I had a quick chance to take a ride on down to the Troubadour Theater in the Opryland area, to see my friend Mr. Tracy Pitcox and his crew put on this show. Tonight, he is the guest announcer on the Opry as well and I will listen in on that later on. I wanted to take the time out to write a little about these artists and why they are just as important as the Red Dirt community that frequents this website. I have always been honestly convinced the more traditional sounding Texas Country is just as enjoyable to me as stuff like Cody Jinks or Rusty Weir. And I will use every opportunity and every tool I have to convey that to my audience, whether they agree or not.
I recently wrote a nice piece about the expansion of Heart Of Texas Country Music Museum and many of the goings on at that time which was spring. Now, every time I see the opportunity to slide down and see this show, I do it. And I hope that after you read this article you will also see why I do. This is all some amazing Country Music, and I had an amazing time down here.
I love so many types of music, and music history has always infatuated me. It seemed that much of the memorabilia that used to reside in the old Ernest Tubb Record Shop which was next door, has been preserved wonderfully and displayed once again for people like me to enjoy. And enjoy it all I did! I have always appreciated what Tracy Pitcox does for the preservation of Country Music as a whole, and I know that any time I pay his event fees that my money went to a good cause. Here is a link to support Heart Of Texas Records
I had heard the theater got a remodel and a bar built in, so I was enthusiastic about seeing it all. I deal with a lot of health issues and by God I felt GOOD today, so why not enjoy some good old fashioned Texas Country music? So, I am going to start out by saying this. I have a metric ton of respect for Joe Rucker, for many reasons. He isn’t afraid to go against the grain, and he plays his own style of Country for sure. He isn’t making YouTube videos trying to be the next Tyler Childers, but I bet he is a fan.
He has spent his life under the tutelage of some of Country Music’s greatest Legends, the likes of Hank Locklin and a long list of others. And I think he has contributed more to it than I ever will. But I am not Rolling Stone, I am a music fan with a good-sized private blog. He played “Yellow Rose of Texas”, and a few more. Let’s mention a few of the others involved like Mackynsie McKedy who played fiddle, and she sang the Ray Price/Charlie Walker hit “Pick Me Up on Your Way Down”. Here is what the new theater looks like!
See, this theater was taken over by none other than Rodney and Jennifer Collins who LOVE Country Music MORE THAN ME EVEN! He has given it many years of stage time with Doug Stone and Ronnie McDowell. Nashville needs TEN OF HIM, because he WILL make it pretty. He is helping to revitalize that entire area over there, not long ago Zach Top stopped by the Music City Bar and Grill to play! I just wanted to let him know someone out here in media land truly appreciates what you guys did.
Joe Rucker brought out Margie Singleton who sang “Jesus Is My Pusher” and others like ‘Cryin’ Time” written and performed first by Buck Owens in 1964. “Jesus Is My Pusher” you can find on 45rpm Ashley 9It was produced by Leon Ashley in 1974??? I could be wrong about that year. BUT I LIKE this B side here called ” Lord Take Me Right Now”. THAT IS Country. in fact I hope she doesn’t mind, I am going to share the Youtube video on that song. Give it a listen, will you please?
Shalane was there to sing two songs, “You Ain’t Woman Enough”, and “Silver Threads”. I wanted to talk some about Tony Booth but before I do, let me just say please go check out Shalane’s music as well. Please go support these independent artists. I enjoyed her just as much as the rest of the show!
Tony Booth what an awesome and unmistakable voice. He has done so many albums but what I like about him is he is “Old School”, which happens to be my favorite album of his from 2012. I bought it there for my girlfriend’s son. You know, there was a house band, and he said something that the band knew these songs, which I understand. He played a few songs by some of my personal favorite songwriters like Buddy Mize and Hawkshaw Hawkins, those being “Cinderella, and Lonesome 77-203.
Allow me to revert back to Joe Rucker and why he sang “Yellow Rose of Texas” with none other than Johnny Lee’s duet partner, Lane Brody! Mr. Ryan Footit helped arrange a donation to the museum with a stage outfit she wore with him. This song is so old it is almost public domain, however they had extremely good success with the song on their recording.
See, originally, I am from Wisconsin where she is from according my studies? Now I COULD BE wrong, but I don’t think I am. I am a huge, huge music history nerd and collector. It was really fun to see this get presented and I also had a blessed time seeing Ryan again.
These people all love the same music I do, and they have contributed to it far more than I have with this blog here, and I have appreciation for what they have given. It takes an ARMY to put on the number of shindigs that Mr. Tracy does per year, and he is a terrific leader in the Texas music community.
Jack Phillips on that steel in the house band, he was invited to play on the Opry. He plays for Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition and has played with others I love. Others that played were Allison Crowson and also Sonny Wright who played “Pain Remover” and Mary Lou Turner who both have given many years to Country Music as well.
