• Home
  • Music
  • Shows
  • Press / EPK
    • Album Reviews
  • Artist Bio
  • Video
  • Photos
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Music
  • Shows
  • Press / EPK
    • Album Reviews
  • Artist Bio
  • Video
  • Photos
  • Contact

Rich Layton & Tough Town

Back to all posts

Unpacking the Album – track 11: Take a Giant Step

Stop me if you've heard the story... By 8th grade, all I wanted was to be in a rock and roll band. Problem was, I was all thumbs on the guitar. But I had been singing for years, so after school every day, I'd close my bedroom door, put on a record and sing along at the top of my lungs with Eric Burdon (The Animals), , Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere and The Raiders), Micky Dolenz (The Monkees) and more of my vocal heroes. One afternoon, there was a knock at the door, and two guys from my homeroom were standing in the hallway. "We were walking by the house and heard you out front. We want you to be the singer in our band."

Time stopped. In that moment, I got a golden ticket into the wondrous world of music making, transcendent joy and girls. We rehearsed in our families' living rooms and garages, playing for the relatives and neighbors. We tackled everything we heard on Texas radio with the Big Beat, played a few dances and even competed in a battle of the bands judged by Billy Gibbons and The Moving Sidewalks (pre-ZZ Top). Looking back, I have come to the conclusion that rock and roll is wasted on the young. Those of us who stuck with the curse and the craft have an understanding that eclipses all of those dreams we had at age 15. At 25 or 30 years in, you're just starting to understand this stuff, right? 

So this is me taking a trip back to the psychedelic ‘60s to rescue that skinny kid and the girl with kaleidoscope eyes. It's one last heartfelt attempt to reclaim the innocence and joy I felt playing in the garage with that junior high band for an audience of kids and neighbors gathered on the sidewalk. Props to The Monkees who made it a hit for Carole King and Gerry Goffin, but I'm really proud of how the band rocks the version that closes out the journey down Salvation Road.

 

Won't you come with me, leave yesterday behind and take a giant step outside your mind...  |   Watch the official video for Take A Giant Step!

09/30/2019

  • 17 comments
  • Share

in About the Music

17 comments

  • john
    john carrick
    Oct 2 2019 11:49 AM
    I find that doing this music thing as an old fart has rewards I never imagined. it's no longer about the attention, the girls, the dreams of fame and fortune, all that has been left behind. It's about the music we love, playing with people we respect and sharing what we do from the heart. Sounds like you and I have come to the same place. sorry I won't be there for your shows. But If you pass thru Santa Fe, look me up and we'll share some memories and music. peace old friend.

    I find that doing this music thing as an old fart has rewards I never imagined. it's no longer about the attention, the girls, the dreams of fame and fortune, all that has been left behind. It's about the music we love, playing with people we respect and sharing what we do from the heart. Sounds like you and I have come to the same place. sorry I won't be there for your shows. But If you pass thru Santa Fe, look me up and we'll share some memories and music. peace old friend.

  • Rich Layton & Tough Town
    Rich Layton & Tough Town
    Oct 16 2019 5:19 PM
    Good to hear from you, John! It's been a full-circle journey for me. I'm playing now for all the reasons you mention – the same ones that got me started in the first place as a teenager. This is the fountain of youth, man! Same invite should you ever hit Portland. Be well.

    Good to hear from you, John! It's been a full-circle journey for me. I'm playing now for all the reasons you mention – the same ones that got me started in the first place as a teenager. This is the fountain of youth, man!
    Same invite should you ever hit Portland. Be well.

  • Ria
    Ria London
    Jul 19 2020 8:52 PM
    Love this

    Love this

  • Been
    Been Uk
    Jul 19 2020 10:16 PM
    Love this

    Love this

  • Dhane
    Dhane Oslo
    Jul 19 2020 10:18 PM
    I understand what you are trying to say because it seems like we had been through the same thing. When we are sad on our current state, we couldn't help but desire to go back to the way it was; to those times when innocence is still there inside you. I have read a lot of [url=https://topcvwritersuk.com/]best cv writers uk[/url] about this, and I was moved by those articles unintentionally!

    I understand what you are trying to say because it seems like we had been through the same thing. When we are sad on our current state, we couldn't help but desire to go back to the way it was; to those times when innocence is still there inside you. I have read a lot of best cv writers uk about this, and I was moved by those articles unintentionally!

