Tag Archives: country fever

Day 3 of Country Fever

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After one long night that ended in reckless abandonment, Stoney LaRue style, Saturday would be no different. Barely making it back to my media booth, the festivities kicked off with Aaron Watson on the main stage. Though it was early, I was still excited to get to check him out. There wasn’t nothing Aaron Watson and his band didn’t have on hand, Banjos, steel guitar, and fiddle… you name it. He kicked off the entertainment with “Love Making Song” and ended it the same way and since Aaron Watson was his own boss under his own label he decided to even give out free CD’s at the merch table that ended up with a bigger line then usual right in front of ole KKNG booth.

Up next was another Texas icon that is living proof that there is life after being a one hit wonder. Much like Jason Boland, there is not just a calm before the storm, but after as well and its name is Ray Wylie Hubbard. In 1973 Hubbard had his first big hit that sits around in most honky-tonk juke boxes: “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother”. With the help of the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn, he quit drinking and went back to writing with vivid lyrics and groovy melodies. The legendary rambler made a come back with hits like the recent “Snake Farm”. During his press conference he was excited about still being able to tour and how his 13-year-old son was moving right along. He opened with “Live and Die Rock ‘n Roll”, a ballad that has appearances by Seth James and Cody Canada. And of course he played the favorite, “Way of The Fallen”, which deals with salvation and redemption.

With one legend out of the way, it was time for another: The Red Dirt Rangers. A symbolic staple in the red dirt/ Texas music scene, they got their start in Stillwater Oklahoma at The Farm, where they all met while being students at Oklahoma State University. The Red Dirt Rangers delivered, keeping the good vibe going to the largest crowd assembling all over the venue.

Your wild west windblown band that took the stage as the sun bore down on the rowdy concert crowd was Reckless Kelly playing all their hits from there latest album, and then some, hinting that there might be another album coming out “real” soon. They closed their show with their quintessential sing along “Crazy Eddie’s Last Hurrah”, setting the mode for the rest of evening.

Another Stillwater staple took the stage after Reckless Kelly…a very healthy and sober Jason Boland along with the Stragglers. Boland gave thanks to the one’s that came before him, his mentor Bob Childers, and sang almost every song you could think of. He even played a Billy Joe Shaver cover of “Thunderbird”. It seems that there was nothing else that Boland and the Stragglers where destine to do as there first album Pearl Snaps sparked a huge fallowing. Even their recent album, “Comal County Blue”, garnered them national attention. As most of should know, this is a bittersweet time for Boland as almost a year ago he had a surgery to repair a blown out vocal cord that almost ended his career.

The last band of the night was none other than Cross Canadian Ragweed, who just finished recording their new album Mission California with many of the faces we have come know and love in this music scene we have down here. The self-proclaimed “drunkest, loudest, assholes in Nashville” were by far one of my favorite acts to catch all weekend. It seems like every show they surprise you with something. We even got a little variety, with guest vocal appearances by Jason Boland and Jon Cooper (Red Dirt Rangers) singing along with Ragweed on “Boys from Oklahoma”.

And how could we forget the most entertaining side stages of the week as well, with Oklahoma troubadour Travis Linville and Atoka native who has been drawing a lot of attention from Nashville, Shawna Russell, and a riveting performance I almost missed by Seth James.

I can’t forget about these guys either and that is the Bart Crow Band whom I joked around with about starting a “Bart Crow Band Should Be On the Main Stage, He-Man, Woman Haters Club”. The new album Bart Crow was working on is still in the mix as you read this. Giving credit to radio and the fans for spinning everything they could and how much people are catching on to this red dirt (or whatever someone decides label it this week) was just a few of things Bart Crow had to say in our much delayed interview. After arguably the best intro any band had all night, the Bart Crow Band won the rowdy crowd over playing all the hits from their latest album, Desperate Hearts. I almost didn’t make it back to my hotel. I contemplated hitting the road with the band and just introducing them everywhere they go.

Well, that’s it. I’m going to try this thing they call swimming a little bit this weekend and of course bring you a new update from the road very soon.

-Rooster

Country Fever Day 2

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If the first day of Country Fever looked exciting, just wait and see what day two has in store for you. Every one I talked to out at Country Fever, even the artists were a little confused with Brandon Jenkins opening so early. Brandon is rolling along with his 8th studio album, Faster Than a Stone, with ten solid tracks. Did I mention that this man is a Tulsa native? He doesn’t fit the bill for a traditional country music singer, but his lyrics and in your face style of play will be something you never forget. He was actually the only artist who wanted to take a KKNG sticker and shirt. Opening the show with Faster Than A Stone, Brandon Jenkins played all the hits. I almost couldn’t get my interview with Mike McClure done cause we were having too much fun enjoying a beer and listening.

