There are many musical communities and circles I am involved in, but the Muddy Roots family was one of my first.To say that my website wasn’t born during the Muddy Roots Music Festival would be a lie. I began going on day 1 in 2010, I found out about this on Myspace, and I began loving these bands featured at this festival.

Since then the festival had a few changes in format featuring some iconic main acts, whole musical genre changes, and moving forward to proving that it HAS NO genre classifications. Country, Bluegrass, Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk Metal, these bands are ALL welcomed here by us.

What do I mean by “us”? What do I MEAN by saying these people are family to me? Well I think the start of this article should clarify these statements to you, my dear readers. Many of the people that attend this festival year in and year out are some of the most wonderful friends I have. Some of them have attended funerals with me for loved ones, and for others that have attended. We have attended other shows from other communities of music together as close friends, celebrated children being born, watching them grow up. Some of them I watched graduate high school, and enter college.

Right near the front gate of the campground there is a waterfall and swimming area that many of us retreat off to during the earlier hot part of the day ( and by hot I mean HOT), that I had no idea was for sale. The festival director Mr. Jason Galaz is a realtor and a merchandise printer by trade, and this story was too unique NOT to print!

I have heard rumors of Mr. Jason making a shuttle service possible for us festival goers to go and swim and picnic out there in that area. I spoke with Mr. Nathan Davey this morning and he wanted me to extend an open WELCOME to ALL folks, and he had this to say:

We have a few plans, and more ideas for what we will be doing here. Our first project will be doing a lot of clean up, a bit of clearing and getting the basic services installed. We welcome all friends new and old to visit the falls at any time.

It’s been a long tradition of Muddy Roots Music Festival attendees to visit the local waterfalls and now 2 of them just bought it! Here’s the kicker, your promoter represented them as the buyer’s Realtor. We really are one big family! Waterloo Falls is located about a half mile from the gates of the Junebug Ranch that we host the festival on. On sunny days you can see truck loads of attendees venturing away for a cool dip. The property has always been privately owned and remains that way, but by one of our own “muddies.” Alice Weaver and Nathan Davey made the drive out from San Diego, California in 2018 to attend the 9th annual Muddy Roots Fest. It seems only in our field could you go on a cross country adventure to a festival and come back owning a waterfall. How cool is that? There have been mentions of an official shuttle to the falls from the Junebug as well as potential RV spots. We’ll update you as we see them develop the land. One thing is for sure though, they want to keep it as close as possible to what it is now. Just add in some space for folks to camp. These are good people! Listing agent was Skender Newton Realty Buyer’s agent was Jason Galaz at EXIT Realty Elite www.findahomeintn.com Your promoter is a real estate agent by day and festival planner by night. Jason Galaz the superhero. He can help you move to our booming Middle Tennessee area or get the hell out of dodge! www.findahomeintn.com

Yesterday I posted some great big news about Country Legend Miss Tanya Tucker, and in that article I said that many of the big names of the 90s are also making comebacks now. One of those names is Mr. Tracy Byrd, whose 1993 hit “Holding Heaven” marks it’s 25th year in 2019. He followed that up with a huge string of hits on ten studio albums, and gathered 34 singles emanating from four gold albums, one platinum, and one double platinum.

He has been taking time off and raising his family, restricting his shows to Texas only. But in 2019 he is changing that by touring on a national level alone and with fellow Texas hit maker Mr. Mark Chesnutt, who is playing the famed venue Red Rocks with Mr. Cody Jinks this year.

He still has not announced any plans for a new album in the near future but has indeed announced a plethora of show dates for 2019.

April 25 — Lebanon, Tenn. @ Cahoots
April 26 — Indianapolis, Ind. @ Saddle Up Saloon
April 27 — St. Charles, Ill. @ Arcada Theater
May 18 — Giddings, Texas @ Lee County Fair
June 1 — Fort Worth, Texas @ Billy Bob’s Texas
June 12 — Kearney, Neb. @ Merryman Performing Arts Center
June 14 — Karlstad, Minn. @ Kickin’ Country Festival
June 28 — Spring, Texas @ Big Texas
June 29 — Saldo, Texas @ Johnny’s Steaks & BBQ
July 24 — Longview, Wash. @ Cowlitz County Fair
July 26 — Caldwell, Idaho @ Canyon Country Fair
July 29 — Great Falls, Mont. @ Montana State Fair
Aug. 3 — Cambridge, Ohio @ Deerasic Classic
Aug. 6 — Hermiston, Ore. @ Umatilla County Fair
Aug. 7 — Tillamook , Ore. @ Tillamook County Fair
Aug. 8 — Albany, Ore. @ Riverfront Amphitheater
Aug. 23 — Knoxville, Tenn. @ Cotton Eyed Joe
Aug. 24 — Garden City, Ga. @ Garden City Bicentennial
Oct. 25 — Shipshewana, Ind. @ Bluegate Theater
Dec. 14 — Stafford, Texas @ Redneck Country Club
Dec. 21 — Beaumont, Texas @ Jefferson Theater

Right now I have a lengthy list of artists planning to make a comeback in 2019 that have previously been under the mainstream medias radar, but not under mine. In fact I have a list so long I could begin a series on them, but I just don’t have ample time to.

