1. What’s on the horizon for Cross Canadian Ragweed in 2009? New record? Special tour?

No special tour to speak of, but we do have a lot of dates that are on the books, and we look forward to another great year out on the road. Also, we have a new record in the works right now…so stay tuned!

2. More than other bands, y’all seem to be a band of brothers. By all accounts, we will never see you in a Cross Canadian Ragweed: Some Kind of Monster type of documentary. With that in mind, what do you admire most about each of the other guys in the band?

I like Randy’s eyes, Plato’s butt and Grady’s guitar. (laughs)



3. Name association:

-Ryan Bingham – Proud.
-Mike McClure – Brother and mentor.
-Dierks Bentley – Brother.
-Randy Rogers – Little buddy.
-Doug Moreland – Funny bastard.
-Jason Boland – Brother.
-Brandon Jenkins – Tattooed, white-trash, Hill Country, first-class everything.
-Wade Bowen – Brother-in-law…driver of the get away car!

4. You write the majority of the songs for the band, yet the other guys contribute a great deal and you still include a few select covers on the albums. What is your process like when putting together a record? What do you look for in a song to measure it good enough for inclusion on an album…be it from your pen or someone else’s?

Nothing grand. If we love it, it’s on the record. Simple as that.



5. On the Garage album, you wrote an amazing tune, “Dimebag” that detailed sort of how everyone was feeling after Darrell Abbot’s terrible murder. Has Vinnie Paul or anyone from the Pantera reached out to you in the aftermath of that song?

Yeah! Vinnie played drums on that song live. He signed my Dimebag guitar and I retired it.

6. Young bands are constantly coming out and trying to rip off your sound and style. Does that offend or flatter you?

It’s definitely flattering.

7. Favorite touring memory of the following towns:

-Houston – Firehouse.
-Austin – I don’t remember…oh yeah, it was Lucy’s. (laughs)
-Dallas – House of Blues on New Years Eve.
-Lubbock – Blue Light back in the day.
-College Station – The Tap days.
-Stillwater – Wormy Dog Saloon.
-Oklahoma City – Wormy Dog Saloon.
-Tulsa – Cain’s, in the rain.
-Baton Rouge – I told the crowd to kick a guy’s ass because he was talking shit…and they did. (laughs)



8. What is the hardest thing about being the lead singer and lead guitar player? And, the coolest thing?

I stay busy!



9. So much lore and legend has sprung from the days at the infamous “Yellow House”. When y’all were first living at the Yellow House and playing the Wormy Dog, did you ever imagine what would grow out of there? Kids just starting out now look at that place like a Grand Ol’ Opry of Red Dirt.

Mushrooms grew there, I’m not sure about the other things that grew out of there. (laughs)



10. Stories behind the following songs you’ve written or chosen to cover:

-Fightin’ For – Meaningless feuds in a relationship.
-Record Exec – Pretty straight forward message here.
-Alabama – A road trip a long time ago.
-Lonely Girl – Wrote this for my sister, Shelby.
-I Believe You – Great message from Todd Snider.
-17 – Hanging around the old hometown.
-Anywhere But Here – Same thing as “17”.
-Number – Euphoria!
-Constantly – A simple little love song.
-42 Miles – Just that, 42 miles from where I needed to be.

11. If you could create a musical Mount Rushmore, who would you put on it…and why?
Willie, Merle, Bruce Willis and Peter Griffin



12. With so much good and bad coming from both the Texas/Red Dirt scene and the mainstream Nashville scene…what is your personal barometer for weeding out the bullshit music and searching for the real and true artists? What are you listening to these days that you are really digging?

I listen to what my friends say is cool and then I judge it for myself. Right now, I’ve been listening to Jakob Dylan’s new record nonstop!

13. Tell me your favorite thing about the style each of the following guitar players:

-Gary Wooten – Great tone.
-Geoff Hill – Best riffs in the scene.
-Matt Powell – Soul with a capital S.
-Rodney Pyeatt – Fast as f*ck!

14. Related to that question, how many guitars do you own? What is your stage rig comprised of these days?

I probably own about 30. Right now onstage, I’m using I-91 VOX AC/30 and I-02 VOX AC/30.



15. You’re based out of New Braunfels, as are many acts. What makes New Braunfels work for you?

It’s a river town and river people are one in a million.

16. You’ve been playing or attending Larry Joe Taylor’s Music Festival for a long time. Can you describe what you dig the most about that particular music festival? And, what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had or witnessed there?

It’s old friends there and Larry kicks ass! I saw a 75 year old man make out with an 18 year old girl (laughs).