Texas music icon Billy Joe Shaver was the next grace the main stage. With over 20 albums under his belt, Shaver was the most veteran singer at Country Fever. Shaver made some of the older crowd a bit more comfortable. In between interviewing artists and going to press conferences, I was able to catch Shaver sing a few and this songwriter still has it. He played Ride Me Down Easy and Old Junk of Coal and polished off his show with Thunderbird and I Been to Georgia On a Fast Train. Afterward, I scurried back up to my booth for my next press conference.

After a quick set change around 3:45, it was Mike McClure’s turn to take the stage. Now, for most of you who don’t know, Mike McClure is the original front man for The Great Divide, which was the first red dirt artist to get signed to a major label. During our interview he talked of recently getting back from working on Cross Canadian Ragweed’s new album, being completely comfortable where he is musically without The Great Divide, and getting to weed out the crappy gigs and doing gigs he wants to do. When I asked him which he liked better: performing or recording? He wouldn’t budge either way. Although McClure just recorded a new album about eight month’s ago, he is already working on another one.

Arguably one of the busiest men at Country Fever was Jack Ingram. Supporting his newly released single and an upcoming album and with tour dates added daily, Jack Ingram seemed excited for his first official “summer anthem”, Barefoot and Crazy. Ingram was pushing his new album, Big Dreams and High Hopes (due out at the end of August) and his next single Free. I have noticed how negative Texas music fans have been on Jack and Pat Green, calling them sellouts. Jack Ingram responded, saying all the fans deserve to have ownership, but his job as a musician is to get his music out there to as many people as possible. I only got a chance to catch Jack’s last two songs, Where Ever You Are and Love You. It was good seeing the ACMA Best New Vocalist taking time to visit Country Fever.

A little later than expected, around 8:30pm, an already rowdy crowd gathered for my absolute favorite of the weekend: The Randy Rogers Band. Now I don’t know what else could be said about these guys that I have not already said. Except for something I was thrilled to hear: that the first order of business after Country Fever was MAKING A NEW ALBUM (with a projected release of Spring 2010). Now here comes the blurred part of the evening. Randy Rogers Band delivered all the hits just as though they where headlining including Wicked Ways, Somebody Take Me Home, and Down and Out, just to name a few.

Immediately fallowing Randy it was Stoney LaRue’s turn to grace the main stage. As the final act of the night, it would be the hardest act to follow all week, setting the tone for all the acts the rest of the weekend. Stoney got his start in Stillwater in the famed Yellow House, as did so many other acts with Oklahoma ties. Mid way through his set, Stoney let it be known he was used to a different kind of crowd: the crowd that was up in your face and not seated far away cause they couldn’t afford the tickets. So much to the chagrin of security Stoney invited everyone up to the front and made them sit down so not to annoy the big seat spenders. Even tearing down his set a little bit and doing a little bluegrass music, which was the first time I had heard, I was excited.

I have finally recovered from my sunburn and even nearly sank a boat singing Wade Bowen out loud and not paying attention, but that is another story another time. I’m off into the sunset until next week.

Country Fever Day 1

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This year the 7th Annual Country Fever in Pryor, Oklahoma was a special event. For four days the best in red dirt & Texas music descended on Pryor and I was along for the entire ride.

Kicking off day one was the Jackson Taylor Band. The first thing that pops into my mind when thinking of Jackson Taylor is ‘outlaw’. Jackson Taylor was one of 11 siblings and grew up listening to true outlaws Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver and so many others. Like most of these artists he tried his hand in the Nashville music scene before being swallowed up and heading back to Texas where he could write his own style of love and hate music about ex-wives, past relationships and struggles which garnered a lot of attention with his Dark Days album and his most recent release Aces and Eights.

After a quick set change it was time for Stillwater’s own No Justice who rocked out in the extreme heat around 6:30. During my interview, No Justice celebrated their number one single “Don’t Walk Away” and Steve Rice of No Justice said they are already getting geared up and looking at a couple of different producers for their next album, having pushed all the singles they could off their Live at Billy Bob’s album. They are even kicking around the idea of letting the fans name their new album.

The next artist on the main stage, Wade Bowen, made a statement this year winning not one or two, but six awards this year, inclusing best album, artist of year, record of the year, and best male vocalist, not to mention his number one hit from the Texas Regional Radio Report “You Had Me at My Best” and his other number one single on the Texas Music Charts “If We Ever Make It Home”. Wade Bowen performed all his big hits from his new If We Ever Make It Home and even as far back as the album that shined for him in 2006, Lost Hotel.

