HELL IN HIGH WATER
Written by Mike Thomas
Acoustic Guitar & Vocal - Mike Thomas
Tres Sasser - Bass
Weston Woodford - Vocal
Donald Bright - Electric Guitar
Sten Nisswandt - Drums
Steven Bowman - Fiddle
Produced by Tres Sasser
Engineered & Mixed by Joe Costa
Mastered by Pete Lyman
Graphic Design by Ashley L. Evans
Photographs by Hunter Simpson
Recorded at Tresland Studios - Franklin, TN
©℗ 2024 Diamond Hill Music / H.E. Jones Publishing (BMI)
In late September, my wife and I visited the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. We spent a couple of rain-soaked days in the region before returning to Nashville on September 26th. Helene reached Tennessee on the 27th and in the hours that followed, she brought catastrophic flooding, death, and destruction the likes of which the region had never seen…
We watched as families in East TN, The Carolinas, and Southwest VA lost homes, farms, businesses, loved ones, everything... The stories and images were heartbreaking. I spoke with several friends in the area who shared stories of destruction and devastation that were unfathomable.
For generations, my family has called East Tennessee home and although I have lived in Nashville for 20 years, I will always be an East Tennessean. Watching the aftermath of Helene unfold affected me deeply. I couldn’t stop thinking about those families. I couldn’t get those heartbreaking stories and images out of my mind…
I started writing “Hell In High Water” on October 4th and finished it on October 6th. I played it for some close friends and family who urged me to record and release it as soon as possible. I sent it to my producer, Tres Sasser, and my bandmates. Everyone dropped what they had planned to record the track on October 17th. There was a sense of urgency and purpose to get the song done and to get it done right.
Our hope is that this song helps bring increased awareness of the tragic devastation left behind by Helene. It will take YEARS for the region to recover, and many communities will never be the same. The individuals and families impacted by this tragedy should not be forgotten. They need our help and our prayers now and they will need them for the long haul.
In the end, “Hell in High Water” is just a song, but I hope it captures the stern resolve and deep faith of the people of the region. I pray that it reaches thousands of listeners and inspires them to help in any way they are able.
From the hollers to the hills, we take care of our own…
MT
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All proceeds from “Hell in High Water” support Relief & Recovery Efforts in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, the greater Appalachian region - providing ongoing assistance to the victims of Hurricane Helene flooding. For more info, visit: https://mtnways.org
MIKE THOMAS
A dedicated songwriter and entrepreneur based in Nashville, TN, Thomas has taken an unconventional path in the music business, but continues to build a passionate and loyal fanbase on his own terms.
Thomas grew up in Knoxville, TN and moved to Nashville in 2004 intent on pursuing a career as a songwriter, but quickly grew disillusioned and set music aside for an extended period. Thomas recalls, "I didn't listen to the Country music of the day. I had no frame of reference for the types of songs publishers and artists were looking for. I was naive and learned some tough lessons in those days."
After walking away from music for ten plus years, to start a family and a small business, Thomas got back into the swing of things in 2018, when he met producer, Tres Sasser. The two developed a quick friendship and Sasser ultimately convinced Thomas to begin writing and recording again. They have since recorded a pair of albums together - the self-released "Three Reasons" (2020), and "Diamonds" (2023), released by Electric 3 Records. Both albums were recorded in Franklin, TN with members of Thomas' regular backing band and a few special guests.
A thoughtful songwriter with a booming voice, Thomas’ work has received widespread critical acclaim from publications like Wide Open Country, Americana Highways, The Boot, The Bluegrass Situation, Glide Magazine and many more. His songs have also been featured in primetime television programs on CBS and NBC.
Thomas' influences are as varied as they are well-chosen and his songwriting and sound have been compared to legends such as Rodney Crowell, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Joe Ely, Guy Clark and Townes van Zandt.
THE MIKE THOMAS BAND
The MT Band has developed a reputation for its live shows. Known for delivering a heavy dose of MT's original tunes alongside classic country, rock and blues covers, the band is a must see for fans of roots music. They’ve been playing together for years and bring a continuity and energy to the stage that is contagious.
Band Members: Mark Huhta (Pedal Steel), Donald Bright (Guitar), Weston Woodford (Guitar, Vocals), Tres Sasser (Bass, Vocals), Sten Nisswandt (Drums).
