by | March 8, 2016 · 7:00 am

Remembering Joey Feek

As many of you might know, I don’t have many personal country music experiences. Due to my lack of country music knowledge, I decided to search for a person, dead or alive, that has influenced or affected many over the course of his/her life. After doing some research, I came across a country duo called Joey+Rory and found their story not only inspiring but also a reminder that life’s short.

Aaron-and-Indy-2Joey+Rory is an American country and bluegrass duo formed in 2008 composed of Joey Martin Feek and Rory Lee Feek, who were husband and wife. Joey was the duo’s lead vocalist, while Rory sang background vocals and played the guitar. The duo placed third on CMT’s competition Can You Duet in 2008. That same year, they signed to Sugar Hill/Vanguard Records, releasing their debut album The Life of a Song. The album’s lead-off single, “Cheater, Cheater”, was a Top 40 hit on the Billboard country charts, while the album debuted at number ten on the Billboard Top Album Country Charts.

On March 4, 2016 Joey Feek passed away after losing her long battle to cervical cancer. Joey left behind her husband and two year old daughter, Indiana. Rory Feek documented their life together and later his wife’s diagnosis on his blog. In it, he writes a weekly post about their life’s experiences such as playing with their daughter and visiting friends and family.

On March 4th, Rory wrote his last blog post titled “A Dream Come True”. This particular post, along with a couple others, really highlighted the importance of treating each and everyday as a gift. In his opening sentences, Rory writes: “My wife’s greatest dream came true today.  She is in Heaven. The cancer is gone, the pain has ceased and all her tears are dry.  Joey is in the arms of her beloved brother Justin and using her pretty voice to sing for her savior.” Rory explains how glad he is because his wife’s pain is over, and that he’s going straight back home to the South.

Joey Feek had many characteristics of a Country Music singer such as being family oriented and religious. One of her famous quotes was, “We have a lot of hope up there. You draw off of that, but more than anything, you draw off of Christ.” Celebrities such as Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood, along with many others, communicated their condolences through social media. Through these reactions, I can see that Joey meant a lot more than just an artist. She always had a smile on her face, even on her deathbed.

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by | March 7, 2016 · 7:00 am

Grass is Much Greener is Gruene, Texas

gruene-hall-texas-lIf you do not know what Gruene Hall is, you probably didn’t grow up in Texas. So for those of you who don’t know, Gruene Hall is a historic staple of country music in Texas and is known as a small utopia full of southern vibes, southern cooking, and classic southern music. Gruene Hall is located in Gruene, Texas, a tiny town outside of New Braunfels right off of I35. Built in 1878, Gruene Hall is known for being Texas’ most famous dance hall. Today, Gruene is the center of the Texas entertainment scene, and the epitome of unspoiled country music talent. Live music performances happen every night, with artists that range from the Dixie Chicks, to Willie Nelson, to George Strait. The list is never ending, but no matter who the performer is that night, there is a universally accepted fact that the music will never dissapoint. Gruene is a staple of my childhood as this was the place that truly taught me to love country music.

My relationship with Gruene has been so strong throughout the years because the family of one of my best friend’s actually are the current owners of the entire city of Gruene and have devoted so much time and effort in creating such a magical place. Without their efforts to help conserve the historic town, I don’t think it would be as recognized as it is today. The town started out with only the dance hall, and has now evolved to be recognized as a very functional city that consists of several good restaurants, a general store, an antique shop, and of course, the signature water tower.

Gruene-Historic-District

The two main restaurants are the Gristmill and Mozie’s, which was named after my friend. The Gristmill is the more popular of the two, as it can accommodate up to a couple hundred of guests at a time, with a fun Texas-style atmosphere, staple homestyle cooking, and classic southern hospitality. Going to the Gristmill for lunch is more of a day-long activity than going to any other boring restaurant, because it is such a fun reminder of my southern roots. Whenever I have friends in from out of town, this is my go-to place for an afternoon of tourism. Even if I’m from San Antonio, I would choose to take someone to Gruene, Texas over visiting the Alamo any day.

Gruene-031-Large1The first concert I ever saw at Gruene Hall was the Dixie Chicks when I was about eight years old. I went with my family early and of course ate at the Gristmill, then took a classic tourist picture in front of the water tower, and then headed down the cobble stone path to Gruene Hall. The night was magical. The atmosphere of the dancehall is so full of life that it encourages even the old people to have a great time and dance all night. Because of the set up of the Hall, the audience is more encouraged to dance rather than to line up in rows to hear the performer. Unfortunately I wasn’t much of a dancer, so I chose my spot right in front of the stage and stared directly up at my idols for three hours straight. I am reminded of this night every time I return to Gruene, because the city and the Hall have been left untouched and innocent, and that is why it is so special.

