Kiefer Sutherland Makes Country Music Debut With ‘Not Enough Whiskey’ Video

Kiefer Sutherland has long been known as a serious actor, perhaps most notably, for his role as Jack Bauer on the hit show 24. Now, Sutherland is hoping to be taken seriously as a country music artist as he makes his debut with “Not Enough Whiskey.”

Kiefer Sutherland told his Facebook fans his upcoming album, Down in a Hole, to be released this summer, is like a personal “journal.” Sutherland said he was drawn to country music because it “tells a story.” He went on to say he hopes his fans enjoy “Not Enough Whiskey” as much as he enjoyed recording it and playing it live.

“Some of you may have heard that I’m putting an album out this summer, called Down In A Hole. The album in many ways is like a journal of my last twenty years. If you notice a country flavor to some of the songs that’s because I’ve always found country music tells a story. The first song and video from the upcoming album is called ‘Not Enough Whiskey.'”

https://www.facebook.com/KieferSutherland/posts/832737733504535

Kiefer Sutherland discussed his exciting new venture into country music with Rolling Stone. While Sutherland knows it can be tough to begin a music career as an actor, he “felt strongly” it was something he “wanted to do.”

Sutherland feels a lot of actors aren’t taken seriously when they put out a record because they won’t do what it takes to support the music, like touring or releasing videos. Kiefer Sutherland, who financed his “Not Enough Whiskey” video himself, said he wanted it to be “personal and traveling.” The video features Sutherland, who said he didn’t want to “hide behind a band,” as he sings — and drinks a lot of whiskey.

Kiefer Sutherland feels many people can relate to “Not Enough Whiskey,” which is about loss and trying to find a way to deal with the pain.

“I’ve certainly been there, where something will happen in life, and one, two, three bottles of whiskey are not going to fix it. In the context of the song, those moments are important to realize so you have to find another way to deal with them. I’m sure a lot of people have felt that way.”

As he mentioned in his Facebook announcement, Kiefer Sutherland was attracted to country music because of its ability to clearly tell a story. Kiefer explained while he’s also a big rock and roll fan, he truly admires country icons like Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings.

“I could hum you every melody or guitar solo from a Pink Floyd record, but I couldn’t tell you what the h*** they were talking about. There’s no messing around with a Johnny Cash song, and there’s something I really admire about that.”

https://www.facebook.com/KieferSutherland/photos/a.820149664763342.1073741828.817088021736173/820149431430032/?type=3

Kiefer Sutherland will head out on tour on April 14 to support his new album. Sutherland has been warming up by playing some smaller gigs around California. He admitted to Rolling Stone that singing live was initially “challenging” and that at times he was “very nervous.” It’s been well worth it because Kiefer Sutherland enjoys being able to share the stories behind the songs as they relate to his life.

“The nice thing about being able to play these songs live is you can take a minute and tell the stories: ‘Look, I was here in 1994, and this is what was happening. My experience so far, playing 250-seat rooms and bars, is that it’s created a level of intimacy. It’s an experience I’ve been enjoying that I couldn’t even describe.”

Kiefer Sutherland will also be presenting an award at the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards, which will air April 3, on CBS, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

[Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP]