He's been known as the co-founder of the three-time Grammy nominated BR549, the honky-tonk heroes that almost single-handedly lit and carried the blowtorch for the mid-‘90s alternative country explosion. He’s been hailed as ‘The Hillbilly Renaissance Man’ for his subsequent successes as a songwriter, performer, producer and musical theater director. Now after more than a decade as one of the most uncompromising and consistent talents in the American roots music movement, Chuck Mead at last emerges with the most anticipated role of his entire career: Solo Artist. 　　With Journeyman’s Wager, Chuck Mead throws down the gauntlet with an album that defies all sonic expectations while re-defining his position as one of the hardest-working artists in the business. “I respect the term ‘journeyman’,” Mead says, “because that’s I what consider myself. I’ve been living by my wits musically for more than 20 years now, going from job to job and doing them all pretty well. Certainly there’s a hustle to what I do, but there’s always been a gambling aspect to it, too. With this album, it’s finally all me going all-in. It’s a record that challenges listeners in a good way. Best of all, I’ve challenged myself.” 　　Produced by Grammy-winner Ray Kennedy, the eleven tracks on Journeyman’s Wager embody not only the core of country music, but also the pulse of pop, R&B, hillbilly rock, Gospel and beyond. “Why be confined by barriers or genres?” Chuck asks. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s all American Music. These are the sounds that made up my musical vocabulary. I still believe that American Music is about real things, good stories and unique songs. And I’m willing to bet that most everyone else does, too.”