Kansas City-based Big Time Grain Company is a dynamic country-rock band led by Bret and Chad Bourquin. Supported by their bandmates Colin Ridge, Troy Schuster, and Aaron Davis, the Bourquin brothers and Big Time Grain Company’s latest release, “Level Ground” is a country-western rollercoaster ride. You could imagine this song in the soundtrack to any cowboy flick, Cormac McCarthy adaptation, or even Red Dead Redemption.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of “Level Ground” ahead of its official release date on August 22nd. A dark-western plea for help and mutual understanding, “Level Ground” is carried by Bret Bourquin’s smooth Johnny Cash baritone and Chad’s effective harmonies. The Bourquin brothers capture the essence of old western themes and channel them into their story, /Take me through the water/ Rescue me from my wasteland/ Carry me over the mountains /Lead me to level ground/.
Yep. That baritone sounds badass.
Things take an optimistic turn about halfway through the track as the chorus kick in leading to a jaunty solo section where Chad takes the guitar for a spin and the banjo keeps things bouncy and plucky. /Talk to me when you’re needing/Listen to me, when I can’t make a sound/Forgive me when I can’t find you/And lead me, to level ground/.
This alternating between major and minor sections helps underscore the major themes playing out in “Level Ground” namely as the band points out, that life is often a rollercoaster, but “God provides a place for level ground.” Even though the song starts in a darker place, it ends up feeling light.
Bret Bourquin describes the inspiration behind the song:
“I think the inspiration was feeling life was a roller coaster ride filled with highs and lows, mountains and valleys, and I just wanted to take a deep breath and have God lead me to level ground. It really coincided with what the country was going through with the pandemic. The vision that I saw as I was writing was riding a horse over a mountain, not being able to see what is in front of me and then seeing level ground with wide open spaces, endless possibilities. I brought the song idea to my brother, Chad and we worked together to create that vision musically. Chad really added the Wild West feel to it with guitar solos and the signature guitar line. He was able to create a sonic landscape reminiscent of a wild west film.”
Listen to the track and read our chat with the band below…
Was there a specific moment or time in your life that inspired “Level Ground”?
Ups and downs of being a entrepreneur musician/video producer was affecting my mental well being and I was longing for peace. So the song is birthed out of asking God to lead me to some sort of sanity and normality. The feeling translated well into the season of Covid lockdown where nothing seemed to be secure and everything was continually changing.
What was the recording process like for this track?
The recording process was pretty seamless. I sent the original idea to Chad who added some amazing guitar work, including a signature guitar feel that gave this tune a very wild west vibe. Later during the vocal sessions, Colin Ridge, another member of our band, added the background vocals with a style and feel that only he can do. This tune turned out to be an interesting portrayal of the personality and passion of Chad, Colin and I. Who all in our own ways are looking for our versions of level ground.
Will this single become part of a new album or EP?
We plan on just continuing to release singles for now.
You’ve opened for acts like Luke Combs, The Brother’s Osborne, Dan & Shay, Gary Allan, The Beach Boys, and more. Are you planning any upcoming tours?
We have a fair amount in Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri booked and next year is starting to stack up nicely too.
