OUT OF THE CHUTE- New Members Join My Texas Music

I love checking my music email. There are always messages from the people I network with on a daily basis. Then there are treats like the one this morning... my quarterly eZine from My Texas Music, The Armadillo eZine.

For Out of the Chute this week, I want to introduce you to new members of My Texas Music. Please take a few moments to check out their links where you can hear bits of their music and get a little background on their career.

Some of the people on this list are artists I cover on a regular basis. I look forward to meeting the new-comers to my roster!

Bill Archer (Baytown) Country
John Tracy (Aledo) Easy Listening/ Folk
The Bigsbys (Palestine) Alt-Country/ Rock
The Blues Posse (Austin) Blues
Pete Devlin (Corpus Chistie) Country/ Americana
Donald James (Austin) Country/ Alt-Country
Manzy Lowry ( Buda) Country
Boo Schaaf (Galveston) Country/ Trop-Rock
Big Gus & Swampadelic (Dallas) Blues
Jason Helms Band (TX via Hope AR) Alt-Country/ Americana/ Red Dirt
Richard Paul Thomas (Salado) Folk
Amanda Goodman-Pruitt ( Emory) Country/ Folk
Chrissy Harrold (Denton) Country
Sue Young (Austin) Folk
Rod Ballou (Frisco) Country/ Americana
Lunar Rollers (Austin) Pop/ Blues
Keith Rea (LaPorte) Folk/ Americana
Randy Brown (Mineola) Folk/ Americana
Tami Hix (Royse City) Cpuntry
Emily Grace Berry (Austin) Country/ Pop
Kit Holmes (Austin) Easy Listening
Freddy Steady Krc (Austin) Country/ Rock-a-billy/ Pop/ Folk/ Rock - a little of everything!
Tori Martin (Azle) Country
Derek J. Holak (Spring) Country/ Blues



  

THE PARTY LIST - May 16- 22, 2013

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS

Thursday – 16 
Steve Helms – Chubby’s Burger Shack – Fort Worth – 7 p.m.
Mike Blakely – The Badu House – Llano
w/ W.C. Jameson. Guest: Noel McKay & Brennen Leigh
Granger Smith – Dixie Dancehall – Beaumont –
Mark Allan Atwood – Whiskey Girl Saloon –
/w Candice Paulson Wagner’s show on Big Star 97
https://www.facebook.com/candicewagner?directed_target_id=0
Mandi Powell – The Pumphouse – Victoria –
/w Presley Lewis
Brigitte London - Luckenbach - 5 p.m.
Casey Hubble - The Auslander - Fredricksburg - 6 p.m.



Friday – 17
Shane Howard – Slippery Mino – Waco
Dale Watson – Luckenbach - $10 Cover
Bleu Edmonson – Midnight Rodeo – San Angelo – 8 p.m.
Tix $8 Ad (plus fees)/ $10 Door (21+)/ $12 Door (18-20)
Blacktop Outlaw– Mule Barn – Justin - 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. - $5
Davin James – Railhead Smokehouse BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Pasadena Fairgrounds – Pasadena
Matt Dunn – Red Goose Saloon – Fort Worth –
Mandi Powell – Brewskis NineteenSixty – Houston – 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Acoustic
Pauline Reese - Lago Del Pino - Tyler - 8 p.m.
Josh Abbot - Texas Thunder - Gardendale - 10:30 p.m.


Saturday – 18
Carl Hutchens – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood
also Dickie Lee Erwin
john Arthur martinez – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 8-11:30 p.m.
Gary Kyle Band – Railhead Smokehouse BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – Town Square – Rockwall
Randy Brown – Mayfest – Weatherford – 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe
Rod Ballou – Red’s Take 5 Sports Bar & Grill – Bridgeport
Casey Hubble - Adobe Verde - Gruene - 7 - 10 p.m.
Johnny Lee - Heritage Days Festival - Spearman
Randy Rogers Band - Texas Thunder - Gardendale - 10:30 p.m.


