The Bobby Tenderloin Universeis a band, a community, and a movement; but, most of all, it’s an excuse to don your western wear and give yourself over to the song and dance at the heart of every BTU show. Bobby enraptures his audiences with his deep, rich voice and thoughtful, tender lyrics, rustling up a fresh new take on the old country we all love. Some say he exhibits the sincerity of Johnny Cash, the wit of Roger Millar, and vocal stylings and production sensibilities of Lee Hazlewood. He and his band are lifelong friends and it shows in the way they bring the songs to life.

“Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch” is a brand new song about guilt, how love is the only thing that can conquer it, and ego death. Bobby wants his listeners to remember that these human experiences are universal and that you’re not alone. 

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? 

The song was written back when I was the Bad Boy of Redemption Ranch. I learned a lot of important lessons during this time, and I guess they came out as a song. The video is separated into three acts. The first act depicts Bobby on a journey. The second signifies him letting go of his guilt, and the third represents ego death. 

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)? 

Making this video was an attempt for me to become one step closer to ego death in my life, as an artist and as a performer. 

3. What was the process of making this video?

Filmmaker Ryan Leedu called me up one day and asked if I had any songs coming out because he had some time in his schedule, so we decided to make this video. It happened that I had spent the last year collecting three of the same HI8 cameras and planned to make a music video on my own. The timing was impeccable. I knew what would be possible having Ryan involved so the concept came quite fast. The river where we shot the second two parts of the video has been a very special place for me over the years. The two-day video shoot felt magical, and we both were so inspired and focused. We originally planned on shooting all three parts at the river location, but after getting parts two and three done the first day and returning the second day, we found the water level had risen above our location! We needed a new location, so I remembered a day when I walked home from a Uhaul in the country. We just replicated what I did that day because it included a bunch of bad-boy type stuff. Ie. Running across a highway, walking on train tracks, etc. Ultimately, Ryan and I are both very proud of this video and are excited now that it’s in the world.