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Bethel Road

by Travis Lee Kern

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a Jewel Case. Includes 9 original songs, liner notes with song lyrics and studio photos. Cover artwork and disc artwork by Matthew Klooster. Photos by Taylor Lunsford and Colby Reasor.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Bethel Road via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

1.
Hot Car 04:34
When class was slow in high school hot cars were my escape The kind that shined when they passed by with rumbling v-8s They could be any color but I made them pencil gray They all had the muscle to pull me away I was proud to be from that town, but I craved the unknown I set my sights on a powerful ride and the places that I'd go Someday I know I'll get away Peddle down on the interstate I would dream of a hot car Years later I was working at a warehouse far from home I ate a lot of dollar menu dinners, but I made it on my own I had an old worn out Chevy and all it had was heat Driving around that summer I kept a towel in my seat I could have fixed the air in that beater but I chose to pay the rent It kept me humble and a little sweaty everywhere I went Someday I'll make it to a better place Windows up, I'll have it made I would dream from a hot car I drive an SUV to haul around my kids Now they're my dreams, the best thing I ever did I want to buy them all Mustangs and shield them from heartache But they need to space to learn from their mistakes It's the hardest road I've ever known, helping these kids turn out alright Like my parents I'll just do my best, and say a prayer every night Someday I know they'll drive away God I hope they'll be ok As they dream of a hot car One way or another, may they get to drive A hot car
2.
Bethel Road 04:02
It wasn't just the moonlight Or the blinking of the fireflies That had me so mesmerized Driving to the dam down Bethel Road Honeysuckle wind blowing through your hair And by the look in your eyes when our lips met I knew it'd be a night that I wouldn't forget With the crickets in the hollow singing our song The river in the background roaring along in harmony Getting little chills with every touch Feeling love's light shine down on us in a moonbeam I'd give anything to go down that road with you again We've come far since that night And with faith and a lot of fight We built a life and we did it right But it didn't leave time for the long way home I love you more than I ever did When our dreams were around the bend And it seemed like that sweet night would never end With the crickets in the hollow singing our song The river in the background roaring along in harmony Getting little chills with every touch Feeling love's light shine down on us in a moonbeam I'd give anything to go down that road with you again Take my hand we'll travel light I remember the way to Bethel Road We can make it there tonight With the crickets in the hollow singing our song The river in the background roaring along in harmony Getting little chills with every touch Feeling love's light shine down on us in a moonbeam I'd give anything to go down that road with you again Go down that road
3.
Heartwood 03:57
My heartwood is rough cut pine When it was green it was true Milled to build a love that didn't come through Out in the weather, abandoned long ago The years left their stain It grew cracked from the cold and soft from the rain You needed love and you saw in me what I didn't know was there I came back to life in your care Yeah you picked up my heart Planed away the gray And revealed it like only you could Sanded it down and you found Solid wood I know it wasn't easy working with this grain Again and again Some scars are everlasting, they're deeper than the skin Well you changed me for the better, but loved me for who I was That took a skillful hand Now my love for you is going to shine and it's going to stand You needed love and you saw in me what I didn't know was there I came back to life in your care Yeah you picked up my heart Planed away the gray And revealed it like only you could Sanded it down and you found Solid wood Yeah you picked up this old pine That'd been cast away And restored it like you understood That waiting deep down Was solid wood And that's why this old heart is yours for good
4.
Saving Grace 04:13
I was lost for a long time I didn't know where I was bound When I was lost, I thought I was just fine Sometimes a man don't want to be found So I did not deserve to feel your tender touch Or see the smile on your lovely face You gladly pulled me up, forgiving all I'd done Brought me to a better place Oh saving grace I was loved for a long time Though I thought I was on my own You were there with a love so fine Waiting to crack a heart of stone I did not deserve to feel your tender touch Or see the smile on your lovely face You gladly pulled me up, forgiving all I've done Brought me to a better place Oh saving grace I've been saved for a long time You've been there thick and thin Everyday, no matter how hard I try I know I'll need your grace again I did not deserve to feel your tender touch Or see the smile on your lovely face You gladly pulled me up, forgiving all I'd done Brought me to a better place Oh saving grace
5.
Timing 04:10
