Colt Ford

Just Because He Ain't Singin,' Don't Mean It Ain't Country

originally published August 6, 2008

"Write what you know," the old adage advises. "Keep it real," echoes the hip-hop community. It's a sentiment that born-and-bred Athenian Colt Ford has taken to heart over the years, but it took him some time to really figure it out.

Growing up in the South, Ford is just about as country as it gets. With his eyes shaded under a cowboy hat, he grew up relishing tunes by classic artists like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels and Kenny Rogers. But when it came time to compose his own material, young Colt Ford opened his mouth and out came a barrage of wickedly witty rhymes. This country boy could rap, and the flow came naturally and easily for him despite living quite far from the "urban" scene. Old school hip-hop had just taken root around this time, but Ford's peers were dumbfounded by his white boy delivery.

"...This was before I even saw The Beastie Boys. Any of the kids I grew up with around Clarke Central will tell you they heard me rapping before they ever seen any other white kid doing it before," says Ford. "I was certainly looked upon pretty funny back in the day, growing up around here doing that; you know, being a white kid that also plays college golf, and later, pro golf."

Although his classmates in town were skeptical, it wasn't long until Ford met a budding producer by the name of Jermaine Dupri at a music conference. The two hit it off and soon began collaborating. In fact, Ford was right there when Dupri started working with one of his first big acts: hip-hop duo Kris Kross.

Dupri's dad took over as Ford's manager, and the country rapper went into the studio with Dupri to record his first album. Ford's debut was scheduled for release by Sony, but the label had a change of heart.

"It was just a bad time to be a white dude that rapped," says Ford. "The whole Vanilla Ice thing and all that... it just wasn't good timing, so they kind of shelved the record."

Looking back, Ford realizes that his real fault as a young rapper wasn't the color of his skin or being country, but rather the subject matter of his tunes.

"I don't think there's ever been a problem in the urban community with a white kid rapping," he says. "I think that it comes from a white kid rapping about something they don't know nothing about."

It seems obvious enough, but it never occurred to Ford to make a country record. He was a fan, but singing was never his strong suit and rap just came so naturally to him. He did find some temporary consolation in fellow local rapper Bubba Sparxxx. Ford encouraged Sparxxx to enter the studio, and the two collaborated for some time until Sparxxx decided to branch off and do his own thing. Frustrated by the experience, Ford took a break from music to focus on his career as a golfer.

It wasn't until recently that PBR reeled him back into the music business. No, not the beer, but rather Professional Bull Riders, Inc.

"My wife is a huge bull riding fan and a huge country fan, just like me... She kept telling me 'do some country!' I'd seen the whole Cowboy Troy thing, and I thought that was stupid. It didn't seem real to me. I was like, that looks like something that's made up or contrived a little bit... If it's going to be country then be country. So, I did this song for the PBR really just so she'd quit pestering me about it."

The PBR CEO loved it. It took some convincing for him to believe that this golf champ was actually the voice behind "Buck 'Em," but soon Ford's country-tinged rap became the bull riders' official theme song.

As Ford would later admit on the title song of his new record, Ride Through the Country: "Most country folks sing, but I couldn't, so I'm rapping."

It turns out, Ford could keep rapping and be country at the same time. Up in Nashville, country stars were falling over themselves trying to convince labels to let Ford guest on their next record. The hip-hop community has proven equally receptive.

That's really all it took. Before long a career was born, and Ford hasn't looked back since. With years of experience in the industry preceding this release, Ford teamed up with So So Def mega-producer Shannon Houchins to launch their own indie label, Average Joes Entertainment Group - a move that's still fairly uncommon in country music. Without the need for major label support, the two released Ford's recent debut: Ride Through the Country. Although Ford raps his way through each track, this is a country record through and through.

Ford speaks humbly and candidly of his country background through a series of fast-paced one-liners that flow like a hundred "you might be a redneck if..." punch lines. There's no hip-hop boasting or bling on this record. Just cold beers, cheatin' women and dirt roads. With true Southern flair and good humor, Ford raps about respecting the Bible and the need to raise hell in the same verse. This is a record soaked in Waffle House grease and washed back with sweet tea. Heck, he even mentions Waffle House by name in three of the tracks - one of which is aptly titled, "Waffle House." While the content isn't totally G-rated, the closest Ford gets to thug life these days is being a "Gangsta of Love."

"I try to do stuff that kids can listen to. I think there are a lot of parents that are in the 30 to 50 range that listened to some rap growing up, but it was different then. It was more fun and more party and everything. I've got kids. I really don't want them listening to a lot of stuff that's out there. So, my record is a good alternative for those kids who listen to rap but don't listen to country music any more. It gives them the best of both worlds; it talks about something they know, and makes them realize it's alright to be a country kid."

Michelle Gilzenrat

WHO: Colt Ford
WHERE: Georgia Theatre
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 8
HOW MUCH: $10