Being from Lubbock, I'd heard of Amanda Shires a few times as a result of her having played with the Thrift Store Cowboys, but it wasn't until she got engaged to one of my favorite Americana artists, Jason Isbell, that I started to listen to her music. I can't describe her sounds myself, but her website biography says "her energetic, jittery vocals and eccentric lyrical subjects mark her out as a young female heir to the godfather of strange, Tom Waits. In her more conventional moments, Shires sounds like the weird young niece of Dolly Parton.”
So of course I obliged when my boss invited me and some coworkers to the Buddy Holly Center last Thursday afternoon for live music featuring Miss Shires herself. Aside from the hot west Texas sun, the afternoon was perfect - made better by good company and cold beer, and the music was awesome. Her quiet voice, accompanied by her fiddle and occasional whistling and a man on acoustic guitar was the perfect backdrop to a relaxing afternoon in downtown Lubbock.
This past Saturday night at Blue Light was a first for me. Bleu Edmondson took the stage after a rocking set by Brandon Adams and The Sad Bastards. Wearing faded jeans, boots and a backwards flat-billed baseball cap, Bleu took us through every realm of what Texas Country music is. From a very country "Fifty Dollars and a Flask of Crown," to "Blood Red Lincoln," with a dramatic intro that I originally thought was going to be a cover of Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold," we were kept on our toes all night. The presence of the 4-piece band was pretty chill - not necessarily the type of engagement that leaves the crowd fist-pumping on panty row, but enough to keep the dance floor full all night long.
One of my favorite moments was a broken down version of "Resurrection" that I may not have even recognized from the studio version had I not known it by heart. I was also surprised by a pretty great Reckless Kelly cover of "Vancouver." Bleu also gave a shout-out to the Boot Campaign and told the story of how he wrote the song "Black and White" before preforming it. The night ended with the sad and lonely "Finger on the Trigger," followed up by the always upbeat cover of "The Weight" by The Band.
It was a great night and Bleu and the band hung around after to sign autographs and sell merch out of a modest little suitcase. Of course I bought a koozie, stole the set list and got it autographed. I have always been a so-so fan of Bleu Edmondson but after seeing him live, he jumped up a few notches in my book.
Here is his latest single, "Black and White." Check it out and BUY it, because he is donating the proceeds from the digital sales to the Boot Campaign.
I want to hate Charla Corn, but I just can't. I'm sure most stuck-up jealous Texas bitches like me feel the same way. I have loved every single she's released and I was very surprised when I saw her at LJT. She held her own and her show was just as entertaining as all the dudes she was up against. I normally don't care for or listen to chick music, but for some reason she's alright to me. This is her new single, "Big T-Shirt." I couldn't find a better video so just deal with it.
A lot of times the focus of music is on the artist. I like to think the focus should be equally on the artist, the songwriter, and the instruments. Leon Russell has mastered all of this. Although not nearly as well known as most, his talent as a musician and songwriter has crossed all boundaries, from country to rock to R&B. Today's Throwback song is "A Song for You". You may have heard Willie Nelson's early 1970s version, but this song has been covered by more than 40 artist, from Ray Charles to Christina Aguilera.
Russell came out of Lawton, Oklahoma, establishing with fellow musician "The Tulsa Sound". After moving to L.A., he started his career as a session musician, playing over the years on albums for Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, and many others.
His talent has endured the test of time. From his first album in 1966, to his #1 hit with Willie ("Heartbreak Hotel") in 1979, to his 2010 release of a duet album with Elton John. His accomplishments were recognized in 2011 as he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
PS - Big huge thanks to my friend who shall remain nameless who helps me come up with Throwback Thursdays.
*Hint: he was born in the '60s!*
Believe it or now, two new real life music videos came out yesterday. It is so cool to see these guys produce awesome professional videos. Not just the typical singing in a bar with backstage and crowd shots, or boy and girl sitting by the river being hot drinking beer videos. Real story lines that aren't necessarily the obvious ones that go along with the song. Good stuff.
