It was recorded with a group of Nashville session musicians called the Good Road Band.

[1] The album originally began as a tribute to Oates' idol, American country blues singer and guitarist Mississippi John Hurt.

[1] Oates is New York City-born and Philadelphia-raised, but has a deep connection to the Arkansas region.

Oates explained to Billboard Magazine, "My uncle Tony, after World War II, moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas and lived there for the rest of his life.

'"[2] On the sleeve, the album is credited to "John Oates with the Good Road Band".