Tracey Byrd, John Anderson, Charlie Daniels, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Darrell Worley….watch those names on here folks, because I’ll be a busy man over the holiday weekend for sure. There are a few more I have not listed on there that illI amaze you with later.

Country Music Legend Miss Tanya Tucker has announced intentions to release a brand new album this year, and an extensive tour to support said album. We already heard her re make her 1972 hit Delta Dawn that Mr Larry Collins wrote, on the new Hellbund Glory album Pinball, and at 57 we still witnessed her vocal abilities as spot on.

Now, we haven’t heard any new music from her since 2002, and in 2009 she released an album of classic covers. This past January Miss Brandi Carlile and Mr. Shooter Jennings co produced an all new album of original material entitled “While I’m Living”, to be released in fall.

Originally it was intended to be only Shooter in the pilot seat as producer, however he called Miss Brandi before production got under way. As most of you know he produced her latest album “By The Way I Forgive You”, which secured a spot on my TOP 50 list of 2018.

He called her in for the songs and the songwriting, while he handled the music portion. Miss Brandi and her partners Mr Phil and Mr. Tom Hanseroth wrote most of the songs on the album. According to Mr. Shooter, Miss Brandi handled taking care of Miss Tanya beyond his own expectations. She knelt down beside her as she layed out the vocals on every song.

Now as of this time, nobody has released any information concerning the songs. Also, no touring information has been released, however there is a large documentary being filmed about her as they recorded this project called “Delta Dawn, Then And Now The Return Of Tanya Tucker”.

By Joshua Wallace

Photo Credit : Joshua Wallace

Mike and The Moonpies

On Sunday March 31st, 2019, I got to scratch a concert venue off my bucket list.  I have wanted to go to the Standard Deluxe in Waverly, AL and see a concert at their “Little House” room ever since I heard of it.  This is a small room with what I think is a capacity of 65. However, they book acts you would normally see in bigger rooms. I was excited to finally get a chance to go to this venue for my first time seeing Mike and The Moonpies.  I have been a fan of the band for a few years but they rarely make it to my area in the southeast for touring. There was no opening act and the band ripped right into one hell of a set.

Mike Harmeier and Bass Player Omar Oyoque

When you pull up to the venue, you realize right away that this is a small place.  You park on the side of the street and the first thing you see is the feed shack. I didn’t have time to eat this evening, but it looked like good food.  I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add a Standard Deluxe hat to my collection of hats. The gift store is a separate building next to the feed shack. From there, I went on into the little house, and it was a small place.  I didn’t have much time to take it in fully because the show was just about to start.

Mike and The Moonpies Jamming on “Damn Strait”

The band opened with the barn burner “Road Crew” off the band’s most recent album Steak Night At The Prairie Rose.  This was one of my favorites off this album and the band was on point from the first note. Next they hit “Mockingbird” off the album by the same name.  That was followed up by “The Last Time” and “Damn Strait”, both songs written by longtime friend of Mike And The Moonpies Jonathan Terrell. I particularly enjoy “Damn Strait” which is on The Hard Way album.

Zach Moulton on Pedal Steel

The band then hit “Steak Night At The Prairie Rose” which is probably my favorite of Mike’s autobiographical songs.  Another great tune they hit off that same album was “Might Be Wrong”. Mike mentioned that the band has a new record pretty much done and played a new track called “You Look Good In Neon”.  I can’t wait to hear the studio version of this because it was a bit of strong songwriting that I want to hear again. The band got to a deeper cut I wouldn’t have expected them to play in the single only release “Country Music’s Dead” which I loved when it was released.  

Mike Harmeier, Catlin Rutherford (lead guitar), Omar Oyoque (bass guitar), Zach Moulton (pedal steel), Kyle Ponder (drums)

They got to one of my favorite Moonpies songs “Me And Hayes” off the The Hard Way album.  It was paired with an amazing cover of “Willie, Waylon And Me” by originally by David Allan Coe.  This was easily a highlight of the night for me. There was another new song in the set called “Danger” which has me even more hype for the new record.  The band also hit “Beaches Of Biloxi” and “We’re Gone” from the newest album before closing the night out with “The Real Country”.

Mike and The Moonpies at The Standard Deluxe

I highly recommend checking out Mike and The Moonpies live when you get a chance to.  I also can’t say enough good things about the Standard Deluxe in Waverly, AL. The Little House is a great listening room and I don’t think you will find a better small crowd venue in the southeast.  I hope to get to see one of their bigger concerts at some point later this year in their outdoor venue. You can find Mike and The Moonpies tour dates here and you can find info on the Standard Deluxe here.  

I made a short drive today up to Cincinnati and the Newport Kentucky area to  one of America’s most iconic venues the Southgate House Revival. On my weekly list of concerts, I always include their show roster for the bands I like to cover. When you get into this business a four hour ride isn’t bad at all, and this lineup here was one that I couldn’t pass up. I missed last year’s because it coincided with W.B. Walker’s anniversary party in West Virginia. For a current list and ALWAYS kept up on weekly happenings go HERE.