I love this Whiskey Myers song and I didn't expect to see this story in the video, but I dig it. It's actually their second video to show up on CMT.com - the first one for "Ballad of a Southern Man" was great. Too bad these guys are too hairy and don't wear enough eyeliner or glitter jeans to make it on regular CMT TV.
Next up is the Turnpike Troubadours. I was honestly shocked that they had a video like this made. I don't know why, I guess I just figured they were the more low-key type. But I am so glad they did because I can never, ever get enough Evan Felker in my life and he is pretty damn hot (literally, sweaty) in this video in his cowboy hat. Love. I'm not sure if I totally get the story in this video or not. All I know is I wanted to be right in the middle of that hot, sweaty, boot stompin, honky-tonkin barn dance going on.
Bonus points: I have these boots... and I'm the only adult I've ever seen that owns them, and I don't care.
Now if there are all these videos floating around and CMT isn't showing them, can't we get our own Texas/Red Dirt only channel? And it can show the Texas Music Scene, Troubadour, Tx, All Access Texas, have live broadcasting of TXRDR, concerts, our own countdown show and even throw in some trashy Texas reality shows. I think I could even star in one! It could be called the Tipsy Gypsy and cameras would follow me around as I travel in my Airstream to every dancehall and music festival in Texas, drinking Lonestar beer and doing my thing on the front row of every concert.
Now if that's not a million dollar idea, I don't know what is.
Sorry I didn't post a song yesterday. I'm sure the world stopped spinning for a while. Truth is, my back hurt like a mother the night before and I didn't get any sleep, and I had to do the actual work I'm paid to do at my job (I know right?!), and my brain just wouldn't function due to lack of sleep. I had to go see the chiropractor (who is now a saint in my book), so I took the afternoon off which is when I usually write at work after I'm caught up. And after hours I am choosing to lead the lifestyle of a caveman by not having cable or Internet. And by "choosing," I mean I don't have a damn clue who to call, what cord to plug in where, or really even care because I have my radio and and iPhone to listen to music, so I'm good until one of my roommates gets bored and decides it's time to join the 21st century.
So I had a hell of a weekend. It started with my return to Blue Light Friday night for the Damn Quails with some friends. K.O. and the Mule Skinners opened for them and we got there in time for their last few songs. Never seen them before, and they were pretty good. When the Damn Quails came on we assumed the position on the front row. They were awesome, as always. Pretty much the same as last time I saw them, only better. Better because it was at my home away from home - The Blue Light, and because I was in good company on the front row instead of stranded.
That night ended with us at Whataburger - as usual - only this time, the power went out. I thought it was just a clever way of kicking all the drunkards out till we realized all the streetlights were out too. Yup, I was in Whataburger, drunk, when the infamous Lubbock Blackout of 2012 occurred. I finished up my chicken strip and headed out. If I'd have known that was the last Diet Dr Pepper from a fountain I'd be getting for the next 36 hours, I would have taken it with me...
We went on a water boil notice which was effective until Sunday afternoon, so what's a girl who is living out of a mini-fridge to do but just drink beer instead? So Saturday, my friend Emma, invited me to a private party where our friend Buzz's son, Ross Cooper was opening for Curtis Grimes. Ross is moving to Nashville soon so we wanted to see him play one of his last shows. *Fun fact* Did you know Jon Taylor of Mount Vernon Studios plays drums for Ross? Well now ya do. It was his birthday Saturday. I'm not a stalker, I just know this because we took shots to the band, which became birthday shots for Jon.
We had so much fun and I met a lot of new people. It wasn't the best crowd and I always feel sorry when bands like Curtis Grimes come all the way to Lubbock to play a show like that, but I guess if they're getting paid they don't mind. We tried to make the best of it by getting all the little girls to come up to the stage and dance with us and eventually their parents started dancing too.