17. Your musical style really combines elements of rock and country better than most. You are able to incorporate different flavors of both, be it grunge with honky-tonk or blues with folk. To what do you attribute your eclectic influence and the impact it has had on your own music?

Thanks for the compliment. I grew up with all kinds of great music. Old country, British rock, Southern rock, Seattle rock. I think it just all sort of naturally comes out in our songs.

18. Rapid fire:

-Favorite Skynyrd song? – “Needle and the Spoon”
-Favorite state to tour in outside of TX and OK? California
-Colt 45 or Mad Dog? Colt 45 bitch! (laughs)
-Garth or Trisha? Neither!
-Zeppelin or Sabbath? Zeppelin


19. Favorite George Strait song and why?

“Marina Del Ray” because it kicks some serious ass.

20. You’ve had your fair share of battling suits in Nashville. What do you think are the key ingredients they don’t sometimes see that separates your music from that of the mainstream?

The most simple answer I can give is that we mean it. We know what we stand for, and stand for it.



Cody Canada is 1/4 of one of the biggest acts in Texas Red/Dirt music, Cross Canadian Ragweed.

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1. With the release of Jet Black and Jealous, tell us what life’s been like for EYB over the past couple weeks and months?


It’s been fast. The four of us have been trying to stay sane. We’ve been on a radio tour any time that we haven’t been playing shows. So I guess you could say that our time off has been touring and playing shows. There is no such thing as real time off right now but that’s perfectly ok with us. -Mike


2. Y’all recently got to play the Ryman, country music’s motherchurch. Can you describe what that experience was like?


It was incredible! We documented the night by filming it and putting together a blog for everyone to check out. But, I’ve dreamed about playing on the Opry as long as I can remember. -Mike




3. Name association:


-Jack Ingram-Angry Jack, larger than life.-Mike

-Randy Rogers-David Letterman, couldn’t think of anyone better to represent the scene.-Mike

-Micky Braun- Not in it for the money!-James

-Stoney LaRue-He hit me in the balls once, never again.-Mike

-Johnny Cooper-Bright future.-Chris

-Steve Rice-Makes me regret our choice for eating Chinese for dinner. Will we ever learn?-Mike

-Ryan James-Tags along with us a lot. Will somebody please fill up his tour schedule? One of our favorites!-Mike

-Wade Bowen-Genuine. We don't get to play enough shows together.-Mike

-Pat Green-The first name people bring up to reference Texas music outside of the region. He built something down here that may never be done again. -Mike


4. For those who don’t know or are new to EYB, could you talk a bit about how the group formed and who plays what. And, what your favorite thing about each member is.


We were friends in college at the University of North Texas. James and I were roommates and Chris and Jon were roommates. We lived next door to each other. Our 1st show as a band was in October of 2000 at the RBar in Denton, TX. James and I were already playing acoustic sets together and that night Chris and Jon got up on stage for about 4 songs and thus the Eli Young Band was born.

James Young plays harmonica, lead guitar and any other strung instrument he can get a hold of, I play rhythm guitars and sing while Chris Thompson is the drum and percussion extraordinaire while also being our resident Philosopher and Jon plays bass while singing background vocals and is also our Psychotherapist on retainer. –Mike

We have been a hard working band since day one. We never modeled our sound after a trend or on compromise. Favorite thing about each member is that we all have different personalities that shine through every night on stage. -James


5. Following up on that question, the University of North Texas, is known as a great musical school. Is that what originally attracted you there? Or, was it just a coincidence? And, did you find the Denton community to be ultra supportive of your music?

I chose UNT for music. Of course, I didn’t stay in the music program past the first year, 8AM classes were kicking my ass! I ended up with a business degree. But, we all were attracted to UNT for its eclectic music scene. It was the perfect town for us. -Mike

I chose UNT because it was close to LD Bell in Hurst where I went to high school. UNT students more than other people in the Denton community were very supportive of us right from the start. -Chris



6. Recently, UNT football coach Todd Dodge randomly drug tested his team and found a high number of positive tests for marijuana. The schools mascot is ironically The Mean Green. If you could give a clever nickname to the music business…what would it be and why?

"Recoupable Expense report"-Mike
"Legal Prostitution"-James

7. Stories behind the following songs:


-When It Rains-When it rains is a song I wrote and the words just came after a idea I had recorded with a drum track and guitar. I listened to the music while driving in the rain one day and the words just came really quick. I wish they were all like that.-James

-Enough is Enough-I started writing this song in Nashville, about relationship troubles, not knowing who’s fault it really was, so it can go either way….either your talking about yourself or the significant other. –James

-Small Town Kid-I started writing this song when I was 18. Chris and I were going through old songs right before we recorded our first EP and we finished it. I’m glad we did. -Mike

-Guinevere-I had this crazy idea and I brought it to James and Scooter thinking they were gonna hate it. And about an hour later we had written one of my favorite songs I’ve ever been a part of writing. -Mike

-Highways and Broken Hearts-I wanted to write a walts and this idea was me trying to understand what the hell being in a band was all about. I’m not quite sure we knew back then but this is definitely my favorite song from Level.

