Alt rock/country artist Ryan Adams performed a cover of the Corrosion Of Conformity staple “Clean My Wounds” during a few shows he played late last month in NOLA and North Carolina. The location of those shows was no coincidence, with North Carolina being the home turf of the aforementioned sludgy Southern metal band.
However, Adams — himself a North Carolina native — chose to cover the band in order to pay tribute to Jerry Pepper Keenan, father of Corrosion Of Conformity, etc. vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan. Adams commented of that and his admiration for the band:
“Some folks have sports teams they follow for life, through thick or thin. For me that’s C.O.C. In memory of Pepper‘s father passing, I covered ‘Clean My Wounds‘ in NOLA and the Carolinas. They mean more to me than I could ever say. Most C.O.C. fans feel that same way. C.O.C. are always and will always be my team and I’ll fly the flag forever.”
Pepper added:
“I’ve been a friend and fan of Ryan‘s music and skills for a very long time. C.O.C. and Ryan sharpened our teeth in the same neck of the woods in the Old North State as youngsters. I consider Ryan to be one of the best singer/songwriters out there. Knew it back then, still do. To hear him do his thing to one of our songs in such a beautiful and haunting way, as well as dedicating it to my father, was quite moving to say the least. Honestly stopped me dead in my tracks. Very special on many levels and emotions. Thank you for that brother. Love and respect always.”
Below you can hear Adams‘ cover of the track as performed at the Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh, NC on June 21st.
