The song written 50 years ago in the hills of Tennessee by Bordleaux and Felice Bryant that evolved into the official Tennessee state song is being celebrated today in Gatlinburg. Rocky Top, one of the most recognizable tunes in sports, was born in room 388 of the historic Gatlinburg Inn in 1967. It was there in room 388 where married songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant were writing up songs for singer Archie Campbell in August of that year. Despite the fact that the Bryant’s were known for writing slow songs, they decided to try their hand at something up-tempo. With a guitar in hand, they wrote Rocky Top in just ten minutes. Together they wrote songs like “We Could” for Kitty Wells and “Bye Bye Love” for the Everly Brothers, but their most notable song commercially was ‘You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” by David Frizzell And Shelly West.
Rocky Top was written in August of 1967 and was originally recorded by Bobby and Sonny Osborne who were making a name for themselves in the Bluegrass realm, as well as on the Opry. However in that era the Osborne Brothers were receiving copious amounts of negative press for beginning to perform their mega hit with amplified instruments, which was absolutely unheard of for a Bluegrass band. They remained performing the song amplified until the early 1970s when they moved to the new Opry house and faced an earlier noise ordinance rule.
In 1982 the song was officially adopted as the Tennessee state song, and was adopted by the Tennessee Volunteers or VOLS, and can be vividly heard at the stadium every weekend. Without a doubt this song is a Bluegrass anthem and although many local bands deem it to be the “Wagon Wheel” of Bluegrass Music, it remains a timeless unscathed classic song. The duo of the Bryants brought so much joy and happiness to so many through their songwriting tenure, and embellished Country, Rock and Bluegrass in many ways.
Their signature brand of off the cuff Country blended with Southern Rock and other genres comes to life with this new five song acoustic EP. Recently the band had a little bit of trouble with their previous label, and recorded this new project themselves.
You know folks It’s extremely difficult to manage catching up with over 3,000 bands on a live basis under this many genres and festivals, but I think I do pretty good job of swinging it. I have two other field helpers that work for me in various places across the United States, and we do our best to mix it up and feature as many as possible.
Mr. Josh Mitcham recently stopped by and left me this official statement for us:
It’s pretty much a love letter to our hometown and families. Sinking Creek is a place where we’ve spend many summer days camping and swimming. Gonna Be Alright is a song I wrote about being a dad of a daughter and about the struggles of being a grown up! Small Town Jimmy is about a guy I knew that kind of fell into a familiar small town tragedy: minimum wage jobs, young family, drugs, etc. Anna Won’t You Wait is for Paul’s Daughter Anna. And Weep No More is just about how it seems like we are always rushing to get back to our homes and Kentucky as fast as we can every time we leave our families behind.
We cut it live in one afternoon at out producer Skidd Millls house. One cut vocals. We wanted it to sound like you really were sitting at a bonfire with our the people we love. And no one was telling us what to say or asking us to add this or that. It’s pretty raw, but this is how they sound when we write them. So, it’s special.
This man is absolutely amazing in many ways, not only is he preserving much of Downtown Nashville by making sure the famed bar that opened it’s doors in 1948, and recently opened in 2015 remains unscathed, but he has also created many new options for this upcoming younger generation to learn about Country Music History.
Skull’s founder and general manager Mr. David Wileman will remain the general manager of the bar and restaurant located in the basement of the Southern Turf Building and the current staff will not be altered. The establishment will also stay the same as far as menu and appearance.
About Skull’s Rainbow Room
Skull’s Rainbow Room is a casual yet elegant tribute to David “Skull” Schulman and the former fine dining establishments of Nashville’s Historic Printers Alley.
Our critically acclaimed menu created by Executive Chef, Gannon M. Leary, showcases his continental twist on American classics. Premium handcrafted cocktails and an eclectic beer and wine list complement the award winning cuisine. We pay homage to the entertainment of yesteryear with burlesque and live music nightly.
Schulman opened the Rainbow Room in the lower level of the landmark Southern Turf Building in 1948. During Skull’s five-decade tenure, the legendary venue transformed multiple times; jazz, burlesque, country, strip-tease, and rock ‘n’ roll all claim chapters in its history.
Etta James, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Lee Lewis, and comedian Andy Griffith have all graced our original checker-board stage. Today’s entertainers, including Brett Eldrege, Dierks Bentley, and Tim McGraw continue the legacy.
Sadly, in January of 1998, David “Skull” Schulman was murdered during a robbery in his beloved club. People from all walks of life mourned his passing. The iconic Rainbow Room closed shortly thereafter, staying shuttered for almost 17 years.
After an extensive three year renovation, we are proud and honored to once again open the doors of David Schulman’s World Famous SKULL’S RAINBOW ROOM.
All attendees must purchase a wristband. Tent camping is included with purchase. RV passes must be purchased additionally. RV Pass holders please select the CAR CAMPING Wristband.
Adult Weekend Wristbands Include Your Choice of Tent Camping Options:
CAR CAMPING
Car camping sites are 20′ x 25′ and can accommodate one vehicle and tents. This includes VW buses and the like. No towable pop-ups, campers or RVs on tent sites. Weekend wristbands include GA tent camping, each person in the vehicle camps on the same site, not 1 site per person. FOR RV PASS HOLDERS ALSO.
-OR-
DRAG & DROP WOODS CAMPING
By selecting Drag and Drop Camping, you will park your vehicle in the designated D&D lot and carry (not drive) your tents/hammocks to set up in the woods. Absolutely no vehicles permitted to drive into wooded camping. These are group sites. Nope, still no campfires please. NOT FOR RV PASS HOLDERS.
RV PASSES
If you are towing ANYTHING, you must purchase an RV pass based upon your length. Pop-ups, campers, and RVs less than 16′ are considered SMALL RV. All towable campers and RVs longer than 16′ are LARGE RV. ADA camping is still located closest to the main venue. NO ELECTRICAL OR WATER HOOK UPS.
If you wish to camp with friends driving separate vehicles, you MUST arrive in line at the gate at the same time. Plan a meeting spot nearby and drive in together. Campsites may not be held or reserved.
SMALL RV PASS
Small RV sites are 25′ x 30′. This pass accommodates towable campers UNDER 16′. There are no hook-ups available. Only one RV pass needed per RV campsite. This pass does not come with Weekend Wristband, you must purchase both a Wristband and an RV pass. These sites are festival style (snuggle up to your neighbor) camping in the field. Measure it out in your yard- 1 car, 1 camper and maybe a little tent. RV passes do not include weekend admission. Please be sure to purchase your weekend wristband ahead of time. RV pass availability NOT guaranteed for purchase at the gate.
LARGE RV PASS
Large RV sites are 25’x 50′. This pass accommodates towable campers, RVs and buses LONGER than 16′. There are no hook-ups available. Only one RV pass needed per RV campsite. These sites are festival style (snuggle up to your neighbor) camping in the field. RV passes do not include weekend admission. Please be sure to purchase your weekend wristband ahead of time. RV pass availability NOT guaranteed for purchase at the gate.
Generators are not permitted to run during the night. If you require a generator for health reasons, please seek an electric campsite at Kestelwoods Campground, 1/2 mile away.
WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO CAMPERS
Medical and security staff
Lost and found
Water: Fresh, cool well water will be provided at designated stations.
Trash, compost and recycling service stations: Help us reduce the waste stream – be conscious of your food and beverage packaging. Take care of your own waste at the numerous stations provided. Please bring reusable water containers, and do not bring store bought single use plastic bottled water. We provide the coolest, cleanest water around. Bottled water depletes the very aquifers that supply our wells. Bottled water will not available for purchase on site.
Food: is available for purchase from our incredible vendors satisfying all types of palates and dietary needs.
Ice: is available for purchase from the Cadillac Ski Team booth.
ACCESSIBILITY
Restrooms: handicap accessible restrooms are available throughout the festival. Please refer to the festival map for locations.
Service Animals: Any patron arriving at the festival with a service animal will need to have their service animal credentialed during check in at the gate. This process will be conducted with respect and understanding. After the service animal has been credentialed by festival staff, important information will be provided to the disabled individual. Once your service animal has been credentialed, staff are not likely to question you again unless the animal causes a problem. Any patron bringing a non-service animal will be not permitted onto any of the festival grounds, including camping areas.
PARKING
Hoxeyville has finite space, we strongly encourage (what we really mean is REQUIRE) carpooling.
ADA parking is limited (placard required), and located closest to the main venue. Simply show placard and request this upon arrival.
OFFSITE CAMPING
½ MILE AWAY
Kestelwoods Campground
10860 West 48½ Road
Wellston, MI 49689
(231) 862-3476 kestelwoodscampground.com
TWO MILES AWAY
Coolwater Campground
9424 West 48½ Road
Wellston, MI 49689
(231) 862-3481 coolwatercamp.com
Fayetteville Roots Festival is a five-day, intimate, urban music and food festival taking place August 23 – 27, 2017 in Northwest Arkansas. The festival features over 10 music stages and multiple culinary stages and events. The EXPERIENCE FAYETTEVILLE & KUAF MainStage at Fayetteville Town Center is the center of the festival and features nationally known musicians/bands paired with undiscovered regional and local talent. The festival also features additional events and stages across Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville & Bentonville) including George’s Majestic Lounge, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Fayetteville Public Library, Maxine’s Taproom, Kingfish Dive Bar, Stage 18, The Chancellor Hotel, Brightwater Culinary School, and the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market. The Roots Festival is a showcase of many of the elements that make the Fayetteville community and Northwest Arkansas region a beloved cultural hot spot.
“Roots” is intentionally used to describe both the music and food of the festival. The festival is dedicated to showcasing what makes this region of the Ozarks so unique. The festival features a musical style that is diverse and rooted in many uniquely American musical styles such as Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, Jazz, Country, and more. The festival also supports local farmers, chefs, and restaurants, focusing on locally grown produce, locally raised meats and locally produced products from the Ozarks. Mix in film screenings, live radio broadcasts, workshops, a kids/family concert, live art, and patrons from over 25 states and countries and you’ll find out why folks have fallen in love with The Roots Festival.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24TH
AN EVENING WITH RAY WYLIE HUBBARD Buy Tickets
FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR, AUGUST 25TH
6PM-9PM
AMY HELM, EARL & THEM (Earl Cate) Buy Tickets
FRIDAY LATE NIGHT, AUGUST 25TH
ELEPHANT REVIVAL, MANDOLIN ORANGE Buy Tickets
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26TH
ARKANSAUCE, NATIONAL PARK RADIO Buy tickets
The Fayetteville Roots Festival is excited to partner with the Chancellor Hotel new official festival lodging. Artists and Festivilians enjoy staying in one central location in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. The Chancellor is within walking distance (1 block from festival mainstage, 6 blocks or less the majority of the of the other festival stages.
Please email fayettevilleroots@gmail.com for hotel waitlist.
The Chancellor Hotel
Ad 4.2
$63
$79
3-star hotel
Sleek lodging with a casual bistro
Free Wi-Fi
DEAL 20% off
La Quinta Inn & Suites Fayetteville
Ad 4.2
$95
3-star hotel
Casual hotel with a pool & fitness room
Free Wi-Fi
The Chancellor Hotel
4.2
$63
$79
3-star hotel
Sleek lodging with a casual bistro
Free Wi-Fi
DEAL 20% off
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fayetteville-Univ Of Ar Area
4.4
$98
2-star hotel
Modern hotel with free breakfast & WiFi
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Value Place Fayetteville
3.5
2-star hotel
Pared-down studios in a basic hotel
Pratt Place Inn and Barn
4.5
$174
3-star hotel
Upscale hideaway with refined rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Econo Lodge
3.5
$59
3-star hotel
Basic hot with an outdoor pool
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
The Inn at Carnall Hall
4.1
$145
Hotel
Refined campus hotel with a restaurant
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Staybridge Suites Fayetteville/Univ of Arkansas
4.3
$96
4-star hotel
Informal hotel with a gym & indoor pool
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
DEAL 15% less than usual
Super 8 – Fayetteville
3.6
$49
2-star hotel
Budget hotel with free WiFi & breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Candlewood Suites Fayetteville-Univ of Arkansas
4.2
$86
2-star hotel
Casual all-suite hotel with a gym
Free Wi-Fi
Best Western Windsor Suites
3.9
$85
2-star hotel
Unfussy hotel with free WiFi & breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Hampton Inn Fayetteville
4.3
$109
3-star hotel
Relaxed hotel with free breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Motel 6
2.8
$52
2-star hotel
Simple budget lodging with free WiFi
Free Wi-Fi
Regency 7
3.5
$63
2-star hotel
Functional motel with free breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
La Quinta Inn & Suites Fayetteville
4.2
$95
3-star hotel
Casual hotel with a pool & fitness room
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Sleep Inn
3.7
$74
2-star hotel
Modest hotel with free breakfast & Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Courtyard by Marriott Fayetteville
4.3
$109
3-star hotel
Contemporary hotel with an indoor pool
Free Wi-Fi
DEAL 22% less than usual
Inn At The Mill, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member
4.5
$80
$89
3-star hotel
Elegant rooms, plus contemporary dining
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
DEAL 10% off
Executive Inn & Suites Springdale
3.8
$79
2-star hotel
Low-key hotel with breakfast & a pool
Free Wi-Fi
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fayetteville North/Springdale
This year at the Westport Saloon I attended the Westport Roots Festival for the second year in a row, where I finally got the chance to run into this West Coast road warrior and his name is Mr.Lorin Madsen Walker.
Now folks you’ll be wanting one of his increasingly popular “Fuck Your Tractor Rap” stickers for your sticker collection, along with his new 2017 release called “Slave Of The Road”. I finally got the chance to feature his gravely vocals and rough around the edges Country Music as he played the pre party show before Mr. Jayke Orvis brought out the Broken Band again.
He also played for my friends in Nebraska for the mighty Pondstock Festival Lake Hedke where Hellbilly And Outlaw Radio reported to me that he tore it up out that way! This new release was I believe his third album to date and when I did see him I got the chance to scoop up all three of them.
“Slave Of The Road” and “Traveling Man” are pretty much self explanatory titles for this album. Many times when people start singing about how Country they are….they aren’t and in fact they are a complete antiphrasis. But then again often times there comes along a complete opposite of the fake sentiment. One of those that stick out above the many is Mr. Lorin Madsen Walker, once you hear the validity of his rough life in his lyrics AND in his vocals you will concur…he is real.
To be honest in the past five years I have been traveling all over America following these road warriors around and watching what they do..I don’t believe I could ever live this life for a paying job living. That fantasy is in EVERYONE’S MIND but it just isn’t feasible for someone like me.
This album takes your mind through a wonderful journey of rural America and all it’s grandeur, you can tell this man has been around like chicken pox. This isn’t a life that only but a few truly salivate over and when you are a tride and true road warrior your palate isn’t easily satisfied with a fast three day jaunt.
You know folks the only ONE complaint I had about this album was the song “Settle Down” for me at least it was pretty much a yawner, I think what turned me off was (what I consider) the worn out “Johnny And June Love” reference…It’s pretty much beating a dead horse from so many others already using this comparison. It WAS a well written and had a GOOD delivery, but that pretty much was a buzzkill for me, but I wouldn’t mock you for ONE MINUTE if you disagreed with me on that level. We ALL like different aspects of this music for sure, and MY word isn’t gospel folks, this isn’t North Korea.
Other than that this album was an absolute pleasure to add to my collection and a MUST HAVE in yours, Whether you have a white collar or not. Because HIS collar ain’t white folks for sure, and he stresses just that in his songwriting and his demeanor. This album also proudly boasts some terrific background steel guitar and fiddle in the songs that truly embellish the well written lyrics.
Each summer leading local, regional and national bluegrass acts convene on the Hebron Fairgrounds and deliver an awesome festival experience. Our Main Stage festivities kick off on Thursday with our annual Band Competition sponsored by Telefunken.
Our Acoustic Stage, featuring multi-genre Connecticut based acoustic acts will have 6 hours of music each day on Friday and Saturday. Thursday evening the Acoustic Stage will host an Open Mic & Jam for anyone interested.
Gates will open at 1 pm on Wednesday for early bird campers. Camp on site, stay at our host hotel or come for the day or night using our close, ample parking.
Podunk is proudly presented by the members of the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival Inc. Board of Directors and is held annually on the second full weekend of August in Hebron, CT.
The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival moved to its new home in 2014 at the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds in Hebron, CT. This four day festival is a great family event with plenty of music and fun for all. Our 21st year will be no different as we will bring the best of Bluegrass to the stage on the second weekend of August. We will also again have a second stage of Acoustic Music. There is plenty to do at the festival with free workshops, food and craft vendors, kids activities, Kids Academy, Bluegrass University for adults (addition fee required) and plenty of jamming.
HERE is a link for a full map of the campgrounds! Directions:
From HartfordTake I-84 East towards East Hartford.Cross Connecticut River, take exit number 55, Route 2 East towards Norwich/New London.Take exit number 12 – West Road, Business Route/Marlborough.Turn LEFT onto West RoadWest Road becomes Martin Road in HebronAt end of Martin Rd. turn RIGHT onto Route 85.Lions Fairgrounds will be 1 mile on the RIGHT.
From New HavenTake I- 91 North towards Hartford.Take the exit number 18, Route 66 East towards Middletown/Portland.Follow Route 66 East to Route 85 intersection in center of Hebron.Take a LEFT onto Route 85 North.Lions Fairgrounds will be on the LEFT.
From New LondonTake Route 85 North towards Hartford.Turn LEFT onto Route 82/East Haddam Rd.Take Route 11 North towards Hartford/Colchester.Merge with Route 2 West.Take the Route 16 exit, exit number 18, towards Colchester /Middletown.Take a RIGHT onto Route 16 East.Take a LEFT onto Route 85 North.Follow Route 85 North across Route 85 and Route 66 intersection.Lions Fairgrounds will be on the LEFT.
FAQs
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
It is helpful to have an ID should questions arise at the ticket gate. Children 15 and under are free of charge with an adult.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
There is parking for 5,000 cars on the grounds. If you need assistance to get from the parking lot to the concert area please ask one of our volunteers or staff members for assistance. There are paved walkways throughout the festival grounds.
What can/can’t I bring to the event?
Small coolers are allowed into the festival but why bother when we have some great food vendors.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
You may call 860-828-9818 with any questions or by email at info@podunkbluegrass.com
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Yes you may update and transfer the ticket to someone else.
Can I update my registration information?
Yes you can just go to the ticket site and follow directions.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Yes you should bring your ticket as it will speed up your entry into the festival
What is the refund policy?
There are no refunds
Do you sell tickets for one day?
Yes you may purchase individual tickets at any time.
Are senior and children’s tickets the same cost as Adult tickets?
Yes tickets are all the same price. Children 15 and under are free with a paying adult.
Are picnic tables available at our site?
There are tables available for your use as a premium ticket holder. Just let the campground crew know when you pull in.
