See + Hear: "Off the Hillbilly Hook" video | "Off the Hillbilly Hook" acoustic

Trailer Choir - "Off The Hillbilly Hook"
Roughstock.com * June 4, 2009
by Matt Bjorke

With "Off The Hillbilly Hook," Toby Keith's newest proteges, the Trailer Choir, came out with something that wasn't exactly "normal" for country radio. Recorded and released for Toby's "Beer For My Horses" movie soundtrack, the song showcased the trio of Crystal, Butter and Big Vinny as a fun-loving, trio with equally fun songs. During their summer tour they sold a 4 song EP that featured not only that track but three other, more conventional songs. Now the trio presents their first album available in stores and digitally, the 6-song "Off The Hillbilly Hook."

"Rockin' The Beer Gut," the trio's third and current single, is another sunny, fun-loving track that shows Butter as a capable-voiced singer who knows his way around a lyrical hook. With a melody that enhances the chorus, Butter and Crystal and Vinny sing a lyric about a girl who may be a little 'bigger' around the waist but is unafraid to wear the skinny jeans and tighter shirt to show off her 'assets.' "Rollin' Through The Sunshine" is another tempo-filled summery type of song that will certainly hit home with anyone who's living paycheck to paycheck but still manages to get away and enjoy life, despite all those pressures. If there were ever a summertime song ready for radio it'd be this one. "In My Next 5 Beers," is a Toby-like party song that finds Butter singing about a guy who is talking to a girl about future plans and instead of responding to her 5 year plan, he has shorter goals insight, like making it through that one night.

"What Woud You Say," which Butter wrote with Big Vinny after Butter got the idea for the song from his father (who receives songwriting credit), is based on the 2006 Sago, West Virgina mining accident where 13 minors were trapped but only one made it out alive. The song asks the listener think about what'd they say in a moment like that, where they knew their life was likely over. What would they want to say to their families. It's a heart-felt tune that is sung well and gave the trio their second Top 50 hit. "Last Man Standing" is an interesting song in that it feels like it could be a major hit for the trio.

While none of the songs on "Off The Hillbilly Hook" will cure cancer or anything, they will take your mind away from the way your life may be going and they certainly lend themselves to a live audience, where the Trailer Choir truly excels as they truly know how to entertain and if they're coming to a stage near you, don't hesitate to go to their show as they will take away any troubles you might be having, even if it's only for 45 minutes to an hour.