Two True Loves

Jim Patton and, his wife and musical collaborator, Sherry Brokus have a knack for taking everyday circumstance and expanding those scenarios into stories that resonate with deeper meanings and life lessons that can be relatable to all.

The duo’s new album, "Two True Loves", on Berkalin Records explores the decisions, desires, and shared instincts that govern most individuals while pursuing a pathway through life. Produced once again by Ron Flynt at Jumping Dog Studios, Austin, TX, and mastered by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Mastering, the new album features a sterling cast of acclaimed instrumentalists, among them, Jim himself on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Sherry sharing her harmonies, Ron Flynt on bass, keyboards, acoustic guitar, and harmony vocals, Scrappy Jud Newcomb on lead guitars, John Chipman on drums, and BettySoo adding her harmonies.

“We’re calling the album 'Two True Loves', but we could just as easily have called it 'I Want It All' or 'Hard Times',” Jim suggests. “That title refers to ‘Art versus Love,’ but it really means that there are times when you have to choose between something you love and the one that you love. That definition could even refer to the cheating songs on the record. There are other themes running through the album as well, loneliness and the fear of loneliness, as well as consequences that arise from pure greed. In that regard, it expresses my disdain for people who think they know what's best as far as somebody else's life”.

Sherry adds her own thoughts about the album. “'Two True Loves' is a combination of a few older songs from the 80's and some that were written recently”, she says. “The lyrics inspired a full tilt rock’n’roll band paintbrush of sorts. Interestingly enough, that’s exactly how everyone on the record heard the songs. There was no need for discussion or any need to coax the players in any particular direction. It was the songs themselves that guided us to where we needed to go”.

Jim picks up the narrative. “Ron Flynt and I conceived of this album as a follow up to 2023's 'Big Red Gibson', skipping right over the folk album that came out in between”, he explains. “I always favor a Byrds-like or Stones-like sound on our full band recordings. It’s kind of like Neil Young, when he brought his folky songs to his band, and then waited to see what happened. This particular band is one of the best outfits one could hope for, and it also spotlights our friend BettySoo, who has been
singing with us for years. As Sherry said, we didn't have to explain what the songs should sound like. It was all just about a great band interpreting my songs. They're schooled in the same music I am, so having them play on my songs was something that came quite naturally to them”.

The new album, "Two True Loves", is out on Berkalin Records, September 19th, 2025.