-So Close Now-The band and I were ready to move on with our music and leave college behind. James had this really cool guitar lick that I wrapped this song around. The lyrics came easy. -Mike

-How Should I Know-James and I wrote this soon after Level came out. We were playing it live long before we ever thought it would be on a record. Love is complicated, this song is not. -Mike

-Radio Waves-Blu Sanders and I were sitting around one day messing around with this idea and we weren’t getting anywhere. We had a few lyrics down but couldn’t finish the song. That night after quite a few beers the song was finished. Sometimes music is the only way I know how to communicate. It sucks.-Mike

8. As lore has it, y’alls big break came when Frank Liddell caught y’all opening for Miranda Lambert in Dallas. What do you remember about that night? And, do you remember if y’all played what you would consider a good set?

I think the set was good for us at the time. Nobody died! (laughs)-Mike
I remember finding in Frank, someone with amazing drinking and social skills. Trying to keep up with him has omitted any other memories I might have had. -Jon

9. Speaking of good sets. What makes a gig or set stand out for you?

The crowd. Not the size, but the energy and passion. Starting and ending songs together as a band is also key. -Jon



10. How do you think Jet Black and Jealous is different from Level? And, in what ways is it the same thing EYB fans are accustomed to?


Jet Black obviously has more production because we had a little more time and a little more money. Were a band not studio musicians and so it takes time to really get something truly special on tape. We feel like Jet Black is the perfect meeting point between the studio and the live show. But the music is one in the same because we haven’t changed the kind of songs we like and were still the same kind of songwriters. -Mike


11. When did you know that making music was going to be your career and not just a fun hobby?


I think we all wanted this since we were kids. But the day you get to quit your day job is a glorious summit! -Mike


12. Favorite memories of the following towns:


-Dallas-Playing Adair Saloon on Tuesday Nights-Mike

-Houston-New Years 2009-Mike

-Fort Worth-4 hour sets and the Thirsty Armadillo, playing on a truck bed-Mike

-Austin-ACL and seeing Robert Plant at South by Southwest-James

-Stephenville-Our first show at City Limits for less than 10 people-Jon

-Lubbock-The first time a Lubbock crowd faced the stage during a show.-Chris

-Oklahoma City-Showing up to the Wormy Dog sh*tfaced. The night is pretty hazy.-Mike

-Nashville-Our first round of “meetings” to get our team together consisted of 2 for 1 shots at happy hour after happy hour.-Mike

-Chicago-Anytime we've been to Joe’s Bar and the city in the summer.-James




14. Of all the live shows you’ve taken in as a spectator on this crazy road you’ve been down the last couple years, who has impressed you the most?

I would have to say Jack Ingram because he was the one musician that made me want to be in a band. I would also have to say Ryan James. His music is hidden away right now and sooner than later people will start to notice. -Mike

Pat Green always gets the crowd going and Jack Ingram and his band still bring it every night. As far as up-and-comers I think the Scott Wiggins Band put on a top notch show night after night. Outside of that its rare that you see a performer who can just blow crowds away, even on a national level. That's part of the beauty of starting out in the clubs and honky tonks of Texas. You learn how to perform to 10 people all the way to 10,000 people. -Chris

15. Your band displays a wealth of influences in your sound and stage show. If you were to put together the Mike Eli Music Festival, what five acts (living or dead) would you make sure were included on the bill?

Rodney Crowell, Bruce Springsteen, Don Williams, Jack Ingram and Elvis. -Mike

16. Being from Texas can be a good thing and a bad thing on the national
music scene. Some folks are impressed by your achievements down here, while
others ignorantly and quickly dismiss Texas success as regional tripe. Has
being from Texas helped or hindered your national rise?

We would have no chance to have any type of success on a national scale if it wasn't for all of the years of hard work we did in Texas. The band found it's soul and style down here. Most people in the industry outside of Texas really like the fact that we are four guys who have a real story behind us. We came from somewhere and we are going somewhere. It has helped way more than it has hindered. -Mike

17. How awkward is making a video? And, what does it feel to turn on CMT
or GAC and see your video played between Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift?

