Introduction
“Country Club” is a song written by Catesby Jones and Dennis Lord, and recorded by American country music artist Travis Tritt. It was released in August 1989 as the lead single and title track from Tritt’s debut album. The song peaked at number nine on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts and number 22 in Canada.
The inspiration for “Country Club” stemmed from co-writer Dennis Lord’s personal experience. Years prior to penning the song, Lord and his band performed at an exclusive country club in Kansas City, Missouri, where they were confined to a basement room during breaks, prohibited from mingling with the club’s members. This incident left a lasting impression on Lord. Years later, while driving past Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, the phrase “I’m a member of a country club” came to him, leading to the song’s creation.
The song’s narrative centers on a working-class man attempting to woo a woman from a high-society country club. When she informs him that only members are allowed, he humorously asserts his own membership in a “country club” defined by his love for country music and a down-to-earth lifestyle. This clever wordplay contrasts the exclusivity of traditional country clubs with the inclusive, unpretentious nature of country music culture.
“Country Club” marked several firsts: it was Tritt’s debut single, as well as the inaugural cut for co-writers Jones and Lord, producer Gregg Brown, and song plugger Mike Sebstain. The track features contributions from notable musicians, including Mike Brignardello on bass guitar, Larry Byrom on acoustic guitar, Terry Crisp on steel guitar, Gregg Galbraith on electric guitar, Dennis Locorriere and Dana McVicker on background vocals, Mark O’Connor on fiddle, Mike Rojas on piano, Jim “Jimmy Joe” Ruggiere on harmonica, and Steve Turner on drums.
The song’s success set the stage for Tritt’s burgeoning career. His debut album, also titled “Country Club,” produced several hit singles, including “Help Me Hold On,” which became his first number one single in 1990, “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” and “Drift Off to Dream.” The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in July 1991 for shipments of one million copies.
“Country Club” not only introduced Travis Tritt to the country music scene but also showcased his ability to blend traditional country themes with a modern twist, appealing to a broad audience and establishing him as a significant figure in the genre.