I got to eat with some friends of mine I know from the Muddy Roots community, and got settled into a corner in the Sanctuary where I enjoyed the Comet Bluegrass All Stars, whom are local to the area. All of these fine artists play this venue quite often and play the Cincinnati area often as well. They played a ton of great Merle Haggard tunes for us, including the 1966 song “Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down” from the Swinging Doors album. “Silver Wings” was from the 1969 Okie From Muskogee album, and the song “Working Man’s Blues” was off the 1985 album called Amber Waves Of Grain.

I got to hear them play the traditional song called “In The Pines”, which is a very old Appalachian folk number and a vivid Bluegrass tune as well. They played the song “Lonesome Fugitive” and also a very good version of the “Orange Blossom Special”. This Bluegrass band was formed in 1996, and became the house band for the Ohio based neighborhood bar called The Comet, thusly the name.

We had several cancellation here because of illness, and Mr. Joe did a wonderful job of filling in the spots with people. I have three rooms of music going on simultaneously, so I have my work cut out for me tonight as I type I got two rooms I can hear. I’m about to wander into the Lounge room to catch up with Mr. Joey Allcorn, a young man I haven’t forgotten about but he took a short break.

Many of the acts tonight are all having fun celebrating the life and mourning the death of Country Music Icon Mr. Merle Haggard, so Mr. Joey was playing “Swinging Doors” when I got to see him first, and he followed that up with the Hank Williams classic “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It’. He played a wonderful version of Cocaine Blues and also covered the classic “Sing Me Back Home” from the 1967 album of the same name. He and my other buddy Mr. W.D. Miller were truly enjoying the ambiance of the venue tonight.

It was equally truly enjoyable to once again get to see Mr Joey perform again, and although I didn’t get to see him play any originals it was still a good set. Mr. Joey appears on many early roots albums like the classic Fifth On The Floor album called Ashes And Angels, and a few Hank III albums. He does some damn fine suit and tie Country Music, and like me he has a superb knack for history and runs a Facebook group that I thoroughly enjoy learning from.

The Brown County Indiana area is one I am well familiar with from a festival point of view. If you mention it to me I think of one thing….Bean Blossom. But also my beloved John Hartford crowd that I call my friends. This duo hails from that region, in the form of Mr John Bowyer and Miss Jayme Hood. I have been a big fan of what they do for a while now, and finally got to catch up with their set. This my friends, is the Hammer And The Hatchet.

Now one thing I want to point out here are how enjoyable all the covers were, and how they connected to Merle Haggard, whom was being remembered and celebrated here today. See folks April 6th is and will always be a hallowed and revered day, as the day Merle Haggard was born….and died. The song “I Always Get Lucky” was one George Jones recorded in 1983, but was Co wrote by Merle Haggard and one of my personal favorite people….Mr. Freddy Powers. I could ramble on for weeks about the significance of Mr. Freddy Powers in the spectrum of Country Music. The other Co writers were Mr Gary Church and Mr. Tex Whitson on that song.

“Insomnia Song” was next followed by a song from their Winter Fires album called Kentucky Anna Blues. This folk based duo really reminded me of Shovels And Rope, not only in style but their songs speak to me as an individual. They just have that intense chemistry in their ambiance, and it’s difficult to grasp that they have only been together a short time.

Mr. Sean Geil of the Tillers was there in the Lounge filling in for Mr. Billie Gant whom was Ill and had to cancel. I am sorry I missed his smiling face. Mr. Sean played a very nice set which included an old Doc Watson tune. After that I meandered upstairs to see a band I have covered many times called Luna And The Mountain Jets.

This band had a strong presence on my website for the 2018 festival season with both of their projects going strong within the Ohio, East Kentucky and West Virginia music communities. As I walked into their set upstairs they were already into the song “Thanksgiving Day”.

Mr. David Prince on lead guitar is always a strong presence with this band, and he makes his presence known with blazing guitar solos on songs like “Lies And Envy”. I have heard some news that they are playing a few new songs, but I did not catch any tonight here. I did get to catch them play “Pepsi Girl”, before moving on to take some more pictures and doing some research on the Appalachian Prison Book Project. Now I am going to tell you all more about this movement.

This man here I truly admire his music, and his versatile vocal style he so prominently displays. And in my opinion he is vastly overlooked even by the local music community, his name is Mr. Adam Lee. His latest album called Sincerely Me was a little bit different direction than his other more Honky Tonk albums, but still awesome nonetheless.

The Merle Haggard song “Rambling Fever” opened his set, which in 1977 was indeed his 22nd studio album recorded at the very zenith of his MCA tenure. I particularly love this album because it was one of the few that producer Mr Ken Nelson enlisted the production help of Hank Cochran. That album also boasts the song called “I Think It’s Gone Forever” which Haggard wrote with then wife Miss Leona Williams the year after it’s release in 1978.

He displayed that low growl on an old song from 2010 called “When The Spirit Moves Me” back when his band was called The Dead Horse Sound Company. Another song from that album was called “Holy Roller”. This man was truly a smart addition to today’s lineup here, given his unique ability to bend genres while maintaining his Roots sound. He holds dear to those wonderful traditional foundations like the rest of us as well, you can tell that in his demeanor.