Curtis's show was awesome. He is always so entertaining and really catered to this crowd by playing some awesome covers - Buzz and I danced to one of my favorite Haggard songs, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink." When the show was over, Curtis was so sweet to the little girls and signed autographs for them (and me - I had to have the set list) and was even smart enough to hand me his guitar picks so I could distribute them to the girls without starting a cat fight. He is a super nice guy. I was a fan way before he went on The Voice and I think it was a good thing for him as it got him a lot more recognition in Texas, but he has clearly stayed true to himself even after his 15 minutes of NBC fame.
This video is awesome.
I had a fantastic weekend and it was SO good to finally get some live music back in my life! This coming weekend should have even more. I was planning on going to Greenfest but I don't think it's going to happen... I'm flat broke! But I can't wait to hear all about it and I will be incredibly jealous of anyone who does get to go. If you go, I want full reports when you get back!
Emma and I with Ross Cooper
Seriously? How precious are these girls (And him).
This weekend, after almost two weeks without it, I'm finally getting to hear some live music. I think that's a record for me. And it's been even longer than that since I've seen the inside of my home away from home - The Blue Light. I'll be kickin it with the Damn Quails tonight, possibly some new-to-me music tomorrow and then the next few weeks should be full of more good stuff. It's about time.
The Damn Quails Down The Hatch has been in my CD player in my car since I bought it in October and it never gets old. Every time I listen, a different song is my favorite. They are so insanely good and fun to watch live too, so if you ever get the chance, DO IT! (I saw them a few months back and had a blast.)
What's not to love about Dwight Yoakam? He's timeless. He's mysterious. He does his own thing. He's honky-tonk-rockabilly-twangy-country. He wore skinny jeans before they were cool. Actually they've never been cool to me on anyone but him and maybe Alan Jackson. I wish there were more people like Dwight Yoakam. But then again, maybe I like him so much for being one of a kind.
I've heard this song a few times in the past week on the radio and it wasn't until today that I realized how old it was! It was released before I was even born but I've always loved it. I grew up on country music like this so it makes my heart happy to hear it.
Bluegrass was one of those things that had to grow on me.
Like BIG time.
I used to hate it, like most American females in their 20s probably do. But since "broadening my horizons" beyond the one and only Bluegrass song most people know, "Wagon Wheel," I've come to love bluegrass/folk music. I guess you have to start somewhere. Eventually, I realized that there was more to Old Crow Medicine Show than that one song that seems to be covered by every wannabe country band in existence, which just pisses me off because it is never done right. Even worse, when somebody plays a different version of it from their iPod without ever realizing it is the WRONG version... then argues that they've never heard of OCMS. But that's neither here nor there.
The point is, bluegrass music is good. It may not be for everyone, all the time, but give it a shot! If you haven't gotten into it, listen to this new album, Carry Me Back, that just came out today. I've been listening all day and critics are saying it's one of the best Old Crow releases in years. If you like it, come back and thank me. Then get on Spotify and listen to "Methamphetamine" and "Down Home Girl" and get real hooked.
I first heard of Kolton Moore a couple weeks ago when he was on Justin Frazell's Texas Red Dirt Roads show. He has a gorgeous voice that I couldn't get out of my head. Ever since then I've been seeing him pop up on Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. I think he's fixing to get real good... I'm already a fan. Listen to a few songs and I bet you will be before you know it.
Have I ever told you how much I love Uncle Lucius? Well, I do. A whole lot! One of the most fun shows I've ever experienced at Blue Light was this band. And their album Pick Your Head Up is one of those that if one song comes up on shuffle, I wind up listening to the whole thing over and over. I've been hooked for a really long time and I'm not even sure how I heard of them. What I do know is their next album, And You Are Me comes out August 28th, and the date is written on my calendar on my wall next to my desk so I can count down the days.
Their video for the first single on the album, "Pocket Full of Misery" came out today. I watched this video from a 1970-something Willie Nelson picnic earlier this week and was convinced I was born in the wrong decade. But after watching this Uncle Lucius video, I feel alright. This is my kind of party and exactly what I'd be fine doing every weekend of my life. I wish I could have been there for the making of this video because it seems like it was hardly a video shoot and more of a party/garage rehearsal in which video cameras just so happened to be present for.