I dreamed of playing second for the Cincinnati Reds Turn the double plays that would turn people's heads And hear my name as I ran across that white chalk line Next all I wanted was to write a country song Hear it on the radio, stop the car and sing along My plans and God's didn't align But that's just fine I've prayed for and strained for Studied and trained for desires that didn't go as planned And I have seen mountains move in mysterious ways I'll never understand Through high flights and low lights, failures and just-rights I'm forever finding This life comes down to faith, and growth, and timing I thought I'd never find the one meant for me Till I kissed my best friend on a dock in Tennessee I swear it rewrote history, like it'd always been that way Soon all we wanted was children of our own There was loss after loss, hearts heavy as stone If it was going to be just us, would it be ok? Those were difficult days I've prayed for and strained for Studied and trained for desires that didn't go as planned And I have seen mountains move in mysterious ways I'll never understand Through high flights and low lights, failures and just-rights I'm forever finding This life comes down to faith, and growth, and timing I never made the majors but I coached some travel ball And the boys down at The Rooster had me on air in the fall I'm still on this adventure with my best friend God gave us a family in his own special way It's more than we deserve, worth more than we can pay I've learned to just accept what's up around the bend And be thankful till the end I've prayed for and strained for Studied and trained for desires that didn't go as planned And I have seen mountains move in mysterious ways I'll never understand Through high flights and low lights, failures and just-rights I'm forever finding This life comes down to faith, and growth, and timing
6.
Little River 03:33
I want to ride out right now, shift and put the hammer down Freer than the fourth of July Living in the city has got me feeling dizzy I'm itching for that county line Well I've got a rusty boat and I think it'll float So if you want to come away with me We'll let the little river take us where you can't see a road for the trees You pack the chicken, I'll get the jigs and maybe we'll cast a line But if it turns to night without even a bite, well baby that'll be just fine We'll let the lightning bugs be the lights of love As we drift in the cool cool breeze And let the little river take us where you can't see a road for the trees Well I've been waiting, praying, anticipating A weekend we can get away Fifty hour weeks have got me feeling beat Leaving me no time to play But now the weather's looking bright and the timing is right So baby won't you come away with me We'll let the little river take us where you can't see a road for the trees You pack the chicken, I'll get the jigs and maybe we'll cast a line But if it turns to night without even a bite, well baby that'll be just fine We'll let the lightning bugs be the lights of love As we drift in the cool cool breeze And let the little river take us where you can't see a road for the trees
7.
When we said we were finished I was overcome with grief From Bible school as little kids to that high school first kiss We grew together in love and belief I started sleeping in on Sundays, I heard that you did too I tried hard to move on but everything felt wrong I was lost without you My heart was hidden so long it needed a resurrection Deep breath, and I walked into church seeking a new direction Well I saw you there and though I was scared The stone by my heart rolled away I found love and redemption on Easter Sunday Hallelujah, love restored like the years hadn't passed In your arms worries fell away and I thank God to this day My first love is now my last Now we have two kids or our own, we put them through that Bible school They've heard it been said love can rise from the dead When talking about Jesus and me and you My heart was hidden so long it needed a resurrection Deep breath, and I walked into church seeking a new direction Well I saw you there and though I was scared The stone by my heart rolled away I found love and redemption on Easter Sunday
8.
Nutmeg 02:33
Your love is the spicy taste of nutmeg And a little bit goes a long way Your love is a swig of ice tea On a summer day Your love is my fresh morning coffee It gives me courage sip by sip Your love is my old work gloves They never let me lose my grip Your love is everything It keeps me grounded, yet sets me free Your love is all I need I see your love in our little garden When the peppers start popping out in June I see your love in the beauty and the legend Of the Dogwood bloom I feel your love in my sweetheart's smile And I taste your love in her tender kiss And when I see these kids running around I'm reminded That I am blessed Your love is everything It keeps me grounded, yet sets me free Your love is all I need It's all I need
9.
So long sweet baby, it looks like your leaving I caught a glimpse of a big kid this evening it had to come someday People said this time would go so fast Cherish the moments, try to make them last Too soon they fade away Sweet seasons change All are beautiful, none can remain It's been a pleasure, and I've treasure everyday So nice of you to stay Seasons before you held joy and defeat There were other angels we didn't get to meet There was nothing we could do Sadness, anger, deeper belief Newfound redemption, in the midst of grief Then God gave us you Sweet seasons change All are beautiful, none can remain It's been a pleasure, and I've treasured everyday So nice of you to stay So fare thee well, it's time to grow Go build your world, we'll watch you as you go You teach us everyday Of undeserved grace and love's unending song And if you get a blessing don't be afraid to pass it on It never was yours anyway Sweet seasons change All are beautiful, none can remain It's been a pleasure, and I've treasured everyday So nice of you to stay So nice of you to stay

about

Bethel Road doesn't have a speed limit, but you'll probably want to take your time on the winding road and enjoy the scenery. There's a lot of fun to be had along the way, as well as tales of growth and redemption. It's a soulful country album, recorded by an all Kentucky cast of players. Enjoy!

credits

released August 5, 2019

Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jason Groves at The Sneak Attack Recording Company, Lexington, Ky.

Album cover artwork by Matthew Klooster

Travis Lee Kern - vocals, guitar, banjo, piano
Daniel Lay - guitar, vocals
Chip Minks - bass
Jeffrey Alford - drums
Chelsea Nolan - vocals
Trina Kern - vocals
Maggie Lander - fiddle (Hot Car, Bethel Road, Nutmeg, So Nice...)
Ishi Wooton - fiddle (Timing)

All songs written by Travis Lee Kern (SESAC/ Red Apple Butter Music) except for "Bethel Road," written by Travis Lee Kern and Heather Bailey

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Travis Lee Kern Danville, Kentucky

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