Whatever Comes First is the debut studio album by American country music band Sons of the Desert. The album was released in 1997 (see 1997 in country music) on Epic Records. It produced three singles for them on the Billboard country singles charts: the Top Ten "Whatever Comes First", as well as "Leaving October" and "Hand of Fate". All of which, reached the Top 40 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Whatever Comes First
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 3, 1997
GenreCountry
Length43:41
LabelEpic
ProducerJohnny Slate, Doug Johnson
Sons of the Desert chronology
Whatever Comes First
(1997)
Change
(2001)
Singles from Whatever Comes First
  1. "Whatever Comes First"
    Released: February 17, 1997
  2. "Hand of Fate"
    Released: August 30, 1997
  3. "Leaving October"
    Released: January 17, 1998
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link
Country Standard Timelink

Content

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"Drive Away" was co-written by Phil Vassar, who would later record the song for his self-titled debut album. Additionally, lead singer Drew Womack later re-recorded "Leaving October" on his 2004 self-titled debut.

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hand of Fate"Michael Lunn, Michael Noble3:47
2."Whatever Comes First"Walt Aldridge, Brad Crisler, Drew Womack3:02
3."Leaving October"Womack, Tom Douglas4:28
4."Bring On the Angel"Womack, Jack Blades, Vinx4:05
5."You Can Come Cryin' to Me"Radney Foster4:04
6."Colorado"Womack4:54
7."When It's Right"Womack, Steve Pippin, Chris Lindsey3:16
8."Promises"Pippin, Womack, Pat MacDonald3:34
9."Drive Away"Phil Vassar, Charlie Black3:26
10."Devil on Both Shoulders"Womack4:08
11."Burned in My Mind"Womack4:57

Personnel

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Sons of the Desert

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  • Scott Saunders - keyboards
  • Doug Virden - bass guitar, background vocals
  • Brian Westrum - drums
  • Drew Womack - acoustic guitar, lead vocals
  • Tim Womack - electric guitar, background vocals

Additional musicians

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  • Bob Mason - cello on "Colorado"
  • Brent Mason - electric guitar on "Hand of Fate"
  • Tom Roady - percussion on "Drive Away," "Hand of Fate," "Promises"
  • Matt Rollings - keyboard on "Leaving October"
  • Billy Joe Walker Jr. - acoustic guitar on "Promises"
  • John Willis - "eclectic guru instruments"

Chart performance

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Chart (1997) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums 38
U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers 25

References

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  • Liner notes to Whatever Comes First. Epic Records, 1997.