Two Survivors From the Roots Rock Scare of 1984

By DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press Writer - ALBANY, N.Y.
The Associated Press
September 2, 1992, Wednesday, PM cycle

Copyright 1992 The Associated Press

Rock singer Scott Kempner's voice brightens at the mention of fellow musician Jason's name. "A couple of survivors from the great roots rock scare of 1984," Kempner said, neatly summing up the career of two singers who have been paired in occasional concerts this year and are attempting simultaneous comebacks.

A decade ago, both led highly touted rock bands. Kempner's Del-Lords had a classic rock sound in the style of Creedence Clearwater Revival, but with a tough New York City attitude. Jason and the Scorchers blended country and punk rock in a crackling stage show. After too many albums that too few people bought, both bands eventually dissolved. Now that they've crawled through the wreckage of their former bands, Kempner and Jason are trying much different approaches.

For 33-year-old Jason Ringenberg, who uses only his first name professionally, the road leads through Nashville. He's dropped the hard rock for a more traditional country sound and is backed by Liberty Records, Garth Brooks' company. The move came after some unsolicited advice from a rock legend.

Jason and the Scorchers' final tour in 1989 came as opening act to Bob Dylan. By that time, the Scorchers had veered almost totally away from country in favor of a crunching rock sound. After a show in Florida, Dylan beckoned Jason into his dressing room. Dylan sensed the Scorchers were on their last legs, and he advised Jason to head in a more roots-oriented direction. "It was really kind of a surreal experience, because I'm a major Dylan fan and here he was getting dressed telling me what I should do with my career," Jason said. "I really appreciated the thought he put into it."

After 10 years together, Jason and the Scorchers broke up when they were dropped by their record label. The band's guitarist telephoned Jason in tears and said he couldn't continue. "It forced me to take a hard look at my career and see what I should do," he said.

Jason joined the Nashville musical establishment and turned to producer Jerry Crutchfield for a collaboration. Although Jason wrote most of the Scorchers' material, he had his hand in writing only one song on the album "One Foot in the Honky Tonk." The resulting 10 songs are polished, even slick, compared to Jason's work with the Scorchers.

He's convinced the Scorchers failed not because of their shortcomings, but because of bad timing. He cites the subsequent success of the Kentucky Headhunters as evidence.

"We were just having to break down so many doors, we just weren't able to get the breaks or hits that we would have if we had come out even a year or two later," he said. "I sincerely believe that if 'White Lies' had come out in 1986 it would have been a smash hit. But, you know, these things happen. I'm still in music, so I can't complain."

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