If you don't know Uncle Lucius yet, check it out. You're about to have a new favorite uncle.
I recently came across the band J Roddy Walston and the Business when Hogleg from Galleywinter posted his playlist on the Drop and heard one song. I was instantly hooked so I found them on Spotify and I've been listening off and on ever since. They are a great break from radio music on a 7-hour drive when you're about to fall asleep and need something to get your blood pumping.
Their sound is rowdy, gritty, good old rock with southern roots and heavy piano that just makes me want to go to the bar with my wildest friends and drink a lot of whiskey and have a helluva time. I don't know much else about the band and I probably won't ever be anywhere near where they're playing to see them live (they're from Baltimore), but a girl can dream. Check it out.
On the last day of my trip, Emily and I went to Luckenbach and met up with some friends for Fest Out West.
Yes, I drank a cold Shiner (in between countless Lonestar Lights though.)
We saw Reckless Kelly... and I remembered it!
And Robert Earl Keen. My first time, and I remember most of it!
We had so much fun. The crowd was awesome for it being the first year. I will definitely take lawn chairs next time. The only thing I didn't like was that I couldn't assume my position on the front row because that was roped off and reserved for the big spenders that spent the whole weekend at FOW instead of broke-ass me who only went to the last two concerts.
By the time Reckless Kelly came on, the sun had started to go down a little and there was a place in the shade up on a hill where we could sit and watch instead of standing behind people in chairs (or getting bitched at for standing in front of them). A few other people played before but it was too damn hot to sit in the sun any earlier than we did. Right as REK was wrapping up, it started sprinkling, just enough to cool us off, and it was a perfect end to a great week!
The second full day of my trip was also the second and final night of my friends' annual party. After sleeping most of the day away recovering from the night before, we were ready to party when the sun went down and it cooled off a little. The band that night was the Cody Robbins Band. He'd played this party last year so since then I have been hearing about how much fun it was, which is exactly why I had to go this year to see what all the fuss was about.
Friday night was already a blast, so Saturday night had a lot to compete with. CRB was just plain fun. They are rowdy honky-tonkers that were perfectly in place at this shindig. The band is made up of Cody's friends, his dad on steel guitar and his sweet mama was selling merch and socializing with everyone. It was a family affair, but everyone was there for the same reason - to have a good time.
Cody played his own songs from his CD, which I'd heard over and over at parties in Lubbock in the past year, and lots of covers. We were all there to have fun and dance and get "country drunk" and this band was the perfect fit. We danced and drank until some people couldn't even stand up. They played all the good songs that people love to sing along to. I can't even tell you what all songs were covered but I know I heard the "Bertrand family anthem," David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name," and at one point I think they even did "Pumped Up Kicks." Seriously.
The entire band was good, too. They played a few sets and partied with us in-between. I hope they come back next year and I bet we keep playing their songs until then. For a good time, go see the Cody Robbins Band when you get a chance. If you like Kevin Fowler, Mark McKinney or Casey Donahue, you will love Cody Robbins band.
How can you not have fun when the band is playing on a trailer in the middle of nowhere?
Even old Uncle Lester partied till the sun came up.
This past weekend was a hell of a time. I left Lubbock Thursday night and headed to my friend Carter's place outside of Jacksboro for a big weekend. Every summer some of his friends have a big weekend-long party and invite a few bands out to play and a ton of people show up for beer, music and a good time.
The band that played Friday night was TC Fambro and the Copperheads. I had only listened to the songs Carter gave me a while back when we found out they were playing. I liked their music and was excited to see them live.
There was a lot going on that night between the socializing, beer drinking and margarita machine, but I tried to either sit and listen or at least be near the stage either talking or dancing as much as possible.
*Side note - if you are at a party and somebody is paying a band - good or not - to drive out to the middle of nowhere and play on a flatbed trailer for a bunch of drunkards, pay attention. Don't go sit on a tailgate a football field away from the band. It is just plain rude - to the band, the people paying the band, and the people who want to socialize with everyone and still see the band. Bands perform better when there is a crowd with good energy. Whether you're listening or not, chances are everyone will have a better time when the crowd is together.