Is there a dump station?
No dump stations located on the grounds. But you can pay the port a john company directly to dump. Check with our Camping Captain for details upon arrival.
Are fires allowed?
No open fires are allowed on the grounds per the Lions and Fire Marshal.
Is there an after 7 PM Ticket Price?
Yes we have a general admission ticket for $40.00 for anyone entering after 7 PM on Friday or Saturday.
Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Farmington
Ad 4.1
$109
3-star hotel
Contemporary hotel with an indoor pool
Free Wi-Fi
Extended Stay America Hotel Hartford – Manchester
Ad 3.5
$90
2-star hotel
Long-stay studios with full kitchens
Free Wi-Fi
Baymont Inn & Suites Manchester – Hartford CT
4.0
$84
2-star hotel
Simple hotel with free breakfast & a gym
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Manchester Hartford
3.2
$87
Extended Stay Hotel
Modest all-suite hotel with a pool
Free breakfast
Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Manchester
4.1
$109
3-star hotel
Contemporary hotel with an indoor pool
Free Wi-Fi
DEAL 19% less than usual
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Hartford Manchester
4.2
$109
2-star hotel
Relaxed hotel with free breakfast & WiFi
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
DEAL 22% less than usual
Americas Best Value Inn – Manchester
3.3
$60
2-star hotel
Budget rooms with an on-site restaurant
Free Wi-Fi
Red Roof Inn Hartford – Vernon
2.7
$60
2-star hotel
Simple hotel with free WiFi & breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Extended Stay America Hotel Hartford – Manchester
3.5
$90
2-star hotel
Long-stay studios with full kitchens
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Motel 6
2.9
$70
2-star hotel
Simple budget property with a pool
Free Wi-Fi
Holiday Inn Express Vernon – Manchester
4.0
$135
2-star hotel
Unfussy hotel with free breakfast & WiFi
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford-Manchester
4.3
$125
3-star hotel
Modern lodging with free WiFi & a pool
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center
4.0
$172
3-star hotel
Modest campus hotel with a pool & dining
Free Wi-Fi
Homewood Suites by Hilton Hartford South-Glastonbury
4.3
$127
3-star hotel
Extended-stay hotel with suites & a pool
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Best Western Storrs
3.7
$102
3-star hotel
Casual hotel with free WiFi & breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Hartford Hotel & Conference center
2.6
$96
Hotel
Manchester Inn
2.3
2-star hotel
Unassuming motor inn with modest rooms
Free Wi-Fi
Goodwin Hotel
4.6
$129
Boutique Hotel
Chic downtown boutique hotel with a bar
Motel 6
3.6
$58
2-star hotel
Modern budget property with a laundry
Radisson Hotel Hartford
3.6
$118
3-star hotel
Urban venue with a bistro restaurant
Free Wi-Fi
Comfort Inn & Suites East Hartford – Hartford
3.8
$80
2-star hotel
Modern hotel with free hot breakfast
Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Hartford Marriott Rocky Hill
3.4
September 28, 2017 Will Go Down In Texas Country Music History. Here lately I have been attempting to strengthen my ties to Texas and the music scene out there as well. I recently supported Heart Of Texas Records and as I type this my crew is on the way to a Red Dirt festival. The Texas Country music scene is a thriving and different world of it’s own.
The Texas Country Music Association, Inc. announced the Top Finalists in each of the 21 categories for the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards. Nominations were made between May 1 and June 15, 2017. Voting began June 20 and will continue through July 31, 2017. I’m still studying all the artists and making my decisions.
The 2017 Texas Country Music Awards will take place on the evening of September 28, 2017 at the Carthage Civic Center, Carthage, TX, where the Awards will be presented. Produced by the Texas Country Music Association, Inc., the Awards show will be hosted by Carthage Native and Texas Country Artist, Brandon Rhyder, who will also perform at the event. Co-hosting the Awards is industry and media professional Jenn Ford. In addition, there will be live performances by TCMA Spokesperson Mark Chesnutt, along with Bri Bagwell ,Doug Supernaw and Christian Country Artist Del Way and others.
There will be 22 Awards presented at the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards, including the prestigious “Trailblazer Award” which will be presented to Mark Chesnutt for his long-standing career and the unprecedented success he’s obtained. “TCMA is very excited and pleased to be presenting Mark the 2017 Trailblazer Award as a part of the Awards Ceremony,” says Linda Wilson, President and Founder of the Texas Country Music Association, Inc. “He’s certainly ‘blazed the trail’ for so many artists, and he deserves the honor and recognition.”
She continues, “Texas is so blessed to have such spectacular talent. There were literally thousands of nominees – each one gifted and unique — and we are very honored to be able to work on ALL their behalf on an ongoing basis. The Texas Country Music Awards is the only fan-based Country Music Awards in Texas and certainly the State’s largest. You won’t want to miss it!” The 2017 Texas Country Music Awards will be covered by media from all over Texas, and filmed for television to air at a later date.
Vocal Group or Duo: Bill Bear & the Red Brick Troubadours, Darrell Goldman Band, Darrin Morris Band, Cody Wayne Band, Texas Crossing.
Young Artist (16 & Under): Frankie Lee, Kadie Lynn Roberson, Jack Barksdale, Macy Dot Neal, Colt Varnado Country.
Album Of The Year: Country To The Bone (Darrin Morris), Marcus Lindsey (Marcus Lindsey), The Bed I’ve Made (Darrell Goldman), True North (Justin Todd Herod), Steel (Holly Tucker).
Country Single of the Year: Where Will I Be (Performed by Darrin Morris, Written by Susan Giacona) Paradise On The Line, All Around Country Girl, Dance With Me Tonight, Fly High.
Radio Station of the Year: 100.5 KSCK Sterling City, 95.9 KFWR Fort Worth, 103.9 KEBY Marble Falls, 99.3 KOKE Austin, 105.7 KYKX Tyler/Longview Radio DJ Of The Year: Cowboy Dave Bayless 100.3 The Bull Houston, Eric Raines 99.3 KOKE Austin, Justin Frazell 95.9 KFWR Ft. Worth, Rickey Green 100.5 KSCK Sterling City, Damon Beirele 103.9 KEBY Marble Falls.
Internet Radio Station of the Year: AmericanCrossroadsRadio.com, TrueTexasRadio.com, TexasHomeGrownRadio.com, RealTexasRadio.com, PureCountryRadio.com
Live Music Venue of the Year: Dosey Doe The Woodlands, The Back Porch Kilgore, Love and War In Texas Lindale, Polecats Seguin, Melody Ranch Waco
Christian Country Artist of the Year: Julie Reese, Justin Todd Herod, Michael Knight, Darrell Goldman, Clifton Jansky
Christian Country Single Of The Year: Don’t Hate The Sinner-Julie Reese, End Of The Pew-Bill Bear, That’s What Jesus Would Do-Justin Todd Herod, What A Wonderful World-Michael Knight, Ten Miles Away-Darrell Goldman
Bassist of the Year: Bubba Moore, Cody Wood, Stormy Cooper, George Schinler, Jonathan Wren Fiddler of the Year: Choya Crenshaw, David Varnado, Mark Kalson, Heather Stalling, Mike Calley
Guitarist of the Year: Freddie Pate, Will Wails, Tommy Thomas, John Matlock, Michael Boatman Keyboard/Pianist of the Year: Allen Huff, Dizzy Dave Dalton, Floyd Domino, David Young, Chris Bergeron
Steel Guitarist of the Year: Tommy Detamore, Lane Thibodeaux, Bobby Gardner, Kenny Grohman, Ben White
Drummer of the Year: Eddie (Danger) Barmot, Jeremy Moore, Matt Vantiel, Billy Rasnake, Roy Lancaster Country
Songwriter of the Year Finalists: Adam Gorman, Brad Bowman, Brent Giddens, Bill Bear/Robert Campbell, Jake Pyeatt, Jeremy Studdard/Jamie Chandler/Roger Springer, Josh Vincent, Justin Todd Herod Christian Country
Songwriter of the Year Finalists: Alex Coba, Bart Woytek, Brent Giddens, Darrell Goldman, Julie Reese, Justin Todd Herod, Kelly Kenning
To place your Votes for the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards, go to www.texascountrymusic.org/vote. Voters do not need to be a member of the Texas Country Music Association; however TCMA Members’ votes are doubled.
The Texas Country Music Association, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the Texas Country Music industry, its artists, musicians, businesses and those behind the scenes to make it all happen. “We have big plans for the future that will certainly help the Texas Country Music industry and all involved in it,” says Wilson. More information about the TCMA, its purpose, plans, membership and goals are available on www.texascountrymusic.org.
Underwriting Sponsorships and Souvenir Program Advertising is available for the 2017 Texas Country Music Awards. More information can be downloaded at www.texascountrymusic.org or by emailing tcma@texascountrymusicassociation.org or jennford@texascountrymusicassociation.org.
By day three of being out here I found the crown jewel of Tumbleweed festival to be the fans and the friendships forming here, this is quickly becoming JUST LIKE any other festival, having faithful followers and fans. If you don’t really know music slang terms a “Rail Rider” is a gal that is can always be found along the front rails of the concert. AND NEVER MOVES, now then you got your music chicks that constantly move all over. They aren’t there for the music they are there to be seen, those aren’t REAL Rail Riders those are music chicks. There’s a huge difference, both are needed and supportive of the local music scene but the rail riders are true warriors that brave the sun and heat.
I need to publicly apologize to Mr. Damien Gunn for missing his set today, I had other matters going on at this time and wasn’t able to catch his set. I did however get the chance to see him play at night.
As my job as a media person I NOTICE THINGS and I watch for things happening while the crowd watches the music. Because the pickpockets and merch thieves WANT YOU to look away while they pull their bullshit. IT IS MY JOB to help Mr. Doug make this a safe and fun experience for everyone. There was no reason for bullshit here, and I’m WELL TRAINED to see these things. This guy up here looked shifty but he turned out to be ok…(just kidding).
I watched this young lady brave the heat and enjoy the music and I saw it touch her soul. Miss Kaeleigh Grace was her name and she was by far the coolest person there, and one of the prettiest people I have run across in many years. Just to witness her passion raises my hopes even more that people like Mr.Colter Wall will move up to another echelon of commercial exposure because of her.
Where do I even begin about boasting on Mr. Colter? WHERE? He is my 2016 Artist Of The Year and he is currently on Young Mary’s Record Company and manged by her as well. She is doing GREAT THING in the music community with many artists. Pictured above on the right is Mr.John Clay who plays drums for the speedy Creek band but also has his own music. He is a power in his own right and you can check out his music by clicking on his name there.
His self titled album was produced by Mr. Dave Cobb and will defiantly grace many TOP 50 lists of this year, the vinyl is back in stock now so go pick that up. He came out and played lone acoustic songs quickly dropping that smooth baritone voice on unsuspecting people in the crowd. I watched people drop drink cups in disbelief from out of this young man so small comes a voice so powerful and poignant.
He played an old Jimmie Rodgers song first, along with “The Devil Wears A Suit And Tie” from his first album Imaginary Appalachia. He played for us the acoustic ballad “Codeine Dream”, which displays truly fine songwriting and paints a picture in your mind.
And then like usual he plays “Thirteen Silver Dollars” while halfway the song the band joins him to embellish the gorgeous vocals. “My .44” was next as he displayed many different songs in this set, showing us a little taste of the upcoming songs he has planned already. I see longevity in this young man, and he is a beacon of hope for REAL Country Music. Here’s a video from that song folks, I thank him for the verbal permission.
Then he invited Mr. David Vaughn Lindsay whom also released a truly fine EP to come out and sing one of his own called “Taste Of Rain”. That song was therapeutic for him as he recently lost his father and his best friend Mr. Jon. We all gathered years ago to pay our respects for The Colonel Jon Hensley.
This bunch uses one another as stepping stones to further each others music and that’s what this community needs more of, it’s a fraternity NOT a competition or a war. There aren’t too many chiefs and a shortage of Indians here. THEN…THEN he played his crowning achievement as of yet. “Kate McCannon” not only is this an ingenious marketing doorway it is perhaps one of the most well crafted songs I have heard in the last damn decade.
The opening lines about the ravens and the dark and evil way this song pounds this murder ballad into your cranium takes your breath away. This man commands total mental attention from you while he is onstage, he consumes every ounce of your soul and grinds it into pain and injects it back into your blood.
Mr. Colter is in no fashion a cruel person away from the stage, in fact he is one of the most approachable and kind friends I have in the business, I’ll gladly do anything for him and Miss Mary anytime. It was equally pleasant to reunite former band mates Mr. Mike Bulle And Mr. Jason Simpson,who played together for John King and The Mud River Revival. Truly a mutual respect and love for one another there, Mr. Mike has become a true blessing to me and I couldn’t have done this job to this magnitude without him. Something as simple as driving for us allowing us to work is more needed than he realized.
At this juncture they were coming in by the droves. Absolute madness was pouring into the park like ants after a Popsicle on the sidewalk. Unbelievable the amount of attention this event garnered for being such a drastic turn of format. I will tell you the main stage went from ONE unique voice to ANOTHER one FAST.
Mr.Paul Cauthen has recently released an album “My Gospel” that also made my TOP 50 of 2016. He displays a VERY RARE vocal ability and carries his notes with power and dignity. I quickly made my way back to the stage to catch ‘Marfa Lights” first.
As you can see,he brings a HUGE entourage to the table wherever he goes. And he is certainly different from any other act we had this weekend. However at the same time he remains relevant to the Americana and Country scene with his multi sounding set.
Plenty of soul and passion encompass his entire arsenal of songs, as he covered “Folsom Prison Blues” in a truly different approach to covering that song. My complaint of too many covers was squelched with his version of it…it was fresh and new.
His backup singer accompanied his vibrato truly well, this young man makes his notes carry through an open field with authority and poise. He was absolutely precise in every point I looked to criticize him on. I can’t hit anything point he failed…none. AT FIRST I had trouble making out his vocals but when I moved it fixed that problem, man he REALLY KILLED IT this weekend.
“Saddle” was next followed by a song he called “Cornbread Moon” if I’m not mistaken he spoke of a new album very soon, but I may have misheard that. “Hanging Out On The line” was next which displayed some more fine songwriting and vibrato.
“Be There Soon” and also included was “I’ll Be The One” was used for closure for this set that finally climaxed with his album title “My Gospel”. This is one of those artists that has NO happy medium, you’ll either LOVE HIM or HATE HIM really. We ALL have our own opinions on music and he is indeed different in his own way, and to me there’s not a damn thing wrong with that.
It’s time now for the arrival of the Titans of Country Music here, Legends abound at the gates Mr. Billy Joe shaver stops to tell the security guard a joke, they both laugh and he makes his way up the ramp. You know when you are an Outlaw Legend that’s 78 years old and still playing as many shows as he does you can do pretty much anything.
He came out and stood there for a moment and looked upon the crowd and began the witty quips saying “So I suppose you want me to play some shit for y’all huh?” “Well, let’s see what I can remember now?” The crowd began to roar in delight to his cussing as he rolled into “Heart Of Texas” and “Going Out Of Style”..(“Fit To Kill”).
I mean when you are HIM you don’t need to blow shit up or run around like a banshee you just stand in one spot and sing. And that’s precisely what Mr. Billy Joe does. NO frills or fluff just timeless classics like “Honky Tonk Heroes Like Me” that Waylon recorded an entire album of his songs dedicated to him.
He explained to us that he was just “An Old Chuck Of Coal” as he played us classic songs that spanned six decades of his music today, his vocals weathered and worn like his signature denim shirt he wears. Still, despite the aged vocals he possesses an ambiance that rivals none other in music…period.
“Georgia On A Fast Train” was next followed by a story about Dale Watson. He wrote a song about Shaver before asking for permission, and before Mr. Billy went into “Wacko From Waco” he explained the story about him shooting a man “Right between the mother and the fucker”. Yes folks he shot a man and it resulted in the song “Where Do You Want It”?
Well Mr. Dale called and asked if he could write that and Mr. Billy said sure I guess you could, he said well Billy I already wrote it. Before Billy could turn around it was already on XM Radio.
Just as he went into “Black Rose” and his signature song “Thunderbird” a once in a lifetime thing happened for us Tumbleweed attendees…the arrival of the main act. Mr. Jamey Johnson the walking talking controversy that is Jamey Johnson, love him or hate him he is a juggernaut.
he’s been around the block a few times, and appeared to be moving slower in his age as well. He walked out onto the stage and stood there as they sized each other up and pretended to begin to fight. Both truly displayed a mutual respect and admiration for each other right here in Kansas City.
MAN right next to me while you got THAT transpiring you have Mr. Cody Jinks walking around greeting the fans, and you got Mr. Paul Cauthen by the gate greeting people. You got people running every direction in this place! As Mr. Billy is playing “Hard To Be An Outlaw” (When You Aren’t Wanted Anymore), you got so much going on at once…but I got y’all covered.
We had GORGEOUS WEATHER this weekend the Lord truly blessed us with PERFECT weather after an almost HORRID outcome from the weather. The rain was totally gone before the festivities began full scale. And BAM he finally performed my personal favorite song, the Patty Loveless song “Fallen angels Fly”. When my paternal father died this song was played at his funeral, as he he was lowered into the ground.
He finished his set with a story about a woman with “an ass that defies gravity” so he sang “Stop The World” and declared that “I’m Gonna Live Forever”. Mr. Billy Joe Shaver left us speechless I’m not sure of it was due to the fact that he is still in prime performing condition…or that he can come up there and say fuck fluently at 78.
Here is the online description of the famous shooting incident:
On April 2, 2007, police in Lorena, Texas, issued two arrest warrants for Shaver on charges of aggravated assault and possessing a firearm in a prohibited place. This was in connection with an incident outside a tavern, Papa Joe’s Texas Saloon in Lorena only two days prior, on March 31, in which Shaver shot a man, Billy Bryant Coker, in the face with a handgun. Coker’s injuries, however, were not reported as life-threatening.
Witnesses interviewed by police report hearing Shaver say “where do you want it?” and then, after the shot was fired, “Tell me you are sorry” and “No one tells me to shut up.” Coker told police the attack was unprovoked. Shaver’s attorney declared that Shaver had shot Coker “in self-defense” after Coker threatened Shaver with a knife.
In an August 2014 NPR interview, Shaver said that he shot Coker because he was “Such a bully” and that “I hit him right between a mother and a fucker. That was the end of that. He dropped his weapons and said, ‘I’m sorry.’ And I said, ‘Well, if you had said that inside, there would have been no problem.’
After unsuccessfully attempting to surrender to police in Austin, Texas, who were unaware of the warrant, Shaver turned himself in at McLennan County Jail in Waco, Texas on Tuesday, April 3. He was released after an hour on $50,000 bond and gave his scheduled performance at Waterloo Records in Austin that evening, where he reportedly told fans, “Don’t forget to pray for me, and tell your kids to pray for me, too.”
