Music fans have plenty to celebrate as Austin’s Jesse Daniel and Kentucky’s Benjamin Tod come together to release two new singles: the evocative “Turn The Devil Away” and a heartfelt cover of Randy Travis and George Jones’ classic “A Few Ole Country Boys.”
These tracks mark the beginning of an exciting joint venture for the two talented artists, who have announced a mini tour that will take them through Louisville, Cincinnati, Knoxville, and Nashville this December. Fans can look forward to live performances that showcase the unique chemistry and musical synergy between the two.
Watch “A Few Ole Country Boys” by Benjamin Tod & Jesse Daniel
“A Few Ole Country Boys” is a song written by Troy Seals and Mentor Williams, recorded by American country music artist Randy Travis. The song features a duet with country musician George Jones. It was released in November 1990 as the first single from Travis’s album of duets, Heroes & Friends. “A Few Ole Country Boys” peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and reached number 4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart.
By 1990, Randy Travis had become country music’s hottest star and was the face of the “new traditionalist” movement. This movement aimed to revive the honky-tonk sound and classic vocals in country music, a style that George Jones had significantly influenced and pioneered.
Watch “A Few Ole Country Boys” performed by Randy Travis & George Jones
Both Daniel and Tod have emerged as key figures in the latest wave of traditional country music. “Turn The Devil Away” is another collaboration initiated by Tod, who sent Daniel a half-finished voice memo one night. This led to a collaborative writing process that both artists embraced with enthusiasm.
“When it all came together, we were both very proud of this song,” Daniel shared. He emphasized the song’s nature as “cautionary advice from somebody who has seen it all,” reflecting their shared experiences in overcoming personal struggles.
Listen to “Turn The Devil Away” by Benjamin Tod & Jesse Daniel
Benjamin Tod echoed this sentiment, highlighting the natural connection they have as songwriters. “Jesse and I are cut from the same cloth of the old world punk scene with the scares and kicked habits to prove it,” he stated. Their backgrounds have forged a deep understanding of each other’s journeys, making their collaboration feel seamless and authentic.
This release follows Daniel’s successful 2024 LP *Countin’ The Miles*, which has received accolades from numerous outlets, including Billboard and Texas Monthly and soared into the top 30 on the Americana Radio Chart. His dedication to touring—often performing nearly 200 dates a year—has earned him a dedicated fanbase that appreciates his commitment to traditional country music.
On the other hand, Benjamin Tod has gained recognition as the lead singer and songwriter for the acclaimed Lost Dog Street Band. His solo work, including the recently released *Shooting Star*, has also earned praise from major music publications, and he made his Grand Ole Opry debut in May.
The duo’s upcoming tour will kick off on December 5 at the Mercury Ballroom in Louisville, followed by stops at Bogart’s in Cincinnati, The Mill & Mine in Knoxville, and Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville.
With both artists passionate about their craft and dedicated to their fans, this collaboration is set to be one of the highlights of the upcoming music season. Be sure to catch Jesse Daniel and Benjamin Tod on their tour and experience their new music firsthand.