Bart Crow has been through a lot this year, but it hasn't stopped what he calls "forward progress." The leader of the Bart Crow Band said the group tries to always move forward, so while their new album "Heartworn Tragedy" stays true to their old sound, it explores heavier subjects.
In writing the tracks of the album, Crow said he disclosed more of his personal life than in past albums. Over the past year one of his immediate family members has been battling alcoholism and depression. As the oldest male in the family, Crow had a heavy burden to bear trying to help her and keep the family strong.
"I never got to vent or express anything," Crow said. "I retreated to the pen and paper to vent and heal myself … So there's a lot of songs about that, and about the beauty of recovery."
The final song of the album, "Surrender," is about letting go, about walking away after the realization that a problem is too big to solve alone, a feeling Crow knows all too well.
"I realized I can't fix her struggle," he said. "I had to let go."
It is the ability to trigger emotions that has carried the band this far. "I enjoy listening to Bart Crow live because every song they sing tells a story about a significant point in life that is easy to relate to and stirs up old memories," said junior chemistry and nutrition major Chris Cabrera.
Crow, also a guitarist, started playing with a band while attending Tarleton State University about six years ago. The band members include vocalist and guitarist Paul Russell, bassist Matt Slagle, pianist and organist David Fralin and drummer Brian Smith.
"We stay on tour," Crow said. "We don't have the privilege of being a major label act… We play about three to four times a week."
The band is coming to College Station for a CD signing, starting at 10 p.m. today at Hastings on Texas Avenue. Crow said the band's records have met with success in Aggieland, and so they wanted to something a little special in return.
"I absolutely love playing in College Station, everybody's so good to us," he said.
The band members will play a few songs and visit with those attending.
"Just come ready to break dance, 'cause that's how we do it," Crow said.
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