There’s something about a Drew Gibson song that lingers, much like a well-worn novel or an old Polaroid pulled from a shoebox. His latest single, “Low Country, High Wire,” from his critically praised album Burning Horses, is no exception. A rich, atmospheric ballad featuring the haunting harmonies of Maddi Mae, the song captures the weight of waiting—whether for love, for redemption, or for time itself to make sense.
With a voice that carries echoes of Bruce Cockburn, the storytelling prowess of Jason Isbell, and a guitar style that could sit comfortably alongside Mark Knopfler, Gibson has crafted a song that speaks to the heart of every dreamer who has ever stared down the road and wondered what might come next.
“This song is about waiting,” Gibson shares. “And how it’s the hardest part. Whether it’s waiting on love, retirement, or success—there’s always that lingering hope that we reach what we’re waiting for before it’s too late.”
Initially recorded as a solo track, Gibson decided late in the process to make it a duet. Enter Maddi Mae, who had already left her mark on Burning Horses through her harmonies on the title track and “Time Once Forgave.” Her addition transformed “Low Country, High Wire” into something even more powerful—a delicate yet emotionally charged exchange between two voices, yearning yet resolute.
Set against the backdrop of the fall line’s sandhills and a downhill slide of memory, the song moves like an old radio signal drifting through the night:
“If there’s a radio, turn it on / The lost romance is long gone / In a low country, high wire.”
Gibson’s poetic lyricism and signature fingerstyle guitar playing—often compared to David Gilmour’s emotive touch—are on full display here. The song swells and recedes like waves against a shore, building to a final plea:
“You gave my guitar a chance to fill / The dream that’s out there still.”
“Low Country, High Wire” follows the success of the album’s title track “Burning Horses,” which drew comparisons to Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks’ “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” for its rugged yet intimate duet feel. Burning Horses, four years in the making, was recorded across Virginia and Washington, D.C., blending Gibson’s love for analog storytelling with a modern sense of sonic depth.
Gibson is bringing Burning Horses to life on the road, with upcoming performances that will showcase both his intricate musicianship and his ability to weave stories through song.
2025 Tour Dates:
• April 12 – The Barns at Wolf Trap – BandHouse Gigs Jackson Browne Tribute (Vienna, VA) – SOLD OUT
• June 4 – Local Cream Songwriter’s Showcase, Hank Dietle’s Tavern (Rockville, MD)
• June 5 – Reveler (Richmond, VA) Full Band Show
• July 18 – Jammin’ Java (Vienna, VA) Full Band Show
For fans of Ray LaMontagne, Gillian Welch, and Justin Townes Earle, Gibson’s latest work stands as a must-listen.
“Low Country, High Wire” is more than a song—it’s a reflection on the choices we make, the roads we travel, and the love we hold onto. For Drew Gibson, it’s one of the most personal songs he’s written. “I love where the song takes you,” he says. “I love the thick, dense atmosphere and how it drifts away in the outro. It’s truly one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.”
Experience the sound of waiting, longing, and finding your way home.