  • Emma Smith
    Emma Smith Florida
    Sep 2 2020 2:12 AM
    This is a very informative article. [url=http://www.hostgatorcouponplace.com/] Hostgator Domain Coupon Code[/url]

    This is a very informative article. Hostgator Domain Coupon Code

  • lisa
    lisa london
    Sep 10 2020 2:54 AM
    you are a rockstar... [url=https://www.video-softwares.com/corel-paintshop-pro-vs-ultimate.html]Corel coupon code[/url] keep doing it [url=https://www.video-softwares.com/corel-paintshop-pro-vs-ultimate.html]paintshop ultimate2020[/url]

    you are a rockstar... Corel coupon code
    keep doing it paintshop ultimate2020

  • Jack Feroze
    Jack Feroze California
    Sep 28 2020 4:13 AM
    I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. [url=https://www.danezon.com/product/tell-me-why-tyler-ronan-jacket/]Tell Me Why Denim Jacket[/url]

    I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
    Tell Me Why Denim Jacket

  • Kaths
    Kaths USA
    Oct 22 2020 3:23 AM
    This blog is great. I have found profitable information from this blog [url=https://www.hjackets.com/buy/sex-education-maeve-wiley-jacket/]maeve wiley[/url]. I like its comments. thanks for the info.

    This blog is great. I have found profitable information from this blog maeve wiley. I like its comments. thanks for the info.

  • Jason Albert
    Jason Albert america
    Nov 9 2020 1:42 AM
    Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article. [url=https://americasuits.com/keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-s018-coat]Keeping Up With The Kardashians S018 Coat[/url]

    Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article. Keeping Up With The Kardashians S018 Coat

  • Michael
    Michael United States
    Nov 20 2020 8:34 PM
    I was amazed to see a musical site like this. I also made an attempt and by using the [url=http://www.hostgatorcoupons.in/]Hostgator Coupons 2021[/url] I made a site. But it is still under maintenance and once it gets completed I will share it with you.

    I was amazed to see a musical site like this. I also made an attempt and by using the Hostgator Coupons 2021 I made a site. But it is still under maintenance and once it gets completed I will share it with you.

  • James astorga
    James astorga USA
    Dec 3 2020 4:39 AM
    I Found Your Blog Very Much Informative. Thanks For Sharing Keep Sharing More. [url=https://www.hjackets.com/buy/wonder-woman-1984-cloak/]Wonder Woman 1984 Cloak[/url]

    I Found Your Blog Very Much Informative. Thanks For Sharing Keep Sharing More. Wonder Woman 1984 Cloak

  • Phil Dee
    Phil Dee
    Dec 22 2020 10:54 AM
    Amazing track could we post it on our live career reviews service? We also ejoy your another songs and much appreciated if you let us to share it with the users. I think it will be great!

    Amazing track could we post it on our live career reviews service? We also ejoy your another songs and much appreciated if you let us to share it with the users. I think it will be great!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous United States
    Jan 4 2021 4:46 AM
    No doubt your article has interesting facts, also I like this Cyberpunk 2077 Jacket. Keep sharing interesting kinds of stuff.

    No doubt your article has interesting facts, also I like this Cyberpunk 2077 Jacket. Keep sharing interesting kinds of stuff.

  • aka.ms/remoteconnect
    aka.ms/remoteconnect USA
    Jan 20 2021 8:20 AM
    I have found profitable information from this blog[url=https://newstrendtv.com/https-aka-ms-remoteconnect/]aka.ms/remoteconnect[/url] I like its comments. thanks

    I have found profitable information from this blogaka.ms/remoteconnect I like its comments. thanks

  • projectfree tv
    projectfree tv USA
    Jan 20 2021 8:38 AM
    been left behind. It's about the music we love, playing with people we respect and sharing what we [url=https://www.tech5hop.com/projectfreetv/]projectfree tv[/url]

    been left behind. It's about the music we love, playing with people we respect and sharing what we projectfree tv

  • craigslist greenville sc
    craigslist greenville sc USA
    Jan 20 2021 8:41 AM
    look me up and we'll share some memories and music. peace old friend. [url=https://thepcreport.net/craigslist-greenville-sc/]craigslist greenville sc[/url]

    look me up and we'll share some memories and music. peace old friend. craigslist greenville sc

Add comment

  • Please log in or register to include your contact info.
  • Edit profile
  • Log out
    Powered by Bandzoogle