Country rock band Ben Hope & The Uptown Outfit announces the release of their new single, “Colleen,” from their forthcoming album Ragged and Rowdy. Originally from Alabama, Hope moved after college to New York where he made a name for himself as an actor, winning the Kennedy Center award for “Most Promising Career” in 2006 and appearing in the lead role for such critically-acclaimed productions as Ring of Fire, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, The Buddy Holly Story, and Once. Now, with their debut full-length album due out early 2015, Ben Hope & The Uptown Outfit is branching out to a broader fan base.
On his forthcoming album, Hope infuses Travis Tritt and Garth Brooks’ classic country style with contemporary funk and rock flavors from such artists as Hayes Carl, JD McPherson, and The Avett Brothers. The end result is a lyrically-driven sound likely to convert non-country listeners with its strong vocal delivery, adventurous song structures, and sophisticated musicianship.
