Start your day off right with high-energy rhythms and jamming sensations. “Highway Junkie” From Andy Thomas. This is a song that feels truly alive, full of urgency, and has enough power to send you hurtling along his musical highways, especially when Thomas eases into a groovy guitar solo that naturally rises from the riff. His lyrics are authentic. “Well, I’ve been trying to overtake my father’s shadow // getting a little further every day.” and draws us into his personal story. In addition to providing inspiration for the song’s themes, Thomas’ sobriety provided him with a sense of stability and motivation to pursue his musical dreams. “I’m still sailing [sobriety] Every day, but I got hooked and after a few months I was able to find something new to replace “everything”. I was able to hone my love for music and why I do it. I have something to tell you. I know I have a purpose on this earth, and I need to reflect that in my music – if I can achieve this, I can do anything. ”
“Highway Junkie” “” is the title track of Thomas’ new album, released today, January 23, 2026. Thomas is best known for fronting the seminal The Trogon Band and providing guitar for Americana act Yarn, but his solo work stands out for its fusion of Southern rock, blues, and Americana, as well as its honest portrayal of his troubled past and finding hard-earned strength in the present. The new album was produced by fellow Virginian and friend Dave Schools, the acclaimed bassist for Widespread Panic, who helped create their driving, unrelenting sound. Thomas says: “I got into this path of writing songs for at least two hours every day after dinner, and I kept doing that until I had this bucket list of songs. So I called Dave.” They had worked together on the Trogon Band EP before disbanding during the pandemic. He continues: “[The Trongone Band] It blew up and we did nothing. [the EP]. So I felt like [Dave and I] We had so much fun doing that little project that we had unfinished business to do. I had to go back and do this with Uncle Dave. I parked on the fire road and prepared to drive the truck to the front door. [to pick up my supplies for a renovation job]. I called him and said, “Let’s make a record.” He got on board right away. Then I sent him all my songs and flew to Richmond. ”
Thomas says of the song and record: “I was singing the opening lyrics to myself at my construction job for a few years before I finally wrote this song. It was the first song I ever wrote for a record, and generally after I got clean and sober as well. I quit music for a while, but it wasn’t until I stopped drinking and doing drugs that I realized that I was still a junkie and just meant to walk down the street and play music. This song set the tone for the entire record, as I was trying to overcome a long family curse, and really this song represented that I was going to burn out playing my guitar instead of swinging a hammer for someone else.
This is assertive country rock delivered with style, substance, and the need for an authentic personal release. The movement and sense of movement in Andy Thomas’ music moves you and lingers long after the song ends. We can all take a little inspiration from Thomas’ positive attitude. “You just have to count your wins and be grateful. And this album is a sign of gratitude. This is why I’m doing everything I’m doing.” Listen to the album and get energized.
