Third Time a Charm for Oktober's Raging 'Pale Rider' Ballad

Oktober is an unknown songwriter who has been writing lyrics, poetry, and other forms of verse for quite some time. A little over, a decade ago he wrote a song entitled “Came a Pale Rider” which was about another tornado that struck Alabama.
“I was working outside of an area hit by storms and passed by storm damage everyday for a while.
"I was in a band then. So when I got home I wrote two songs about my feelings about it,” explained the songwriter.
“Came a Pale Rider” comes the old saying “behold a pale horse” and Oktober expressed that his love for Clint Eastwood movies had a bit to do with that, as well as his own biblical awareness.
“I would rather not delve into the meaning of the song,” said Oktober. “The lyrics can be taken in many ways. So I would rather anyone who hears it to interpret it their own way.”
The song was originally written for a punk/metal band, Oktober was then fronting but was scratched when the band broke up.
He then lent his song to singer/songwriter Michael Ray Britt for an album project recorded in Nashville. Britt transformed the original version into an old style country/western song.
“When I heard Michael’s version I immediately fell in love with it,” explained Oktober. “Michael actually recorded 3 of my songs and ‘Came a Pale Rider’ was my favorite of those. When I decided to lend the song to Rage Against the Wind I envisioned it the way Michael recorded it.”

Michael Ray Britt - Rage of a seasoned gunslinger

Michael Ray Britt might as well have been born with a guitar in his hand. He's been playing so long that it is hard to imagine a time he didn't have a guitar in his hand. He's recorded in major studios, mediocre studios, and home studios. He has performed for large audiences and small audiences. Britt's music has been heard in countries some people can't spell. He is one of the most well known unknown to ever come out of central Alabama.
For nearly a decade Britt was well known by many in the working music acts across the south. A raging (no pun intended) guitarist and ultimate perfectionist, he has wowed the unwowable (and we are pretty sure we just made that word up).
Yet with all the talent he possesses and all the respect he has earned, Michael Ray Britt has never been able to grab onto that star. Between service in the U.S. Army and raising a family he allowed his dreams to become secondary.
In 2010 Britt and some local musicians including RATW promoter, Jeremy Crowson (bass) formed a new band with a new sound. "Pull" combines the imagination of true heavy metal with the southern flare that Britt has always possessed.

Hunter Lawley - A Working Musician Rages

Hailing from the Heart of Dixie , Hunter Lawley has established himself as one of Alabama's most entertaining musicians. It is a trying task to nail his sound to any particular genre. He's country infused, with a rockabilly attitude and can rock with the best rock musicians.
His inspirational song, "Walk On" will be featured on the "Rage Against the Wind" tornado relief album. Hunter was contacted by RATW executive producer, Daniel L. Bamberg about appearing on the album and graciously hopped on board, allowing Bamberg to select from a variety of HLB originals.
"Hunter's work is exactly as advertised," said Bamberg. "He is a blue collar musician, and by that I mean a working/career musician. This is his job and he seems very dedicated to the integrity of live performance. I am thrilled to have him on this album. There were some other great tracks he submitted but 'Walk On' is a perfect blend of the ingredients I hear in Hunter's music. It also fits this cause perfectly."
As a full time artist, Hunter Lawley has wowed audience all over the southeast, opening for acts such as Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eric Church, BlackBerry Smoke and Tony Joe White. Playing in some of the biggest venues in the country, such as Workplay Theatre, The War Eagle Supper Club and The Flora-Bama, he captivates crowds with his energetic performance and unmatchable stage presence.

White Wash and Kellen Rage on Talk of Alabama

White Wash and Kellen performed their song, "Rage Against the Wind" during ABC 33/40's morning program "Talk of Alabama." According to RATW executive producer, Daniel Bamberg the show went well despite technical issues. The audio back track for the duo failed to feed into the studio but was still fed through to people viewing on television. Because of this, White Wash and Kellen were forced to perform live with no idea of where they were in the song.
"Strange things happen on live television," explained Bamberg. "We in no way hold ABC 33/40 accountable for the audio difficulties. You can be the most professional and well rounded producer and something can still go awry. I was tremendously proud that David (White Wash) and Kellen did not let the audio problems stop them. They were amazing with all things considered and maintained professional poise."
Bamberg expressed his appreciation for the producers at 33/40 and Talk of Alabama in promoting the RATW cause.
"Ultimately looking at the segment it wasn't great but this is not about us as individuals it is about our cause," stated Bamberg. "I deeply appreciate ABC 33/40 for finding the time to help promote our message. There are still many people in Bibb and Hale Counties who are in need of help in various ways. Due to so much devastation across the state a lot of the rural areas are fending for themselves in terms of awareness. The Red Cross has visited, FEMA has visited but much of the help in these areas is coming from our local EMA, Police, Churches, and community leaders. So our cause was generated to add to that small but determined army of inside help. Any moment major media gives to this campaign is both necessary and appreciated."
Presumably due to the obvious audio problems ABC 33/40 has not placed a video of the performance on their website. Bamberg explains that this is probably a good thing.
"We were looking forward to the blog posting the video until we actually saw it for ourselves," said Bamberg. "I believe ABC 33/40 exercised proper discretion in not posting it online. They seemed to feel pretty bad about how things ended up. I think they ultimately didn't want technical issues to reflect poorly on these amazing artists. If you saw it, you saw it. If you didn't see it, that is probably a good thing. Regardless, we still deeply appreciate the opportunity to promote the cause."

White Washing Against the Wind!

David Coffin has smelled the edge of success before, but each time it happens, something goes awry.
"Its the nature of the business," explained Coffin.
With his on stage name, White Wash he has performed in front of crowds as small as 3 and as large as 300. He has performed across the state of Alabama, places in Florida, places in Georgia, and in New York. Despite immediate praise and promises of recording contracts, he has yet to hit. This isn't because he isn't marketable but because White Wash will not dumb down his intellectual and socially conscious lyrics for mainstream hip hop.
"I have a love/hate relationship with hip hop," said Coffin. "I love the roots of the musical form. I love the sound of true underground hip hop. When rap is meaningful or at the very least lyrical it is very inspiring. When it's about selling shoes, degrading women, and making drugs, it is cliche and ignorant."
In his small hometown of Centreville, Alabama David has a sorted reputation. Some still see him as the punk kid who once rapped about his anatomy at the age of 15. But, David "White Wash" Coffin is a grown man these days. He's 22 years old, and is now a seasoned performer, producer, and lyricist.

FIRST LISTEN! "Rage Against the Wind"

A Self Made Rage!

Charlie Crew and Chris Pence aren't your typical hip hop duo. Their styles contrast with one another but compliment the other at the same time. Their haunting track, "My Hometown" will appear on the "Rage Against the Wind" compilation CD.

Pence and Crew met each other in school and began working on their act right away. Since then they have been laying down solid tracks and gaining a lot of respect in Alabama, especially in the Autauga/ Montgomery County area.
They perform under the name "Self Made," which Crew explains was a name created in the studio one day. After trying to come up with a name for a while, Crew said "Self Made" just stuck.
Crew is no stranger to tragedy and disaster. He served 4 year in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in both Iraq and Afghanistan during wartime. So when disaster struck his home state just before his service ended on May 13th, he was compelled to help.
"I have always wanted to do a song about our hometown, Billingsley," Crew stated. "I had been looking for the perfect sample to use for it and finally found it. We wrote a beat, then we went to White Wash Productions studio and laid down the rest."