Sunday – 19
Dimitri’s Rail – Scout Bar – Houston – 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
94.5 The Buzz Hosting this Awesome event.
Pure Prairie League – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands
Check out the FB page for details! https://www.facebook.com/events/138794682974118/
Casey Donahew Band – Texas Thunder – Gardendale
Randy Brown – Grapefest – Grapevine – 12:45- 2 p.m.
Jason Boland – Love & War – Plano – 4-6 p.m.
/w Aubrey Lynn & Yellow Rose
Jack Ingram - KNBT Americana Jam - Gruene Hall - New Braunfels


Monday – 20
George Ensle  – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30-9:30
w/ Guest: Tessy Lou Williams


Tuesday – 21
Mike Blakely – River City Grille – Marble Falls – 7-8 p.m.
  w/Byrd & Street
Max Stalling – Railhead Smokehouse BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.
w/ Randy Brown
Matt Dunn – PD’s Place - Gainseville


Wednesday – 22
Charlie Robison – @Central Texas Speedway  – Austin
w/ Brian Keane
Kelly McGuire – Butler’s Courtyard – League City – 8 p.m. - $20
Up Close & Personal /w Shake Russell  - Doors open @  7 p.m.
Brigitte London - Ameripolitan Live @ Dewberry Jam Community Radio - San Antonio - 7 p.m.
Jean Synodinos - Flipnotics - Austin - 7 - 8:30 p.m.



ELSEWHERE

Thursday – 16 
Billy Dean  - The Mountain Arts Center – Prestonsburg KY
Asleep At the Wheel- Infinity Hall - Norfolk VA - 8 p.m. No Minors
Colt Ford - Cotton Eyed Joe - Nashville TN


Friday – 17
Buddy Case – O’Henry’s – Conway AR – 6 p.m.
Exile – Don Gibson Theater – Shelby NC
Kris Kristofferson – The Palladium – Carmel IN
Neal McCoy – Lakeside Hotel Casino – Osceola IA
Keith Anderson – InTrust Bank Arena – Witchita KS
Asleep At the Wheel - Sellersville Theater 1894 - Sellersville PA - 6 p.m. $29.50/ $45
Granger Smith - Shooters - Texarkana AR - 9 p.m. $10

Saturday – 18
Buddy Case – The Loft – House concert – Enola AR – 7 p.m.
Contact:
Billy Dean – Havana Day – Havana FL
Candy Coburn – Gravel Bar & Grill – Rolla MO – 8 p.m.
Let’s Raise A Little Shelter Event! For the Phelps Co Animal Shelter
Neal McCoy – Lakeside Hotel Casino – Osceola IA
Keith Anderson – SEVEN – West Siloam Springs OK
Asleep At the Wheel - Motorco Music Hall - Durham NC - No Minors - $20
Colt Ford - The Swamp Fox - Marion NC
Collin Raye - Wagon Wheel Theater - Warsaw IN
Gary Allan - Glens Falls Civic Center- Glens Falls NY



Sunday – 19
Asleep At the Wheel - Morehead Center - Morehead NC - $30/ $40
Gary Allan - Hampton Beach Casino - Hampton Beach NH

Monday – 20
No Shows Found

Tuesday – 21
Jack Ingram - The Allister McKenzie GC @Haggin Oaks - Sacramento CA
                       KNCI Golf & Guitars!


Wednesday – 22
No Shows Found

THE PARTY LIST - May 9-15

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. Also note dates are subject to change. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS

Thursday – 9
W.C. Jameson – The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
w/ Mike Blakely & Guest: Brian Burns
Air Supply – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands
David Wilcox – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe
john Arthur martinez – Blue Corn Harvest – Cedar Park – 6-8 p.m.
w/ Kurt Baumer
Shane Howard – Salty Dog Sports Bar & Grill – Waco -
Jake Martin – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 7:30-10:30
Brigitte London – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.- No Cover


Friday – 10
Shooter Jennings – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
        w/ Uncle Lucius
Carrie Rodriquez – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe
Deryl Dodd – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands
Blacktop Outlaw – Kaliente’s Icehouse – Madisonville – 8 p.m.
Hayden Huse – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood
also - After Midnight, The Tall Boys
Keith Owens – The Garage – Denton –
Thomas Michael Riley – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 8-11:30 p.m.
 Drug Store Cowboys – Luckenbach – 8 p.m. - No Cover
Doug Moreland – Luckenback – 4 p.m. No Cover
Roger Creager – Billy Bob’s – Fort Worth –
Steve Helms Band – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.


