
References