Dan Slyker: Sellouts and Train Tracks
Dan Slyker’s Sellouts and Train Tracks: A Collision of Country's Past and Present
by Jack Rush
Dan Slyker’s new album, Sellouts and Train Tracks, is a playful yet pointed exploration of country music’s evolving identity. With a blend of folk, country, and Americana, Slyker taps into his love for the classic storytelling of Johnny Cash and the wit of Shel Silverstein. The album foresees a collision—one that may already be happening—between the genre’s past and present.
Slyker says: “This album is a commentary on how today’s traditional country artists are finally moving to the forefront past those who had turned the genre into a stereotype.”
Sellouts and Train Tracks tells this story by introducing two distinct groups: The Sellouts and The Train Tracks. The Sellouts represent the artists who grew up with the glitzy, auto-tuned version of pop-country, unaware of its roots. Meanwhile, The Train Tracks are the rebels—those who grew up watching Hee Haw and preferring simple instrumentation and honest stories.
The tension between these two groups takes center stage in the album’s narrative, described as a quirky, regional showdown on the variety show Giddy Up!. While humor fills the air, the underlying message is clear: country music’s heart still beats strongest when it returns to its roots.
With Sellouts and Train Tracks, Dan Slyker delivers more than just a collection of songs. He captures a moment in time, blending humor with reflection and offering a rallying cry for those seeking to bring country music back to its soulful, storytelling roots. It’s a collision worth hearing.
Have a listen and connect with Dan Slyker:
