Bob Gray has worn a lot of hats in his career. Film director, sports TV director, screenwriter, actor, radio personality, TV personality, sportscaster, and stand-up comedian, to name just a few. The latest to rest on his noggin is cowboy hat as he releases his first single, a country & western track called “3-Ply Hefty Bag.”
It’s hard to know what to make of this one at first. Gray wrote the lyrics in the late ‘80s while working for a TV shopping channel in Florida. That was back when humorous, tongue-in-cheek songs were all the rage in the country charts. He set it aside and only picked it up earlier this year when he realized he could finish it at home without having to book expensive studio time.
While the lyrics still echo that lighthearted time in country music, the backing tracks are full-on contemporary. Ostensibly, the song is about a woman who is physically fit but has a rather plain face, if you will. It sounds a bit problematic, but as the song resolves itself, we find out the originally perceived message is quite the opposite. No spoilers.
It’s subtle to be sure, but that’s why it works. This could be one of those tunes that just happens to be in the right place at the right time. Country music is on at the moment. Those who might misinterpret the message will enjoy it, while the more clever part of the audience will get it and enjoy it for entirely different reasons. A video is to follow soon that might better explain the concept, but in the meantime, country fans have a real two-tapper to enjoy and his available from the usual sources and platforms.
PF Wilson has been writing about music, TV, radio, and movies for over 20 years. He has also written about sports, business, and politics with his work appearing in Cincinnati CityBeat, The Houston Press, Cleveland Scene, Cincinnati Magazine, Cincy Magazine, Atomic Ranch, and many more. Check out his podcast PF’s Tape Recorder available from Podbean or in iTunes.