12597-20130304_GrueneHall_131-608956ccAt Gruene Hall, it’s not only about who the performer is that night, it’s the traditional country atmosphere and pure Texas experience that the place has to offer. When people want to stereotype Texas and say that we ride our horses to school, I laugh because that would probably actually happen in Gruene. It’s all part of the experience, and if you haven’t visited the town yet, it should be the absolute next adventure you take.

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by | · 12:01 am

Ready to Make Nice? The Dixie Chicks Back on Tour

635832819257889654-dixie-chicksThe infamous Dallas-based Dixie Chicks, after 13 years in hiding, are finally scheduled to be back on tour this upcoming summer, just in time for the the 2016 presidential election. In case your memory has faded over the past decade, in 2003 many radio stations and fans criticized and boycotted the all-female band after lead singer, Natalie Maines, spoke out against the Iraq War and president at the time, George W. Bush, during the band’s London, England tour. The news quickly spread back to the states, with Natalie saying, “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” A substantial portion of fans and country music patriots alike were infuriated. Many of those offended by the comments reacted immediately, requesting that the Dixie Chicks songs stop receiving air-time.

After receiving a barrage of complaints, many station managers complied and pulled the Dixie Chicks songs off the air. A station in Kansas City, Missouri even went as far as holding a “chicken toss” party encouraging people to dump the group’s tapes, CDs and concert tickets into trash cans. The reaction to Maines’s words was fast acting and extreme. The trio began receiving death threats as well. The conservative country music crowd was outraged by comments they found unpatriotic.

In response to the harsh backlash, the band received from Maines’ comment in London, in 2006, they released the song “Not Ready to Make Nice.” The song reflected how they felt about the controversy, the banning of their songs from country music radio stations, and freedom of speech.

“I made my bed, and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets, and I don’t mind saying
It’s a sad, sad story
When a mother will teach her daughter
That she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world
Can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Saying that I better
Shut up and sing
Or my life will be over?”

The song became a huge hit, reaching number four on the billboard hot 100. MadTv even made a parody of the song. Later that year, they also made a documentary called Shut Up and Sing, which followed the girls as they dealt with the controversy. Even though the controversy is still largely associated with the band, since the results of the war, many feel that Maines comments were redeemed. Now 13 years after her initial comments, the band is finally going back on tour, and some might say just in time for the 2016 election. Lead singer Maines has not refrained from entering political controversy, offering her two cents on the Texas candidate Ted Cruz. This time, however, many of her comments are being met with applause. So will the upcoming election help or hurt their US tour, will people be more understanding, will they be met with huge crowds again? I am sure excited to find out.

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Filed under Blog Post 3, Dixie Chicks, Politics

by | March 6, 2016 · 7:00 am

Home With the Armadillo: Jerry Jeff Walker and ¡Viva Terlingua!

jerryjeff2I first became familiar with Jerry Jeff Walker’s album, ¡Viva Terlingua!, on the fourth of July a couple of years ago. I was playing in a band at a house party in East Dallas. We heard that there was a great group playing next door so we went over to check it out. There we found a grizzled pair of old men playing early rock standards such as Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” and Sam the Sham and the Pharoh’s “Wooly Bully.” At the end of their set, they played a song called “London Homesick Blues.” The drunken crowd seemed to already know every word.

“I wanna go home with the Armadillo,

Good country music from Amarillo and Abilene,

The friendliest people and the prettiest women you’ve ever seen.”

I’d never heard the song but it was impossible not to sing along. Afterwards, my friends and I introduced ourselves to the band and talked with them for a while. The leader turned out to be Bob “Cosmic Bob” Livingston who was a founding member of Jerry Jeff Walker’s band The Lost Gonzo Band.

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The next day I woke up and listened to ¡Viva Terlingua!, the album that featured “London Homesick Blues” as well as many other songs the band had played the previous night. It instantly became one of my favorite country albums I’ve ever heard.

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Jerry Jeff live with Guy Clark and Dave Perkins

¡Viva Terlingua! was a live album recorded at Lukenbach, Texas on August 18th, 1973. It’s often seen as the seminal album of the progressive country scene. This offshoot of country music occurred mostly in Austin in the 70’s when country artists started embracing the hippy movement. I think this “progressive” sound comes through in the album in its laid back, party feel. At times Jerry Jeff sounds almost drunk while singing as the crowd yells out in approval. The first song on the record,“Gettin’ By” is an autobiographical account of Jerry Jeff’s carefree, hell raising lifestyle he was living as a musician.