Saturday – 11

Poodies No Bad Days Bike Run!

Marshall Tucker Band – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels
Zane Williams – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe
CD Release Party!

Mike Blakely – Singing Water Vineyards – Comfort
Take a Wine Tour to this event via WineandMusictours

Pauline Reese – Melody Ranch – Waco
w/ Sheila Marshall, Libby Koch, Leyla Fences
Tix: http://www.showclix.com/events/16983
john Arthur martinez – Shades Café – Lakeway – 5-7 p.m
Songwriter series
john Arthur martinez – On The Rocks – Cottonwood Shores – 8-11 p.m.
Trio
The Tejas Brothers – Poodie’s Hilltop – Spicewood – 10 p.m.
CD Release Party!
Byrd & Street – Waterloo Ice House – Austin
w/ Guest: Don Raby (fiddle & guitar)
Manny Trevino – The Garage – Denton –
Drugstore Cowboys – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 8-11:30 p.m.
Drew Womack – Luckenbach – 1 p.m. No Cover
Walt Wilkins & The Mystequiros – Luckenbach – 9 p.m. - $10 Cover
w/ Kevin Higgins
No Justice- The Mule Barn – Justin - 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. $10
Casey Thompson Band – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.


Sunday – 12
john Arthur martinez – Reunion Grill – Cedar Park - Noon – 3 p.m.
Kurt Baumer’s Birthday BASH!
Brennen Leigh – Luckenbach – 1 p.m. – No Cover
w/ Noel McKay & The Hillcountry Honeymoon Band
Bill Lewis – Luckenbach – 5 p.m. No Cover


Monday – 13
W.C. Jameson – Poodie’s Roadhouse – Spicewood –
w/ Guest: Bob Cheevers
Bo Porter – Luckenbach – 5 p.m. – No Cover


Tuesday – 14
Jason Eady – Railhead BBQ – Willow Park – 7:30 p.m.
w/ Randy Brown
Mike Blakely – River City Grille – Marble Falls – 7 p.m.
w/ Larry Nye . Guests: Jennings & Keller


Wednesday – 15
Halleyanna – Dosey Doe’s Music Café - Conroe
CD Release Party!
john Arthur martinez – River City Grille – Marble Falls - 7- 9:17 p.m.
Bo Porter & Nate Kipp – Hondo’s On Main – Fredricksburg – 7:30-9:30
Songwriter’s Showcase
ShAnnie – Luckenbach – 5 p.m. No Cover
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – @Central Texas Speedway – Austin –
w/ Uncle Lucius
Davin James – Puffabelly’s – Spring – Midnight – 2 a.m.



ON THE ROAD

Thursday – 9
Lorrie Morgan – Live at the Ryman – Nashville TN


Friday – 10
Buddy Case – Juanita’s - Little Rock AR – 8 p.m.
Part of the group ‘Covert-Case’ opening for Radney Foster
No Justice – Wormy Dog Saloon – OK City – 9:30 p.m. (Doors @ 6 p.m.)
The Bellamy Bros.- Wildey Theater – Edwardsville IL – 8 p.m.
Casey Donahew Band – First Ave. Club – Iowa City  IA
Oakridge Boys – Freeport Masonic Theater – Freeport IL -


Saturday – 11
Bo Phillips Band – Wormy Dog Saloon – OK City – 9:30 p.m. (Doors @ 6 p.m.)
The Bellamy Bros. - Mullens Dogwood Festival – Mullens WV
Casey Donahew Band – The Knuckle Saloon – Sturgis SD
Exile – Starlight Theater – Branson MO –
Larry’s Country Diner!
Oakridge Boys – The Palladium – Carmel IN


Sunday – 12

NASHVILLE UNITES! – 3rd and Lindsley – Nashville TN – 7 p.m. ( Doors @ 6p.m.)
Guests include: Collin Raye, LeRoy Parnell and Gary Chapman

Exile – Starlight Theater – Branson MO
Larry’s Country Diner!
Kris Kristofferson – Calvin Theater – Northampton MA


Monday – 13
NO Shows found

Tuesday – 14
Buddy Case – JJ’s Grill n’ Chill – Conway AR – 6 p.m.
Jeff Bates – 3rd and Lindsley – Nashville TN – 9 p.m. (Doors @ 8:30) - $10
Oakridge Boys – Fargo Theater – Fargo ND


Wednesday – 15
Kris Kristofferson – The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville TN

THE PARTY LIST - May 2 - 8, 2013

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out. 

