Music that I love and want everyone else to love too. I appreciate so many genre's but Indie, folk roots, alt country, Americana, Texas Country and singer songwriter are my favorites.
Oh the sadness of the current male artists being played on country radio. We've even coined a term, Bro Music to describe the truck driving, beer drinking, lady chasing songs that we can't get away from on the radio. There are still wonderful performers who write heartfelt, meaningful country songs. This post is for them. They might not be nominated for awards or played on the radio yet but I have faith that someday soon we will make a return to true country music. These are my nominations for best male country artists.
Sturgill Simpson is amazing. This is the title track of his most recent album, Turtles All the Way Down. Why oh why is country radio not eating this man up? He is amazing. I really can't wrap my brain around the fact that I've never heard one of his songs on the radio.
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Jason Isbell isn't easily put in a box. Is this country? Americana? I'm not sure but what I do know is that it's wonderful and I can happily report that I have heard his songs played on 95.9 the Ranch. This song is Traveling Alone.
I sometimes forget that people all over the country don't get to hear the wonderful Texas music we hear here. I'm not stingy and I'll share our wonderful artists with everyone. Hayes Carll deserves so much more love and recognition than he gets. This is a duet, Another Like you.
Another Texas treasure is the awesome Zane Williams. It was hard to pick which song to share but A Little Too Late is one of my favorites.
My final nominee is Brian Wright with Striking Matches.
I am still recovering from Ranch Bash 2013. I just stayed awake late and had to work this morning not that I ever let that stop me. I did let it stop me from going to the after party at Whiskey Girl though. Ranch Bash is a big Texas Country concert put on by the radio stations 95.9 the Ranch. This year was the first year at the Panther Island Pavillion in downtown Fort worth. I love this venue. doesn't the city skyline look beautiful behind the stage. Unfortunately I didn't make it for the opening bands. But I did get to see my favorite, Hayes Carll. I just wanted to share a favorite song or two from a few of the Ranch Bash artists.
First up Hayes Carll singing "Hard Out Here". I'm sorry about the annoying TV feed but the other version I tried to upload was not cooperating and the sound is good on this one. I love this song and I love Hayes Carll. So two Hayes Carll suggestions. Next time have Charla Corn sing Another Like You with you. Not that I didn't appreciate the audience members best efforts Charla would have been awesome. Also why oh why aren't you singing "She Left Me Jesus" anymore? I've seen you three times this year and have missed this song.
Next up my favorite song by Whiskey Myers "Broken Window Serenade"
The Dirty River Boys most fun song "Raise Some Hell" The music actually starts at 1:05.
A much needed female presence in Texas Country The Trisha's singing "Mother of Invention". I'm really sad that I missed their set. I will catch them their next stop through DFW well FW.
I missed their performance but I heard them from the parking garage as I was leaving work and this is the song that's been stuck in my head for the last day. Eleven Hundred Springs performing "We're From Texas" The music begins at 1:30.
Here's a picture of my fabulous friends affectionately known as "Wallbangers" for getting on the texting wall of 95.9 the Ranch on the app or on the computer. I was taking the picture.
So other suggestions. Concert goers were you born in a barn? Please throw your trash away. There were trash cans provided. If it's a cold night even though you might look adorable in your short shorts and tiny skirts, they really aren't practical. Stay until the end. Bring a blanket. Sunscreen is a good idea if you're going to be outside all day. Even if it's cool that sun sure is still shining, just ask Matt Voss. Don't leave before the fabulous headliner, Hayes Carll, finishes. That's just bad form but I did appreciate him calling those who stayed until the end "the gladiators of music and alcohol and his heroes". Also with the alcohol. If you are going to see ten bands starting at 1 pm pace yourself on the drinking. Eat something. Maybe switch one alcoholic beverage with a non-alcoholic beverage. Also even though we love to see our friends and socialize be considerate of the people who are actually trying to see the bands. So thank you artists for performing. Thank you Ranch for putting on a great show. I can't wait to see who's in the line up next year. I'll go ahead and request Randy Rogers Band, Turnpike Troubadours, Stoney Larue, Wade Bowen and The Damn Quails. That's a good start.
You either love Hayes Carll or you're wrong!!! Really I don't understand how people don't love him and his music. Hayes is a Texas singer songwriter. The first few times I've seen him were not the best. I saw him at the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival in the rain and I didn't get to see a whole set. I really wasn't very familiar with him and his music but I did like his storytelling to the audience. The next time I saw him was at KXT's Summer Cut with a much too short 30 minute set. I was glad to finally see him in a smaller club setting where he was the featured performer. He did not pack the place but the fans who were there were very dedicated fans. They knew the songs. They sang along. They hooped and hollered. Hayes says as long as people keep showing up he will keep performing I hope that's true. I was disappointed that I didn't get to hear She Left Me for Jesus or Someone Like You. I love both those songs. I really would like to be able to provide a set list to the artist before the shows. :) Even better I could have sang Someone Like You with Hayes. That really would have been a fun audience sing a long. My favorite songs were Hard Out Here and Stomp and Holler. I really enjoy the more upbeat songs at a show. I wanted a t shirt but I tell myself that my splurge is for the tickets and the experience not the t shirt.
Here's the set list
The Letter
Faulkner Street
Girl Downtown
I Got A Gig
Rivertown
Little Rock
KMAG YOYO
Chances Are
Drunken Poet's Dream
Down the Road Tonight
Magic Kid
Live Free or Die
Bad Liver and a Broken Heart
Hard Out Here
Stomp and Holler
I Don't Wanna Grow Up
Beaumont
Encore:
Bottle In My Hand
Wish I Hadn't Stayed So Long
The Lovin' Cup
My super quick concert review - I'll add more later (yeah, that might be a lie)
The Avett Brothers - Absolutely one of the best live bands I've ever seen!!! They are energetic, talented and amazing!!! I don't think anyone could see them perform and not love them. I just don't think it's possible.
Set list
Down with the Shine
The Fall
You and I
Go to Sleep
Paul Newman vs. The Demons - the only song that I would lose
Laundry Room
Part from Me
Will You Return?
Distraction #74
At the Beach
Colorshow
Stand by Me
Jack of Diamonds
Gimmeakiss
Slight Figure of Speech
The Once and Future Carpenter
My Heart Like a Kickdrum
I and Love and You
Encore
Yellow Rose of Texas
Talk on Indolence
Life
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - I think the only song I knew by them going into the show was Stars but she was a good performer.
Matt and Kim - fun and high energy but not my favorite music
Dawes - fabulous, I would love to see a full set. They only got thirty minutes which wasn't enough.
Hayes Carll - I don't think he had enough time to find his groove. I love his music and didn't get to hear some of my favorite songs. I would like to catch him in a smaller venue for a full set. Stomp and Holler was fun.
