DUSTY BLACK - Goodbye Drives Me Crazy - Quartz Hill Records/Stone Country Records

Reaching a cumulative total of over 13 million streams since releasing his Stone Country Records debut this past summer, “Dust Off of Me”, buzzed about newcomer Dusty Black now delivers his anticipated follow-up, “Goodbye Drives Me Crazy.”

Written by Josh Mirenda, Gary Garris, and Houston Phillips, the moody vibes swarm the essence of the modern laced, 2010’s era influence as Black’s raw vocal edge grips the heart tussle of leaving home to chase your dream while having to temporarily leave behind those you love.

“‘Goodbye Drives Me Crazy’ is a song about having to leave the people you love behind and the sacrifices we have to make to provide for our families,” says Dusty. “Us musicians know this feeling all too well and it’s usually the hardest part of our job. I know we aren’t the only ones out there with demanding travel schedules and I hope the song connects with them like it did me.” 

Lamenting in the opening verse how it kills him every time he leaves her, he uses then second to expertly highlight the emotional bends of momentarily feeling like he’s lost her as he anxiously calculates through the lens of a whiskey glass how many days it is until he’s back in her arms.

However, it’s the double shot of the chorus and the strike of the lead into it that reaches through the speakers to grip the heartstrings of the struggled minds who are battling a similar addiction to the road while wondering if the bright lights are even worth the pursuit, laying the grit of his voice against a punch of guitars through a bold confessional:

“Cause goodbye drives me crazy

Leaving is harder lately

Just knowing a minute without you is a moment wasted

I know it’s hard to hold on

When I ain’t there to hold on to

Seeing you in the rearview makes me hate me

I go insane without you

But I’ll be back home soon

Cause goodbye drives me crazy”

With each next layer that Dusty Black reveals, we get a clearer snapshot of the signature characteristics that outline the blue-collar direction of his music. Recognized widely for his career starting point with Black Tie Moving, he brings a refreshing honesty to his rock titled country sound, speaking directly to the working class with an appreciative fist bump from the point of view of someone who’s been in the 40+ hour trenches with them.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)