He did play one from the Sincerely Me album called “Show Folks You Mean It”. I moved upstairs to the Revival room to see my buddy Mr Nathan Kahlish. I got to see him play “Bullies Win Again”. That song is a political song by him, now listen folks, most people go around saying that artists need to shut up and sing and leave politics out of music. I disagree. Do I agree with Liberal or Conservative music…no but I DO appreciate it. I listen, and I do analyze it. See I AM an adult, and I can make my own conclusions instead of being mean to others that see things differently.

I respect Mr Nathan and let me tell you why. He has many of his own opinions that he vividly displays in his music, but he was raised in a home very different from what he believes in. He knows both sides of the issues he has opinions on, he is INFORMED and like me, he gets along with EVERYONE. I have many friends that I don’t agree with politically or religiously but we remain the best of friends. I wrote up some news on his latest album and you can find that right HERE.

Miss Chelsea Nolan is one of my wonderful West Virginia community friends, and she agreed to come play for us in the Lounge. I got to see her play “Build A Fire” from her EP she released last year, and she also played a song called the “Serious Song”.

She told us tonight that she sometimes thinks she doesn’t write the greatest of songs but she does a pretty damn good job singing them. I’m not so sure I agreed with that statement I think she writes wonderfully and I always enjoy seeing her play.

I enjoyed her version of “Rock Candy Mountain” as I moved into the main Sanctuary to see the history being made by two giant Legends of Country Music ( and other genres ) Mr. Bill Kirchen and the man that was unanimously picked by the rest of the strangers to take the lead guitar duties after Mr. Roy Nichols did Mr. Redd Volkaert.

Mr. Bill Kirchen began a band called Commander Cody And The Lost Planet Airmen in 1969 where their peers described them as outlaws for breaking barriers with their creative style. They did things their way like production and recording, on labels like Hightone Records. Miss Kim Lenz spoke highly of him in our interview not long ago, and I have high regard for his influences.

Both of these men are respected Legends of the Telecaster guitar and their styles are well molded in the days of old and the anals of history. Some of his best work was featured on the live album “Deep In The Heart Of Texas”, which is a Holy Grail find for vinyl collectors. Another classic record that Mr. Bill made was called “King Of Diesel billy” in 2005, and is a prized piece of my collection.

Mr. Redd Volkaert played the 1967 “All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers” which actually was cut first by Mr Roy Drusky, but became Mr. Merle Haggards very first top ten record, and he named his band the Strangers due to it’s success.  He played a song called “Don’t Wanna Brag Here Comes The Hag”. Mr. Bill Kirchen played some awesome nostalgic songs like “Truck Stop At The End Of The World” which was released in 2001 on the Tied To The Wheel album. Also included in his set was the song called ” Mamma Hated Diesels” which was a Commander Cody song .

He played the song called “Wine Wine Wine Do Your Stuff” which I wanted to ask him more about, and didn’t have time to stop. I’ll have to email him later on this because I had a LOT OF running around to do. I had to run across the hall and catch my brother from another mother, my buddy Mr Josh Morningstar.

He started out with his song that got cut by Mr. Cody Jinks on his latest album called Lifers called “Must Be The Whiskey”, and he followed that up with a song he wrote about drug dealers called “Damn These Birds”. He wasn’t feeling well tonight but he didn’t fail to entertain us with a rousing rendition of Mr. Roger Miller’s “Dang Me”.

Much like Mr. Joey Allcorn and I, Mr. Josh has a knack for Country Music History too. He reads and he studies many of the books and websites that enrich our minds with all that wonderful information of days of old. And he molded his new hit single called “Jerry Lee” after the great Legend Jerry Lee Lewis. There have been many books and movies done about this man and his lifetime of antics, and this song touches on many of them in Grand fashion.

I truly think that the spirit of Merle Haggard was with us tonight as the many acts played many of his songs here. Right now I am in between sets for two of the rooms about to catch Miss Jaime Wyatt in the Sanctuary room, while Mr. Nathan Kahlish is upstairs.

Miss Jaime Wyatt is in the process of recording a new album and she played two songs from that upcoming project. One called “By Your Side” , and another I did not catch the name of about Whiskey and Coke. But in the meantime, she played a terrific set tonight full of songs from her Felony Blues album.

She started out with “Wishing Well” and went into a good performance of “Stone Hotel” which chronicles her unwanted tenure in prison. Her music speaks to me in many ways because like her, I too had my share of demons with narcotic use back in the day. However I never had any run ins with prison time as her album and title song “Felony Blues” suggests.

She played her own version of the Merle Haggard classic “Misery And Gin” from the 1980 album called Back To The Barrooms that Mr. Snuff Garrett wrote. “From Outer Space” was next right as I began to switch rooms to see other sets tonight. I went upstairs in the Sanctuary to catch a band that was introduced to me by Miss Kim Grant called 500 Miles To Memphis, and I will tell you about their new album on here called Blessed Be The Damned.