He was acquitted in a Waco court on April 9, 2010 after testifying that he acted in self-defense.
How do you possibly follow THAT? Why with powerhouse Red Dirt warrior Mr. Roger Creager I mean this man is truly an adventurous soul. He does it all from snorkeling with dolphins to jumping out of planes. He took over the stage and followed Mr. Billy Joe shaver quite well.
He opened with “Turn It Up” form the album Surrender from 2011, and followed that up with “Little Bit Of Them All” from the 2104 album Roadshow. I LOVED his song “Wanna Wanna Bar” because of course he mentions GARY. Only I don’t sip on no coke and rum.. I’m not much of a hard liquor man anymore.
“I Got The Gun” was next as well as “Love” from his 2000 album from that same title, he brought his smooth songs to us to break the wilder momentum we had. With beach themed songs like “Cowboys and Sailors” he quickly changed to a ragtime there of New Orleans with “Jambalaya” and “Shreveport To New Orleans” all the way to “When The Saints Go Marching In”.
He THEN went over to Mexico and Tex Mex type material the likes of “Long Way to Mexico” and another song called “Gulf coast Time” the current theme of his new album he just released.
He played songs like “Where The Gringos Don’t Go” and “Different Than I’m Feeling Now”, however my favorite song he plays is the “Everclear Song”. Mr. Roger has so many wonderfully written songs that span so many albums it’s hard to pick and choose which ones complete a perfect set list for him.
On into the night folks as the sun began to set we began to party and eat some AWESOME food. The vendors provided some darn fine vittles while the VIP area enjoyed COLD bathrooms, I wanted to do my taxes in a crapper for the first time in my life. Here is a tour of the sun setting upon us out here folks, YEP the rail riding queen is still here.
Well the Flockers president Mr William Higgins came out with his admins and introduced Mr. Cody Jinks and I interviewed him before the festival, you can read about that HERE.
Mr. Cody Jinks blazed out onto the stage tonight and carried us into the final night and final hours of music here in Kansas City. Right off of Adobe Sessions he played “Momma’s Song” I guess everybody’s mom worries about us, when I first moved down here my mom always sent me money and prayed for me.
He followed that up with “She’s All Mine” and “No Words”. Mr. Cody also spanned his entire repertoire of albums tonight as he belted out song after song of epic greatness, backed by his band the Tone Deaf Hippies. He whipped the entire crowd into a complete frenzy with “Vampires”.
As I previously stated tonight this weekend represented a truly amazing array of backup bands and sidemen. Mr. Austin Tripp is an amazing right arm to Mr. Cody Jinks, and even though the Tone Deaf Hippies have had some amazing steel players through the years Mr. Austin is a crown jewel up there.
“Been Around” was next followed by “Give All you Can” off the new album as he transferred songs from that one and Adobe Sessions like playing “What Else Is New”. Before the greatest spectacle of ALL….THOUSANDS of people all singing “I’m Not The Devil”. When I posed that Mr. Ward Davis commented “That’s all we ever wanted”. I replied that I thought it was one of the most well written songs of the last decade.
“Chase That Song” was followed by the popular “Black Sheep” which I’m pretty sure spawned the name for the Flockers, afterward he played his version of Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am” from the album of the same name released in 1980. He continued his covers with his commercially popular version of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”. Which when I talked to Mr. Austin in his interview they were surprised how well it was received, you can read that HERE.
“Fast Hand” was next followed by “I’ll Get By” and then they finally played their anthem called “Cast No Stones” which also garnered many thousands of people singing along to those words as well. I mean pretty much everybody can relate to those words. “No Guarantees” was next along with his epic cover of “Black Hole Sun”.
You know folks this man has recently just absolutely blown up in the music scene because of his talent and his real Country Music, but more importantly because of US. The fans decide what sells and what fails, with support of buying stuff and helping them. WHY just today Mr. Austin and Mr.Keith needed help somewhere on the road and one of the Flockers dropped what they were doing and went to help…THAT IS what makes things work!
With that being said I want to THANK my good friend Mr. Derek Weave Weaver and his sidekick Mr. Stonewall the pup for inviting me into their home, driving me around and just welcoming me into their home. I’m touched, I’m humbled and I SHALL return the favor to someone else. You know it doesn’t matter WHAT TYPE of music it is one of you will always have my home, don’t go to Nashville and pay hundreds for a dang hotel room.
As the night settled in we jammed to “Hippies And Cowboys” and waited for the main act of the entire festival the giant, the mighty Mr. Jamey Johnson..
Love him or hate him he is a powerhouse draw and brings in thousands of ticket holders, as today I noticed many what I call “One Bangers” that came this afternoon and weren’t here all weekend camping. Many of them either work or just don’t camp, however either way there was a giant spike in one day people I could tell.
The food vendors were strategically placed correctly I was impressed MANY festivals make that fatal sales mistake, this is a science and for those of you that KNOW what I mean you’ll agree with me. There’s a REASON for EVERYTHING I DO…there’s a REASON these three articles came out a week after the event. It all comes from my evil genius brain I have for this stuff, Gary Hayes knows what he’s doing, and he knows when to do it.
If ever there was indeed a modern day Highwaymen ambiance..this was IT. This was indeed the crown jewel of finales if I have ever witnessed one to any festival. He came out to “High Price Of Living” and “Heartache”. However after a few songs once again my complaint reigns true, the cover songs abounded as he did “Mama Tried” and “Long Time Gone”.
Not that they were poorly performed because they were not in any way poor. I was just wanting more original material form the folks I don’t always get to put everything down and go see weekly. He did a wonderful job on “That Lonesome song” , however the other complaint I had was not one song off his first album. The label treated him like shit and shelved that whole album, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he legally couldn’t play The Dollar. I can understand him being jaded toward that scenario for sure.
There was so much stellar material off that first album that could have replaced the covers and still made a terrific set lineup, however songs like “In Color” are obvious classics indeed, you cannot EVER take his accomplishments away. He is indeed one of the greatest songwriters alive today, whether you like pop country or not, honky tonk padonkadonk made him millions.
He played a very patriotic segment which included “America The Beautiful” which included a BIG lights and lasers show, I’ll tell you what this company and all the sponsors get a REAL pat on the back from ME on this deal. There were NO expenses spared, not one dime was held back!
He played the George Strait classic song “Give It Away” which was on Honkytonkville album, followed by “Kicked Out Of Country” which he wrote with George Strait when they were indeed kicked out of Country. A genre both of them have paved the way for those that did the kicking.
THIS WAS what we WANT to show Music Row…that THIS MUSIC IS COMMERCIAL and we want it. You see folks those people don’t actually LIKE that shit on FM radio…it fills ARENAS. Not the Ryman, YES the Ryman is a BIG show for Mr. Cody, but it’s not big enough. WE MUST sell more seats as people.
Now you might ask yourself Gary , how the hell can one person do that? SHARE THIS ARTICLE, SHARE THE MUSIC…..TALK…TALK…TALK…SHARE WHATEVER BAND YOU LOVE. Support ME and others like me that report on this stuff. I cannot do this without YOU. Miss Kaeleigh is important to me, she’s a voice.
He closed with three more covers but his version of “I Saw The Light” was astounding in every fashion. And as I made my way back to the late night stage I began to wrap it up for Tumbleweed folks, I had a long night of travel ahead followed after a bunch of packing and sorting. I bought over 200 in merchandise so I had to gather up all that, All in All it was a pleasant time hosted by a remarkable crew. I want to THANK Miss Piper and Mr. Doug and Mr. Kevin for their invite and for hiring me.
I hope with all my heart I exceeded your expectations from a work standpoint, here are some pictures from the late night stage which included Damien Gunn whom I once again apologize to for missing their set.
I already converged upon this festival the first day with exceeded expectations, in many ways. I KNEW this was going to be a NEW HOPE for ALL REAL Country Music fans from the entire Country…and THREE FOREIGN Countries! First of all Kansas City is pretty central and easily accessible from Texas AND Nashville which were obviously Mr. Doug’s two target markets of income. WELL PLAYED SIR, and the schedule was well juxtaposed but I had ONE major gripe..all the women were on the back stage and LATE. I wondered what was up with that? I myself thought Sunny Sweeney certainly deserved a main stage spot.
HOWEVER this WAS a NEW HOPE for us as REAL Country fans, people THIS IS the mecca of real Country Music whether you like the Red Dirt stuff OR the Nashville based stuff…here…we got it all. This was truly the major happening of the year when it came to Country Music in many fashions.
So the first band I had today was Porter Union which is Mr. Cole Porter and Miss Kendra Porter that formed a POWERHOUSE DUO. And this weekend was the first time I had the pleasure to partake of their music. Their entire album is focused on their marriage and how they met, and the songs on the album are well written and fit the direction this album takes us in.
I am going to make a HUGE prognostication right here on my website, THIS ALBUM is going to grace EVERYONE’S TOP 50 or TOP WHATEVER of 2017. THERE, I said it before Rolling Stone did sorry Miss Roxanne…I said it first. There won’t be a TOP ANYTHING without Porter Union. Just the name and meaning alone resonates LOVE and unity through music, and dammit we NEED MORE OF THIS. Just two absolutely down to Earth good kind people.
You can FEEL REAL in Mr. Cole’s handshake, I felt like I sold a car in the 1970’s when a handshake MEANT something and your word was good as gold. The precise care and passion that these two put into their songs is uncanny and on a level I’m not used to. You can just see the love in their ambiance that is around them and they pour that out into the audience for you to apply to your everyday life.
They opened their set with “This Life We’ve Made” is pretty much self explanatory and declares that he will gladly walk beside her in this life we’ve made, however this opening song merely trades off vocals and doesn’t focus their GORGEOUS harmonies like the song “Don’t You Know”. The opening line of that song “Don’t you know when you hurt I hurt” is classic love song material. You just FEEL their affection for each other, and it’s something that I notice is missing in today’s youth, much less society as a whole.
“Don’t Look At Me” was a great up tempo song filled with steel licks that is enough to satisfy the palate of the pickiest Country Music fan. Once again it’s merely a reflection of how they hooked up, and I’m hoping that they can continue this trend of sharing their personal adventures together. I mean the song “Thief” was SO cleverly written about stealing your last name once again referring to matrimony outcome.
“Wildfire” is MY favorite song they have in the arsenal of song material, it just paints such a wonderful picture. That was followed by “Over You” and “The Child”. In fact they displayed the entire album today and included one cover which was “Clyde” by J.J.Cale, and as I previously griped about cover songs…this is why I enjoyed their set SO MUCH. I wanted original music and Mr. Cole And Miss Kendra Porter delivered just that with perfect finesse and passion. Miss Kendra’s stage presence was nothing short of angelic.
Shortly after their set they proceeded to the main stage where they performed our National Anthem to open the entire official festival on the main stage.
Mr. Mickey Lamantia is one of the artists I interviewed before the festival happened, and he has marketed his name and his music in quite a unique manner. He has been making quite a name for himself in the Outlaw Country Music scene in the past few years by opening for Mikey Gilley and the birth of his live feed show on social media.
He opened his show with “First Last One” which was a perfect two step Honky Tonk song about drinking copious amounts of alcohol. He followed that by a true song of loneliness and addiction called “I Chose The Whiskey” displaying a weakness for liquor. He knows better and he knows he is hurting the one he loves but chooses the chemicals out of spite, Country Music is cored in weakness and addiction.
“Alcohol Tobacco And Firearms” is pretty much an anthem for the common country folks with an uptempo beat filled full of guitar twang and stiff beats. after playing a few others he played an acoustic portion to give the band a break which included a Hank Jr. cover of “Guitar Man”. Much like Porter Union, Mr. Mikey displayed almost an entire set of original songs much to our delight.
“Take Our Country Back” and ‘In Color” were also included in his acoustic set before he proceeded to play one of his signature songs called “Outlaw Life” and what I consider his most well written song called “23rd Psalm”, before he closed his set with Johnny Paycheck’s version of the song “11 Months And 29 Days” that Paycheck wrote with Jimmy Dale.
He brought another steel guitar Legend here today and that was Mr.Robby Turner, who is an absolute steel guitar WIZARD that is another piece of Waylon Jennings legacy we have left. He performed an absolute AMAZING set here today and we loved every minute of it.
The sound crew and production team worked feverishly all weekend long to bring us the BEST concert experience we could possibly expect for our money, and I firmly think that they delivered. The sound in my opinion was excellent except for a few minor mishaps during the Whitey Morgan And The 78’s set, which I’ll touch on later.
Mr. Jason Eady was introduced by the presidents of his social media fan club Miss Jo Marie before he barrelled right into the song “Drive” off of his new self titled album, which I’m sure will grace MANY a TOP lists of 2017. He sings one of my favorite two step songs about tales of old called “AM Country Heaven”, it makes me cry.
Bringing that album up his second song was called “Old Guitar and Me” from that very album, with his first being “Drive” from the new self titled album. He reverted back to his new album many times throughout the set with songs like “Waiting To Shine” and the popular drinking song of lament called “No Genie In This Bottle”. That song is an acoustic and steel filled song about the bottom of a bottle, with many painful references to substance abuse and how it conquers your soul.
I was absolutely impressed with Mr. Jason Eady and his set tonight, and he brought out his wife Miss Courtney Patton for backup vocals. I’ll elaborate more on her later on in this article as her and Miss Sunny Sweeney performed on the other stage late. I’ll ,point out my positive and negative points about those sets and NEITHER GAL created ANY negative points.
His second album called ‘Daylight And Dark” was finally represented in his set with the song “Liars And Fools”, and perhaps his most popular song called “Whiskey And You” that was recorded by several other people. Most notably as of late it was Mr. Chris Stapleton, however I think Mr. Tim McGraw also did it in his earlier more country career.
One of his most vivid vocally descriptive songs he has is the song “Black Jesus”, man that song is a terrific tale of a friendship between him and a black man that worked together. I have MANY elderly black friends that enjoy this song when I played it for them.
“Rain” was another proper choice for this set, one thing nice about Mr. Jason Eady is all of his songs accompany one another truly well. All of his albums have a common core relation to them. He closed his set with a song claeed “Texas Cooking” which was a song by Mr. Guy Clark.
Mr.Ward Davis has been touring relentlessly with Mr. Cody Jinks and Mr. Whitey Morgan all over the country lately, and you can often see him around those bands. He is making quite a name for himself as a songwriter and an artist through his relentless touring and vigorous work, he mentioned he is recording a new album and played a song called “Geronimo” that will be on it.
His hard living anthem of REAL Country Music called “Old Worn Out Cowboys” graced us tonight as a large portion of the audience sang along to him. I was hoping that Mr. Jamey Johnson would have come out and sang too, but I figured he had not arrived yet. Still, this song is beautiful and it makes me cry. I LOVE Mr. Ward’s songs that he plays they affect me and speak to my soul.
He played a Pat Green song (or at least I identified it with Pat Green) called “I Bet Your Momma”. However his finest song in my opinion is the slow ballad that was recorded by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson called “Unfair Weather Friend”. That song was on the iconic collaboration between Nelson and Haggard called “Django And Jimmie”, and it graced MANY Top 50 lists of last year…including mine.
“Get To Work Whiskey” was another epic spectacle of championship songwriting on his part, as well as “15 Years In A 10 Year Town” which was the title of his album, and when his new album drops I’m quite adamant it will be held in high regard by many websites like mine.
FINALLY I got to hear the entire audience of THOUSANDS sing along to him and Mr. Cody Jinks sing “I’m Not The Devil”. later on in the festival during Mr. Cody’s set that very thing happened, and as Mr. Ward once commented to me “That’s All We Ever Really Wanted”…well it happened, and it is WELL DESERVED.
Another song he called “Something Big” was to be on the new album, don’t worry I’ll be keeping him on my radar so I don’t miss the info on the new album. “So What If I Do” was next followed by the ever popular “Highwaymen” and another cover of “Big River”. He closed his set with “Don’t Forget To Get Stoned”.
This venue was slowly filling up for the Friday night performance as many people got off work from first shift, and were arriving in droves. You had so much going on at once here it was unlike any festival I have ever witnessed this large of a scale, where the artists actually did interact with the audience on a large scale.
Behind me Mr Cody Jinks was greeting people and taking pictures with us while they were getting ready for our next act Mr.William Clark Green to come whip our asses with his Red Dirt Texas music. His new album Ringling Road made my TOP 50 of that year, with his unique style of Country.
He opened with his song “Next Big Thing” from that mentioned album before going into his song “It’s About Time” from his Rose Queen album. I liked that album and that song was about heartbreak and being suddenly single with the immediate rewards of doing that. Kind of a karma type thing about dumping people and being dumped yourself..and moving on.
Mr. William displayed DEEP passion in his vocals and facial expressions tonight and it’s quite evident he LIVES to perform up there. He brought his A Game tonight and poured out his very heart to this audience, and we ate it up! This was my very first interaction with his set live, I must admit I’d travel LONG ways to cross paths with him again.
“Won’t Back Down” was once again the cover song syndrome we dealt with all weekend, I did enjoy his version of it..but I’m here to hear his original songs like “Creek Don’t Rise”. That is a good fast paced song with wonderful vocals and guitar licks.
His band was on point tonight and accompanied him extremely well on all directions. As he played ‘Still think about You” and another song off the Ringling album called “Sticks And Stones”. He then played “Fool Me One” from that same album, however the timing on that song was a little off to me. It sounds slower on the record and they played it a little faster live. Speaking of live his Live At Gruene Hall is going to become an iconic Red Dirt live album in 10 years…you wait and see if I’m wrong!
Now mind you he was one of the first Red Dirt acts I learned about in 2011 with his album “Misunderstood” and I was hoping he would play some material of of that album like the song “Drunk On Desire” and “Caroline”. Both equally stellar choices form that album, I enjoyed hearing them live. He had one other album out before Misunderstood called “Dangerous Man” and the only song I recognized off that album was “Wishing Well”.
The crowd was digging this young man and what he brought to the table tonight. We were being well satisfied with REAL Country Music this weekend in Kansas City, I was loving every minute of it for sure. I have TWO major trips to Kansas city yearly now usually always have an absolute wonderful time down there, the local scene is truly epic.
“Rose Queen” was next followed by what he said his mom hated the most was “Ringling Road” about all the crazy circus freaks on opium and drunk clowns throwing shoes. He then went into some Joe Cocker cover portions and “Start Me Up” from the stones before going into his most well known song.
“She Likes The Beatles” was an anthem to relationships everywhere and full of energy that prepared the crowd for what was to come….the mighty juggernaut called Whitey Morgan And The 78’s. Right outside the gate Mr. Whitey was also greeting the audience before his set.