Sorry had to get that off my chest. Big pet peeve.
I for one am very glad I spent the majority of my time either at the stage, dancing or sitting and listening because this band was damn good. From the moment I walked up Friday afternoon before everyone got there, I noticed frontman TC Fambro reminded me a lot of Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadors. He didn't just resemble him, but his entire demeanor was similar and that was true on-stage as well.
During their three separate sets, they played all the songs I'd heard on their EP Texas Town. All of those were great but my favorite is "Free." They played some new songs and lots of covers which was perfect for this type of party. That type of crowd needs music they know and can dance and sing along to which was what the band delivered along with plenty of new music for the fans that care. I can't remember what all they covered because I was usually dancing to those but I know they played some Damn Quails, Conway Twitty, and Stoney LaRue.
All in all it was a blast. The show they put on was entertaining, perfectly suited for the crowd and I would love to catch them sometime in a bar where I can see them in a different element. Between sets and after the show, I caught up with TC and the band and talked for a while about music and everything else. They were all super friendly and so much fun to hang out with. Just good people. We sat around in lawn chairs talking music and listening to TC doing acoustic songs till early in the morning - I think I crashed somewhere around 5 a.m.
TC seems to have a level head and good idea of what he wants. They plan to keep playing their honest music as long as they can. He's the real deal. He writes songs based on real stuff, not just something that will be a surefire hit. It's not all too common for a young band to be so grounded in doing the right thing and playing meaningful music when they have the voice and talent to do what it takes to sell a mainstream hit right off the bat. I have a lot of respect for TC and his band and I hope they continue down this path and I think they will and will be very successful. He's got the voice and the songs, the band seems to be in it for the long haul, and they've all got the work ethic to be a successful Texas/Red Dirt band. I wouldn't be surprised if in the next five years they are one of the more well-known bands in the scene. At least I hope so.
If you haven't seen them yet, catch them soon. I saw on Twitter that Charla Corn recorded background vocals for them recently, so keep your eye out for new music. Also, call your radio station and request their single "Hotter Than Hell," and buy their EP. I know it's on iTunes, but try to get it at a show if you can.
I can now officially scratch "See Willie Nelson" off my bucket list. But just wait, there's more.
I drove into Austin late yesterday afternoon to see my friend Emily. We kicked off our week of fun by going to see the one and only Willie Nelson. We bought our $60 tickets earlier in the week and just assumed the venue was a huge arena and we'd be far far away from the stage because that price in Lubbock will generally get you the nosebleed seats when Willie comes to town. We put the address to the Riverbend Centre for the Arts in the GPS and headed off. Us little West Texas girls aren't used to all the trees and hills and twisty roads, so when we finally found it and saw Riverbend Christian School I thought we were in the wrong place. We decided to pull in anyway and saw everyone was walking into a church. It being a Sunday evening we just assumed we were in the wrong place entirely. I finally noticed everyone was holding the same tickets as us so we went on in and I asked an old man if we were in the right place. I felt a little awkward walking into a church and handing someone a Willie Nelson ticket, but then I remembered I was in Austin, not Lubbock and this is probably perfectly normal. He just laughed and said, "it's the church of Willie Nelson tonight!"
Emily and I found our seats and realized the deal we had snagged. We were so close! We plopped down in our pew and waited for church to start. At exactly 7:30 Willie walked out on stage with no fancy light show or introduction and started playing. I instantly recognized his son, Lukas playing guitar next to him, sister Bobbie on the piano and Ray Benson also on guitar. They played the first five or so songs without ever stopping, even when they got a standing ovation, just said thank you and kept playing. Willie finally introduced the rest of the band which was made up of at least seven people playing at a time, and a few standing around. Several of the band members would take turns playing instruments and it just seemed like a big family picking around in the backyard for fun. They were all so laid back and seemed to just go with the flow and do whatever felt right.
They look way farther away in the iPhone pic than they really were.
