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The Arizona Republic - Nov. 27, 2007
Singer-songwriter is an Arizona original
by Larry Rodgers
Singer-songwriter Andy Hersey is an Arizona original.
Born in Phoenix and raised on the outskirts of Tucson, he spent 15 years as a cowboy and horseshoer before deciding to make a living playing music rooted in the Southwest.
He now lives on a 20-acre ranch near Sonoita with his family, periodically venturing out around Arizona and neighboring states to perform his traditional-flavored brand of country.
Read the entire interview here.
September 26, 2007
Songfacts interview by Shawna Ortega
Andy Hersey - The Genuine Article
His lyrics vividly depict the loneliness of life on the range, tightly interwoven as they are with his rich family history and personal experiences. Read the entire interview here.
Tucson Weekly - PUBLISHED ON MAY 31, 2007
Soundbites By STEPHEN SEIGEL
Almost as monumental as a birthday, anniversary or farewell show, literary-minded country singer/songwriter Andy Hersey celebrates the release of his third CD, Between God and Country (Hersey Music), this week. It's been more than four years since Hersey graced us with the excellent Compañero Blanco (2002, Emma Java), and those who have waited patiently for some new music from the compañero won't be disappointed with the new disc.
Hersey is the real deal: Prior to pursuing music full-time, he worked as a horseshoer. Among his clients was Doc Clyne, father of Roger Clyne, of Peacemakers and Refreshments fame. Roger became a fan of Hersey's songs and encouraged him to pursue his talents, eventually releasing Compañero Blanco on his own label. While Between God and Country is self-released, Clyne helped out by co-writing a couple of songs on it.
The new album isn't quite as rooted in the cowboy life of the Southwest as its predecessor; it's far more diverse. Sure, a track like the cinematic "Roughshod Range" (originally actually written for a film) sounds as lonesome as the desert sometimes feels, and includes lyrics such as, "Riding through this roughshod range / avenging the souls of the slain / as if the truth of yesterday had somehow chose to change." But then there's a song like "Mexican Moonshine"--one of the tunes written with Clyne--which, with its jaunty handclaps and accordion, resembles nothing so much as a lost Jimmy Buffett crowd-pleaser.
True to Hersey's past, the epic title track uses the story of a horseshoer, a blacksmith and a doctor discussing the fate of a horse "still standing in spite of the pain" to get at a larger truth. In the words of the blacksmith: "I have seen through philosophical obstacles / and pseudo intellectual bullshit / The spirit I've found in the Mustang Mountains / brought me closer to God than a pulpit." The chorus drives the point home: "Somewhere between God and country / I am a patriot, I'm a believer / With the earth and sky I am harmony." Elsewhere, "Burnin' Georgia Down" is a stomping tale of a guy escaping his past; "Tears on the Floor" is something no country album should be without--a breakup ballad; and "Smile and Wave," which closes the album, is a funky blues detour. All in all, it's another fine outing from Hersey.
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DEAN KNUTH / ARIZONA DAILY STAR
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Tucson Caliente cover story - 03/01/07
Tucson's boys of country
Local musicians' roots play key roles in careers
They remind us of when the West was wild, and they give us one more reason to brag about our distinctive and evolving music scene.
• Read more »»
• Slide show: Local country artist Andy Hersey on his Sonoita-area ranch
Nine Questions for Andy Hersey by Stephen Seigal – Tucson Weekly
“Andy Hersey chronicles the Arizona Cowboy life. In a time when country-western music is populated with pretty-faced pop sensations and crossover cons, Hersey is the genuine article – a true Sonoran cowboy” Brendan Joel Kelley – Phoenix New Times – Read more here
“Compañero Blanco captured everything about the area and the lifestyle and the feelin' of it, the soul of it, that anyone could want in one song” Roger Clyne – Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers
“Andy Hersey writes what he knows and knows about what he writes. The songs on Compañero Blanco reveal Hersey to be part of the dying breed of cowboy songwriters who specialize in narratives true to their native land – in this case, Hersey's native Southwest, as well as more universal affairs of the heart… These are fully formed accessible country songs that trump just about anything being played on commercial country radio these days.” Stephen Seigal – Tucson Weekly – Click here to read full article.
“Andy Hersey has heeded Rex Allen Jr.'s call to put the Western back in Country and Western music… when Hersey sings about the cowboy life, he does it with authority, because he is a cowboy.” A.J. Flick – Tucson Citizen