Their new 11 track record was just recently released, and was in my TO DO stack for some time now. That’s NOT a bad thing folks, I get SO MUCH music that I LOVE and it’s just basically me doing mail in submissions. Mr. Joshua Wallace does most of our album reviews, but some get sent directly to me.

The album opens with a revival type song called “The River” which breaks right up into their classic punk influenced steing band music. This band would be a perfect fit for Muddy Roots and other festivals, so many bands have played I missed they may already have and I missed it.  This is basically just rowdy genre bending good music.

“Hold On Tight”, was another good song that had a punk taste to it, but maintained almost a thrash metal break for a few moments, and then goes into a Roots music sound as well. It’s just a different approach to Roots music that I truly enjoyed live. I defiantly enjoyed this band live more than the recording..not that the album was bad at all.

Mr. Joe Macharet played tonight with his side band called Joe’s Truck Stop. He is a current active member of the Tillers another Ohio based outfit that recorded an iconic live album here at the Southgate House Revival in 2012. They played one of my favorite songs “Tobacco Spitting Gal”, and took turns blazing solos all over the stage. “Hearts Made Of Stone” was next, and another song I caught was called “Back In Time”.

Hey look my old friend Laid Back Country Picker is here to close out the show in the Sanctuary. He started out with a cover of “Are You Ready For The Country”, and went into his hilarious song called “Party Line”. Miss Honey was shopping for merch earlier and I caught her in the act of buying some of Miss Jaime Wyatt’s stuff.

He played a BRAND NEW song tonight called “Playing Country Music And Treating People Right”. It’s pretty much a self explanatory song about being good to your fellow man. I have always admired Laid Back for his pleasant demeanor, and his classic Country sound. He told us all about “Kathy With An 8 Ball” and the last song I got see him play was “Truck Stop Sam”.

Mr. Laid back Country Picker stopped by my inbox this morning and he had THIS to say: I hope to record this new record in July. I am taking the hillbillies to Nashville to do it, and we are going to lay it on them! So folks when the time comes for him to elaborate on his new project we will be watching him close.

A FEW ACTS I MISSED:
Michael Moeller:

A songwriter looks through a different lens when he looks at the world around him. At any second a flicker of light, a statement in a passing conversation, or the deafening intensity of silence can become the catalyst for the chance to write the next song. The race to put on paper the fleeting thought. One that won’t take long before it vanishes.

   That craft has been in the life of Michael Moeller ever since he picked up an instrument and knew he had something to say. Referred to as an “Old Soul”, Michael writes the songs he sees around him, writes the songs he feels, and writes the songs he experiences: life, loss, love, joy, and faith.

Slippery Creek:

Slippery Creek is a group of young pickers from the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. Focusing on the deep traditional roots, Slippery Creek brings that old time style of hard drivin’ bluegrass to today’s audience. With lonesome vocal harmonies and solid instrumental arrangements, they will take you back to the early days of the Grand Ole Opry.

The Tammy Whynots:

This was a local band that is regarded VERY highly by the people in this area, that included some clever puns into their music. I’m not sure if they were indeed originals or not, and didn’t have really find any way to contact the band at all. I did get to hear some of their setlist tonight as they played some covers. They played “Fist City” and the Webb Pierce classic “There Stands The Glass”. Also included in their set was a song called “Smokin Something” which I’m not truly sure if that was an original or not.  However I do remember hearing “Harper Valley PTA”.

In closing I wanted to send out my most HEARTFELT THANKS to Miss Morella Raleigh and her wonderful and freindly staff. Even though I only drink cokes and water they were kind and accepted my tips for cokes with just as much kindness as the ones drinking alcohol. I really cannot drink much anymore, and never did while working a job anyways, I have to remember EVERY detail of the job. You’ll never see many GOOD photographers drunk!

By Joshua Wallace

Photo Credit : Joshua Wallace

On Saturday March 30th, I had the pleasure of seeing the king of modern country music George Strait live for the first time.  He had a whole afternoon’s worth of opening acts including the new ACM New Female Artist Of The Year Ashley McBryde, “Buy Me A Boat” songwriter Chris Jansen and one of my favorite guitar players and singers to see live, Chris Stapleton.  With that kind of lineup, I knew I was in for one good show and the evening did not disappoint.

This show was at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA and this was actually my first experience at this stadium.  I must say, it’s facilities are top notch. The sound was perfect and the seating was comfortable. I also have to comment on the reasonably priced food options at the event.  $8 for a burrito at a stadium isn’t bad. If you’re buying alcohol, it can get expensive there, but you probably already knew that going in.

Ashley McBryde

The evening kicked off with Ashley McBryde opening things right at 4pm and she put on a great show.  I have been a fan of Ashley’s since I first heard “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” and she does not disappoint live.  It was amazing hearing these songs in front of what had to be one of her biggest audiences even with people still making it to their seats.  She opened with one of my favorite songs of hers “Livin’ Next To Leroy” and I was pleased to hear that one live. The track “Girl Going Nowhere” really resonates at this point in her career as she is really starting to take off.  She hit a few tracks from her Girl Going Nowhere album including “American Scandal” and “Tired Of Being Happy”. She even got to a deeper cut that I can’t find on an album called “Rattlesnake Preacher”. I need to see a full concert of her’s at some point in the near future.