During Wade’s press conference he made me feel like a weakling in my shorts and flip-flops trying to beat the heat while he sat up on the press room stage in jeans and black t-shirt saying he’s from south Texas and the heat just doesn’t bother him anymore. When I interviewed Wade he was very humble in speaking of his recent success and pointed out he is in a “gray” area of his career with him coming to the last leg of his contract with Sustain Records and reminisced about the time Stoney LaRue showed up and jammed out with him at the Wormy Dog Saloon, broken hand and all and said a majority of his crazy stories include his close friend.

Now before I get to the last act of day one there was also two side stages that shined some of Oklahoma’s brightest rising stars in the scene today: Mama Sweet from Norman (no that is not a misprint they hail from Norman not Stillwater), who broke on the scene in 2002 and Tahlequah’s own Turnpike Troubadours. Both of these artists have worked with Mike McClure (we will be getting to him later on in the week).

Wrapping up the night was 53-year-old singer/songwriter/troubadour Robert Earl Keen who all but stole the show. The Texas A&M graduate began his long road by literally paying for his first album, No Kinda Dancer, himself . Keen’s storytelling style about the borderlands of Texas and Mexico is like no other, and his anthem “Front Porch Song” wrapped the first night and my first experience at Country Fever in Pryor. After four days of sitting directly in the sun’s beating path I have no plans of riding off into the sunset but rather avoiding it all together.

- Rooster

Cooptastic Friday Night, Plus Red Dirt Twitter

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Johnny Cooper at the Wormy Dog Saloon

Johnny Cooper at the Wormy Dog Saloon

23 days 10 hours and 32 minutes until the release of Johnny Cooper’s new album, Follow, or at the time I logged onto his new website that’s what it said. I’m sure even more time has expired since. On Friday June 5th I strolled into the Wormy Dog to check out the Johnny Cooper show hoping to hear some of his newer stuff off of his highly anticipated new album that comes out July 10th.

The Texas entertainer of the year back to back in 2006 and 2007 showed just what all the buzz is about on Friday night. When I interviewed Cooper at the Red Dirt Music Festival in Guthrie he said. “When you go to a Johnny Cooper show you are going to expect to hear it all. A little rock, a little jazz, even a little hip-hop.” After his show Friday I would say he brought his A game to the Wormy Dog. He kickedoff his show with his biggest hit to date “Texas To You”. He even broke it down and did some crowd pleasing covers with his partner in crime Cody Shaw. They brought everything to this show from acoustic sets to beat boxing. Although Johnny Cooper only played one song from his new album (the title track “Follow)” it left the crowd wanting more and they will get their chance this Sunday at Country Fever in Pryor, Oklahoma.

Well I’m going to ride off into the sunset again and I can’t say if I will be back because I’m heading out to a four day music festival for all the red dirt/texas music I can handle so I might not make it back….that’s a bad thing, right?…

Follow The Rooster on Twitter all weekend long and win!

This Thursday I will attending Country Fever in Pryor Oklahoma for the largest assembling of red dirt/Texas music artists to date. This four day festival will feature some of today’s hottest acts and rising stars. Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland and The Stragglers, Randy Rogers Band, Eli Young, Stoney, No Justice just to name a few. If you can’t make the trip follow my adventures on twitter at twitter.com/reddirtlive and check out Langston’s blog for some of free goodies Red Dirt:Live will be giving away.

- Rooster

Reckless Kelly Running Wild in OKC!

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rk1 rk2

On May 9th, I found myself at the Wormy Dog again for the rescheduled Reckless Kelly show. As far as I knew it was just Reckless Kelly playing, but around 10 there was a band on stage and it was their good buddies Highspeed Hayride, a foursome from around the Texas/Mexico border. Highspeed Hayride have had their share of hits on the Texas Music Charts and I’m hoping they will come back around very soon because they put on a good show.

As usual, the headlining band didn’t come on exactly when expected but delivered none the less. They opened with the crowd favorite “Ragged As The Road”, which was a hit for them off their latest album “Bulletproof”.  There hasn’t been an album these guys have put out that hasn’t had at least four or five big hits for them. Nominated as one of the best live act in Texas by the 2009 Lone Star Music Awards, Reckless Kelly showed they know what they’re doing. Don’t forget they’ve got a background that can be dated back to performing on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson when they were 11 and 12 years old…  not once, but twice.

