“Rio Gorge” is a song that was born in the wake of a breakup, as I crossed over a bridge - the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (also known as the “Gorge Bridge”). It was a special visit for me. In mid-2024, without realizing where exactly it was located, I had used an image of this bridge in some of the resources for “Down on the Border Line” - namely for the Canvas Video you see paired with the track when listening on Spotify's Mobile App. It was a short trip I wasn't certain I would be able to make and it's one I certainly hadn't anticipated making alone. You see, I had driven out to New Mexico for a larger trip to see someone I cared about - a woman I met shortly after releasing “Down on the Border Line” as it happens. I had hoped that her and I would get to visit this bridge together and share this moment that was so special to me. As I walked across this bridge alone, and with artists like Colter Wall and Benjamin Tod on my mind, I came up with a short lyric and a little tune and I started singing to myself…

“something something, Rio Gorge…”
“Meet me on the Rio Gorge?”
“Kiss me on the Rio Gorge?”

I wasn't sure yet where that lyric would lead or what it would become but I saw a little spark of ‘magic’ there. I took note of it.

When the larger trip to New Mexico was over, I left the state to head back home. As I started working through everything I had just experienced, this short lyric and tune came back to my mind. I went back to my notes. “Rio Gorge” quickly morphed and expanded into a whole story - a story about a chapter of life closing as someone chooses to walk away from a relationship. Events from my past, all tangled up with my recent relationship, collided with this beautiful experience - this visit to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge - that was so special to me. What came out the other side, I feel, is one of the best works of music I've created so far. I hope you think so too, and I truly hope you enjoy it!

God's Blessings,

Bryan Drilling