Making a video is a little awkward. There are so many people there to make it happen that there can be a lot if pressure to get it right. It's just hard to know what "right" is. By the end of the shoot it was very relaxed. It's really up to the directors and editors to make it look "right" anyway. Seeing our video along with the Taylor Swifts and Rascal Flatts of the world is a strange feeling at first. It was like the first time I heard us on the radio during drive time instead of the Front Porch Show. -Jon



18. Rapid fire:

-Favorite restaurant? Anything seafood!-Mike

-Favorite movie character of all time? Indiana Jones-Jon

-Who is cooler: Frank Liddell or Scooter Carusoe? Trick question? (laughs)-Mike.

-Favorite Houston sports hero of all time? Nolan Ryan-Mike

-Spinal Tap or Tenacious D? The Tap for sure!-James


19. Now, it’s time for our Galleywinter lithmus test. What is your favorite George Strait song and why?


So many to choose from, but I would say “Baby Blue” because it reminds me of a girl I dated in high school. It’s a beautiful song! –James


I’d have to go with “Famous Last Words Of A Fool”...need I say more? (laughs)–Mike




20. What do you think makes your music stand out from everything else on country radio right now?

I would hope that there is an honesty in our music that people can feel. We know who we are and the kind of music that we enjoy and want to make. –Mike


We have created a sound that is our own. People can always say "Eli Young Band sound like this or that" but at the end of the day they realize that at its core there is nothing truly like us. -Chris

For all things EYB, visit their website or Galleywinter forum.

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1. We first did this interview about four years ago. What’s new in the world of Wade Bowen, professionally and personally, since that time?

Well, first and foremost, I have two beautiful baby boys at home that I’m truly proud of. That really is enough to keep me busy. Along with working on this new album, I’ve kind of gone through some changes in the band as well and have some new guys. It’s a little different than four years ago, but I just think we’ve added some guys that are truly amazing…and I’m really proud of the live show we have going right now. I’m still living in New Braunfels and I love it. Not a whole lot changes in my life really. I still play 200 or so shows a year and get home as fast as I can. That’s really it!

2. Lost Hotel really seemed to elevate your career to the next level, especially with critics. What are your expectations for the new record?

I try not to think about it. The reality is I’ve made the best record I can make at this point in my career. I know I worked hard on it, writing and recording it. Beyond that, it’s really out of my control. This is the perfect album for me at this point in my life. It says all of the things that I feel when it comes to life and the world and my family. I know that I tour hard already, so I just feel I need to worry about what I can control. I cannot control what critics think. And the added pressure of a successful record from last time only makes everyone tougher to please this time, which is a good thing. So I’m just going to keep working hard, make the live show as good as it can be, worry about my band and my family and enjoy this album for what it is. I am proud of it!



3. Name association:

-Adam Hood—Bad ass.
-Dierks Bentley—Truly genuine.
-Mike Eli—Smart as hell.
-Jack Ingram—Intense.
-Josh Grider—Unlike anyone in the scene…unique…distinctive…special.
-Miranda Lambert—Hard-working talented woman.
-Justin Frazzell—Beyond sincere and there’s only one Justin Frazzell!
-Drew Kennedy—That voice.
-Hayes Carll—Amazing, amazing, amazing!




4. Your band has gone a bit of an overhaul since the last interview. Could you detail the band now and what each person brings to the table both musically and personality wise?

Well, I guess I should start with Matt Miller. He’s been on guitar and vocals from the start...the only one left from the original group. He’s been with me for ten years now. No one knows how funny he really is. He makes us laugh harder than anyone in our crew. He’s great at his job and over the years he has always done whatever was asked of him.

Joining him on guitar is Gary Wooten. If there is a better guitar player out there, I’d love to see it. He is one of a kind and an absolute perfectionist. He’s as good as he is because he outworks everyone. He’s as laid back as a guy can get and is the kind of guy everyone wants in their band because he simply does his job and he does it amazing.

The newest member of our band is Caleb Jones on bass…and he’s also probably the craziest! (laughs) He is an outstanding bass player with all kinds of influences. There isn’t anything this guy hasn’t played and he is perfect for this band for that reason. He’s a big kid, and I say that in the nicest way possible. He is always smiling and is always ready to jump on stage and have a good time.

Rounding out our band is Brooks Robinson on drums. I know that everyone in the band would agree that Brooks works the hardest on the road out of all of us. He is always on top of helping us out and is sort of another road manager. He’s very organized and has it all together at all times. He is a true pro. He is great at holding the beat down and he always wants to make the show better. That’s about all you can ask of anyone.

5. Related to that last question; in addition to your band, you’ve undergone some behind the scenes shake-ups too. Can you talk a bit about those? Who all is on your team now and what your goals with them are?

