You ever find yourself lost musically?

Bored with what’s available, so you retreat to the old standbys. Things like Gary Stewart’s Gary’s Greatest, AC/DC’s Back in Black, Robert Earl Keen’s Live No. 2 Diner, Ragweed’s Live at the Wormy Dog, RRB’s Rollercoaster, Charlie Robison’s Life of the Party, Jack Ingram’s Hey You, Ryan Adams Gold, Jerry Jeff’s Great Gonzo’s, Buffett’s box set, Master P Ghetto Dope, Biggie’s Life After Death, Cory Morrow’s acoustic disc from his double live album, as well as many others…

…and pretty much all of Pat Green’s pre 2004 catalog at the top of the heap.

Despite a watershed year for outstanding new music in this scene; Adam Hood, Josh Grider, Drew Kennedy, Bleu Edmondson, Ryan Bingham, Jason Eady, Max Stalling, Owen Temple, Matt Powell and The Gougers (among others) all released albums that will find a spot in my personal year-end top 10 which will be detailed in my annual wrap-up column for December.

All that aside, there are moments when I get the urge to put in one of the old favorites I mentioned above or dial up a certain song on the mp3 player…and inevitably, I am drawn to the music that first got me hooked into the vitality of this music.

Unquestionably, that is always Pat Green….be it the Billy Bob’s live record, the George’s album or Here We Go.

And, I don’t credit that urge to nostalgia. I credit it to authenticity.

Much has been made the past few years about acts that grew organically in the Texas and Oklahoma market moving to the literally greener pastures of national renown. Some acts have been labeled sell-outs, others have merely disappeared altogether; and still others straddle the tightrope trying to appease everyone.

The biggest whipping boy for all of this has been Pat Green.

Yes, it is true that the Outlaw movement of the 70’s was the father to the current wave that is now winding down and awaiting a renaissance. Willie, Waylon and the boys to be sure. But, it was Pat Green that wrestled the sleeping giant of 70’s attitude and melded it with 90’s know-how. He took the lessons of those who came before him, combined it with his personality and formed something completely fresh.

Original and single-handedly? No.

Meaningful and most importantly? Yes.

The ride that Pat started for all of us has been going on for a decade now. Many of the fans crying sell-out were still in middle school when Pat was blasting down doors and making waves on waves. I’ve been the first to admit that the music on his last few albums is not as authentic and magical to us, as it once was. But his live shows are still barnburners of intensity and showmanship. And his indelible imprints will forever cast a valley for all who attempt a career in music in this state/region.

Good or bad, he has contributed in many ways to the music we are so passionate about.

He has inspired countless people to pick up guitars and begin writing their own music. Raw, Texas-centric based tunes that appealed to the growing masses of Texas music fans with each gig, song or album.

His marketing approach of using the Internet for everything from t-shirts to tour dates was still foreign to this market when he hit the playing field. Along with his friends he launched a successful merchandise business to subsidize his growing cottage industry. Pat’s business models have been the blueprints for every artist to come along in his wake.

While all that is well and good, Pat’s biggest contribution to the scene has been in his dynamic ability to foster the careers of other artists.

He began his own career with Cory Morrow as they pushed and challenged each other to write better songs and play those first gigs out in Lubbock. He learned a few chords, some Townes Van Zandt covers and hoped to make enough money for beer for a couple years. He figured it would be a cool thing to do until he was forced to become an adult. Little did he know what was in store.

Pat more or less discovered Cross Canadian Ragweed and brought them to Texas. By featuring Ragweed as a support act, dropping their name onstage and in interviews, Pat got many of us turned on to them. As you know, Ragweed led to Jason Boland and Stoney LaRue among others. As a struggling college student, Randy Rogers was stuck playing guitar and singing harmony in a cheesy, slick country cover band…until he heard Pat and re-discovered his love for the art of personal songwriting in the vein of Merle Haggard. Wade Bowen, a Waco native like Pat, was a student at Texas Tech, site of Pat and Cory’s launch. Seeing first-hand what they had done inspired Wade to pick up a guitar and put to use his God-given vocal talents. Others Pat helped publicize or inspire include: The Lost Trailers, Django Walker, Peter Dawson, Walt Wilkins, and Bleu Edmondson to name just a few.

