Rod Gator Covers Fellow Louisiana Native – Britney Spears
“Everytime” Out Today
"My memory of Britney Spears dates back to my childhood. I remember playing outside when the radio announced a new song by a local girl done good. I was only ten years old. I remember feeling a sense of pride that she was one of us. A fellow Louisiana native. It was probably similar to how people in Memphis felt when Elvis started blowing up. ‘Everytime’ is also one of the only songs she had a hand in writing." – Rod Gator
(Lafayette, LA) – February 11, 2022 – Released today, an intensely raw and stirring cover of the Britney Spears hit, “Everytime,” from the Louisiana bred, Austin, TX based ROD GATOR. Inspired by childhood memories of pride for his fellow Louisiana neighbor, Gator had always kept the idea of covering one of her songs in his back pocket. With recent events and a swelling of Britney support, now seemed like the perfect time. Accompanying Gator on all instruments is longtime collaborator Will Walden, who also produced the track. Listen to Gator’s “Everytime,” here.
A celebrated southern songwriter who grew up in the Louisiana backcountry and previously released records under the name Rod Melancon, Rod Gator takes a hard look at his old stomping grounds with the recently released For Louisiana. It’s an album rooted in Bayou soul, greasy country-rock, Texas blues, and electrified funk, created by a team that includes Grammy-nominated producer and half of the Black Pumas Adrian Quesada, Will Walden and Black Pumas keyboardist JaRon Marshall. Laced with Muscle Shoals-worthy grooves and Gator’s unique blend of spoken-word delivery and southern crooning, For Louisiana isn’t just a love letter to Louisiana — it’s also a rallying cry for cultural progress, with songs that examine the state’s struggles with social justice and political reform. The album has garnered high praise from press including American Songwriter, No Depression, The Austin Chronicle, The Boot and more.
Late in 2021, Gator shared his powerful single “August 29” in honor of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, just as Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana. Glide Magazine called it “one of the most emotionally stirring songs on the new album,” and Rolling Stone declared “It’s as much journalism as it is songwriting.” Gator donated all proceeds from the song to the New Orleans organization Common Ground to assist with relief efforts following Ida.
Current Rod Gator Tour Dates:
2/19 – Growlers – Memphis, TN
2/20 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
2/21 – Sidetracks – Huntsville, AL
2/22 – Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA
2/23 – Will’s Pub – Orlando, FL
