Old Crow Medicine Show calls to end gun violence in new protest song 'Louder Than Guns'

Matthew Leimkuehler, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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Nashville roots band Old Crow Medicine Show takes a stand against ongoing gun violence in "Louder Than Guns," a protest song released in the wake of last month's deadly shooting at The Covenant School.

In the song, band frontman and "Louder Than Guns" songwriter Ketch Secor sets a scene described as "Groundhog Day." He sings, "I saw the same black veil on a crying face/ And a flag hanging halfways/ This time it was people I know/ Gunned down in a minute or so/ Only God knows when it'll stop/ But thoughts and prayers ain't enough."

"Louder Than Guns" debuted Thursday via streaming services; the song comes in partnership with 97 Percent, a non-profit organization self-described as "a bipartisan group of gun owners and non-gun owners united in our mission to reduce gun-related deaths in America."

Secor has stood on the forefront of artists in Nashville calling for reform after three children and three adults were killed during the March 27 shooting at The Covenant School. He performed at a downtown vigil for the victims and at a benefit concert hosted on Belmont University campus; Secor also published earlier this month a New York Times op-ed calling for his country music counterparts to join him in advocating for change. In furthering the band's partnership with 97 Percent, Secor joined the group's advisory board, according to a news release.

Ketch Secor performs during the Nashville Remembers candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the victims of The Covenant School mass shooting at Public Square Park Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn.
Ketch Secor performs during the Nashville Remembers candlelight vigil to mourn and honor the victims of The Covenant School mass shooting at Public Square Park Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn.

The band cut "Louder Than Guns" a week after the victims' funerals, according to a statement from Secor. He carved the names of the victims in his fiddle — an instrument once played by Nashville giant Roy Acuff.

"I dedicate this song to them because I swore when the shooting came to Nashville I was going to work my hardest to make it the last stop on this runaway train of murders, gun violence, and terror," Secor said in a statement. "I stand up not knowing the answers as to how this will be done. I am a musician, not a politician. But I will use my voice from now on to demand the change our communities deserve; won’t you join us in Old Crow Medicine Show and take a stand in your community, too?"

"Louder Than Guns" can be streamed now via all major digital platforms.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Old Crow Medicine Show protests gun violence in new song 'Louder Than Guns'