By the time Mr.Whitey Morgan And The 78’s took over the stage the crowd was pretty much liquored up and raring to go all night. This was such a well attended festival, and by now I could easily ascertain it would be a success. Mainly because of the PEOPLE, that’s right I’m SURE Mr.Doug will even agree YOU made it possible and functional..YES YOU…YOU the person reading this made Mr. Cody Jinks and Mr. Whitey Morgan what they are…future Country Music Legends.
You know the pop country people and some of the neo traditional snobs call Mr. Whitey a wanna be and a phony,but none of them have ever REALLY delved into his songs or his live show. This man and his crew tours RELENTLESSLY and is a damn hard working bunch, if you even attempt to put his brand down in front of me I’ll quickly debate you on that.
He opened with “Just Me And The Whiskey” and followed that with “Stop The World”. He opened with quick fast paced energy that sent the crowd into a honky tonk rocket ride in Kansas City tonight. I just sat back and soaked up the ambiance there with a possum eating shit grin on my face.
“Buick City” is a wonderful song he does see Mr. Whitey is based out of Flint Michigan, and I have covered his set many many times. I have interviewed his steel player Mr. Brent Robinson in my steel guitarist series, which will pick back up here soon after Sept 1st.
You know I want to say that the 78’s are such a top notch band that I would eagerly pay 20 bucks to just see them only. One of my complaints of today’s music scene is that the iconic bands and sidemen are non existent in today’s day and age, I mean what was Mel Tillis without the Statesiders or Merle Haggard without the Strangers? Well here you HAVE the staple core sound that helps make Mr. Whitey shine brightly in the dark abyss of local touring music. I firmly believe that Mr. Brett is one of the many things that keep Mr. Whitey relevant, you can just FEEL the connection they have on many levels.
Mr. Brett makes my sentiments evident on the intro to “Cocaine Train” which I LOVE to hear him play even though it’s a cover song. I think he does a truly fantastic job on the song that Paycheck penned in the early 70’s, I got the opportunity to ask Johnny Paycheck about that song. He told me he wrote it on a napkin at a Shoney’s, and took it Billy Sherrill and recorded it on the 1979 album “Everybody’s Got A Family..Meet Mine”.
He went back to his first album with the song “Back To Back” a song about fading love of two people, that has a nice two step beat and good steel licks within the song. He played the Scott H Biram song “Still Drunk Still Crazy Still Blue”, which was on the Sonic Ranch album that I was glad was still available on yellow vinyl before that sold out.
“Prove It All To you” was next once again from the first album along with “Honky Tonk Queen” which is probably one of my personal favorite songs he does. “Bad News” was included in his set along with the Merle Haggard cover of “Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink”. That song was released in 1980 on Haggards 26th album called “Back To The Barrooms” and it was released right before he recorded his iconic live album from Anaheim Stadium, which was an album that fulfilled his contract with MCA along with his gospel album in 1981.
He played a song that Mr. Dale Watson wrote called “Where Do You Want It” now I’ll wait until I get to Mr. Billy Joe shaver’s portion of my articles to elaborate more on that song. The remarks that Mr. Billy Joe made introducing this song were just WILD. “Going Down Drinking” was a great song of male celebration and alpha male stuff we all know and love. It’s a great man cave anthem.
“Crazy By Any Other Name” is another truly epic song he does and he followed it with “Crazy By Any Other Name” and another favorite of mine called “Memories Cost A Lot”. Also included in his set was “Turn Up The Jones” also the Bruce Springsteen hit called “I’m On Fire” and ” I Ain’t Drunk”. As they were wrapping up their set tonight I made my way over to the second stage for the later night festivities.
As you can evidently see the crowd had the same idea I did as they all equally prepared for a gal who has lately become a friend of mine Miss Sunny Sweeney and not to stray too far off this subject, but she plays the Opry with numerous frequent appearances so I have been on a mission to help her become inducted as a member. PLEASE help me help her by contacting the NEW Opry manager Miss Sally Williams, I have been on a mission to persuade Mr. Pete Fisher to induct her. Now that it has woman managing it, I’m hoping that Miss Sunny’s music can speak to her from a female standpoint and make her stand out above any other. Sunny Sweeney plays it frequently and I am adamant on the conclusion that she WILL represent it with passion and love. I WANT her to become a Country Music Legend that my daughter can enjoy when I am passed away, because as an activist and journalist THIS IS part of MY legacy.
She opened her set with a song off her new album Trophy called “Better Bad Idea” and shortly after she included the first song I ever heard her play that attracted me to her WAY BACK called “If I Could”. It’s a fast paced honky tonking song of grand twang. It was released in 2006 by her before she was picked up by Big Machine and re released in 2007, before the transfer of that label.
She is often associated with Red Dirt genre and that’s how I found her BUT she doesn’t consider herself that, from talking with her on a personal level she is JUST COUNTRY. But I’ll tell you what she LOVES being up there and playing music. She has REALLY evolved in the last few years and if you follow her pattern you’ll see her last two albums are WAY different from her first two. Just sit back and delve into what she does and dwell on it for a day and you’ll understand her.
“Pills” man what a great song, even though it wasn’t penned by her, she pulls the song off SO well, and it’s believable. it’s relevant to the direction of her new album and I CAN TELL YOU Trophy WILL be on my TOP 50 list of 2017…HELL it’ll be top 10. “Pass The Pain” is the opening song of the new album and it sets the mood of the upcoming album quite well.
The next song called “Whiskey Richard/Dick” was a song I have been hearing quite a buzz about on a local level, it’s a song I’m sure she might never record on a major label (however I would love it if she did) however it was cleverly written filled with many great hooks and hidden meanings. She is ONE HELL of a crafty songwriter especially when you combine her with people like Angaleena Presely and others.
She posed a good picture for me and that was cool, I appreciate all she does for my website. It really helps me help them when they help me. “Why People Change” was next followed by “Everybody Else Can Just Kiss My Ass” was her FU anthem on the album Provoked, about raising hell and partying. I’m sure all of us can relate to that song. also later on she played “Backhanded Compliment” from that album.
She went into a story about how the album concept for Trophy came about as she played “Trophy” from that said album. This new album is her revenge for personal insults toward her and we get to share in her delight as fans. Not too may artists share their personal lives through music this closely as she has.
She commands her own world up there on stage as she played “Drink Myself Single” and the deeply written song “Bottle By My Bed” which at first I thought was a Jason Boland cover. Come to find out it was NOT and it was indeed a song of personal lament. She closed her set with “Bad Girl Phase”. After finally getting to witness her set tonight I am regretful that I haven’t ever gotten the chance to see her perform live yet.
Miss Courtney Patton is the wife of Mr. Jason Eady and also a driving force in Texas music by herself. With vocals that are silky smooth and songs that are truly relate able, she puts on one hell of a show.
“Twisted” was truly a song of splitting up and becoming divided as time drifts you apart. I love her steel infused music she has on both of her albums like the song “What I Didn’t Say”. Recently she played a series of Christmas shows with Miss Sunny and two others for their “Hard Candy Christmas” shows.
“War Of Art” was off of her latest album from 2015, which was a terrific uptempo song of family live while being on the road. Trust me as one who has followed these people around this great country, this life isn’t easy. She’s right signing in bars night after night isn’t a job for a mother or a wife.
She brought many great songs to the table tonight, like the upbeat song called “Light Fades” which brought out more of her Red Dirt influences. Now folks here was one of my TOP negative complaints about the festival overall, being this…ALL of the women acts were on the back stage and placed late at night. I’m not sure if this was a mere coincidence or planned but it wasn’t really well accepted by me. I’m NOT personally offended but I was discouraged as a patron who loves hearing the women play as much as the guys.
“Lamplight” was next which was a slow flowing song of well written lyrics and it also paints a truly terrific picture in your mind, it displays her talents for songwriting quite well. The song “Need For Wanting” was a song I related to myself, it’s a basic D chord two step filled with steel and GREAT vocals. Every guy can relate to her refusing to give into their bullshit lines, as a long since recovered addict I remember that gutter lifestyle of using people. She sings that song SO PRETTY and deliverers the song on the album equally well.
All in All I have been having a wonderful time here at Tumbleweed and I look forward to tomorrow and finding more wonderful new friends. Networking abounds out here in Kansas City for our second yearly trip out here, and I’m having many people to thank for having my crew and I out here!
HELLO MY FRIENDS and my non Flocker friends, my Tumbleweeders, my non Warden friends and all other sets that were represented here this weekend. WOW what a HUGE event to unwind from, and return to life. I didn’t drink a whole lot this weekend to be honest and I hydrated correctly.
So for those of you that faithfully follow my website and love the Tumbleweed side articles, this will commence my main articles for this festival. There were a few side articles that were interviews and they were with the smaller up and coming acts, as well as the Flockers creator Mr. William Higgins, you can read that one HERE
ALSO: Mickey Lamantia (ML 750) Dustin James Clark Sunny Sweeney.
Now one thing you must bear in mind here, I cannot post videos from several of the acts involved here for legal issues. I CAN AND WILL chock it FULL of pictures and information on the music involved, and as many told me I worked my ass off this weekend. The way this festival was set up geographically I really didn’t have a long walk to my vendor tent, which was where I had the rental car parked and used Rebel K Child tent as my base of operations, as I often do at festivals. While she was setting up for Friday’s sales I walked around greeted people and got ready for what I could catch of the music from the Pre-party.
Together we have become a prominent festival combination for networking purposes and we team up on traveling costs making it possible for us both to expand and making it possible for ME to bring YOU the BEST festival coverage I can, if you weren’t there…by the time YOU read this I want you to feel like you were. THAT IS the purpose of my articles here, many other media outlets want you to engage in comments sections and drama subjects. Now folks that’s alright hell I do it myself even at times, but on my website here it’s more focused on information and appreciation of the music it featured.
We arrived late Thursday night, mainly because I had some personal medical issues that needed to be taken care of before I left town. Then right about the Hwy 24-57 split the enemy reared it’s ugly head…rain. Not small light rains but menacing rains, that were tearing apart the Kansas City area throughout the night on Wednesday.
This rain was heavy and plentiful and my good friend Mr. Derek “Weave” Weaver (whom I stayed with) reported to me that they had seven inches plus of rain, and in some areas it was beyond damaging. As with ANY job I stay in contact with the directors and keep my team available for help offers. I was informed that this event had a lingering possibility of cancellation. You need to remember this event was RIGHT ON the river, and sustained significant flooding damage. The vendor area couldn’t provide electricity or lodging for them, and the main stage area couldn’t house sound systems and electronics. His team worked on into the night and early morning to render the park able to accommodate guests.
The rumor mill already began churning before the front gate opened….social media BOOMED with rumors of it being cancelled…being postponed….re scheduled and so forth. Borda Productions came forward and released a official statement that confirmed the natural disaster problems, however they STRESSED that the company has NEVER cancelled an event. Tumbleweed went on a little later than planned…but it went on.
Before I begin the music I just wanted to say that I have never NEVER MET a more down to Earth and welcoming duo than Mr. Doug and Miss Piper, there aren’t too many that honestly become personal friends. People that you would invite into your home and just put the business aside and be friends with, those two certainly were those type. This event became a VERY valuable and tangible networking tool for ALL OF US. Much like ANY festival friendships and alliances were formed, old friends were rekindled and new music was discovered.
NOW THAT is the MOST integral and pertinent part of this article and this event. NEW fans were exposed to NON COMMERCIAL and INTERDEPENDENT MUSIC that EVERY website they invited there daily promotes. Like us or not we are busy promoting REAL MUSIC the likes of the “smaller acts” like the first artist I caught…barely…I was so busy setting up that I missed most of the late night stage on Thursday. The first day and night was indeed A pushy and tiresome cluster of setbacks for me. I’m NOT going to lie it wasn’t until Friday that I was on my A Game, and ready to do what I do BEST…report on the MUSIC. There was a flag issue that bred MUCH drama that I shall opt to NOT touch on, I don’t NEED any drama for ratings. THIS IS A MUSIC PAGE and you’ll read information about their set lists and their future plans, I think I did a wonderful job of weeding out the drama mill stirrers so YOU can get the FULL ambiance of Tumbleweed…the non commercial Outlaw Music juggernaut that this man and his team have created.
Thursday night transpired in a large tent called the Camping Stage and also dubbed the Late Night Stage. This was readily convenient for my crew as she could run her vendor tent and WATCH some of the music simultaneously, and also the toilet facilities were close by her. The vendors has ample power and amnesties and for what they paid for a spot it was totally a cost effective festival in my opinion, so ALL you vendor friends of mine please contact Miss Piper and reserve your 2018 spot…the vendor row needed growth. THAT comes in time, and with our word of mouth, if YOU liked a certain product TELL THEM to bring it back. Seriously Mr. Doug can NOT expand his idea without positive AND negative advice from the ones who REALLY make it happen….YOU.
One of the BEST things initially about this festival was the medical facilities and staff. With someone like ME I MUST have a way to keep insulin cold and a safe locker for medications. I NEED a CLEAN place to check my sugars and stay regular so I can work on this, I had that. I had comfort knowing I can have any possible bad situation handled for me or for my two other people that depend on me for safety. The security and medical staff were absolutely above and beyond what I was expecting and I commend them in every way possible.
The entire park was AWESOME in the amount of trees around to provide shade for us, I mean even with extreme heat (which wasn’t the case) one could have some relief. The vendor area was REALLY well shaded and also the main stage area had many nice spots I could set my chair up for work, it was not as campestral as I thought the grounds would be.
So the first act I got to see part of was Mr. Dustin James Clark and his all natural brand of Honky Tonk Country music, as he opened up the entire festival. I interviewed him earlier on and got a truly good perspective on what he was going to bring to the table here this weekend.
As I stated earlier the larger acts have mostly asked me NOT to publish videos of their performances and I shall comply with them accordingly. HOWEVER the up and coming guys and gals have been VERY adamant about allowing it. Many of them are my personal friends and he is NO exception, and I look forward to watching what he can accomplish with a future full band. I think with proper steel behind him he would sound amazing, his EP is available on the website.
I recently contacted him via text and he provided me with a set list. He opened his set with “Land Of The Free” which was song about ignorance, and how we sometimes take our freedom for granted. “If we don’t pull our heads out of our asses, we may not live in the land of the free”.
“Common Man’ was next (not the John Conlee song of the same name), but it basically talks about just being a plain and simple American. That’s pretty much what we were celebrating this weekend..freedom to be able to assemble like this. “She’s Everywhere I Go” was next followed by ‘Angel in the Hands Of A Devil”.
The Steve Young written song “Lonesome Onry And Mean” made popular by Waylon was next and later on into the weekend the one thorn in my side was this: too many covers! One or Two per set was alright and actually many of the artists here (like Miss Sunny Sweeney) pull off covers from their albums…that’s expected.
“Broken Heart Billy” was next along with ‘Working Man’s Blues” and “Good Hearted Woman” but perhaps his crowning achievement on songs is the up tempo “Fast Cars Honky Tonk Bars And Long Legged Women”. This song was off his EP he had for sale, and I strongly suggest you go pick that up NOW.
You aren’t going to be disappointed in any way shape or form with this young man and his music. One thing you’ll notice about his original tunes…they are all well over three minutes long. One can approach that in two ways, he isn’t good enough of a songwriter to deliver a message quick enough OR he takes a little more time to paint a better picture in getting his point across. YOU decide for yourself on that folks, but I myself say it’s the latter of the two. He takes pride in what he sings and writes and he sticks out like a rooster wearing socks.
The Boomswagglers were a trio from Texas that has actually been around since the early Myspace era in 2007. They are considered a Roots Music original band by many, and I missed most of their set as well.
I’ll admit I’m not entirely familiar with this band and they weren’t as audience related as the other acts this weekend. All of them had merch available and greeted the crowd guests for pictures and talking, I didn’t see that in their instance, however I wasn’t present for the entire set either. I’ll have to catch up with this band further on down the road at Americana Fest.
I did get to finally get settled in and got to witness the band that WON the competition to perform that camping stage called Greg Payne And The Piedmont Boys and they are from Greenville South Carolina.
Greg Payne – Vocals, Guitar Matt Parks – Fiddle, Vocals Chíef Spires – Bass, Vocals Stuart McConnell – Lead Guitar, Vocals Tony Pilot – Drums
I couldn’t say enough good things about Mr. Matt Parks their fiddle player, who played ONE HELL OF AN “Orange Blossom Special” written in 1938 by Ervin T Rouse and is widely regarded as the “Fiddle Players National Anthem”. Probably one of the most adamantly revered fiddle tunes in the history of music as a whole. He did the song justice and was flawless on many notes save for a few small ones that an untrained ear would easily miss. He is a DAMN FINE musician and overall this band had a HUGE stage presence tonight.
The one complaint I had overall about the festival with MOST of the bands as I previously stated was the selection of (or should I say OVER selection of) cover songs. I ENJOY them but I came here to hear their own original music, I do understand you have to entertain the people that WANT the cover songs. But I was hoping for more indulging into their own albums and partaking in well written original songs like “Rice And Beans” , I mean THAT SONG is just an absolute JAM!
However contradicting myself I thought their rendition of “Tulsa Time” was over the top terrific and the tempo was PERFECT. This band plays like a well oiled machine and is vocally intact, not many lagging vocals or off timed relations between the bass man and the kick drum especially on “Rice And Beans” where you can easily detect off time beats.
They opened their set with “Long Time Gone” and The “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” before going into their original songs like “Free Spirit” and “White Line Mercy”, which was a REALLY WELL WRITTEN SONG about being with a woman who loves cocaine. It’s an easily relate able song for many men in that situation, with a great up tempo beat, and I could easily ascertain the audience reaction to this song…which I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing?
“Alone Again” was followed by the song “35” which has a ton of twang. I relate to this song truly well above all of his songs. Being a 21 year CLEAN heroin addict I am 46 now and I’m amazed I’m alive. This a well written masterpiece of personal lament, and regret, the line about a pill and guitar pick in my pocket was what wins me over on this song.
“He Ain’t Got No Hot Water” was another up tempo party song they play, that displays GREAT vocal harmonies and fiddle. This song had the crowd dancing quicker than a cat will lick it’s ass, and it also displayed some common bass thump that I always identify with good old fashioned Honky Tonk music.
The covers that they DID DO were truly great to be honest, as they did “When I’m Stoned” by Jason Boland and The Stragglers, and also they did “Cast No Stones” which we would hear later by Cody Jinks And The Tone Deaf Hippies. “Long Way From The Bottom” and “Traveling Outlaw Band” closed out the set, and the evening tonight. I’m just glad it was an early one because at this juncture I’ve been up for 31 hours and I was ready for a few hours of sleep.
Well once again I am working my butt off for Tumbleweed, ushering in Muddy Roots and also working for the Texas Country Music Awards. As you may know I can NO LONGER do this alone, so I have enlisted the assistance of my friend Mr. Joshua Wallace to help me when he finds jobs he knows he can conquer.
I firmly think you will concur that he knocked it out of the park on this review of Mr. Tyler Childers HAPPY PURGATORY DAY EVERYONE.