Chris Janson

The next opening act was also on time at 4:45pm and it was Chris Janson.  While I do enjoy “Buy Me A Boat”, I’m not the biggest fan of Janson’s music but I was looking forward to seeing him live.  Part of his performance was him without a guitar, jumping around on stage pandering to the crowd. This did nothing for the songs he was trying to sing like “Fix A Drink” or “Buy Me A Boat” and I didn’t care for this portion of his performance.  However, when he picked up a guitar and sang a Hank Williams tune followed by “White Trash” mixed in with “A Country Boy Can Survive”, it started getting better. The sentimental track “Holdin’ Her” was probably the best moment of his set.

Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton Jamming

Paul Franklin on Pedal Steel

Up next in the 6:15pm slot was Chris Stapleton.  I last saw Chris live in November, 2017 and he has only got better since.  He started things off with “Midnight Train To Memphis” and by this point in the evening, the sound was perfect for where I was at in the lower bowl.  Right away I noticed something different, Chris had a pedal steel player sitting in with him tonight. It was none other than pedal steel legend Paul Franklin.  He has played with just about anyone you can name live and on record and it was a treat hearing him here. I just wish I could be closer to the stage, right up next to the pedal steel in my usual spot for these kind of performances.  He then got into a long set of hits with “Nobody To Blame”, “Traveller”, “Millionaire”, “Broken Halos”, “Whiskey and You”, “Was It 26” and more. He even got into his signature live cover of “Freebird” before “The Devil Named Music”. Nothing felt cut short and he got a full set minus the encore.  The band closed things out with “Tennessee Whiskey” which is always a treat to hear live because no one does this song like he does.

George Strait

Stadium Effect for “Ocean Front Property”

Next up was the main event, George Strait.  He played a long 30+ song set and hit at least something from 16 of his 30 studio albums.  This also included 3 covers which were 2 Merle Haggard songs and 1 Tom Petty song. He hit major tracks like “Amarillo By Morning”, “I Can Still Make Cheyenne”, “Check Yes Or No”, “Ocean Front Property” and “Troubadour”.  That last one is my favorite Strait tune so I was glad he got to it. The albums that got the most cuts with 4 were his newest Honky Tonk Time Machine and his 2006 record It Just Comes Natural. George hit all of the singles from his latest effort including “God And Country Music”, “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar” and “The Weight Of The Badge”.  I was hoping for a Willie Nelson appearance on “Sing One With Willie”, but you can’t win them all. He did a 5 song encore to wrap up the night which included the western swing number “All My Ex’s Live In Texas”, “Heartland”, “I Cross My Heart”, the Tom Petty cover “You Wreck Me” and the finale of “The Cowboy Rides Away”. Overall, I thought it was a great set that hit most of what you would want to hear from George Strait.  I highly recommend seeing him in concert at this point in his career. It’s well worth the expensive ticket.

To wrap things up, I had an amazing time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for this show.  I have read about some sound issues with people on the floor, and others who were higher in the upper level that had their view of the big monitors cut off.  These are issues that the stadium will work on as time goes on. My section of the lower bowl had a perfect sound mix so I can’t complain. George Strait is touring more this year with shows like this and varying opening acts depending on the market.  For more info, check out his website for dates.

“The Cowboy Rides Away”

Ashley Mcbryde Setlist :

Livin’ Next to Leroy
American Scandal
Girl Goin’ Nowhere
Rattlesnake Preacher
A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega
Tired of Being Happy

Chris Janson Setlist :

Redneck Life
Everybody
Fix a Drink
Good Vibes
Gonna Have a Good Time
Who’s Your Farmer
Your Cheatin’ Heart
(Hank Williams Sr. Cover)
White Trash / A Country Boy Can Survive
Check
Everybody’s Going Through Something
Holdin’ Her
I Love This Life
(LOCASH cover)
Piano Man
(Billy Joel cover)
Drunk Girl
Buy Me a Boat

Chris Stapleton Setlist :

Midnight Train to Memphis
Nobody to Blame
Hard Livin’
Millionaire
Fire Away
Might as Well Get Stoned
Was It 26
(The Charlie Daniels Band cover)
Whiskey and You
Broken Halos
Second One to Know
Traveller
I Was Wrong
Free Bird
(Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
The Devil Named Music
Outlaw State of Mind
Death Row
Parachute
Tennessee Whiskey
(David Allan Coe cover)

George Strait Setlist :

Write This Down
I Can Still Make Cheyenne
I Saw God Today
Here for a Good Time
She’ll Leave You With a Smile
Wrapped
Check Yes Or No
You Take Me For Granted
(Merle Haggard cover)
Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)
(Merle Haggard cover)
Cold Beer Conversation
How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls
Arkansas Dave
Give It Away
It Just Comes Natural
Every Little Honky Tonk Bar
Ocean Front Property
Blue Clear Sky
The Weight of the Badge
Codigo
God and Country Music
Amarillo by Morning
The Chair
The Fireman
Run
I’ll Always Remember You
Troubadour
Unwound

Encore:
All My Ex’s Live in Texas
Heartland
I Cross My Heart
You Wreck Me
(Tom Petty cover)
The Cowboy Rides Away

Right now I am currently holed up in my Atlanta hotel room, working on an arena job for Country Music Legend Mr. George Strait, and last night we had a side job at another show. Last weekend in Nashville I ventured down to The Basement East to visit with my Red Dirt friends as they welcomed the wonderfully talented Mr. William Clark Green. I haven’t had the opportunity to cover his music since two years ago at Tumbleweed.

