49 Winchester

Hailing from Castlewood, Virginia (population: 2.045) in the desolate backwoods of Southern Appalachia — a place where opportunity seldom knocks — 49 Winchester came to fruition when Gibson, his childhood best friend, Chafin, and his hometown crony, guitarist Bus Shelton, decided to step off the front porch (on Winchester Street) and take their music to whatever stage would have ’em.
“It’s always been a family affair,” Gibson says. “When you can look at it that way, as lifelong friends and not business associates or hired guns, you can look at it through a different lens, which just lends itself to longevity.”
Since its formation, 49 Winchester has fiercely retained this inner resolve to transcend one’s lot in life with a reckless abandon that’s led to widespread acclaim and fandom in the country, Americana and rock realms.
“We’re happy to be doing what we’re doing and never could have imagined doing it on this scale,” Gibson says. “Everyday we’re out there is a blessing for us.”
Captured in a handful studios around the country whenever there was a rare moment between relentless touring schedules — including recording stints at White Star Sound (Louisa, Virginia), Pet Moose (Richmond, Virginia) and Echo Mountain (Asheville, North Carolina), as well as Nashville’s Blackbird and Front Stage — Leavin’ This Holler is that signature 49 Winchester sound of rollicking country and searing rock music, but with a matured approach this go-round.
“We’ve all grown a lot in our personal lives since Fortune Favors the Bold,” Gibson says. “Several of us have started families, and that’s kind of played into the lyrical themes — things are a little different with this record.”
Beyond its upbeat country tempos (“Hillbilly Happy”) and sorrowful ballads (“Tulsa”), whirlwind guitar riffs (“Make It Count”) and rumbling vocals (“Traveling Band”), Leavin’ This Holler offers up a more focused sense of self — this new, bountiful level of intent and purpose.
“Each album captures a kind of different season in my life,” Gibson says. “In terms of what I’m dealing with, what lessons I’m learning, what lessons I’m failing to learn sometimes.”
Both “Fast Asleep” and “Anchor” incorporate the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, with the stirring melodies showcasing Gibson’s voice erupting into the ether of an unknown tomorrow.
“We love the string arrangements from those great country acts of the 1960s, 70s and 80s,” Gibson says. “We wanted to explore every possible sound we could on this record. No stone left unturned sonically — we got it exactly where we wanted it.”
Now with a decade under its belt, 49 Winchester is also going through this full circle of emotions and sentiments as of late. Still calling the rural countryside of Castlewood, Virginia, home, Gibson shakes his head in appreciation and gratitude for the simple things in life, which, as you get older, become the most important.
“There’s no place like home — it’s a constant source of inspiration,” Gibson says. “I’ll be riding down some backcountry road and there’s just something about that movement, that hum of the motor, and the thoughts running through your mind that spark a song.”