Here is a video from a recently covered Tyler Childers show in Nashville you can read more about that one HERE
Whether you’ve been waiting for years to hear a fully produced Tyler Childers album or you just discovered him leading up to this release, Purgatory does not disappoint. This record was produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson and it was recorded live at David Ferguson’s Butcher Shoppe over 2 days. They have released a record that I feel will be a strong contender for album of the year 2017.
There is a lot of diversity at work in the sound on this album. These songs pull from outlaw country, honky tonk and even bluegrass and folk. The star among these varied arrangements is Tyler’s voice and songwriting, both of which are front and center on this album. Clever lines like “Well my buckle makes impressions on the inside of her thigh, there are little feathered indians where we tussled through the night” from “Feathered Indians” are peppered throughout the lyrics. The imagery present in his songwriting often reminds me of Jason Isbell, but with more accessibility.
Some of my favorites include “Whitehouse Road”, “Purgatory” and “Honky Tonk Flame”. “Whitehouse Road” reminds me of a modern day “Copperhead Road” but in a good way that makes something new while bringing about memories of the old song. The title track puts the album in full on bluegrass mode and it’s a fun romp that brings about a welcome change of pace to the album. Finally, “Honky Tonk Flame” brings about that honky tonk vibe and you can hear Sturgill’s influence on this track.
There is truly not a bad track on this album and I’m sure everyone will have their own favorites. While you have heard many of these songs before, either live or on his previous releases like the Live on Red Barn Radio I & II EPs or the Bottles & Bibles LP from 2011 , this record is his best release to date. I hope this album finds Tyler Childers the bigger audiences his sound deserves. The sky’s the limit from here and I’m excited to see what is next.
You know this morning I am right now preparing to make my way to Kansas City for the mighty Tumbleweed Festival, and within that event lies a young gal by the name of Miss Sunny Sweeney . She covered a song on her first album “Heartbreaker’s Hall of Fame.” in 2006 with a song Miss Lacy recorded called “Sixteenth Avenue” wrote by Mr. Thom Schuyler. It made me think about the need to write this article.
Apparently in Susanville California, every year from September to June she donates her time to teaching the craft of songwriting to inmates of this correctional facility. This class includes many whom are serving 20 years to life sentences at the prison. As well as beginning and advanced guitar lessons and how to better express their feeling through songs, of all musical genres.
This program is entitled “Arts In Connections” and it includes special performances for the prison officials and the warden. It’s funded and supported by the Williams foundation, which is a national non profit organization that promotes work services in the arts development.
Apparently this prison arts project has been launched at several institutions with funding from the National Endowment For The Arts and other selected programs. One of the many goals of this program is to get the inmate’s work heard by Nashville officials much like was the result of a Country Music Legend we all know that was incarcerated at San Quentin…Merle Haggard.
They are also attempting to teach the inmates involved how to work together and become productive members of society once their sentences are completed. She’s hoping that her contributions to this program could possibly turn some lives around in a positive manner, it is one of those instances where it might not affect every person involved..but even if a few benefit from this, it’s a noble cause.
There are few living legends left in country music. Charley Pride is one of them and could be on the verge of making a comeback. Charley Pride has enlisted acclaimed singer songwriter Billy Yates as the Producer of his latest album “Music In My Heart” with the goal of creating the best traditional country music album possible. I feel like they succeeded in a huge way.
There isn’t a bad song in the 13 tracks that make up the album. Pride and Yates chose songs from some amazing songwriters such as “Whispering” Bill Anderson, “Country Johnny Mathis, Tommy Collins and Ben Peters who wrote one of Pride’s biggest hits with “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’”. Songs like “New Patches” and “All By My Lonesome” feature some great fiddle and steel guitar playing while ballads such as “I Learned A Lot” bring in strings and piano. Charley Pride’s voice isn’t what it used to be, but Billy Yates works his magic to get the most out of it. It reminds me of how Rick Rubin got the most out of Johnny Cash during his last recording sessions.
Some of my favorite tracks are “New Patches”, the title track and “The Way It Was In ‘51”. That song paints a good picture and takes you back to the old days, even if you weren’t around to experience them. It is reminiscent of Jamey Johnson’s “In Color”. Songwriting is a high point of this album. Charley Pride and Billy Yates chose songs which bring the traditional country sound they were after and highlight Pride’s amazing voice. You wouldn’t know he was 83 listening to this album. He’s certainly not in his prime, but he sounds like he should be in his 60’s instead of his 80’s.
It has been six years since Charley Pride has released an album of new material and it has been worth the wait. The good news is that work has already begun on the follow-up which Pride plans to release next year. Can an 83 year old make a strong career comeback? Only time will tell, but if this album is any indication we could be in for so.
Spillway Bar And Grill Is the place to be tonight for another songwriters night. joining us for tonight’s entertainment is Mr. Keith Hurt, Mr. Mark Beagle and Mr David Vaughn Lindsay which tonight will be my album review of his new release called “Next”.
Once again like last time they turned off all the televisions and talking was kept to minimum. He opened the show like all the other times and explained how things work for this event. They moved all of the tables back down on the dance floor, to make a better ambiance.
As always the food was exceptionally good, I HAD to come down and get some wings and cheese sticks, the sound was absolutely wonderful like it always has been. You just cannot go wrong on a hot Sunday afternoon with good food and a cool bar, and some GREAT acoustic music.
Mr.Keith Hurt started out the rounds, and they all three took turns playing one song a piece. However to make this article a little easier to follow for YOU as a reader, I’ll write it as though each artist played an entire set at one time. Mr. Keith has a real elaborate style and vocal delivery, however his songs were very easy to enjoy.
He began his set with a song called “Wanna Be Somebody’ and then played a really pretty song called “Hummingbird” which included some very nice guitar playing. He then went into a short story about how he found a sugar bowl at a yard sale that he kept some personal items in….the song was called “Sugarbowl”.
This video included in this show is from his song called “Angel Kisses” . The song he played after the break was called “Ain’t It Cool” followed by a song that showed off his vocal abilities really well called “That’s A Good Thing”. Mr. David’s guitarist Mr. Dale Adams added some incredible leads to that song…and the amazing thing was they NEVER MET.
He closed with several more songs filled with intense guitar playing and growling out some of the lyrics with passion, I’m pretty sure the last one was called “To Get You By”.
The middle bar stool tonight was occupied by the big man that is mentioned in the new Colter Wall album called ‘Big Dave”. Mr.David Vaughn Lindsey who like I mentioned just released an album on Young Mary’s Record Co. called “Next”. I purposely waited to speak about this album until now for this reason.
The first song he played was actually the first song on this album and it was called “Love 2 Hate” and he also played the song called “King Of Fools” which is the fifth cut off the album. One of my personal favorite songs on the album was a song that was inspired by the passing of Jon Hensley, and it was called “Taste Of Rain”.
This record really captured his vocals really well, and the songs were all well written, “Love 2 Hate” was easily relate able to me, I have burned many A midnight oil…MANY all nighters to pull off this website. I’m one of the ones that some people love to hate, because i’m not afraid to be myself.
I recall his visitation services being VERY hot out and as soon as it was finished it came a hard rain, many friendships were rekindled that afternoon. He also played a song called “fighting For What I Did”. After the break the first song he played was called “Walking The Same Road”, and he said this was a rare song to find on CD.
He brought a really fine guitarist along that had some really good harmonics and some really good vocal accompaniments to Mr. David, and as I stated he added leads to many songs tonight. he is now playing a song called “Fool Like Me” from his Shot Time And Cigarettes days.
He played another song off the new album about making reoccurring mistakes called “My Bad”, and he closed his set off with a song from the album called “Every Day”. It was pretty enjoyable to witness the entire album played just acoustic, to be honest it is my personal favorite choice for musical expression.
The third spot on tonight’s Songwriters show was occupied by Mr.Mark Beagle who had some fine remarks about one of the local Legends around here Pat Haney who played the first Songwriter show, you can read more about that HERE. In my opinion later on in the evening he played the best song out of all of them, it was a well written uptempo spectacle of greatness!
He used the name Lee Harvey because someone told him he looked like Lee Harvey Oswald, however now he uses Mark Beagle. His first song was called “Cadillac’s To Town” followed by one called “Worn Out And Tattered”, and another called “Bartender”.
“Johnny Walker” was another great song he played, but I’ll be completely honest one of the last songs that he played in his set was a Bluegrass tune called “Blue Eyed Queen”. And that song was BY FAR the best arranged and most well written song of the entire round.
The story behind it was completely awesome, from the time when Del McCourry and Steve Earle collaborated on that Bluegrass album called “The Mountain” in 1999. Del McCourry told him there was no room in Bluegrass for perversion….and Steve Earle said well there is no room in perversion for Bluegrass.
To be honest I think “Carrie Brown” is one of the coolest Bluegrass tunes ever, and I want “Pilgrim” played at my funeral. He also had one song called “Truck Stop Queen” and another called “whiskey River” (Not a cover of the Willie Nelson song).
All in All people the Spillway is a terrific place to see live music of any type, because the food is beyond amazing. The entire ride up there I’m always in a quandary as to what to eat!
Rail Rider Records is proud to announce that Reverend Red and Duane Mark will be hitting the road together in September 2017!!! It has been nearly 2 years, since we have been able to get their tour schedules sync’d up, so it’s time to take this party from one end of the country to the other!
2015 this duo brought us the Fry Pharmacy Sessions where each of them had one side of the album, and I’m hoping that they will continue this format. I’m equally looking forward to Muddy Roots this year, where they are both featured.
Anchor gigs have been locked down and will be announced soon. The remaining dates are filling fast, so make sure a promoter or venue near you gets in on this, before the dates are all full! Send any booking inquiries to: mother@ihateduanemark.com or redadvocate@yahoo.com
Please note: All cities listed below are approximate areas…
08/28/17 – Mon – San Marcos, TX
08/29/17 – Tue – Houston, TX
08/30/17 – Wed – Monroe, LA
08/31/17 – Thu – Tuscaloosa, AL
09/04/17 – Mon – Knoxville, TN
09/05/17 – Tue – Ashville, NC
09/06/17 – Wed – Winston-Salem, NC
09/07/17 – Thu – Richmond, VA
09/08/17 – Fri – Baltimore, MA
09/09/17 – Sat – Harrisburg, PA
09/10/17 – Sun – Philadelphia, PA
09/11/17 – Mon – Scranton, PA
09/12/17 – Tue – Kingston, NY
09/13/17 – Wed – Hartford, CT
09/14/17 – Thu – New Bedford, MA
09/15/17 – Fri – Boston, MA
09/16/17 – Sat – Manchester, NH
09/17/17 – Sun – Albany, NY
09/18/17 – Mon – Syracuse, NY
09/19/17 – Tue – Toronto, CANADA
09/20/17 – Wed – Detroit, MI
09/21/17 – Thu – Grand Rapids, MI
09/23/17 – Sat – Chicago, IL
09/24/17 – Sun – Kansas, MO
09/25/17 – Mon – Tulsa, OK
09/26/17 – Tue – Austin, TX
You can find out more about the New Blood Tubs Gun Club by clicking HERE for the louisville Kentucky chapter. And HERE for the Indiana Chapter.
This article turns my attention to some of the Roots Music I feature on my website, and many people don’t share my enthusiasm for this genre of music but I never cared. See those involved might not LOOK like they do, but the musicians involved in Roots Music oftentimes GREATLY appreciate and idolize the Legends of Country and Bluegrass.
In 2010 I traveled down to Cookville Tn for a festival I had NO idea WHAT to expect, and I was really afraid to talk to anybody. I remember thinking that I’m a nerd and would get beat up, oddly enough I walked away from that festival having enjoyed some truly awesome music. I also met some of the people that would forever scribe a notch within my soul and inspire my website that has become my life.
I’m NOT good with nuts and bolts or mechanics BUT I CAN tell you George Morgan died July 7th 1975. See, music is the ONLY thing I’m really good at aside from hunting and firearms. I don’t honestly know many of this group personally, however the ones I DO KNOW I have an appreciation for.
Muddy Roots Music Festival has become a staple yearly core event for this website, and many of the bands that it has featured have went on further to become featured by me in other articles. And Mr. Anderson Allen AKA 40rty is now one of those people, he recently released a new album called “Happy Murder” independently.
We recently exchanged a few messages on social media, as Mr. Anderson was recently overseas for some shows in other countries. He’s been taking part in other festivals as well, and doing full bands shows. Here is a full track listing of his album Happy Murder:
Welcome home
Rolling Down The Road
Happy
Homies
The Hangover Song
Swan Song
God’s Wounds
Salem
Mudershark
Sorry
Better And Better
Fly Me To Heaven
Land Of The Free
You know folks I have been hunting without missing a year of it for about 35 years. I am an avid waterfoul hunting enthusiast and bowhunter as well. My FAVORITE type of hunting however is small game with small bored shotguns like my favorite 20 gauge. It was purchased by my Grandfather out of a J.C. Pennys catalogue in the 1960’s, when department stores sold guns.
I’ll always remember MY first gun purchase. I was 13 and I earned money on my paper route to buy my first Marlin model 60 tubefeeder .22 rimfire rifle. See Marlin was heavily sold by K Mart before Wal Mart ever got popular in my area growing up.
Mr. 40orty:
Well, I sure appreciate it, man
GHC:
How many Blood Tubs are there total?
Mr. 40rty
It’s hard to say, but we are a national organization that supports and promotes the second Amendment of the US Constitution for all citizens. Even our antics that may appear somewhat reckless, are grounded in the fundamentals of firearms safety, muzzle awareness and trigger discipline.
GHC:
Yeah normally I would frown at the beer can stunt, but I know y’all are good people. I watch comments.. all your group knows their firearms. I don’t call them guns.
Mr. 40rty
Yeah, we police each other quite well. Incompetence or any kind of safety compromise isn’t tolerated well when you’re shooting beer cans off each other heads haha
GHC:
Cool man THANKS I think this piece will turn out nicely!
Mr. 40rty
I’m super excited to see it. You going to be at CSMF Fall this year?
GHC:
I sponsored it again yes. But I can’t come Thursday. I didn’t plan to be this involved with Tumbleweed.
TWO KC trips was not planned, but he is offering me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Mr. 40rty
Well that’s good, I won’t make CSMF Thursday but I’ll be there Friday-Saturday. And of course, I’m sure we’ll see each there at Muddy Roots.
GHC:
I’ll be there at Muddy in fact I had to hire help. That big of a festival I cannot do alone. Especially as hot as it usually is. No way I can cover that many bands.
Mr. 40rty
Yeah, this years quite the line up
GHC:
YES. Blew my mind. I got 800 for merch put up, a lot of those bands don’t come to Nashville
Hey everybody welcome to part 2 of my coverage of the 2017 Moonrunners Music festival in downtown Chicago, I tell you what today I upgraded my phone and got a Galaxy 8 and I truly wish I had gotten it for the festival, so right now I want to once again thank Mr. Scott Mithun for the use of his videos.
Before I go any further I’m hoping I do not offend anybody but there were a few acts I simply couldn’t catch and I hadn’t gotten the chance to have any set lists turned in or I didn’t get a chance to track them down. I apologize for this in advance, I think I did the best job I could at maintaining the current two stage overlap. It’s NOT EASY doing all what I do for this length of time.
The Bad Saddles opened the day up in the side bar with a very high energy set that I needed along with four big cups of coffee to get this day underway here on a windy morning. I was up and ready to kick ass out here and enjoy some damn fine music, and do some more merch table shopping. I also had my daughter with me and it’s extremely hard to say NO to her, so I was buying two of things this weekend.
This fine rock band makes It’s home here in Joliet Illinois and is a prominent member of the local scene in Chicago, as you will easily identify upon their amount of local support and how much they are appreciated. They opened with a fine number called “Tanglewood” and followed that up with “Devil Door”.
The video up above is from “Long Way From Tomorrow” and they played another simply called “Happy”. They then closed with two more song called “Keep On Smilin” and one called “Radiator Blues”. I’ll tell you what I truly enjoyed this band this early in the morning, it was honestly nice to hear a GREAT band right off the bat!
The Decayed was Mr. Jahshie’s thrash metal band with members of his other band Last False Hope (whom I’ll touch on in just a bit) and I watched them from up top on the catwalk stages that line the top of the main stage. There’s furniture along the tops of the balconies of the main stage.
This band was pretty wild and loud, and they opened with a song called “Beaten And Battered” and followed that with a song called “My Decay”. Like many other bands here this weekend The Decayed is also a prominent member of the local scene in Chicago here.
“Hopeless” was next along with a song called “Not This Time”. Along with furious guitar solos and hardcore beats songs like “The Dream Is Dead” filled our ear drums as they closed with “Better Way”. It was one of the heavier bands I truly enjoyed this weekend.
Mr. Soda Gardocki is a staple band from other festivals that I haven’t gotten the chance to cover extensively yet. He played in the side bar this weekend and I think he did a wonderful job up there keeping us busy.
I had to return to the computer to update some things and run background programs in order to properly cover more sets tonight so I only got to check him out while playing “July”. But you can darn sure bet I’ll be covering his set even more throughout the years I do this.
Folks right now It’s time to talk about that dirty blues maniac we call Husky Burnette who opened his set with “Kick Rocks” off his new album out on Rusty Knuckles called Ain’t Nothin But A Revival. That album also made my TOP 50 OF 2016, it was truly fantastic. You can easily see growth in this man’s music lyrically and musically. He is an absolute guitar wizard with a finger slide, his shows are intense high energy and ha makes that guitar neck his bitch!
He continued with “Rising” which I believe he told me was a brand new song, and another one called “Pay By The Hour” before he steamrolled into “Law’s Riding Up” off his first album “Face Down In The Dirt”.
Mr. Brett Conlin put on one hell of a fantastic set here in Chicago today, and it was a true pleasure to catch up with him. I got the chance to talk with him a little biyt and get acquainted with his music more.
He opened with a song called “Pine Box” and followed that with “Ship Of Sin”. Another really good one was “Glad To See You Go” that song truly showcased his vocal abilities really well. “Everything I Know” was another one I noticed right away that was a well written song.
“Here we Go Again, Anyway” was next followed by “Home On Time”. He closed his set with “Whiskey Blues”. I shall be seeking him out more and more in the next few months and I will most certainly feature him again.
The Devil’s Cut is another Midwest band that is currently dong some touring work with the Ditchrunners, you can read about that HERE
“Left To Loose” was first along with “Cordel” and one off their second album called “Glass Chariot”. You know their cause and their lyrics truly speak for themselves and their drummer spoke some wise words on their website I shall reprint here:
“We have one of the worst economies, and due to that you have limited places to play. However, that has also really helped to create an underground community where people stick together, getting behind what is going on at the grassroots level. This communal aspect really comes through in our work, wherein most of the lyrical material and/or musical feel is based around the struggles that we all face due to a failing system”, says drummer Derek Vaive.