Known as the wild ones in the music scene no matter where they are, they do everything in full force and everyone got exactly that Saturday night. There was still a line waiting to get in at 12:30a.m. Reckless Kelly kept the crowed going with all their hits: “Sixgun”, “Motel Cowboy Show”, and “Break My Heart Tonight” just to name a few. I don’t think there is a “country music” instrument that Cody Braun can’t play. Braun was nominated for best musician at the 2009 LSM Awards where he pulled out a mandolin, harmonica, banjo, and even stole the mic from his brother Willy to sing “Wild West Windblown Band”. Ending the night with the hand down crowd favorite, “Crazy Eddies Last Hurrah”, they had the entire elbow-to-elbow crowded room screaming the lyrics and going insane making it one of the most enthusiastic crowds I have seen.

If you missed out on this wild west windblown band then you will get two more chances in the next two months with Cross Canadian Ragweed’s 3rd Annual Music & Mayhem at Eufaula, and Country Fever in Pryor. I’m not going to ride off into the sunset this time but take a deep breathe and leave with my favorite Reckless Kelly lyrics…

“Well it sure didn’t take too long
I woke up one mornin’, she was gone
And the note that she wrote didn’t say “Dear John”
It said, “Goodbye, ******, I’m gone!”

She was a home-grown mountain girl
Raised in a different world.
I was a wanna-be rocker,
She was more into Merle.

And I couldn’t see it just wouldn’t work
And now I’m double fisting longnecks
And grapefruit and Stoli
But I’m never gettin’ over Jolie”

- Crazy Eddie’s Last Hurrah-R.K

- Rooster

Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses – Mescalito

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Ryan Bingham - Mescalito

Ryan Bingham - Mescalito

To get everyone geared up for the Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses show at the Wormy Dog Saloon on May 21st, I popped in Ryan Bingham’s new album… well, kinda new album. Released in October of 2007,  Mescalito is his first album unless you are lucky enough to get your hands on “Dead Horses”, an album that was a limited release from LoneStarMusic in 2006 and is no longer available.

I first was turned onto Ryan Bingham seeing them perform live on Conan O’Brien and came across Mescalito digging through the KKNG music vault in 2008.  I can’t think of anything that isn’t on this album. From banjo’s to accordion’s, this album has an array of instruments. The crazy thing is this album was a coin flip away from not even happening at all.  Mescalito has gotten raves from the like of Rolling Stone and a three page feature in the Los Angeles Times and another performance on The Tonight Show.

The album grabs from the beginning with the track “Southside of Heaven”. It’s hard to describe the feeling you get with this track. It’s that feeling you get when you are riding down the road on a peaceful evening, catching the wind in your hands I guess. It keeps going to with “Otherside” and his first radio single “Bread and Water”. After listening to “Baracho Station”, if you don’t feel like a troubadour, a modern day “outlaw”, then you made need to have your ears checked. Mascelito is nothing short of genius. The album grips you and makes you want to hit the road like a “traveling jone’s”.

I look forward to his show.  It will be the first live performance I will get to see of this bull riding, Spanish speaking, modern day outlaw. Bingham will also be performing at Country Fever in June as well. This is an album you don’t have to put much thought to in buying it. Just do it and thank me later. It should at least tide you over until Roadhouse Sun comes up out on June 2nd.

Rooster

Shiner Bock Celebrates 100yrs in Stoney style

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Stoney Larue at The Wormy Dog Saloon

Stoney Larue at The Wormy Dog Saloon

I was back home at my old stomping grounds this last week for Shiner Bock’s 100yr celebration at The Wormy Dog Saloon for a FREE show. That’s right a free show and this was a show not to miss.

The night started off with great openers Daryll Lee Rush and The Dirt Drifters who know how to put on a show. Amongst the elbow room only crowd and the rowdy fans waiting in line to get even with each other at midnight, I sat and watched Stoney do what he does best and belt out one great song after another. He covered Norman Greenbaum with ease. Stoney LaRue and The Arsenals played all the crowd favorites “Empty Glass”,”Down in Flames”, “One Chord Song” and the huge hit for him everyone in the place knew. There’s wasn’t a soul not dancing or singing along myself included to “Oklahoma Breakdown” (written by longtime Oklahoma music scene icon, Mike Hosty of the Hosty Duo).

Stoney grew up listening to his father play bass and after watching this show I don’t think there’s anything else Stoney wants to do. His music and live shows deliver every time. Stoney fired up the crowd playing some new songs that are coming out on his new album. I got goose bumps just thinking about it. If you have a chance to hear him cover a Willie Nelson song it’s as though Willie himself is there singing. Amazing. So far hands down my favorite show from start to finish that Stoney LaRue and The Arsenals have done.

This week I get to jump on the wicked twisted road with Reckless Kelly so stay tuned for that. In the meantime go check out some of Stoney LaRue and the Arsenals live performances on youtube or at stoneylarue.com and wipe the tears from your eyes. He’ll be back soon for Country Fever.

Rooster