The latest single from Ryan Bingham is a roaring rock and roll number. Let the Big Dog Eat features pulsing, pounding keys, dirty-sounding slide guitar and an infectious rhythm. Bingham’s rocking voice is powerful and gruff, absolutely central to the song’s compelling forcefulness. Directed by Scott Ballew, the video was recorded at Bingham’s special album release show at The Long Time in Austin, Texas. It stars young actor Josi Gonzalez, who takes on roles associated with adults in a day of live music, gambling and community. It has the same spirit and humour as the song itself.
Ballew says of the inventive video: “There’s nothing funnier to me than seeing kids do adult things as parody on screen. When Ryan sent me the final mix of ‘Let The Big Dogs Eat,’ my imagination went straight to some sort of satire where Sinners meets Little Rascals. What if a 9-year-old kid was the most dangerous Mississippi Delta blues hustler around? Without much of a plan and no storyboards, the narrative unfolded as naturally as it possibly could have: a mysterious out-of-town hustler comes through, upstages Ryan on guitar, makes a few bucks shootin’ dice and playing cards with the old timers, wins big on the dog race, hits a home run, and leaves a legend. I feel like the video was made much like how the album was made. With a very Sandlot kind of spirit—raw, unrehearsed, and alive. There’s a swagger to it that matches the lyrics, and an innocence that reflects the pure nature in which the songs were recorded.”
The single is taken from Bingham’s first full-length album release in seven years, They Call Us The Lucky Ones, which was recorded with The Texas Gentlemen. These songs explore the ups and downs, highs and lows of the touring lifestyle. A recipient of GRAMMY, Oscar, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice Awards, Ryan Bingham is a highly acclaimed songwriter and an electric live performer. Alongside his music, Bingham has appeared in the television drama Yellowstone, created Bingham’s spirits, founded the Fort Worth-based festival and rodeo, The Great Western, and launched his own record label. Amidst all this busy endeavour, he has found time, once again, to demonstrate his masterful skills as a songwriter and performer. Enjoy.
