Album Feature – The Panhandlers – The Panhandlers

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Mar 232020
 

By Joshua Wallace

The Panhandlers are a Texas country super group featuring William Clark Green, Josh Abbott, John Baumann and the front man of Flatland Cavalry Cleto Cordero.  This project was produced by Bruce Robinson and it marks the first outing of this mega collection of Texas and Red Dirt country singers. This album was cut live straight to analog and done in a very lo-fi fashion so the production values might not be what you’d expect, but it is a very good record with lots of great performances. Whether you’re a fan of these four singers or not, you’ll find something to like here.

The album kicks off with “West Texas In My Eye” which is a love letter to west Texas where these singers are from.  All four of the singers trade verses on a track written by west Texas songwriter Charlie Stout. It’s a great mellow start to the record and I dig the pedal steel here on this one.  The title track “The Panhandler” is another great track that tells the tale of a panhandler. The banjo that rings throughout this track makes it a great upbeat number. I also love the harmonies on the chorus for this one.  Finally, “This Is My Life” is an ode to the life on the road that these four singers live year round. It’s extra special because of everything going on in the world right now that is preventing these singers from living the life they describe in this song.  I particularly love the final verse where Josh Abbott goes through and talks about all 4 of the singers on the record including himself.

The Panhandlers has been one of our most anticipated records of 2020 and it lives up to the hype.  The lo-fi straight to analog production gives the album a live in the studio feel and these four singers live up to their billing of being a part of a Texas country super group.  Time will tell if this ends up being a side project for these four or something they revisit from time to time. I hope I get the chance to see this band live as it seems like it would be a fun show.  Check out The Panhandler’s website for ways you can support the band by buying merch straight from the band. The Panhandlers is out everywhere as of March 06th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : West Texas In My Eye, No Handle, West Texas Girl, The Panhandler,  This Is My Life

The Panhandlers – The Panhandlers (2020)

  1. West Texas In My Eye
  2. This Flatland Life
  3. No Handle
  4. Panhandle Slim
  5. West Texas Girl
  6. The Panhandler
  7. Lonesome Heart
  8. The Panhandler
  9. This Is My Life
  10. Caprockin’

Top 10 2020 Country Music Releases To Look Forward To

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Feb 062020
 

By Joshua Wallace

Feb. 7: Aubrie Sellers, Far From Home

We are big fans of Aubrie Sellers here at Gary Hayes Country.  Her first album New City Blues introduced us to her low fi grungy brand of garage country and we’re looking forward to hearing more.  I particularly dig “Drag You Down” from the pre-release singles.

Feb. 15: Billy Don Burns, The Country Blues

There is a new Billy Don Burns album out this month.  While there is no pre-release single out yet, you can expect this album to be as real as it gets.  A new Billy Don Burns album is always on our most anticipated albums list.  This album includes some updated versions of some classic Billy Don Burns tunes such as “Runnin’ Drugs Out Of Mexico”, “Wild Dogs” and “Stranger”.  “Wild Dogs” was recently covered by Colter Wall and “Stranger” was recently covered by Cody Jinks.  Since there is no pre-release track from this ablum, I will include a link to hear the original version of “Runnin’ Drugs Out Of Mexico” from the Heroes, Friends and Other Troubled Souls album.



March 6: Brandy Clark, Your Life Is a Record

Brandy Clark is quickly becoming one of the top female country artists you should know.  Her new album Your Life Is A Record promises more somber moments as indicated in pre-release tracks “Who You Thought I Was” and “I’ll Be The Sad Song”.



March 6: The Panhandlers, The Panhandlers

I think most of our Texas Red Dirt fans probably already have March 6th circled on their calendars.  That is the release date for the new super-group The Panhandler’s debut self titled album. If you don’t know, this group features the likes of  William Clark Green, Cleto Cordero, Josh Abbott and John Baumann. Check out the track “No Handle” for a preview.



March 27: Lilly Hiatt, Walking Proof

Lilly Hiatt’s 2017 album Trinity Lane was one of our favorites that year and her new record Walking Proof is probably going to continue that streak.  Pre-release tracks “P-Town” and “Brightest Star” showcase a rock forward country sound.

April 3: Ashley McBryde, Never Will

This is a big one.  If “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” did big things for Ashley McBryde, “One Night Standards” and the trilogy of songs that it begins has been even bigger.  I’m particularly a fan of the rocking murder ballad “Martha Divine” which is the middle part of that trilogy. This is one of our most anticipated albums of 2020.

 

April 3: Caleb Caudle, Better Hurry Up

Caleb Caudle is back with a follow up to his 2018 album Crushed Coins.  This record was recorded with a bit of the soul of Johnny Cash at the Cash Cabin.  The title track is out now and I’m really digging the sound he’s taking on with this one.



April 10: John Anderson, Years

One of the biggest surprises early this year was a new single from John Anderson.  Years is an entirely new release produced by mega producer Dan Auerbach. Auerbach was already responsible for one of our favorite 2020 albums with Marcus King’s El Dorado.  Some are comparing this record to Johnny Cash’s American Recordings albums and it could be a similar career revival for John Anderson. Check out the title track everywhere now.

April 18: Whey Jennings, Gypsy Soul

Whey Jennings has a new record coming out this year called Gypsy Soul.  You might have heard of Waylon’s grandson as a touring act performing mostly cover songs and a few originals.  As far as I can tell, this is his first recorded LP and I’m looking forward to hearing the entire record. The title track “Gypsy Soul” is out now and you can get a copy of the album at it’s album release show on April 18th at The Nashville Palace which is one of Whey’s favorite venues to play.

April 24: Whitney Rose, We Still Go To Rodeos

Finally, Whitney Rose has announced the follow up to her amazing 2017 album Rule 62.  This one is titled We Still Go To Rodeos and you can hear the single “Believe Me, Angela” now.  It’s not a typical cheating song in that it’s more about compassion than revenge. This has me looking forward to hearing the entire album in April.