“The Body Electric” was next followed by “42 Arrows” and I think the next song was a cover song called “Shakedown On 9th Ave”. They closed their set with “Old Ghosts And Classic Cars”. Later on in the evening they came up to play with St. Christopher.
Mr. A.J. Gaither is one of our Kansas City friends that is part of the Westport scene and just recently released a mighty fine live album from it. He is a powerhouse OMB or One Man Band as they are called, and tonight he played “Biscuits And Gravy” with a mighty fine beat.
He also played “Natural Habitat” and declared Reggies to be the Chicago mecca for his music scene like the Westport Saloon is for his. One could easily tell he was just ecstatic to be there, and felt quite welcomed.
I went next door to see Mr. Matt Woods playing “To Tell The Truth” off his new album that like quite a few on this festival it also made my TOP 50 of 2016 with his album “How To Survive”.
He followed that up with “A Good Man” and the song called “The American Way” that I heard at Muddy Roots for the first time. I loved the lyrics to this song and I have always admired the way he delivers the songs, his stage presence is amazing. He closed his set with “Love From Brushy Mountain” and finally he played “Deadman’s Blues”.
Still after all these years I think “love From Brushy Mountain” to be his finest work in every aspect and even thought I liked songs off his new album a LOT it’s going to be hard for him to beat that album. I am eager to see him attempt to beat it though, and I admire his road dog schedule.
Mr. Duane Mark was one is just recently covered on the road with Sissy Brown in Tennessee and this time he had Mr Tim Vee playing bass with him. There were a few songs I caught and couldn’t find the name but I did see him play “Beer 30” and towards the end I caught “Her Mother” and he closed his set with the same song as the last time which was one by Roger Alan Wade “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb You gotta Be Tough”.
Mr. Adam Lee makes Chicago his home as well as many of the other artists here, and I have always enjoyed his versatile vocals. He brought Matt Woods up to sing “Call Me Bass Call Me Trouble”. I saw them perform that at Muddy Roots already, GREAT song.
His new album called “Sincerely,Me” brought out songs such as “Good Days” and “Show Folks You Mean It”. He also played a song called “Ten Years To The Day”. All in All I have always enjoyed his Honky Tonk style as well as his various other forms of music, and he is a truly gifted entertainer. He enjoys performing and it’s evident in his demeanor and music, I look forward to writing MANY more articles about him and his music.
Still Alive was another of the Chicago area bands and I missed their set. Band Members Dan – Guitar and Vox Dom – Guitar and Vox Bryan – Bass and Mikey – Drums make up this four piece band that mixes punk metal and ska.
Folks I assure you it’s nothing personal if I miss sets, I have to momentarily return to my laptop to do what I do as best as I can. I can and always will add set lists I find out about, and I will gladly edit these anytime for any band. I’m always looking to hire help as long as their heart isn’t out for free tickets and they actually WANT to report on the MUSIC!
S.S.Webb is my friends Mr. Henry Berger and Mr. Cris Bissell make up this Roots Music duo from Milwaukee Wisconsin that I have wrote many articles about in the past. I encounter them at many festivals around the country and have always enjoyed their music.
I enjoy the talks I get to have with Mr. Henry on politics and music and everything else we talk about, like many of you I can usually talk politics and debate or agree and still remain friends, it’s something I enjoy doing. I enjoy learning from others and understanding other people’s points of view, he’s actually quite an interesting person. A road musicians life is in no way an easy job and the insight he gave me last weekend was even more proof of my point that what they do isn’t one big party like your average person assumes.
“Dead Man’s Bar” was first tonight from their album “North” and they followed it up with “Bring Me Home” off the “Revenge” album and another called “Pullin”. “Any Old Thing” was next off my favorite album “Skulls Will Sink” as well as their next song “Chaser”.
S.S.Webb stands for Steering Ships With Broken Bottles and they have a nautical theme to their band. A few songs I don’t find on their albums were “See You In The Morning” and “Most Anything”. They closed their set with ‘Let It Burn”. You can darn sure bet that when they get ready to release new music I’ll keep a close eye on them for a review.
Dave-drums, Curtis-guitar, Johnny-bass, Jeff-guitar, Mikey-percussion Manny-vocals make up the next band that plays Chicago hardcore music called Evil Empire this insert is from their website:
We have different interests, opinions, and personalities. We play music together to promote peace, knowledge, and truth. We don’t care if you’re into hardcore or emo. In fact, we don’t give a motherfuck. Just keep things real, stand up for what’s right. – Fuck all inequalities, smash imperialism, keep it real, have fun. That’s our stance. Teach yourself.
Miss Rachel Brooke is one I encountered many years ago and right now she doesn’t get out as much for personal reasons. So when she is on a bill and I see it I usually go support that festival right away. It was very nice to catch up with her and let her know I’m still out there doing this.
She opened her set with “Keep From Crying” and right off the bat displayed her signature obscure but distinguishable vocal style. She has one of the most unique voices in all of music, a quality many lack in today’s day. “Ashes To Ashes” was next along with “Fox In A Hen House”.
I went up into the back balcony to enjoy her set even further as she rolled into songs like “The Ghost Of You” and she played one called “Stocking Blues” (that might be an incorrect name) however it was a good song. She played the song that made the Muddy Roots compilation disc called “The Mystery Of Death”.
She played a few more in closing her set called “Dixie Darling” and one called “Empty House”, it was truly good to catch up with her and get a chance to see her again. I been a longtime fan of hers and I don’t plan on going anywhere for sure, you can darn sure bet that you’ll be hearing about this young lady in the future.
Last False Hope what can I say about Mr. Jahshie P and what he does for his music scene in the Chicago area, that I haven’t already touched on? He and Shooter have always teamed up to do terrific things for Underground Music up there, and this festival proves it.
Last False Hope blends Hardcore and Bluegrass together for an ultimate experience unlike any other, and I’ll be featuring them this summer as well at Muddy Roots. The first song of their I caught was “God Damn You” and another one they played was “Hollow”.
As with his other band Mr. Jahshie displays an untamed vigor onstage as he releases all his pent up emotions onto the audience while performing songs like “Wasted Nights” and the last one of theirs I watched “Why Do I Fuck Up Everything I Love”. I had to head back to my computer for another update before the night’s closing main acts took their respective places!
Mr. Ted Russell Kamp not only plays bass for Shooter Jennings he also plays his own music as well, and is a seasoned multi instrumentalist. He’s been a staple member of all of Shooter’s bands since 2006 when Shooter released “Let’s Put The O Back In Country”.
He opened with “Hold On” and went on into “My Heart Has A Mind Of It’s Own” off the 2013 album “Night Owl”. His next song was called “Every Little Thing You Need”. His next song was called ‘Rainy Day Valentine, which displayed his own identity as an artist. Mr. Ted has been a prominent producer and musician for many years as a solo act as well as being in the background. “Another Love song” was next followed by “Down to The Wire” before he closed with “If I Had A Dollar”.
Mr. Shawn James has some pretty powerful songs whether it’s him as a solo act of with his band the Shapeshifters. I haven’t ever crossed paths with him or his band so it was a pleasure to encounter him on this bill.
“Through The Valley” was one of his songs today as well as “Snake eyes”. Mr. Shawn channels his inner beast as he wails out lyrics to songs like “Delilah” from his album “On The Shoulders Of Giants”. His last song was called “Hell Hound”, which is also from that aforementioned album.
Call Me Bronco has been another band that has been covered on this website before on many occasions through various festivals and shows. They played their ever popular song “Burn The witch” as well as “4 AM” and “4 Shots”. I was getting ready for the next couple major sets out here tonight that are pretty much leading up to the wrap up of this festival for the weekend.
Saffron Lair: Bass/Backup Vocals, Tyler Palermo: Guitar/Backup Vocals and Violet Staley: Drums/Lead Vocals make up the next band called Won’t stay Dead another punk band from the Chicago area. I did catch some of their set however even with a song list I didn’t catch the names. I did manage to catch some of their set and I did enjoy it, but getting ready for tonight’s big juggernaut acts was a chore that I was salivating for some time over.
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Left Lane Cruiser is just absolutely loud and insane music. And they shake the roof off the venue when they play, it sounds like a freight train rolling by!
Their first song was “Booga Chacka” followed by “Big Momma”. They too, just released a new album not long ago called “Claw Machine Wizard” in April. “Heavy Honey” was next followed by a rowdy cover of “Black Betty”. Their last osng of the set was called “Zombie Blocked” and they left the rock club in complete and utter disarray tonight before the main acts even took the stage.
Mr. Joseph Huber is one I just recently featured as he released a new album last month called “The Suffering Stage”. I got the opportunity to feature two songs before they went public, then I got to feature the new album.
He plays what I call “Feel Good Music”, playing string band type old mountain music influenced heavily by bands like Alabama. I have and will be featuring his music for many years to come. He opened with “Playground Is A Battlefield” which I relate to very well being from a run down area of his same hometown.
“Sons Of The Wandering” was next along with “16-10″ and ‘Drop In The Bucket” from one of his past albums. Another selection off of his new album called “You Showed Me”. Afterwards he played the ever popular “Hanging Road” off his album of the same name.
He closed his set with “Old Mountain Tune” and the older song “Dance Around The Daggers”. Always a treat to witness Joseph Huber’s wonderful music and get to visit with him afterwards, he truly is a great friend.
Mr. Billy Don Burns is a songwriting Legend and I recently got the opportunity to hang around him more privately in West Virginia not long ago. He came out and played “Dark Side Of The Spoon” and “Running Drugs Out Of Mexico” before Shooter came out.
Shooter Jennings is always doing things that I report on on this website. This time he was with his own band and it was cool to see him under this element for a change. Not that I dislike him with Waymore’s Outlaws because I don’t, it’s just fun to see him play ‘Electric Rodeo” and “Steady At The Wheel” on his own as well.
“Don’t Feed The Animals” was next followed by A song called “Triskaidelaphobia” and the “Real Me”. the ever popular “Outlaw You” which mocks the current state of Nashville bro country is always popular. Now make NO mistake I’m NOT one of the types that mock Nashville as a whole, in fact there IS a GREAT music scene here in town. It’s just the major mainstream crap that Music Row produces that is being mocked.
“The Last time I Let You Down” was next follwed by another one of my personal favorites “Nashville From Afar” which was on his 2014 BCR Mixtape, he releases one every year and tonight I got the 2017 one. “Wild and Lonesome” was next folks followed by “I’m Left You’re Right She’s Gone” off Coutach for Giorgio.
“Born To Die” was next followed by “The Door” and “The Other Life”. I thought O’l Shooter was on the mark tonight and I truly enjoyed his show because my daughter was with me for the first time ever for a music show. It was SO MUCH FUN enjoying the show with her. I never imagined my daughter would get to meet Waylon’s younger son, and I cannot thank him enough for that.
“Maifesto Number 1” was next along with “All This Could Have Been yours” and “Summer Of Rage”. He changed from guitar to keyboards throughout the entire performance tonight and with his dead on band that plays like a well oiled machine closed out his set with “Gunslinger” “4rth Of July” and as always “Good Time Charlie” for our friend Colonel Jon Hensley. Shooter if you are reading this I promise you that Jon’s picture will never leave my website and if it does I’m not alive running it my friend.
Escape From The Zoo was band from Houston Texas I missed and I was told they absolutely killed it up there. You can click HERE and buy their music and support this band as well. Folks that’s about all I got for you this time around, I urge you to get off the couch and see a show, support festivals and these bands.
One last act that wasn’t announced and was a last minute deal was one that I didn’t even have to be in the venue to know, however I DID see some of his set. Saint Christopher is one that I have covered many times on my website, and his question is always the same..Was it loud enough?
He brought out Corey Staley- Bass, and Derek Vaive- Drums to play in the side bar. “Let It Rip” was first followed by “How Low Can You go”? “Never Forgive” was next followed by Joe Fox from The Devil’s Cut joining him for “Revolution Motherfucker”.
“Regret And Guilt” was next as he bowels forth his aggressive vocals lambasting corporate rules and values, which could be understood as “St. Christophers Blues”. My favorite song he does is “Ride” and he closed his set and the whole festival with “We Are Legend”.
Even though St. Christopher howls out against mass purchasing and greed he IS FOR THE LITTLE MAN and the REAL American Dream. BUY LOCAL and BUY SMALL.
BUY STUFF from independent people and stop and take a moment to greet the artists and let them know they inspire you or speak to you through music. Of course I’m NOT saying skip your electric bill…just help me keep local music going…won’t you?
Well It’s time once again for me to return to the wonderful state of Montana for the Red Ants Pants Festival and I found out about this HUGE festival last year. One of my Montana readers turned me onto it. This festival was founded in 2011, and is a non profit festival dedicated to promoting women’s leadership.
MUCH LIKE ninety percent of the festivals I promote in my HUGE series that now spans over 175 editions, this festival is completely home grown. ALL of the festival profit is used to fund the grant cycle and also for women’s leadership programming by the Red Ants Pants Foundation.
This festival is so immense and has so much to do instead of JUST putting put the main and side stage I opted to record and create the ENTIRE stage lineups from their page. This project took some time to complete but HEY it’s a worthwhile festival, and it looks promising for an appearance by Gary Hayes Country.Com in the future.
This festival takes place THIS WEEKEND July 27-30th and YOU can buy tickets HERE.
Thursday, July 27th
11:00 AM Festival Campground open to the public
12 PM-2:30 AM SHUTTLE: Operation begins, will be running between town and the festival grounds
3 PM – 9 PM DOWNTOWN: Will call & ticket booth open at Red Ants Pants shop
8:00 PM DOWNTOWN: FREE Street Dance, Main Street White Sulphur: The Beet Topswith Square Dance Caller Chelle Karcher!
9:00 PM DOWNTOWN: FREE Street Dance, Main Street White Sulphur: The Two Tracks
2:30 AM SHUTTLE: Service ends
Friday, July 28th
8 AM – 2:30 AM SHUTTLE: Operation begins, will be running between town and the festival grounds
9 AM – 1 PM CRAFT FAIR: Meagher County Historical Association (Train Depot, 6th Ave SW & Main)
9 AM – 1 PM BOOK SALE: Used book sale at the Meagher County-City Library (15 1st Ave SE)
2:00 PM MAIN GATE: Will Call & Ticket Booth opens at the Main Entrance to the Festival Grounds
3:00 PM FESTIVAL GROUNDS OPEN: All arts/crafts and food/beer/wine vendors open
We offer an enormous campground adjacent to the festival grounds.
• $25 per person covers you from Thursday at 11am – Monday at 12pm.
• Kids 12 and under are free, if accompanied by an adult.
• Camping bracelets available for purchase at campground entrances and main ticketing tent
• NEW for 2017: General Admission camping passes can be purchased online. You MUST present your printed proof of camping pass purchase at the campground entry for your purchase to be honored; there is NO will call for camping passes.
• The campground is divided into “Regular” and “Quiet” sections.
• Any camper, RV, tent, sheep wagon, teepee, or vehicle is welcome.
• Showers available on site for free.
• Potable water, porta-potties, hand washing stations, and trash receptacles are provided.
• Breakfast and ice available for purchase.
• There are no RV hook ups or power hook ups.
Sites are first come, first serve, but there is plenty of room for everyone. This is Montana-style camping, folks. Please only take the space you need and be nice to your neighbors!!
We ask that you leave no trace of your campsite upon departure, including trash. The Jacksons have been very generous in allowing us to use their ranch, so please show your thanks by leaving it in good shape. Thank you!
Festival Camping Rules
*NO PETS Seriously folks, leave them at home. We love listening to loud music, camping and carrying on in the hot sun, they don’t.
*NO OPEN FIRES (small camping stoves are allowed, but please use good judgment! This is Montana fire season and we don’t need to demonstrate how quickly a grass fire burns:) Thanks!
*NO WEAPONS, FIREARMS, OR FIREWORKS. Security will be checking weapons at the gate. You will be able to retrieve them at the end of the event. To save the headache just leave them at home. Thank you!
*PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER CAMPERS. Everyone is here to have a good time. PLEASE JUST BE NICE!!
*NO ONE UNDER 16 OPERATING ANY VEHICLES. INCLUDING 4 WHEELERS, MOTORCYCLES, AND DIRTBIKES. We really don’t want to see anyone hurt at this event. 5 MPH CAMPGROUND SPEED LIMIT.
*NO GENERATORS AFTER 10PM.
*QUIET TIME AFTER 2AM.
*NO RUNNING ON THE DOCK. Just kidding, we don’t have any docks. LOL I saw that guys!
I usually include a nice Google map for every festival however I couldn’t find an address for this event so HERE is the local area motels:
Lately I have been so busy at festivals and CMA Fest ( to me it’s STILL Fan Fair) that I haven’t been able to update this as much as I’d like to, and I apologize. It’s NOT easy to do what I do, but I keep on rolling on as best as I can. So if YOU have a show YOU would like added to my list PLEASE email me at
garyhayes2@yahoo.com
Gillian Welch
Ryman August 7th
Emi Sunshine
3rd And Lindsley August 10th
Bonnie Bishop
3Rd And Lindsley August 11th
John Conlee
August 12th Kentucky Opry
Wanda Jackson
City Winery August 16th
Old Salt Union
Friday After Five Owensboro Ky August 18th
Moore And Moore
Nashville Palace August 18th
Lee Ann Womack
Plaza Theater Glasgow Ky August 24th
Blackfoot Gypsies
A Frame Bowling Green Ky August 25th
Allison Moorer
City Winery September 1st
Waymores Outlaws
Bank Plaza September 8th
Shooter Jennings
Friday Night Live September 8th
Kody West
The Basement September 10th
Tyler Childers
The Basement September 14th
Barnyard Stompers And Dallas Moore
Spillway Bar And Grill September 16th
Jimmy Fortune
Cave City Ky Sept 28th
Mandolin Orange
Mercy Lounge September 29th
Gene Watson
September 29th and 30th Kentucky Opry
Aaron Watson
Ryman Auditorium October 4rth
Gene Watson
October 6th Kentucky Opry
Horseshoes And Hand Grenades
3rd And Lindsley October 13th
Josh Turner
Owensboro Convention Center October 13th
Hey I had an epiphany the other night while I was working on another project, WHY DON’T I make a weekly list of newly released albums of music that I love, and update it every couple nights.? Much like my list of weekly shows that I publish every week I shall now be posting every other night a good sized list of new albums I find from a TON of sources.
Here lately I have been following so many different genres that I can’t even keep track of them myself, oftentimes I have to come on to this article for myself.
I’m not going to break it down into (what I will consider) my own genres, why should I? It’s just ALL damn good music no matter WHAT you call it, and I think you’ll agree that these are truly champion choices. I find out about SO MANY new bands and festivals every day by scouring the internet and subscribing to mailing lists and word of mouth.