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!

TEXAS

Thursday – 2
Lorrie Morgan – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8:30 p.m.
Kevin Russell – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe – 8:30 p.m.
Mike Blakely- The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
/w/ W.C. Jameson & Guest: Smokey Wilson
Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros- Gruene Hall – New Braunfels
Brigitte London – Luckenbach – 5 p.m. No Cover
Aaron Watson - Denim & Diamonds - Wichita Falls -


Friday – 3
Asleep At the Wheel – The Western Club – Navasota - $30
Karla Bonoff – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands -
/w/ Nina Gerber 
Shane Howard – Melody Ranch – Waco
Mike Blakely – Hilltop House Concerts – Kerrville –
Hosts: Marty & Paula Reynolds. Still a few seats left.
Email: paula.r@rmrpar.com to reserve your spot. $15 + covered dish
Pam Tillis – Arlington Music Hall- Arlington
/w/ Lorrie Morgan
Lauren Alexander – Banita Creek Hall- Nacogdoches
Proceeds Benefit the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter
Pat Green – Floore’s Country Store – Helotes
Ray Price – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels
Doug Moreland – Luckenbach – 4 p.m.
Rob Donnelly – Mule Barn – Justin -


Saturday – 4
AUSTIN WALDORF SCHOOL MUSICFEST – Nutty Brown Café & Amphitheatere
2- 11 p.m. Artists include: Ray Wylie Hubbard and Bob Schneider
Follow the Nutty Brown Café link for Tickets!
Asleep at the Wheel – Sorrel Canyon Ranch – Brownwood - $100
Fundraiser – No minors
Susan Gibson – Austin Acoustical Café – Austin –  7 p.m.
     Phillip Gibbs opens  - Presale Available thru – Friday $12/ $15 door
Lisa Loeb – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8:30 p.m.
Rhett Butler – Dosey Doe’s Music Café – Conroe – 8:30 p.m.
Randy Brown – Mule Barn – Justin -
Rickey Pittman – Sam Houston Folk Festival – Huntsville
Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue – Floores Country Store – Helotes
Bo Phillips – Gruene Hall – New Braunfels – 1 p.m.
Charlie Robison – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels – 9 p.m.
Mark Allan Atwood – Love and War – Grapevine – $8
Bellamy Bros. – Tilden Lions Club – Tilden
Brian Bax Band – Buchanan’s Mudfest – Robertsville MO
Colt Ford – Hardin Co. Music Fest - Kountze
Aaron Watson - Lone Star Jam 2013 - LBJ Library Lawn - Austin
Aaron Watson - 59th Annual League City Lions Club TX Music Festival - League City


Sunday – 5
Kelly McGuire – Russ & Sandy Records House Concert – League City – 2-5 p.m.
Contact Sandy@sandyrecords.com or 713-857-1346
or purchase on www.redfishisland.com (Kelly’s website)
$20 – Must have reservation to attend!
Rickey Pittman – Sam Houston Folk Festival – Huntsville
Ruby Jane Smith – Gruene Hall- New Braunfels – 12:30 p.m.
Susan Gibson – Luckenbach – 1 p.m.
/w/ Walt Wilkins, Shelley King
Bill Lewis – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.
The Tejas Brothers – Love and War – Plano - $12
w/ Jamie Davis & Soul Gravy

Monday – 6
Bo Porter – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.
George Ensle- Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30
Texas Music Showcase w/ guest: Greg Whitfield 
Not to mention the BEST Steaks!