In the next song on the album, Jerry Jeff dips into the catalog of fellow Texan and folk musician, Guy Clark with “Desperadoes Waiting For A Train”

The song is about Guy Clark’s childhood mentor growing old and slowing down. The haunting violins and intensified drumbeat late in the song give it an eerie runaway train sound.

The next song on the album is “Sangria Wine” a fun song about drinking with friends. This is followed a sad song with an upbeat tempo, “Little Bird,” and the rock influenced “Get It Out.” Following these songs is the classic “Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother” written by Ray Wylie Hubbard.

“Backslider’s Wine” and “Wheel” follow “Redneck Mother” and have a more somber feel.

c504bcfc582063df91a13b4ea519332bClosing out the album is “London Homesick Blues,” written by piano player, Gary P. Nunn, which is about a country singer feeling homesick for Texas while on tour in Europe. For me, this track sums up what country music and recordings should be. The band is tight but is at the same time playing relaxed.

The repeated chorus and howls from the crowd towards the end of the song left a huge impression on me that July 4th a couple of years ago and continues to resonate with me to this day.

Here’s the version from the album, which is my favorite one, as well as a later live version.

Track Listing

1.    “Gettin’ By” – 4:01

2.    “Desperados Waiting for a Train” (Guy Clark) – 5:47

3.    “Sangria Wine” – 4:25

4.    “Little Bird” – 4:10

5.    “Get It Out” – 3:37

6.    “Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother” (Ray Wylie Hubbard) – 4:32

7.    “Backslider’s Wine” (Michael Martin Murphey) – 3:34

8.    “Wheel” – 6:00

9.    “London Homesick Blues” (Gary P. Nunn) – 7:43

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Filed under Austin, Classic Country, Live Music, Progressive Country, Texas

by | March 5, 2016 · 7:00 am

Saturday Morning Cartoons: The Country Urban Bridge

Photo: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v_dXpJvNyyA/maxresdefault.jpg

Photo: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v_dXpJvNyyA/maxresdefault.jpg

Ask most people in the United States what they did as kids between the hours of 7:00am and 11:00am on Saturday mornings, and they will answer you “I turned on the TV to watch Saturday morning cartoons.” No, not everyone enjoyed this blissful weekend activity, but for the (for everyone’s sake, hopefully) majority of Americans who did, the thought of Saturday morning cartoons brings a sense of nostalgia and happiness not easily replicated by many ideas. Whether they watched Nickelodeon, the Disney Channel, Kids WB, Fox, PBS, or local TV, most people think fondly of the times when they hurried to the couch at 6:58 and caught the end of a poorly-made infomercial. Though to most people, country music seems to evoke thoughts of trucks, beer, and romance, country music makes me think of the little things in life. I think of the commonalities people of different backgrounds share with each other, and of the things that can simplify our hectic lives. Is there anything that fits that description more than Saturday morning cartoons?

Photo: http://image.blingee.com/images19/content/output/000/000/000/7cd/787180849_973534.gif

Photo: http://image.blingee.com/images19/content/output/000/000/000/7cd/787180849_973534.gif

I ran down every Saturday at 6:58 to avoid missing the opening seconds of Scooby-Doo. After Scooby-Doo, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, I ran to my room to get dressed and brush my teeth. I was a Kids WB guy, but I made sure to watch Fox when Digimon came on. After one episode on Fox, I returned to WB to watch Jackie Chan’s Adventures and, of course, Pokemon. Breakfast usually came in between Digimon and Jackie Chan’s Adventures, but I made sure to sit in position to watch the show while eating.

Although my TV schedule changed several times (I’m not even sure if the one written above is 100% accurate), I always loved cartoon time. Other shows that I remember liking are Transformers, Saved by the Bell, and especially Batman Beyond, so somehow and at some point those shows made it into the Saturday morning lineup. In a world in which not everyone enjoys the taste of beer and more and more people choose to drive environmentally conscious vehicles, country music is going to have to choose whether it is the music of the people, or the music of a people. Historically, it made the switch from “hillbilly music” to “middle class music” to become something with which more people can identify. Luke Bryan even wrote a song about country music’s ruralization. Certain songs by Kenny Chesney and Kip Moore have shown the more rural side of country music, but I for one do not identify with many of their all of their ideals. I’m a die-hard patriot so I identify with Patriot songs, but even having grown up in Texas, never had to work on a farm or . George Strait once sang about passing notes in class and Darius Rucker’s “Alright” and Phil Vasser’s “Just Another Day in Paradise” very much talk about the day-to-day activities that make life worth living. A song about Saturday morning cartoons would fit right in.

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