Lukas sang a few songs and for most of the show he and Willie were both up front singing together or taking turns. They played a mix of old and new ones from Willie's latest album, Heros, including "Cold Cold War" and "My Window Faces the South." I got chills when they did my favorites "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "You Were Always on My Mind" and "Crazy." Then you know how happy it made me when he said, "let's play a few for Waylon." He did "Good Hearted Woman" and a few others which were impossible for me to sit still through. The only thing I didn't like about the venue was, being in a church, I felt like I had to sit still and I would much rather have been standing up clapping and dancing the entire time.
[Lukas Nelson]
He also played a few Hank Williams songs. I've never intentionally listened to much Hank but after he started playing I felt like I was at my Aunt Penny's house (who is one of the biggest Willie fans I know) listening to Uncle Larry playing his guitar or old music growing up. Willie had everyone singing along to "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya" and "Move It On Over." That was so much fun. Then we all sang "On The Road Again" together and gave a standing ovation.
Of course a Willie concert isn't complete without some gospel music and being in a church made it even better. "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and "I'll Fly Away" are my two very favorite hymns and he played them together. Then Willie said there is a new gospel tune on his new album... called "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die." Isn't that me most 'Willie' thing you've ever heard? So they played that one right in between the classic hymns and closed out the show with "Amazing Grace." Jamey Johnson also showed up for those last few songs and played the guitar Lukas had played earlier, who was now playing someone elses. The rest of Willie's band and family there stood around singing or just picked up whatever instrument they could find and played.
Every few songs the lights would come down on just Willie and he would just tear up his beat up old guitar. I think it's amazing someone his age who has been playing like that for so long still even has fingers that move, but he does and he does it well. I'd always heard about his guitar playing and seen it in videos, but nothing compares to experiencing it live. He has one of the most recognizable voices and I feel like his music is the same way. Something about the sound of his guitar cannot be mistaken. I think his son Lukas favors him in many ways and I hope he keeps the family tradition going long after Willie is gone. Another son, Micah, played the drums a few times and harmonized a bit, but the real spotlight was on Lukas. Another favorite moment was when Willie asked Lukas to play "that song he wrote about honoring your father and mother." It was a really pretty song and really showed Lukas' strengths. It was truly a family ordeal and even the audience felt like we were a part of it. Several times throughout the show Willie would hand the spotlight over to his little sister on the piano, who I read he claims is the best musician in the family.
When the concert was over, Emily and I were just going to go look at the merch booth and head to a restaurant somewhere. Luckily she was paying attention to the front of the stage and saw that people were heading down there for autographs. She mentioned it to me and I brushed it off thinking those people were crazy, he is not coming out to sign autographs. Emily insisted that he was, and that I had better use my pushing skills to get us one. So we headed down there and I nearly knocked over a few grandmas and a little boy until I was close enough to see that Willie Nelson was, in fact, signing autographs and taking pictures. Who would have thought? That would definitely not have happened in Lubbock, but then again, I'm in a church with Willie Nelson. I'm NOT in Lubbock!
Are you ready for this?
Emily and I kept pushing patiently waiting our turn until we were close enough and Willie stuck out his hand to sign Emily's ticket and I snapped their picture and traded places with her. I handed him my ticket to sign and shook his hand. The only words I could muster up were "I love you!" He said "I love you, too," and kissed me on the cheek. Everyone waiting just gasped and said "awwww" and Emily said "DO IT AGAIN I HAVE TO GET A PICTURE!!!" So this time, I gave him a smooch without a second thought.
[Me and Willie]
[Emily and Willie]
We hopped up and got out before we got trampled by the rest of the crowd. I'm pretty sure we just floated to the car, high on life (or maybe it was a contact high....) and giggled the entire way to the restaurant and all through supper were just in disbelief. At least we have the pictures to prove it! It was by far the best concert experience I've ever had, even if I hadn't gotten to meet the legend that he is, this entire trip was worth it.
Willie's still got it. I don't think I'm alone when I say that I think he's immortal. Maybe it's is "recreational activities," or maybe it's just a miracle but I think he'll still be playing for many more years and I get to see him again someday.