His influence spreads far beyond bands and musicians.

An entire industry of radio stations, booking agencies, management offices, retail outlets, magazines, and websites (including this one!) sprung up…mostly because of Pat’s success.

Pat has always had his haters and doubters…from the moment he picked up a guitar. From the friends who didn’t think he could pull it off…to the old hippies who marked him as a Jerry Jeff/Robert Earl Keen wannabe…to the young fans of today who label him a Kenny Chesney sell-out.

Through it all, he’s remained focused and determined to “Take Texas To the Masses”. I’d venture to guess he’s succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Grammy nominations, collaborations with Rob Thomas, a slot on the highest grossing tour of the past year, multiple videos on CMT, and probably most proudly making a difference is so many people’s lives…not just the musicians I listed above, but everyone. The actions, songs and words of a party-hardy college kid have changed people’s lives.

So, the next time you want to wave the sell-out banner for Pat or other artists for that matter, remember why you dug them in the first place and hold on to that.

MINOR CHORDS:

-I started this column before Pat began lurking around the boards again…but, I’d like to say welcome back Pat! And, all you other artists that lurk…sign in and join the fun like PG did. Seeing artists actively involved in the process around here is a reminder of how things used to be, and how they should be…for the fans, by the fans. After all, the musicians are music fans themselves.

-It’s a good thing we don’t have an awards show in this genre where a faded superstar wanted to make a comeback…seeing some of these guys in sparkly outfits that don’t leave enough to the imagination would scar us for life.

-It’s been a long time since I heard a joke that made me laugh…that’s if you don’t count most of the music I hear on the radio.

-A friend in Nashville sent me a photo from the ACL festival of a sign that said, “Rascal Flatts is the only music they play in hell.” That’s funny right there.

-Hope y’all enjoyed my last two Twenty Questions interviews with Miranda Lambert and Bleu Edmondson, respectively. I think they are two of the best I’ve ever done, and I’m looking forward to bringing you more such as: The Gougers, Randy Rogers 2nd edition, and several other surprises are in store.

-The Longhorns continued arrests, Mack’s continued slaps on the wrist to them, and the Cowboys signing of Tank Johnson are making it very uncomfortable for those of us who are fans of those programs. When Aggies and Eagles fans start ripping us, we really have no defense…for now. Just wait until Franchione is caught shoplifting at Victoria’s Secret or Andy Reid develops an eating disorder.

-Is there a better time of year than now? Football at all levels in full swing, MLB pennant races, hunting, crisp evenings…and FAIRS. You’ve got the big daddy state fair and his little cousins. The local fair here is shaping up nicely with RRB and EYB among the performers…I think I already smell funnel cakes as well. Possibly, the best thing about fairs is the people watching. Fairs are behind only airports and late-night trips to Wal-Mart for awesome people watching. I highly recommend it.


-This month’s recommended album is: Owen Temple Two Thousand Miles. Owen was one of my favorite songwriters early in the decade when he, Pat and Cory were guesting on each other’s albums and having more fun than should be allowed. Then, the former president of UT’s Student Body took a few years off from music…moved to Wisconsin and pursued some post-grad education. This latest effort is Owen’s welcome back ode to the scene. It’s a mesmerizing take on the sad and sublime sides of life...very melancholy. My favorite tracks are: “You Want To Wear That Ring”, “Swear It Off Again”, and “Like We Still Care”…and if you haven’t, check out last month’s recommendation Lost Boy by Bleu Edmondson.

-This month’s recommended film is: Year of the Bull. A documentary on the Miami Northwest high school football team that recently traveled to Texas and beat the evil, vaunted Southlake Carroll Dragons. The film was produced several years ago and released in 2003. It features some of the most appalling and interesting scenes I’ve ever seen captured dealing with youth sports. Definitely one of the best sports doc’s I’ve seen…right up there with Hoop Dreams. Be forewarned, some of what you will see is shocking…for example, a coach gets into a fistfight with the star player on the practice field.

-“Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most.”-Mark Twain.