Tuesday – 7
Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros – Dosey Doe’s Big Barn – The Woodlands – 8 p.m.
Richard Vidmer – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.
Jerry Kirk – Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 4 p.m.
Cole Burris – Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 6:30 p.m.
Eric Hisaw – Poodies Hilltop – Spicewood – 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8
ShAnnie – Luckenbach – 5 p.m.


ELSEWHERE:

Thursday – 2
Brantley Gilbert – Oak Mountain Amphitheater – Birmingham AL
Bellamy Bros. – Kewadin Casino/ Dream Makers Theater – Saulte St. Marie MI
Colt Ford – Anderson Co. Fair – Anderson SC
Eli Young Band – Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak FL

Friday – 3
Brantley Gilbert – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – Charlotte NC
Billy Dean – Diamondz Bar & Grill – Jerome ID
Colt Ford – Soul Kitchen – Mobile AL
Aaron Watson - Choctaw Casino Resort Events Center - Grant OK


Saturday – 4
Brantley Gilbert – Time Warner Cable Music Pavillion – Raleigh NC
Eli Young Band – Williams Brice Stadium – Columbia SC
No Shoes Nation Tour with Kenny Chesney & Kacey Muscgrave!
No Justice – El Reno Burger Day Festival – El Reno OK
Oak Ridge Boys – Alabama Theater – Myrtle Beach SC
Shooter Jennings – Knott Co. Spring Trailride – Leburn KY

Sunday – 5
Eli Young Band – Lynchburg College Turner Gymnasium- Lynchburg TN

Monday- 6
Billy Dean – 12th Porter – Nashville TN

Tuesday – 7
No dates found

Wednesday  - 8
Asleep at the Wheel – Stanhope House – Stanhope NJ - 8 p.m
Keith Anderson – 3rd  Lindsley Bar & Grill  – Nashville TN

WILLIE NELSON - 80th Birthday Tribute

'Cause God blessed Texas with His own hand. Brought down angels from the promised land. - Little Texas

And one of those angels was Willie Nelson!

Happy Birthday Willie!

Eighty years old! That’s a long time to live through some of the things Willie Nelson has seen and done… if you’re to believe half of what the media has reported. With the exception of a couple of things, I believe Mr. Nelson has taken everything in his laid-back style we have come to love. I mean, seriously, who doesn't want to have his kind of existence. He is one of the greatest songwriters to ever grace our planet, has a voice most of today’s artists only wish they’d been blessed with, is passionate about music, causes he believes in, his family, friends and fans (over 238,000 on twitter). Most people have to die before they get the become immortalized in a statue. To top it off, he has his own town! He is a true Living Legend!

Of all the people I know, or have had the pleasure of meeting in this business over the years, Willie Nelson is probably the most comfortable in his own skin. He does pretty much what he pleases, doesn’t hurt anyone in the process and is loved and admired by probably more people than the President. Speaking of, do you know how many times his name has come up for holding the auspicious office? I don’t either, but you can bet he’d have a large voter turn-out. That has nothing to do with legalizing recreational substances, but more about his over-all beliefs in the things this country needs to get back on track and stand strong.

Willie Nelson may be perceived as having multiple characteristics. The man is smart and he’s philosophical. His opinions are based on lots of time to think, to read and to discuss the things that pique his interest. He doesn't speak without thinking and he doesn't talk to hear himself. I’d give almost anything to sit and visit with him again.

I met Willie Nelson several years ago when he performed at the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria IL. I was in the process of getting autographs on a picture quilt for the UCP telethon in Nashville. I've only been nervous about meeting one celebrity in my entire life… and it was not Willie Nelson. Stepping onto his bus was I’m sure, like walking in the front door of his home  - warm and welcoming. I instantly felt at ease in his presence.

Over the years, he has worked with a wide range of people, crossing genres in music, television and books. The list of artists he has worked with over the past almost sixty years is too long for this column. But it is my opinion the multiple genres he has infused himself with and into show him to be a true Texan. I think, for him it isn't about ‘country’ music. It’s about the MUSIC as a whole. Whether he’s doing something with Snoop Dog or Kris Kristofferson doesn't matter. What I think does matter is that it’s the best product that can come of the collaboration and touch people. Music is universal. And because of this, Willie Nelson is the best Ambassador of Good Will we will ever have.

