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Known the world over as the inimitable Voice of Freehold, Roper Crossburn has been performing Biblically correct, spiritually stirring country music for over thirty years. His reputation as an industry icon grows with each release. A Crossburn album is not just a work of art—it is a true cultural event.
His latest studio LP, Burn This Way, arrives December 2.
In many ways it is a typical Crossburn release: passionate, pointed, angry and yet filled with hope for the return of Jesus Christ. But the circumstances of its creation are unique.
"My last record was about Obama," says the singer, "and this one was supposed to be, too. They wouldn't let me do that, so I had to come up with other stuff."
Roper refers, of course, to the controversy and ensuing court case that dogged him after his previous album, 2010's bestselling Audacity of Rope, was alleged to contain death threats against the President. As part of Crossburn's plea bargain, he has been barred from making any mention of Obama in his songs. The result is an album broader in scope and ambition than any before it.
"I sing about fags a lot," Roper admits, "but my focus is really on sinners in general. Dope addicts, whores... there's all kinds of scum clogging up this country. When Jesus comes, he's gonna kill them all and we're gonna laugh watching them burn. I can't wait."
We can't wait, either—for the album.
Most incredible, perhaps, is the fact that over two thirds of it were recorded in a Canadian jail. Crossburn was incarcerated in Camrose, Alberta for eight months following a violent altercation at the Big Valley Jamboree, a country music festival at which he has performed seven times since 1994.
"He sucker-punched me," Crossburn says of music critic Geoff Zales, whom the singer partially blinded after gouging his eye with a spork. "He made like he was gonna walk away, and then he hit me. I had every right to defend myself."
Crossburn confessed to having started the incident when he accused Zales of sodomizing his own 7-year-old son, with both the youngster and Mrs. Zales present. However, he maintains he was right to do so in response to a scathing review the critic published in 2007. Whatever the facts, recording in the confines of the jail was a special challenge for Roper.
"They let me have my guitar for an hour every day, and they watched me the whole time. They were afraid I might use the strings to strangle my cellmate. I probably would have, too. The guy was obviously a fag."
Like Crossburn's previous nine albums, Burn This Way has been produced by the legendary Stan T. Chisum and will be released by Landover Baptist Records, with a not-to-be missed autograph signing at Ted's Bible and Music Store on the day of the album's release. It certainly is an exciting time to be a Christian music fan.
"I still owe about $14,000 in legal fees," says Crossburn. "Please buy this record."
The track listing is as follows:
CDs and vinyl will retail at $16.99. All vinyl purchases include a free digital download from the Landover Baptist Records website.
Stay tuned this weekend for an exclusive audio interview with Mr. Crossburn, including a preview of the new album. Another major announcement, sure to delight fans both old and new, is also forthcoming.
His latest studio LP, Burn This Way, arrives December 2.
In many ways it is a typical Crossburn release: passionate, pointed, angry and yet filled with hope for the return of Jesus Christ. But the circumstances of its creation are unique.
"My last record was about Obama," says the singer, "and this one was supposed to be, too. They wouldn't let me do that, so I had to come up with other stuff."
Roper refers, of course, to the controversy and ensuing court case that dogged him after his previous album, 2010's bestselling Audacity of Rope, was alleged to contain death threats against the President. As part of Crossburn's plea bargain, he has been barred from making any mention of Obama in his songs. The result is an album broader in scope and ambition than any before it.
"I sing about fags a lot," Roper admits, "but my focus is really on sinners in general. Dope addicts, whores... there's all kinds of scum clogging up this country. When Jesus comes, he's gonna kill them all and we're gonna laugh watching them burn. I can't wait."
We can't wait, either—for the album.
Most incredible, perhaps, is the fact that over two thirds of it were recorded in a Canadian jail. Crossburn was incarcerated in Camrose, Alberta for eight months following a violent altercation at the Big Valley Jamboree, a country music festival at which he has performed seven times since 1994.
"He sucker-punched me," Crossburn says of music critic Geoff Zales, whom the singer partially blinded after gouging his eye with a spork. "He made like he was gonna walk away, and then he hit me. I had every right to defend myself."
Crossburn confessed to having started the incident when he accused Zales of sodomizing his own 7-year-old son, with both the youngster and Mrs. Zales present. However, he maintains he was right to do so in response to a scathing review the critic published in 2007. Whatever the facts, recording in the confines of the jail was a special challenge for Roper.
"They let me have my guitar for an hour every day, and they watched me the whole time. They were afraid I might use the strings to strangle my cellmate. I probably would have, too. The guy was obviously a fag."
Like Crossburn's previous nine albums, Burn This Way has been produced by the legendary Stan T. Chisum and will be released by Landover Baptist Records, with a not-to-be missed autograph signing at Ted's Bible and Music Store on the day of the album's release. It certainly is an exciting time to be a Christian music fan.
"I still owe about $14,000 in legal fees," says Crossburn. "Please buy this record."
The track listing is as follows:
1. Jesus Christ Is Coming to Town - 2:18
2. Border of Blood - 1:53
3. Burn This Way - 2:29
4. It Gets Hotter - 1:38
5. From My Cold, Dead Hands - 2:11
6. Occupy Hell - 2:02
7. Gibs Me Dat - 1:47
8. Feed Africa (With Napalm) - 1:57
9. Hell Is for Homos - 2:16
10. Rape, Shmape - 1:21
11. iBurn - 2:08
12. Six Million Lies - 2:20
13. Gitmo Blues - 2:01
14. Scumbagistan - 1:43
15. Detained, Deported, Decapitated - 2:13
16. Pope on a Rope - 2:05
17. No Christian Left Behind (The Rapture Song) - 2:47
18. Deck the Halls (With Sinners' Bodies) - 2:15
2. Border of Blood - 1:53
3. Burn This Way - 2:29
4. It Gets Hotter - 1:38
5. From My Cold, Dead Hands - 2:11
6. Occupy Hell - 2:02
7. Gibs Me Dat - 1:47
8. Feed Africa (With Napalm) - 1:57
9. Hell Is for Homos - 2:16
10. Rape, Shmape - 1:21
11. iBurn - 2:08
12. Six Million Lies - 2:20
13. Gitmo Blues - 2:01
14. Scumbagistan - 1:43
15. Detained, Deported, Decapitated - 2:13
16. Pope on a Rope - 2:05
17. No Christian Left Behind (The Rapture Song) - 2:47
18. Deck the Halls (With Sinners' Bodies) - 2:15
Stay tuned this weekend for an exclusive audio interview with Mr. Crossburn, including a preview of the new album. Another major announcement, sure to delight fans both old and new, is also forthcoming.
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