He released his new album called “Hebert Island” last year, which ranked high on many year end lists by websites like mine, however tonight he only played a few songs from that album. Many of them were from the “Ringling Road” album, in fact it was almost played in it’s entirety. However, I didn’t mind that little fact of the show. This man and his band tours America quite often, and when they hit my area I usually have 4 or 5 opportunities to catch him, like Southgate House or Minglewood Hall in Memphis.

I like the Basement East for the sound quality of the entire venue overall, I don’t believe I ever had an unsatisfactory report on the sound or lighting there. There isn’t much of a food option here, as the only thing to eat was an overpriced ham sandwich with a cheese name I couldn’t pronounce. Eat before you go to this venue, or starve…take it from a diabetic…do not starve. One great thing I want to point out about this venue is the staff, they are absolutely amazing and friendly! ALL of them, even the door people.

William Clark Green is going to be part of several festivals in 2019 including Lone Star Jam, and Cotton Festival, and Larry Joe Taylor Festival. So he always has some exciting news for all of us involved in the Red Dirt Texas music scene. He opened his set with a song from the Ringling Road album called “Sticks And Stones”, which like I mentioned before he played a lot of songs from.

The “Rose Queen” album was also well represented tonight boasting quite a few selections like the next song called “Remedy”. One of my favorite songs that he does was called “Creek Don’t Rise” , his unique vocal style was showcased quite well here tonight with that song. The only one true complaint I had was that he really didn’t play any selections from his first two albums, called “Misunderstood’ and “Dangerous Man”. If I had to sit and analyze his entire catalog he slightly changed direction during the “Rose Queen” album, perhaps because Red Dirt was changing in 2010 in many ways.

I kind of think Texas music embraces it’s roots while it has evolved into it’s own identity as well, and that might be the reason for his slight change for the ‘Rose Queen” album. You either like the sound or you don’t, some of my readers say it’s just Texas pop country, and others really love the music they play. I myself enjoy it all to be honest.

Here are some new friends I met down here that now enjoy reading our website, I’m always meeting new friends and turning people on to great new music. Networking is a very important tool in my job here in the music business.

He played the title track to his new “Hebert Island” album, which is a uptempo rabble rousing song about a Cajun party on an island. Further on in his set tonight he played the song called “She Loves Horses” , which is a song that exemplifies my idea of holding true to the roots of Texas music in every way. This song is a good rodeo tune about a wild and free woman, that used to be in his life. This song could have easily graced the mainstream radio airwaves back in the 90’s, had it been around.

“Next Big Thing” was once again off ‘Ringling Road” and was the opening song from his LIVE Ringling Road album recorded at Gruene Hall. it’s kind of a joke song about the truth of the industry, and how poor traveling songwriters really can be. Everybody is telling them they are on the verge of super stardom, while in truth they cannot afford gas station roller dogs!  As he steamrolled right into his trademark song ‘Ringling Road” that makes the entire audience sing DA DA DA DA DA DA…..even I was involved in that!

He told us all a story about Mr. Randy Rogers Band before he played his slow song called “Still Think About You” , a truly sad song about lost love. He played a few songs I didn’t totally catch as I was jotting other things down, and paying attention to another issue, but his next song was 2013’s title cut called “Rose Queen”. This one is a great song about a country boy that hooked up with a gorgeous prom queen type gal from his hometown, that went off to college and returned pretending to not know him.

“Goner” was a good song off the new “Hebert Island” album, and he followed that up with another selection off the album called “Hit You Where it Hurts”. “This is Us” was also a selection from the new album, that reflects upon lovers fighting and being in love as well. There are many good lines in this song here, and even though I am single, it speaks to me in many ways.

He closed this wonderful set with his most well known song called “She Likes The Beatles” , overall I REALLY enjoyed the set and I had a wonderful time tonight. It’s well worth the small ticket price for this venue, and if you get the chance to catch him in your area, I highly suggest you go.

GRAND OLE OPRY MEMBER, JEANNIE SEELY, INCLUDED IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM’S EXHIBIT, AMERICAN CURRENTS: THE MUSIC OF 2018

Many times the Country Music Hall Of Fame intrigues me, and I love to go there to learn about things. I usually go many times a year for the rotating exhibits like this one here. If ANY OF YOU enjoyed last year’s season one of Mr. Tyler Mahan Coe’s wonderful podcast called Cocaine And Rhinestones, you will be happy to find out that it has also been included in this exhibit.

Miss Molly Tuttle truly deserves to be included in this exhibit as she is making serious waves in the Bluegrass circuit as well as Miss Sierra Hull. Another happening I wanted to touch on was the fact that the family of Mr. John Hartford was included, and I’m not tonally sure why other than the fact that last year during the festival they released HIS ENTIRE CATALOG of music during the festival.