Country Blessings, Willie Nelson.
Kelly
aka The Country Angel

GEORGE JONES - A Tribute

GEORGE JONES

1931-2013

“The Voice” of Country Music fell silent with the passing of the iconic legend, George Jones in Nashville at the age of 81. Long recognized as country music’s most indescribable voice by not only the fans, but critics in all genres, the music world continues to mourn the loss of its’ finest stylist, who was considered the greatest living country singer. ~ Georgejones.com


George Glen Jones
Saratoga TX

The Beginning:
George grew up with music in the family. His mother played the church piano and his father was an amateur guitarist. George got his first guitar at the age of nine and his first professional gig in his late teens playing on the radio in Jasper, TX. He was later signed to his first record label in 1954. Why Baby Why (co-written with Darrell Edwards) became his first national hit (though not  #1 – that went to White Lightnin’ in 1959) affording him the invitation to be a part of the Louisiana Hayride. He moved to the Grand Old Opry about 1956 – where his public memorial service will be held on Thursday May 2, 2013.

George’s voice was an instrument all it’s own and he played it like a maestro for almost sixty years. Whether singing his own material such as ‘Window Up Above’ or classics co-written with people such as Darrell Edwards, Billy Sherrill or Tammy Wynette, he put his personal brand on every word when he sang. George Jones received more than twenty awards from various industry categories recognizing his ability between 1959 and 1993. He joined the Walkway of Stars at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970 and was elected to that honored institution in 1992.

Even when George’s personal life was in turmoil, his music was a constant. Being dubbed ‘no show Jones’ became more of an endearment than a dis to the one man who, despite the ebb and flow of this crazy business, stayed true to his country style. George Jones never tried to be anyone except who he was. You either loved him or you didn’t, the latter category being a spec of sand on the popularity beach.

My favorite George Jones song has always been 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'. (YouTube link courtesy of The Ronnie Prophet Show) I’ve watched his career for years and like many of you, I saw the ups and downs, the crashes and burns he experienced throughout his life. I truly believe George Jones became the man he was meant to be when he met his wife, Nancy in 1983. Though not a ‘quick fix’ to his long list of problems, she was the rock he needed as the turbulent seas of his personal issues searched for a calm. It is said No man is an island. We all need that one person in our life that makes us complete. My heart and prayers go out to Nancy and their blended family during this time.

Friday afternoon I received a text from my sister… she quoted lines from ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes?’ (George's performance)  then...  George Jones Dead at 81. I got a chill as I recalled my interview with Bill Anderson recently and how I had referenced those same words. Here's a link to the actual Music Video when the song was released. You can see the depth of emotion in his face as if he truly pondered the question. Those epic words were written by Troy Seals and the late Max. D. Barnes.

As we grow older, we are faced with our own mortality. I find myself searching daily for ways to connect with people like Bill Anderson and George Jones – to talk to them, hear their stories. The people who provided me with country music roots.

I’m sure our parents felt the same way as they watched their music and screen idols leave this earth. Did they often wonder who would ever be as great as the ones they grew up with? Their answer came in the form of the classic artists we now begin to say goodbye to. My fervent prayer is that our current generation of artists strive to leave a legacy as great as those who have come before them. Strive to be your own person while holding tight to the tradition that brought you here. YOU are the ones who are going to fill their shoes. Please make sure they fit.

Sympathies and Country Blessings

LARRY JOE TAYLOR'S TEXAS MUSIC FESTIVAL - 25th Annual!

This event kicked off Monday the 22nd (Earth Day) with an awesome line-up. So far this week the stage has been blessed with amazing artists as Thom Shepherd, Pat Green, the Josh Abbott Band, Casey Donahew Band, Stoney LaRue and Bart Crow  Today's artists include the Randy Rogers Band, Radney Foster, Wade Bowen and Reckless Kelly.

If you think it can't get any better than that, Check out this LINK for a complete line-up. Get your Party On this weekend at the 25th Annual Larry Joe Taylor's Texas Music Festival!

Party Safe and Country Blessings!