Exclusive Premiere: “Folsom Prison Blues/That’s Alright, Mama” Ignites Cosmic Americana Revival Vol. 1: Back at Home

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On May 21, 2025, Christian Parker, Patrick Cleary, Earl Poole Ball Featuring Jay Dee Maness will release the third single from the upcoming album Cosmic Americana Revival Vol. 1: Back at Home hitting all streaming platforms, and it’s a scorcher.  “Folsom Prison Blues/That’s Alright, Mama,” is a rollicking mashup of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley classics, that premieres exclusively with Center Stage Magazine today, May 16, 2025. With its punk-tinged swagger, it breathes new life into these timeless tracks. Spearheaded by Parker and Cleary, this single is a standout from their full-length tribute to The International Submarine Band’s 1968 gem, Safe at Home. Featuring Cleary’s electrifying guitar riffs and spontaneous vocal harmonies, the track pulses with raw energy, blending reverence for the originals with a bold, modern edge. It’s a foot-stomping, heart-racing preview of an album that promises to honor Gram Parsons’ Cosmic American Music while pushing its boundaries.

The Back at Home project is a labor of love, uniting Parker and Cleary with two legends from the original Safe at Home sessions: pianist Earl Poole Ball and pedal steel icon JayDee Maness. During recording, Ball told Parker, “You don’t know how much this means to me that you and Patrick are doing this record. The title makes my heart filled,” a sentiment that underscores the album’s emotional depth. For Cleary, a West Coast native, Parsons’ music resonates deeply, speaking to his soul with its blend of country, rock, and raw honesty. Parker sums up their mission: “The goal is to stay true to the music while remaining true to ourselves.” Set for release on June 6, 2025, Cosmic Americana Revival Vol. 1: Back at Home is shaping up to be a vibrant homage that bridges past and present, and “Folsom Prison Blues/That’s Alright, Mama” is the perfect spark to light the fuse.

"It seems to me Gram was singing these two classic rockabilly numbers as a tribute to two of his heroes, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. He was paying homage and letting them know that though the beat had changed, and some of the words, the songs still had the power to move him. They convey a sense of foreboding and dread that the narrator could only escape by singing out his truth to the rock 'n' roll beat. These songs brought back memories from my own past, as "Folsom Prison Blues" is one of the first songs I ever learned on guitar, from a Johnny Cash songbook; while listening to Elvis' music was one of the ways I learned how to sing, copying his verbal tricks and dance moves. Putting the two together in a medley was a brilliant idea by Gram, and brought it all back home to me. By covering it, I got to honor three heroes, and I added the classic "Folsom Prison" guitar hook to the beginning that wasn't on the ISB record. I also played a 12-string acoustic guitar to give it a big chugging sound." ~Patrick Cleary

Be sure to share this post with your friends and family and as always, add this song to your playlist! It is an easy way to support all artists. ~Missy