This particular exhibit will run from March 8th to February 9th 2020.

NASHVILLE, TN. – (March 11, 2019) – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently held an invitation only event to reveal the new American Currents: The Music of 2018 exhibit. Country music royalty and Grammy award winning Grand Ole Opry Star, Jeannie Seely is included in the museums first exhibition of 2019 alongside her friend, Carly Pearce, and many other peers. The exhibit runs through Feb. 8, 2020.

“Anytime I can see Jeannie Seely and ‘current’ in the same sentence I’m thrilled!  It is such an honor to be represented anywhere in this building, and to be included in thisAmerican Currents exhibit with some of my peers is especially rewarding,” said Jeannie Seely.  “It is also very exciting to share the display with my friend, Carly Pearce, who I believe holds the future in her hands. I appreciate so much the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum including me in the class of 2018.”

Carly Pearce stated, “Country music has been my life since before I can even remember – even my parents said the only thing that would stop me from crying as a baby was the sounds of Vince Gill, Patsy Cline, Alison Krauss and many more legendary voices. So it is truly in moments like these, that I have to take a deep breath before believing it’s real and to have a mentor and friend like Jeannie alongside me in life and this exhibit is something I only could have dreamed. I hold the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum and the Grand Ole Opry in such high esteem and am so grateful to be a part of this moment. Thank you to my dear friend & mentor, Jeannie Seely, for completely surprising me with a sneak peek last week of the exhibit. I love country music more than anything in the world and can’t believe this is real.”

Each year, American Currents carefully examines the previous year in country music, defined broadly to include country-related styles such as Americana and bluegrass music, and offers rich detail about the noteworthy figures and events in country music’s recent past.

The 2018 class of American Currents is composed of artists, songwriters, broadcasters, and several class members were in attendance at a reception held last week to see their displays for the first time. Those attending the opening reception included: John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Matraca Berg, Bobby Bones, Alison Brown, Kane Brown, Becky Buller, Brad Clawson, Rodney Clawson, Tyler Mahan Coe, Chris Eldridge, Dom Flemons, Nicolle Galyon, John Hartford’s family, Sierra Hull, Manuel, Country Music Hall of Fame member Reba McEntire, Justin Moses, Missy Raines, Jeannie Seely, and Molly Tuttle.

Others featured in the exhibit include Jason Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Pistol Annies, John Prine, Chris Stapleton, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

SPACELAND, ECHO AND GRAND OLE ECHO PRESENT
ROOTS ROADHOUSE FESTIVAL 2019

March 31, 2019; 3pm /All Ages
@ Echo and Echoplex  (entrance at 1154 Glendale Blvd)

Los Angeles, CA January 29th, 2019– Roots Roadhouse is the kick off event to the Grand Ole Echo –The Los Angeles-based live roots music series.  Roots Roadhouse is an all day festival taking place at Echo and Echoplex stages plus the Echo patio stage and string performers and square dancing at the Old Time Is A Good Time Stage.   

Roots Roadhouse is inspired by the outlaw country spirit and cosmic cowboy soul; different genres are showcased during the mini fest that are all part of American roots music.  This years performers  include the “Ragin’ Cajun” Doug Kershaw with the Dave & Deke Combo,  bluesman Cedric Burnside, honky tonk singer Dallas Moore, rockabilly king James Intveld, murder ballad balladeer Amigo the Devil plus Zephania Ohora, Ruby Boots, Alice Wallace and Teddy & the Rough Riders.

In addition to the live performances there will be BBQ from Shadygrove foods, vintage clothing and instrument vendors and country music memorabilia on display.

Spaceland, Echo and Grand Ole Echo Present
ROOTS ROADHOUSE 2019! 

March 31, 2019; 3pm /all ages
@ Echo and Echoplex  (entrance at 1154 Glendale Blvd)

SPOTIFY SAMPLER OF ROOTS ROADHOUSE ARTISTS

Over 20 Artists! $33 Advance / $35 Day of Show / $48 VIP

TICKETS

Line up for Echo & Echoplex Stages: (set times tbd)
Alice Wallace
Amigo The Devil
Cedric Burnside
Dallas Moore
Doug Kershaw
elijah Ocean
James Intveld
Ruby Boots
Sam Morrow
Teddy And The Tough Riders
Zepheniah Ohora

Grand Ole Echo  “Back Porch” Stage:
Blue Rose Rounders
Desure
Dylan Earl
Gus Clark
Leroy From The North
Sie Sie Benhoff
Victoria Baily

Old Time Is A Good Time Stage:
Capgun Holdups
Have More Fun Stringband, with Square Dance caller Jeremy Horton
High Life Cajun Band
Water Tower
Wicklow Atwater

A limited quantity of tickets at a discounted price are up for sale and will remain posted until we sell out of them.

Purchase
https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1804431?utm_medium=bks

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For more information:  http://www.spacelandpresents.com/event/1804431-roots-roadhouse-2019-doug-los-angeles/ 

Riders In The Sky Live 5/4!