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.
I always have a hard time explaining how Texas country is different than mainstream or Nashville country. I say its better, more heartfelt, more genuine but the best way to discover Texas country is to listen. Here are a few of my favorites from 2013. I wanted to share more but had trouble getting the videos to load.
Jason Boland - Dark and Dirty Mile
"It's a broken hearted world we inherit"
Zane Williams - Overnight Success
Mark McKinney - Stolen Cash
Songs that I wanted to include but had trouble getting videos to load from Youtube. Grrrr...
Chris King - Native Son
Randy Rogers Band - Trouble
William Clark Green - She Likes the Beatles
Mario Flores - Let Your Lonesome End with Me
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.
So I am in LOVE! Deeply in love and very, very happy! Of course, I am superstitious enough to worry that I will jinx my relationship by being too openly happy and public about it. Still I will tempt fate by writing a love song blog post. This is actually my love that I lost and found again. I just don't ever want to lose him again. These are some of the songs that fit how I feel about my amazing guy.
Wade Bowen "Who I Am" I love to watch you smile. I love to watch you dream. I love it when you take my hand and let me know you believe in me.
Randy Rogers Band "Kiss Me in the Dark" Kiss me in the dark, roll me through the night, hold me like you'll never let me go.
Stoney LaRue "Feet Don't Touch the Ground" We got moonlight, all night, going to pray on the next star I see tonight we never lose this thing we found.
I wanted to share the Damn Quails "Through the Fire" but I couldn't get the youtube video to load. Look the song up because it is awesome and sweet.
Some new to me music that I'm digging this Friday night.
"Keep the Wolves Away" by Uncle Lucius Just try to listen to this song and not feel something. It's a great commentary on those struggling economically and people doing whatever is needed to care for their familes. This song has heart. I love that Uncle Lucious is taking donations for food banks at their shows to help struggling Texas families.
I'm really enjoying Wheeler Brothers new album Gold Boots Glitter. This is my favorite song "You Got a Lot of Love". My other favorites are "Straight and Steady" and "Cigarette Smoke". How can I describe Wheeler Brothers to someone who hasn't heard them. I have heard like Mumford but I really don't think that. I say listen and decide for yourself but lets go with folk roots Americana. They are from Austin and will be coming to Fort Worth to the Live Oak on April 27, 2013. I really wish I could catch them but I'm already going to see BRMC that night. Hopefully they will be back in the area soon.
"Six Riders" by the Dirty River Brothers. I love a song that tells a story and I love Dirty River Brothers sound. They've been playing this on 95.9 the Ranch and I give it a big thumbs up whenever I hear it. They will be at the Fort Worth Music Festival in May and will be back in town in July for a free performance at the Capital Bar. I will be seeing them at both.
Another song that 95.9 the Ranch turned me onto. I love this song. "Gawd Above" by Jon Fullbright. This song is amazing. It's just such a powerful song that I can't believe it's just one man with a guitar and a harmonica. I have to say that as much as this song is amazing I don't agree with Jon Fulbright's jerk of a God. My God is a loving God.
I like mainstream country but LOVE Texas country. My friend, Amanda Sue, gets lots of credit for turning me on to Texas Country. She is a huge fan and as I've gone to more shows with her and listened to more music she sends me on Spotify, she's won me over to the Texas Country party.
So how is Texas country different from mainstream Nashville country, I'll give you my take. Texas Country is more heartfelt, genuine, predominantly male, not always but usually a Texas born and raised artist. I don't think you will ever hear a Texas country song cross over to the pop charts. It's maybe not quite as polished. There are Texas country artists that have gone on to mainstream such as Pat Green with Wave on Wave or the Eli Young Band but I say once you're Texas Country we won't ever stop claiming you. If you live in DFW, 95.9 the Ranch is Texas Country. Oh and for those who don't know Red Dirt is Texas Country's Oklahoma cousin. Now the hard part is picking just a few songs to share with you.
First up, Stoney LaRue. He put on a great show and we were so close to the stage but we had some ridiculous drunk females who did their best to ruin our night. They seemed to think that they were going to push their way in front of us, I don't think so! lol. I believe we may have even inspired a comment from Stoney about how country shows don't ususally have a mosh pit. This is One Chord Song.
Wade Bowen - Saturday Night. Before I went to see him at Billy Bob's, I could not stop singing this song. To the point that my son would ask me "still? with this song?" I then just sing louder because I have to get pumped up for th show. Jeesh. My son thinks country music is all about complaining but heartbreak is part of the human experience. This song is much more mellow in the acoustic version.
Randy Rogers Bands - Kiss Me in the Dark. A lovey dovey song to make me wish I had a love to kiss me in the dark. "Let your skin talk to my soul" - I love that line.
I know that Kenny Chesney has done a cover of this song but you have to listen to and appreciate the original. El Cerrito Place by Charlie Robison. I think it's just has much more feeling. It's the real deal to me.
I have to add Mike Ryan, the Cold One, for my friend Amanda because he's her favorite. I missed him the other night and Amanda has pics of him all hugging all over her. No fair.
Okay, more Texas country to come but that will do it for today. For those who are new to Texas country, what do you think? What do you think is different between Texas country and mainstream country?
Left Arm Tan is a local Fort Worth Texas Country/Americana band. They have a new album out which you can check out on Spotify. Even better they are going to be at the Magnolia Motor Lounge on Friday, March 29 for a CD release. This song isn't from the current album but is the best video I could find on Youtube. I haven't quite determined my favorite song from their new album, Alticana. Right now it's between Bittersweet and 69 Reasons. So hey wouldn't it be great to hear this band on the Ranch or KXT? Let's show a local band some love.
Oh and just because I'm shallow I will mention that their singer is quite kissable. He is a handsome, handsome man. It's those dimples. Who can resist dimples?
Does the world need another music blog? I don't know. I just love my music so much and want to share it with the world. I love all kinds of music and not just the mainstream I heard it on the radio music. There are some great songs played on the radio but so much fabulous music that never gets airplay. That's what makes the internet so fabulous. You can discover wonderful songs and artists that you would never hear on the radio and might never have heard at all preinternet.
I hear an amazing song and I want everyone to love it with me. I am not a musician but an avid appreciator of all things musical. I find music to be the greatest mood changing substance in the world. It can give you hope when you're feeling hopeless. It can make you run one more lap. It can even make cleaning the house bearable when you are singing along with your favorite songs. And there's no hangover after listening to your favorite song. There are no calories in a fabulous playlist. Music doesn't hurt you or anyone else.
I don't claim to be some knowedgeable critc. I just like what I like and want to share it and hopefully find some like minded people along the way. My music is indie, alternative, folk roots, texas country, classic country, motown, singer songwriter, guitar rock, happy songs. My favorite bands are Guster, The Avett Brothers, BRMC, The Shins, Kopecky Family Band, Noah and the Whale, Good Old War, The Head and the Heart and Fleet Foxes. I love Beck, Jack White, Jason Mraz, Xavier Rudd, Michael Franti. I need to represent some females; Neko Case, Tift Merritt, Kathleen Edwards, Brandi Carlisle and Ingrid Michaelson are all favorites. Okay there are dozens more but I will be sharing them all here.
