Hal Ketchum – “In Front Of The Alamo”
Hal Ketchum is one hell of a storyteller. And if you ask me, his latest, “In Front Of The Alamo,” is the best single I’ve heard so far this year. Featuring a brilliant support vocal from LeAnn Rimes, this song does everything right. Lyrically, it is a lesson in excellence, accomplishing in just over three minutes what most songs never do. On the production side it’s damn near perfect, even down to the mix (the short but fitting instrumental parts are well-played and perfectly placed).
It just doesn’t get much better than this.
If you enjoyed this article, be sure to subscribe to our feed or receive updates via email.
Popular Stuff
Sponsor
Is Dave Haywood going solo? This and many other of country music's most pressing questions answered in the September edition of The 9513's world famous Mailbag!
Caroline Herring likes to sing songs about life in the South. No, not exactly like Justin Moore and Jason Aldean...
The 9513's resident historian Paul W. Dennis sits down for a chat with country music legend Gene Watson.
As much as we love girl singers, we love songs about girl singers even more. Here's just a few of the many tribute songs out there.
Step away from the river and up to a jukebox, because heartbreak is only temporary, but a good song about drowning yourself—like a diamond—lasts forever.
What do you think about music labels "testing the waters" with a single before providing access to an artist's entire album? 
What country artist, young or old, would you recommend as a must-listen artist to a newcomer on his/her journey through country music, and what would your essential song picks be?Tagged In This Article
Current Discussion
- Matt: I'm glad you chose to review this as opposed to the new Joe Nichols album. Instead of complaining about bad ...
- Terry Ridont: I think its cool. Thats what I like about indy rock artists, everything isn't the same high budget packaging and ...
- Stormy: Jon: The problem is that the progressive country music is now being called Americana. And why is it ...
- Razor X: Maybe his brother did talk him into it but what’s to say he hasn’t ‘always loved’ and ‘wanted’ to ...
- Brian: Josh Kelley will be fine. At the very least it means Katherine Heigl may show up on country award shows regularly. ...
- Razor X: Change may be inevitable but we aren't required to support it and if enough people boycott it, it doesn't last ...
- Jon: "You can’t stop “progress”… We can if we try hard enough. Um, no. Not that I think "progress" is a good ...
- Joe: When she moved from Mercury to BNA, I think we were all just allowed to think there'd be some grand ...
- sam sam: Well, Suzie, maybe if I saw his live show I'd love him. But I'm not interested in attending concerts. Radio ...
- JOHN: Personally Sherrie s voice is as pure as it gets to me. Just listened to her demo songs after reading ...
1 Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URI for this postOctober 23, 2007
[...] June 18th, 2007 Review of Hal Ketchum’s “In Front Of The Alamo” (from the9513.com) [...]
14 Comments
RSS for comments on this post | Trackback URI for this post
June 18, 2007 at 9:28 pm Permalink
Just curious, what is it that you think this song accomplishes that most others never do?
June 19, 2007 at 6:20 am Permalink
The short answer is: being good ;-)
The long answer is: setting/conflict/resolution, with a hook that is actually related to the story the narrator is telling.
June 19, 2007 at 7:11 am Permalink
This song caught my attention, though I don’t think it accomplishes anything most others never do. The hook is cool but also rather contrived.
June 19, 2007 at 7:16 am Permalink
I liked the hook as well. Hal Ketchum is one of the first people I ever saw perform live when I was a wee little lad at a rodeo. I don’t really know much of his material though, but I like what I’ve heard from him.
June 19, 2007 at 7:25 am Permalink
I was intrigued by the title enough (blame my foolish Texas pride) to search for this song a few weeks ago, but it was to no avail. After listening to it here (I heard it on The 9513 first =P ), I think it’s a decent song with a clever hook, but like Matt said, it is a bit contrived. I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t more about the Alamo; kinda like Jason Aldean’s song “Johnny Cash” wasn’t really about Johnny Cash. I guess I need to quit hopin’ for something awesome based on the title. It’s still a thumbs up from me, though.
June 25, 2007 at 10:02 am Permalink
I heard this song sung by one of the writers — Gary Burr — and i’ve been looking for it ever since. where can i buy it?
June 28, 2007 at 12:30 am Permalink
Kayres! Sorry for taking so long to reply, I’ve been out of town dealing with a…situation.
I assume that this will be on Hal’s new project, although I don’t have any concrete details yet. Stay tned to the9513 (subscribe via RSS)–I’m sure one of us will be covering this album when we have a chance to hear it/when we know more details.
Also, Gary Burr is a great writer! Where/when did you hear him play it?
July 6, 2007 at 5:22 am Permalink
Hal did release a CD with this song (and his excellent cover of “My Love Will Not Change”) in Europe/The UK earlier this year although that version was w/o LeAnn Rimes.
July 6, 2007 at 5:29 pm Permalink
Hi Just heard the song In front of the alamo with Leanne Rimes background vocals… I’ve actually got the cd called One More Midnight of Hal Ketchum’s latest material and by far it’s a winner… You can get this by going to HMVuk website and ordering it for around 12 pounds plus shipping, it includes 13 songs majestically done and one song on their apart from Gary Burrs Alamo is Lila’s Ghost which is 14 minutes long and a few wonderful story..writtten by Hal himself..
I’ve seen Hal perform many times and each times is a memory in itself..You won’t find Lila’s Ghost on the upcoming US release I do beleive.. but don’t qoute me on that.. there is also a great song called Medal of Honor well all of them are great but I’m a little biased…. Thanks anyhow for all input on this songwriter and singer …
August 11, 2007 at 12:13 pm Permalink
I love Hal Ketchum music. We saw him in concert at a small theater in York, SC earlier this year and I’ve been chomping at the bit to get his new CD.
September 28, 2007 at 7:50 am Permalink
I’ve always loved Hal’s music and just love “In Front of the Alamo”! Great song!
I write songs myself and love a good song when I see it!
November 16, 2007 at 11:08 am Permalink
“One More Midnight” sounds like the music from Hal Ketchum that I remember!!! I LOVE IT!!! Looking forward to hearing more from him & hoping to be able to see him live again. He’s always been my favorite.
March 11, 2008 at 8:56 pm Permalink
I miss Hal Ketchum. His music soothes my soul. I’ve seen him several times here in Tucson. His voice is magical, there isn’t another like it. I’m looking forward to his new CD. Hal, please come back to Tucson. : )
March 16, 2008 at 7:57 pm Permalink
I think Hal Ketchum is the best country singer and song writer ever. I think the country music stations have really missed it by not playing his music. Having said that this is not one of his better songs, but his beautiful voice continues to ring true.
Leave a Comment