My TOP 50 of ANY year is probably my most popular article of anything I ever publish that gets viewed by tens of thousands of people, my TOP 50 will indeed derive from this list here and I shall update this list several times a week. If YOU have some terrific suggestions for me you can hit me up on garyhayes2@yahoo.com
Sunny Sweeney-Trophy
JonEmery Dodds-Hell Rooster
Billie Gant And Nick Geise-On And On
Richie Allbright-Poets,Prophets,Heroes And Friends
Old 97’s-Graveyard Whistling
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band- Front Porch Sessions
Split Lip Rayfield-On My Way
Natalie Hemby-Puxico
Ags Connolly-Nothin Unexpected
Dale Watson And Ray Benson-Dale And Ray
Band Of Heathens-Duende
Scott H Biram-The Bad Testament
Truckstop Honeymoon-Big Things And Little Things
Truckstop Gamblers-Here
Nikki Lane-Highway Queen
Infamous Stringdusters-Laws Of Gravity
Marty Stuart-Way Out West
Poor Man’s Whiskey-Rock Star On The Weekend
Southern Culture On The Skids-Electric Pinecones
Pert Near Sandstone-Discovery Of Honey
The Gibson Brothers-In The Ground
Cory Branon-Adios
The Traveli’n McCourys-Let Her Go
Tift Merritt-Stitch Of The World
John Hord-The Home You Made For Me
James Scott Bullard And The Late Night Sweethearts-Box Of Letters
William Matheny-Strange Constellations
Black Irish Texas-To Hell With The King
Jamie Wyatt-Felony Blues
Otis Gibbs-Mount Renraw
Austin James-Full Throttle
A.J. Hobbs-Too Much Is Never Enough
Fred Eaglesmith-Standard
Jeremy Steding- Odessa
Whitney Rose-South Texas Suite
Kris Kristofferson-The Austin Sessions
Kate Grom-Heroine
Lindi Ortega-Til The Goin Gets Gone
Drew Holcomb-New Year
Brad Good Band-One Red Light
Pat Waters-Heartbroke
Derek Anthony-Dreamcathcer
Greg Wickham-If I Left This World
Rebeca Loebe-Blink
The Drugstore Gypsies-Self Titled
Buzz Cason-Passion
Great American Taxi-Dr.Feelgood’s Traveling Medicine Show
Allison Krauss-Windy City
Travis Linville-Up Ahead
Patty Reese-Let In The Sun
Valerie June-The Order Of Time
Richard Lynch-Mending Fences
Koe Wetzel-Noise Complaint
Rodney Crowell-Close Ties
Tanner Fenoglio-This Town
Jess Wade-Country Comforts
Chris Shiflett- West Coast Town
Sam Outlaw-Tenderheart
Lillie Mae-Forever And Then Some
Blackfoot Gypsies-To The Top
Bobby Osborne-Original
Sarah Shook And The Disarmers-Sidelong
Scott H Biram-Bad Testament
Banditos-Visionland
Kody West-Green
Brett Hendrix-Brett Hendrix
Todd Adelman And The Country Mile-Time Will Tell
The String Cheese Incident-Believe
Andrew Combs-Canyons Of My Mind
Tim O Brien-Where The River Meets The Road
Joseph Huber- The Suffering Stage
Angaleena Presley-Wrangled
The Hooten Hallers-Hooten Hallers
Joey Feek-If Not For You
Jericho Woods-Better Now
Leslie Tom-Leslie Tom
Willie Nelson-God’s Problem Child
The Dead South-Illusion And Doubt
Colter Wall-Colter Wall
Delbert McClinton-Prick Of The Litter
Sarah Shook And The Disarmers-Sidelong
Justin Townes Earle-Kids In The Street
Lorin Walker Madsen- Slave Of The Road
Amanda Anne Platt And The Honeycutters-Amanda Anne Platt And The Honeycutters
The Country Side Of Harmonica Sam-A Drink After Midnight
Rob McNurlin-Tent Of The Wicked
Hot Rod Walt And The psycho Devilles-Swingin On The Moon
Mike And The Moonpies Live At Winstar Casino (From December 2016)
Kasey Chambers-Dragonfly
BR5-49- Meet Me In Saint Louis
40orty-Happy Murder
The Dustbowl Revival
Bob Wayne-Bad Hombre
J.P.Harris-Why Don’t We Duet In The Woods
Jessi Colter-The Psalms
John Moreland-Big Bad luv
Andrew Pope-Stoned On The One
Reid Farris-Reid Farris
John Hord-The Home You Made For Me
Barnyard Stompers-Outlaws With Chainsaws Part II The Payback
Drew Holcomb And The Neighbors-Souvenir
Leslie Tom-Leslie Tom
Travis Linville-Up Ahead
Greg Wicham-If I Left This World
Rebecca Loebe-Blink
Allison Krauss-Windy City
Jason Eady-Jason Eady
Sallie Ford-Soul Sick
Scott Hrabko And The Rabbits-Summer
Kimberly Dunn-New Smoke Show Volume 1
Banditos-Visionland
William Matheny-Strange Constellations
Daniel Romano-Modern Pressure
Bobby Bare-Things Change
Steel Woods-Straw In The Wind
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit-The Nashville Sound
Steve Earle And The Dukes-So You Wanna be An Outlaw?
The Mastersons-Transient Lullaby
Hannah Aldridge- Gold Rush
Charlie Worsham-Beginning Of Things
Banditos-Banditos
Old Salt Union-Old Salt Union
Jonathan Parker-Back To Earth
John Buchanon- Proving Grounds
Jon Byrd- Dirty Ol River
Donna Lynn Gaskey-The Love She Shows
The Dustbowl Revival- The Dustbowl Revival
Andy Hall- Let The Steel Play
Jeff Tweedy-Together At Last
Joe Holt-The Person I Admire
Sam Baker- Land Of Doubt
Yonder Mountain String Band-Love Ain’t Love
Shakey Graves And The Horse He Rode In On-Nobody’s Fool
Pierce Edens-Stripped Down Gussied Up
North Mississippi All Stars-Pray For Peace
Kayla Luky-Back To Dirt
Robyn Ludwick-This Tall To Ride
Amilia K Spicer-Wow And Flutter
The Borther Brothers- Tugboats
Sera Cahoone-From Where I Started
David Childers-Run Skeleton Run
Slaid Cleaves-Ghost On The Car Radio
Jefferson Ron-Live At Hillbilly Haiku
Don Gallardo-Live On Sunday
Selwyn Birchwood-Pick Your Poison
Rick Shelly-Hope Wrapped Razor Wire
Willie Payne Harrison-East Nashville Blues
Shawna Russell-Back around
Hunter Rae Band-Lovin’ Ain’t Free
Blake Torry-Toast to The Stars
Damon Curtis-Changing Lanes
Aaron Copeland-Aaron Copeland
Clayton Landua-Native
Introducing…The Powell Brothers
Mary Bragg-Lucky Strike
Julia Hatfield-Hopeless Romantic
Read Southall Band- Borrowed Time
Kody West- Green
Zephaniah O Hara And The 18 Wheelers- The Highway
Billy Payne- Maverick Hillbilly
Jenny Don’t And The Lonesome Spurs- Call Of The Road
Zac Wenzel- Diary Of A Madman
Greg Ashley And The Western Playboys
Rodney Crowell- Close Ties
Tyler Childers- Purgatory
Gallows Bound- Appalachian Witch
Lilly Hiatt- Trinity Lane
Folks as most of you know i cannot be omnipresent, and recently I looked around for some dedicated friends to help me do this. See now I’ll be able to cover more ground through the eyes and ears of others. Mr. Joshua has been my personal friend for many years, and I have a huge deal of respect for him as a person.
With that being said please take a moment to enjoy his coverage of an Atlanta show with these fine artists. I’m sure if this article is as well received as I anticipate we will publish more articles for other bands, that Mr. Joshua writes.
All photos and article content by Joshua Wallace.
Last Saturday night I had the pleasure of heading up to Atlanta to see a show which featured Great Peacock, Colter Wall and Paul Cauthen at Terminal West. I’ve been a fan of Colter Wall’s for a couple of years and this was my first chance to see him live. I was happy to be able to see him do a longer set with The Speedy Creek Band. I was not as familiar with the music of Paul Cauthen or Great Peacock. I enjoy Paul Cauthen’s debut record My Gospel and was looking forward to hearing some of those songs live. However, I had not heard much of Great Peacock before this show.
Great Peacock performed a short opening set. They mostly performed songs from their 2015 album Making Ghosts. The group played through original songs like “Take Me Back To The Mountain” and “Desert Lark”. The group has a sound that is very reminiscent of Whiskeytown. Their brand of guitar driven alt country and Americana takes you back to those days. They even did a Whiskeytown cover in their short set. If you’re a fan of this kind of music, you can’t go wrong catching Great Peacock live if they’re playing near you.
Next up was Colter Wall. He opened the show up solo picking through “Thirteen Silver Dollars” by himself before his band takes the stage about halfway through the song. It’s a great intro to the show that puts the focus on Colter Wall as the star. The band features Anna Blanton on fiddle and mandolin, John Clay on drums, dobro and backing vocals and Jason Simpson on bass. He has a small band, but they help fill out his sound perfectly.
Colter Wall plays through songs from both his self titled LP and the EP Imaginary Appalachia. He rounds out a full set with a couple of newer songs and covers. He plays songs most fans are familiar with from youtube like “Railroad Bill” and “Saskatchewan 1881”, but he also plays new songs that people have never heard before. As for covers, he mixes in a variety of songs such as Jimmie Rodgers “Mule Skinner Blues”, Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother” and the Ramblin’ Jack Elliot version of “Tramp In The Street”.
Colter Wall is a very talented performer whom I feel is going as far as he wants to. He’s an amazing songwriter and his live shows will convince you of his talent as a performer. He has a presence that draws everyone’s attention to him and his voice is reminiscent of the late Johnny Cash. The thing I found most amazing that drew me in was his skills as a guitar player. He finger picks everything with the skill of someone much older. I feel like right now, he’s kind of where Sturgill Simpson was after releasing High Top Mountain. He’s not quite drawing a sell out every time, but word of mouth is getting around with every show he plays. I talked to a few people that night and I know a lot of folks either came for the first time because someone told them about him or saw him before and brought a friend. It’s only a matter of time before he is playing larger venues.
Paul Cauthen finished up the night. He brings a very different sound than Colter Wall with his band. If you mix Texas Country with bits of funk and gospel, you have a good description of what you can expect from Paul Cauthen. His guitar player is interesting as he can bring a bit of funk and spaced out sounds in addition to the typical country twang. Paul Cauthen mostly worked through songs from his debut record “My Gospel” but he also includes other songs that aren’t on the record. As for covers, he does a rousing rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues”. The highlight of the set for me was Paul’s acoustic version of “Let It Burn”. He has an amazing vibrato and it really shows when he lets the band take a break and plays acoustic. He finished off the night with “I’ll Be The One” and “My Gospel”.
Overall it was a very good night of music. It might have been a disservice to Paul for him to go on last as many people cleared out after Colter Wall’s set, but it didn’t seem to phase Paul Cauthen and his band at all. I highly recommend checking out any of these three bands if they come to your area.
Friends It’s time for promoting my friends on the west coast Ruckus In The Boonies. My buddy Aaron “Dogbite” Harris works relentlessly hard to make this yearly event happen in a big way. His label Ruckus In The Records and Bucknums Tavern once again temaed up to bring you a weekend of Roots Music Fun.
I recently spent some time with headlining act Billy Don Burns who is a Country Music Legend in his own right, and also posses a powerful stage presence. The Urban Pioneers have always been a powerhouse Roots Music/ Bluegrass act, and Liz Sloan on fiddle is truly one of the most amazing musicians I have ever witnessed.
Billy Don Burns is a true Country Music Warrior. He wears his battle scars with honor, depicting the stories of his life in his songs with brutal and beautiful honesty. He’s respected far and wide for his long career in songwriting and performing, and he’s still out there. He’s lived it and breathed it through lifetimes of country music passion and pain.
Mix one part Texas fiddle and one part Tennessee banjo, add doghouse bass and a splash of guitar and you have a delicious cocktail for your ears known as the Urban Pioneers. This string band hammers out a variety of original songs that encompass old time hillbilly music, western swing, rockabilly, and even a few gypsy type songs for good measure. urbanpioneers.com
HUSKY BURNETTE
The Blues are a religion and Brian “Husky” Burnette sho nuff preaches it. You can feel the testimony as he blends Delta and Hill Country Blues with Rock n Roll. His music is gritty, soulful, low-down and dirty.
Tom Vandenavond is a contemporary ghost with a wisdom in his music that exceeds his years. His sound embodies the nature of solitary travel and the inevitable connections made from a life on the road.
I am a singer, songwriter, musician from Washington State, USA. I hold my mind, heart & soul open, put them into song & travel the world sharing this with as many of you as I can to help make this world a better place 🙂 Musically speaking, my influences are across the board & ever growing so, who knows what the next album might hold in store! jameshunnicutt.com
ABSINTHE ROSE
Absinthe Rose is a folk, country, punk songwriter that takes from personal experiences. DIY but NEVER alone! Growing up in the punk scenes at the early age bouncing from San Fransisco, Medford, and Las Vegas. Absinthe Rose
HARMED BROTHERS
they call it “indiegrass,” the rustic American musical blend that celebrates and chronicles the physical and emotional gauntlet the Harmed Brothers have always ridden, zigzagging endlessly in vans across the nation. It’s an inclusive sound, the melding of two unique voices adorned each night with the contributions of the many pickers, singers and songwriters the Brothers have encountered in their travels. theharmedbrothers.com
COFFIN HUNTER
Coffin Hunter is the brainchild of Jack Gibson, long time bass player for thrash metal icon Exodus. It comes out of his love for playing banjo and love of vintage Nashville music. It is a combination of Jerry Reed, C. W. McCall, and a Sergio Leone soundtrack. It is truly American music. Coffin Hunter
Other Featured Artists
Lorin Walker Madsen
Dusty Rust
Hammerlock
Stone Elk
Last Giant
Stoned Evergreen Travelers
Dog Bite Harris
Smokestack Relics
Acousta Noir
Graverobber’s Jukebox
Old Death Whisper
Rock Bottom String Band
Keil Grove
Gunsafe
Tales from Ghost Town
Felix Thursday
Tyler Giles
The Bridge City Sinners
Cory Peterson
Nicole Pike
Billy Hood
Krista Blackburn
Elly Swift
Catfish Black
Abraham & the Old Souls
Josie Evans
36″ Wheels
Texicano Folk Rock Punk
Hard Money Saints
John Dough Boys
Pretty Drunk
Northwestern Motel & RV Park
3.8 (10)
Motel · 389 Main St
Antlers Inn
3.6 (5)
Hotel · 103 Main St
Hyatt House Bed And Breakfast
3.5
Hotel
Stage Stop Motel & RV
3.0 (2)
Motel · 503 Main St
Heart of Texas Records is visiting Nashville today and I am truly excited about this as I don’t get to visit with them as much as I’d like to. The Texas Troubador Theater is hosting today’s event as they feature some of this label’s finest talent. Some of Country Music’s greatest Legends will come alive tonight with timeless classic Country Music hits that are sure to accommodate your appetite for the more Traditional sound. I need to get my butt out to the Texas area sometime and visit the museum there, as I absolutely LOVE Country Music history.
When I got there I found Mr. Tracy Pitcox and met him finally after many years of communicating through emails and IM on social media. He took me backstage and I got the opportunity to finally meet Mr. Tony Booth, several more of them I already knew through R.O.P.E. and other functions. I wanted to publicly THANK HIM for his hospitality and support to allow me to do this for him.
So first we had Illinois native Mr.Dennis Stroughmatt who plays Creole Cajun music, but tonight he began the show with those wonderful twin fiddle sounds I often associate with Texas Traditional music. I’m telling you folks the double stop intros were plentiful yesterday afternoon. YES FOLKS I do realize I misspelled his name SORRY.
He posses a truly heartfelt and commanding voice and his songs were full of those wonderful twin fiddle double stops, always identified with Texas Traditional Music. He was a truly fine addition to this lineup tonight, and I know it’s not easy to handle that fiddle and bow while singing.
I also didn’t realize until this morning my knucklehead self forgot to turn my phone sideways for a better video. I shot some truly good videos I just need to learn to tweak what I do to make it better. This new phone I bought has the ability to allow me to maintain the entire website from my telephone.
He performed “Heart Over Mind’ from Mel Tillis, and his second song was a song written in the 1960’s by Hank Cochran called “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me? It was made vastly commercially popular by Ray Price. this young man truly embellishes Traditional Music with the way he performs.
Next up was powerhouse family member Diane McCall who performed the song “Sugar Cane Moon” made popular by Bob Wills. You know much like the name Williams, Tubb or Morgan, the last name of McCall is just as integral to Country Music as the others.
She also performed another fine classic Country song today, and I also thoroughly enjoy admiring the music that this family graces Country Music with. I haven’t had the chance to see her for many years, since one of the Wayne Mills tributes where I saw her with Mr. Tom Ghent.
Razzy Bailey is an overlooked Country Music Legend by all means. He performed “Baby Come See Me When It Rains”, and he also came out and made jokes and we had a wild time then. Razzy Bailey had much success as a songwriter and publisher back in the 60s and 70s.
He has always been a truly funny performer and much like Johnny Russell he can flip from the jokes to being heartfelt and serious at the drop of a hat. Mr. Razzy Bailey is still one of my personal favorite Legends around, these guys from days of old didn’t need to be filthy to be funny.
Margie Singleton is a true Country Music Legend as well, having been a regular duet partner that often joined George Jones and Faron Young. In the 1950’s she signed to Starday Records and was also a regular guest on the Louisiana Hayride.
In fact just recently Bear Famiy Records released a multi disc set of George Jones EARLY material and she’s on that set and probably in a major fashion. If it’s one series I REALLY LOVE it’s the Bear Family series, I’ll pretty much snatch up ANY set they release even if it makes my wallet cry.
In 1963 she had a huge hit with the song she played for us today called “Old Records”. She also played that song numerous times on the Grand Old Opry in the past. She spent years singing backup vocals for Charley Pride, Tammy Wynette and also recorded the original version of “Harper Valley PTA” that Tom T Hall wrote. Although her version didn’t garnish as much commercial success as Jeanie C Riley, she is still credited as the original recorder of that song.
Bobby G Rice is another overlooked Country Music Legend, who earned Male Vocalist of the year in 1973. He earned much commercial success for the song “You Lay So Easy On My Mind”, which he performed for us today. I have the pleasure of seeing Mr. Bobby quite often at R.O.P.E. and other local hometown Country Music functions.
He’s been entertaining audiences for forty five years this year, and his signature song has been recorded by more different artists than I could even name. He has had thirty Billboard Chart hit singles and has appeared on a long impressive list of television and radio shows.
