Backstory:
Frugal Horse was formed in the small Midwestern town of Ashburg, Illinois in 2010, by childhood friends, lead vocalist and guitarist, John ‘Copper’ Kirby, and drummer, Ray ‘Outlaw’ Henn. The name ‘Frugal Horse’ was inspired by a peculiarly frugal horse they saw at a local fair, which they felt symbolized their own minimalist, authentic approach to music.
In 2012, they recruited bassist Lisa ‘Peach’ Johnson and keyboardist Bill ‘Kaleidoscope’ McIntosh to complete their line-up. Their journey began by playing at local bars and evolved into sold-out stadium performances, with their music resonating with fans around the world. The band attributes their success to their raw energy, unique sound, and lyrical storytelling.
Genre:
Frugal Horse primarily plays Indie Folk Rock, with elements of Americana and Blues.
Title:
“Riding the Sunset”
Full Song Lyrics:
(Verse 1)
[C] I see you, dear [G] in the rearview mirror,
[Am] Heading West, [C] where the sun hides better
[F] Look for the gold [C] at the end of the weather,
[G] Riding the sunset [C] on a frugal horse tether.
(Chorus)
[F] Riding, we’re [C] riding,
[G] Down the highway [C] with our dreams unspoken,
[F] The sun’s setting, [C] but we’re just waking,
[G] With the sunset [C] our hearts are woven.
(Verse 2)
[C] Rustic roads, [G] and the prairie winds,
[Am] Echo tales, [C] of our forgotten sins,
[F] The sun dips low, [C] beneath the horizon,
[G] Riding the sunset, [C] our spirits arise in.
(Chorus)
[F] Riding, we’re [C] riding,
[G] On a journey [C] that’s forever open,
[F] Night’s falling, [C] but we’ve just begun,
[G] With the sunset, [C] our souls are one.
Fan Testimonial:
The band’s favorite fan is Pete ‘Harmonica’ Ellis. Pete, a retired truck driver from Ashburg, has been supporting Frugal Horse since their bar days and never misses a show. He says, “I’ve seen a lot of bands in my lifetime, but none have captured the American spirit quite like Frugal Horse. Their songs make you feel like you’re riding alongside them on their journey. If there’s one thing I know, it’s the open road, and their music is the perfect soundtrack to that freedom. That’s why they’re my favorite band.”