Rance Norton came out and performed the song “Honky Tonk Healing” which I remember from the David Ball album Thinkin Problem. It was written by David Ball and Tommy Polk for that album.
He also performed the song “Just Start Walking” for us tonight, and it was indeed a pleasure to see him and some of the younger performers today. These guys are the future of the Texas Traditional Country Music movement, and always pointing out that resource is important.
Darrell McCall was a former member of Ray Price Cherokee Cowboys as well as Faron Yuong and Hank Williams Jr. He later went on to write Eleven Roses for Hank Williams Junior and more.
He played “Country Girl” for us that was originally performed by Faron Young and many others. However the best song that he played was the ever popular song “It’s The Water”. I truly enjoyed watching this song being performed.
My favorite portion of the show was watching one of my TOP 50 Of 2016Landon Dodd. He played a song called “Same Old Town” first. That is an old Skeets song from long ago, and he also played “One Bar At A Time” by Stoney Cooper.
Mona McCall is the wife of Mr. Darrell and we enjoyed her playing the song “Sweet Lips” and “Bandera”. Coming toward the end of the show it was nice to see the main man of the night Mr. Tony Booth who is a true Country Music Legend in his own right.
He played the song “Cinderella” that Buck Owens recorded in the 1970’s and that song was put on his album “Roll Out The Red Carpet”. He played “Walkin The Floor” the time less Ernest Tubb Classic song and then played another song called “Keys In The Mailbox” that Buck Owens recorded.
The remaining two members of the Survivors trio of Tony Booth, Darrell McCall and Curtis Potter came out and sang “Wasted Words” and “i Thought I Heard You Call My Name”. Sadly Country Legend Curtis Potter died recently and the last two members graced us with their fine songs.
Well last weekend Mr.Mickey Lamantia stopped by to chat with me about Tumbleweed Festival and more. Mr. Mickey has created an online phenomenon called Whiskey Wednesdays, that is currently generating an online response of thousands of people. He recently opened for Country music Legend Mickey Gilley out here at the Nashville Palace, which is where I currently sit while writing some articles for another project in town. while I wait for the show to begin I am just typing some other articles out.
This phone conversation was quite possibly one of the longer ones out of this entire project thus far, however to be honest I’m not totally wrapped it up yet…I got one or two more up my sleeve for this festival. I have a large deal of admiration for this man for his avocation of gun rights, and as an avid sportsman and fellow firearm enthusiast I seek those that promote firearm safety.
He’s proudly playing on the main stage for us in a few weeks in Kansas City for the much anticipated Outlaw Country and Red Dirt festival that boasts large attendance. It has kept me quite busy this month, and I have had to pull a few late nights because of the work involved, but you know what? It’s worth every minute I invest, the music and the friends I have made from this job is insurmountable.
I involve my website with so many different scenes and genres of music, and the Outlaw scene (if you want to use that term) has been good to me. Truthfully I just call it all real music really, I mean I feature so much different avenues from various regions of the world. So without any more yapping about anything here is my time with Mr. Mickey.
GHC:
Why don’t you tell me how you got started in music, and when?
Mr. Mickey:
Well pretty much my uncle played in bands, and I followed him around in my teens. He played in a lot of bars and he did George Jones and Waylon type stuff, he was really good in his prime. He could’ve made it big but we are in a tough spot up here in around my area.
I got to open up some shows for Willie Nelson when I was twenty two, I got to meet all those guys, the road crew and the whole band was really good to me. I kind of got away from it when I got the prison job, but I played acoustic shows for years. I just never put any effort into carrying on the momentum I got when I was younger. I started writing songs, and a couple years ago I thought man I got some good songs and I asked myself, should I try to get back into it as a songwriter? So I thought I’d put forth the effort and it got me to where I’m at at the moment, and it’s been a good ride so far.
GHC:
Whom influenced you more than anybody else?
Mr. Mickey:
Randy Travis.
GHC:
That’s one reason I respected you a lot, I saw the admiration that you have for him. It showed a lot!
Mr. Mickey:
Yeah, it’s truly sad to see him like that and what he’s going through. But you know, all those years of writing songs like he did it’s got to be absolute frustration not to be able to sing like he did. He really has trouble communicating , I mean he knows what’s going on, when I seen him at the Palace he knew. I saw him watch my set and I played a Jamey Johnson song, you know he and Jamey are close. I played In Color and he loved it, and I did my song for him called Digging Up Bones, and you know he loved it. It was so damn cool to see him enjoy the fruits of his labor like that.
I met him twice now, I met him before and after the incident. I was twenty two and I got a picture with him and then I got the picture at the Palace this year, I was really excited that we almost re created the same photo all those years later.
GHC:
How did you land that opening slot for Mickey Gilley? I’m sorry I missed that by the way.
Mr. Mickey:
Well a couple guys that I know took an interest in me Joe Kelly and Steve Popovich from Nashville got it for me. We are probably going to be working together and they got me a couple of shows one was with Gilley and one was with the DJ from Sirius XM, Dallas Wayne. You know Steve Popovich’s dad actually discovered Meat Loaf.
GHC:
I did some work with him and Mr. Phil Lister, on a couple of projects and he was really nice guy. His dad is really interesting yes.
Mr. Mickey:
Yeah, they are straight up and honest which is hard to come by in this business. In the two years I been doing this I think I found every snake in the grass. Everybody who wants to try to take you somewhere but isn’t going anywhere themselves. There’s a lot of bottom feeders in this business, they find some innocent girl and they take their money and all their dreams.
My first EP I paid eight thousand dollars for it was called The Dash. After that I kind of messed around a little but I said right there and then that it won’t happen again. I found Bill McDermott who is a great producer, and we did Outlaw Life, it was just night and day the production and the whole thing was just amazing. Bill and I will work together for as long as we can that’s for sure.
GHC:
Tell me more about your job as a correctional officer.
Mr. Mickey:
I been working for the state up here for nineteen years now, actually I left in 2005 and I was a police officer down in Florida. And I went back to the prison, I been back here for eleven years. I’m hoping to be out of here in another six months, that’s the plan. As a correctional officer you see everything, I actually wrote a song in the maximum security cell block, I took out a pen and paper and I wrote out Sad And Lonely. I never changed a word in that song, because I deal with a lot of stuff on a daily basis.
GHC:
Tell us more about your show you have on social media, Whiskey Wednesdays?
Mr. Mickey:
We were sitting around one night drinking some whiskey and having some good times, and I had heard about this facebook live thing. I said well let’s try it and we did it and we had like four hundred people at a time on that thing. I thought well we got to do something every Wednesday so we’ll do a show called Whiskey Wednesdays. Same time every week and we’ll do a different bottle of whiskey every week. So what we did was go find small companies like Sons Of Liberty in Kingston Rhode Island which had home delivery. They are actually really good companies so made a proposal and came up with a logo, you know I branded myself before we got this idea going. That being the ML 750 which stands for seven hundred fifty milliliters in a bottle of whiskey, right? Well, I flipped it around and came up with that logo, and they loved that idea.
So what they did on their end is gave us six bottles of whiskey a month. Usually we have a group of people come over to the house and drink and we do it. It got to the point where the highest I had was forty thousand views, and we averaged anywhere from ten to twenty now. That’s almost football stadium Gary.
GHC:
You are doing good on social media man, I been following you..I follow three thousand bands so I don’t always get follow you 24-7 but I noticed one of your video got a million views buddy!
Mr. Mickey:
Yes we just crossed over one million views on that one. Just some guys sitting around with an acoustic guitar, so that’s pretty cool. I really take pride in my songwriting, if someone comes up and says hey man you are a really good singer, I always say I appreciate that. But if someone comes up and says I really like your lyrics and your delivery, that’s more exciting to me.
Whiskey Wednesdays on social media if it wasn’t for that I got two kids and a full time job. I won’t put my kids at risk, I struggle but I won’t do that to my kids.
GHC:
You are doing the right thing, trust me buddy you are. I waited until my child was eighteen to bust this website wide open, you know my child support was done and she’s off doing her own thing. I just took that hat off and flipped this one on, the music’s always going to be there buddy.
Mr Mickey:
With the kids I say I’m not going to take that chance, it’s coming to a point where the call is going to be made for me I think at some point which is good, because that’s what I want. I think Steve and Joe Kelly are the missing piece to what I’m doing.
So, we created a solid foundation with social media we got thirty thousand people on my facebook page, and then my Whiskey Wednesday page, Twitter and Instagram. We have done a good job for just being ourselves and I have been all over the country with social media.
GHC:
Ok…one thing my website does is it specializes in festivals. That’s the reason I was called upon and hired to do what I’m doing, so let’s talk about tumbleweed…what do you think about it?
Mr Mickey:
Well I’m calling it the Woodstock of Outlaw Country Music man. I think it’s effeminately potential for much cleaner atmosphere but at the same time I think you are going to find bands that are obscure. You got Jamey playing there and Billy Joe Shaver, but then you got guys like Cody Jinks and Whitey Morgan. But then you got a lot of guys below that who I think are going to surprise you even though some of those acts are one o clock. I think a lot of those bands are going to ride out of this Tumbleweed Festival soaring, you know.
GHC:
Well, that’s what I started this series for, the ones the crowd might not know as well. Everybody knows Jamey Johnson and it’s cool to interview him but you know I would rather interview you guys. Because a lot of people may not know your music, and let’s bring it to them. That’s my point, and why I’m doing this.
I have been out there on other assignments, I been out to the facility and I think it’s a wonderful venue. He’s doing this thing right so far, this is a science. He’s doing some thing I think are right and some thing I think are wrong but he’s going to succeed in the end.
Mr. Mickey:
Well they used one of the bigger Nashville booking agencies, but one of them had watched a Whiskey Wednesday. I went to bed and he had sent me a message at about midnight, and asked if I had a booking agent or a manager. He called my manager, and he called me up and said hey we got this offer for this thing in Kansas City. He said so and so is on it and they are legit, and we got twenty four hours to accept.
I said you just call the guy up and take that job. So that’s how I got it, I got tumbleweed through Whiskey Wednesday too, which is pretty cool.
GHC:
Well, the director sent me an email and said festivals is what you do and I have a vendor partner that I work with. She runs the back end and I handle the stage up front, we have this down to a science we don’t drink and we are all about making money and promoting music.
Mr. Mickey:
Well we are going to bring a great show at three o clock. My last trip to Nashville I got to hang out with Robby Turner, Waylon’s last steel player.
GHC:
That’s my next question for you. (laughing)
Mr. Mickey:
You don’t miss a thing, do you? Yeah Robby called me the next morning and said I had this divine intuition to call you. So he invited us back out that night in his set and me and you will play some music together. And I love Robby because he played with Waylon and he’s played with Stapleton, so I said alright.
The next night he came to my ML 750 party in Nashville and we jammed and I got to play with him on one side, and another guy that played with Janis Joplin. We got invited back to the studio and the next thing I know I got a beer in my hand. After that we took off and went back to Rhode Island, and we went back and forth talking a little bit.
I thought now wait a minute this festival has Cowboy Eddie Long, Brett Robinson, Austin Tripp and I thought you know what Robbie Turner really deserves to be in that mix.
GHC:
Hell Sunny Sweeney has Tommy Detamore, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
Mr. Mickey:
So you have all these great steel players, and I think he really deserves to be among them that weekend. So I called him up and said hey Robby is there any way we can work it out that you can play for me? And I think it may have been on his mind already, but he said we will work it out. you go ahead and make the announcement. So I did and it was a very popular announcement. Robby is a good guy and I think that we will play at three and he will get to hobknob with all these guys. They’re all friends anyways so you know, and I really truly thought from my heart you should be on this festival.
GHC:
I have a steel guitar series where I feature different ones every article. I’m going to try to do a live one with Robby Turner and Cowboy Eddie Long if I can. I covered Brett Robinson and Austin Tripp, but I want to contact him and do a LIVE interview with him.
Mr. Mickey
Well you know he was the last person to play for Waylon. Waylon had gone to him and said let’s cut some acoustic tracks, I won’t tell you what they are for but you know it was kind of like a special thing for Robby.I want you to produce them and then they are yours to do what you see fit with.
So Waylon went and cut Belle Of The Ball again and he did thirteen songs on the album. Robby got one of the guys from the band and they played in Robby’s garage. I got to listen to it, just like he listened to my album, we sat around listening to music.
That’s one cool thing about Robby is he’s got a big heart. He actually took us back there and let us listen to those cuts by Waylon,and I think they are released now but there was some fight with Sony over it. You can ask Robby about it, but that’s one of the cool things about my time in Nashville.
GHC:
I have never heard of that, the last obscure stuff I know of was the stuff that Shooter released on Record Store Day. That I knew about and I have.
Mr. Mickey:
Well, this is something I don’t think anybody knew about. There’s a big story on it, and he was offered all kinds of money for it. You talk to him and he’ll tell you the whole story about it, and it’s a very interesting story.
GHC:
He’s pretty easy for me to get a hold of around town, but interviewing him live at Tumbleweed is going to be a better ambiance. I think it’s going to be more exciting for everybody involved to do it there.
Mr. Mickey:
Like you said it’s going to be a festival that will be a huge success. We got a bunch of good bands playing before us that are great. You know both bands that finished neck and neck are going to be there, the Piedmont Boys and Porter Union. it came down to the last ten minutes the Piedmont Boys were up like thirty one votes. I think Doug saw the effort and he noticed the quality of everyone involved, and decided well hell let them both play. And then Dustin James Clark who came in third is playing.
GHC:
Well that should be a pretty good interview and I thank you for this much time, Jesus that was a lot of coffee.
Mr. Mickey:
Alright brother, well I have rehearsal soon so you have a good weekend.
Tonight as I was working on some other projects for festivals and my weekly show updates, I was texted that around 11PM Central Time Steel Guitar Legend Kayton Roberts passed away, as a result of a stroke. You’ll find Kayton Roberts on so many albums by bands that one person cannot completely stop studying the long list of music he left behind.
Kayton Roberts moved to Nashville in 1967 & began playing rhythm guitar for Hank Snow. In 1968, Kayton changed to steel & for 30 years, he toured with Snow, playing the Grand Ole Opry & , and also toured the world, playing many shows across Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as shows across Europe. After Hank Snow passed away in 1999, Kayton continued to perform, recording on sessions with Chubby Wise, Marty Stuart, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Aaron Tippin, George Jones, Allison Krauss, Hank Williams III, John Fogerty and others.
If you look up the words Console Steel Guitar on the computer you’ll find this:
The console steel guitar is a type of electricsteel guitar intermediate between the lap steel guitar and the pedal steel guitar. Console steel guitars typically have multiple necks and/or more than six strings per neck, and are too large to be easily played in lap steel fashion.
They are particularly favoured in Hawaiian music, especially the twin neck eight string per neck configuration. Don Helms played a Gibson Console with Hank Williams. Also, Hank Williams III‘s steel guitar player Andy Gibson plays a Fender Dual Professional steel guitar. Kayton Roberts, who has also played with Hank Williams III, uses this same particular model as well. I know that after Mr. Kayton played on the first two Hank Williams 3 albums he had much influence on Mr. Andy Gibson whom took over the steel guitar duties for the iconic album “Straight To Hell” which also ushered out Hank 3’s departure from Curb Records.
One of my favorite recordings of Mr. Kayton was the Riders In The Sky album “Weeds And Water” from 1983, additionally he went on to perform with my friend Rob McNurlin who recorded a Gospel album with Johnny Cash’s Martin guitar, you can read about that HERE.
Mr. Rob was one of the many people that proceeded to proliferate this man and his iconic red steel guitar with the Canadian Flag moniker upon it, and I hold Rob McNurlin in extremely high regard as a musician, as a fellow Christian, and more importantly a friend. Never did I recall Mr. Kayton ever using pedals of any kind, nor do I recall anything but his favorite Fender Amplifier accompanying him on any stage.
His latest trip to the studio was with Marty Stuart, playing steel on the title track of his Ghost Train CD.
From what I have all studied about Mr. Kayton the first playing job he had, out on his own was around Gainesville, Florida.That was with a fellow named Toby Dowdy, and radio was big back in those days, back in 1951…that also was the year he bought his first upright guitar. He worked out of a radio station called WRUF and television was just getting started back in those days. He was with Toby and there a TV show over in Jacksonville, FL called “The McDuff Hayride.”
As I stated above he played rhythm guitar for the Rainbow Ranch Boys for the first year before taking over the Steel Guitar duties for his hero “Big” Joe Talbert who was the influential sound for much of Hank Snow’s early career. However as the years went on Hank Snow began using studio players that weren’t up to the same standards as Talbert was, and it discouraged Kayton.
That was until the great Chubby Wise met him inside of a barber shop and befriended Kayton. Now at that time Hank Snow had a pedal steel player by the name of Jimmy Crawford, who played for that first year that Kayton was a Rainbow Ranch Boy. Jimmy Crawford got a job with Faron Young and announced he was leaving, which left the steel guitar spot void. After showing Hank Snow that he could easily mimic Joe Talbert, Kayton took over the Steel Guitar duties.
Above in that video he is seated on the commode playing steel guitar in an iconic Aaron Tippin video, which was for his first album that Kayton played on called “You’ve Got To Stand For Something”. Two of my favorite albums Shelton Hank Williams 3 has released featured Kayton Roberts on steel guitar in the studio on them.
You know as I continue to study him further I found out that Little Roy Wiggins was NOT the originator of the “ting a ling” sound made popular by George Morgan in the beginning but in fact it was Billy Robinson. I discovered that because Kayton originally wanted to play for George Morgan, who died in 1975.
This little portion here is from an interview I found when asked what his sound was made of:
Well, my main tuning is C6th, that’s my bread and butter neck. It has a little variation. Staring with the first string on the small end: E, C, A, G, E, C#, A, A (an octave lower). You will notice that I have two A’s together…the second is real low for that boom effect. It’s almost like a big third more than anything else. I use it only occasionally when I’m doing some thump style. Getting back to that C#, normally if you’re playing this C6th tuning and you rake across it, it will sound out of tune. But, if you rake across the strings and leave the second string out, then you’ve got a whole new tuning…and you see that second string there, the C, if you pull that a half step, it will fall right in tune with that tuning. You can really play some jazzy sounding stuff with it. It makes a whole new ball game. It’s like having a dual tuning. And on the other neck I’ve got a special tuning…it’s for rides and special things. The first string is F, D, A, F, G, Eb, C, F, but I couldn’t remember these if I didn’t right them down. I keep a list at home in case someone calls and wants to know. Don’t mind sharing these cause I don’t have any secrets. Of course, Hank doesn’t like notes played on the high register, so I’m usually limited to playing on the lower end.
The Fayetteville Roots Festival is excited to partner with the Chancellor Hotel new official festival lodging. Artists and Festivilians enjoy staying in one central location in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. The Chancellor is within walking distance (1 block from festival mainstage, 6 blocks or less the majority of the of the other festival stages.
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