Yeah, as of January 1 of this year, I changed all business. I am now booked by William Morris Agency and Rogue Music Group out of Nashville manages me. I made this move to surround myself with people I felt have been down the road and know what is going on at all times. As an artist, I believe it is important to see how far you can really go and to not ever be satisfied. That is why I also signed a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music. I just need to see what else might be out there available for my career and me. All of this had nothing to do with where I was and whom I was working with through last year. It was all great and they did an outstanding job. I just didn’t want any more excuses in my head as to why I wasn’t where I wanted to be. Now I just have to wait and see what happens.

6. Recently, you visited a group of soldiers including my brother-in-law deploying to Iraq for the third time and played a private show for them. No press or fanfare, just genuine good will. Can you describe that experience and how it came about?

Yeah, it was for a group of soldiers from Waco. My dad met a guy named Doug Matthys’ wife. Doug’s a great guy and his wife told my dad about how his platoon was leaving for Iraq for the third time soon and would not be back home for over a year. My dad called me and we discussed putting something together for him before he left. To give you some background, my dad is a good man and it amazes me how I, at age 30 am still learning from him. Things like the right way to live my life and be a great example to the people around me. Anyway, back to the question (laughs). I played on a Tuesday and Doug left that Friday. I keep in touch with him. That night was the first time I ever met Doug and I firmly believe we will be friends for a long time. He helps fill me in on what really happens and what a soldier has to deal with. It is ironic to me since I’m about to release this album. Because of Doug, this album and the title has even more meaning, which I didn’t think was possible.



7. Since our last interview, you’ve become quite the family man. How has being a daddy influenced your songwriting and career overall?

People used to ask me that and I always answered that it didn’t change anything. Then I looked back on this album when I was digging through it and I realized it definitely has. It makes you look at the world differently even though I didn’t actually notice it at the time. I didn’t try to change the way I wrote. It just happened naturally. All of a sudden, life is more important. Studio time is more important. Lyrics are more important. Everything matters now!

8. Stories behind the following songs:

-God Bless This Town—Some people I used to call my friends back in high school gave me the cold shoulder one night when I went back home. It was actually at George’s Bar, which is where I always go when I head home to Waco. It just really pissed me off, so I went home immediately after leaving the bar and wrote that song. Mikey helped me finish it with the third verse being about his dad and how unfairly he was treated when he retired.

-One Step Closer—Brandon Rhyder played me the beginning of this on the phone as we were talking about writing together. I told him to get his ass down to New Braunfels as soon as he could because I knew it was a hit before we even finished it.

-It’s All Over Town—I wrote this one with Randy when he was living in New Braunfels. I went out to the country where he was living and we came up with this idea and finished it among the scorpions and cold beer. I love how this song comes from the point of view of the man and the woman. I always thought this song could be an amazing duet for the right people.

-Resurrection—I wrote this at Bleu Edmondson’s apartment. He really is a good writer and I don’t know why we haven’t written anymore. He had this idea about staring down the barrel of a thousand loaded guns, which I thought was brilliant. One of us mentioned the word Resurrection and I knew that was it. And yes…you can make love in a bathroom stall (laughs).

-Walkin’ Along the Fenceline—I wrote this in a hotel room in Lubbock with Mikey and Evin, my old drummer. This was a great idea Mikey had and also that day I had just talked with my producer about how he just didn’t feel I had a hit for Lost Hotel. I jokingly sang the melody to the guys and it stuck. Maybe it will be a hit someday for someone. It sounds like one to me.

-Crazy Enough—I had just played a Tuesday night in Amarillo with Stoney, Bleu and Matt Martindale. We then drove home to Austin where I was living at the time and I just couldn’t believe how miserable of a drive it was. So I started writing this song about how I hope I’m crazy enough to do this life. What helped me finish it was watching guys in the scene at the time like Boland, Ragweed, Ingram, and Pat just act crazy and drink and party it up onstage. The crowds loved it and I knew I was a lightweight. Kind of funny, huh? (laughs)

-Ghost in This Town—This is a true story that Mikey watched a friend of his go through. They just became so sad and it hurts to watch those things. Sometimes when things are as bad as they can possibly be, it’s best to just pack up and move to another town.

-Turn On The Lights—My wife went through postpartum depression when my first son was born and it was the most challenging time of our lives. It is a crazy thing to go through because we didn’t know what it was. I just thought she didn’t like me anymore. She is a very strong woman to let me talk about this and to have to relive it as much as she does. I had this idea because the only way I knew to explain the way I felt was to compare it to a child being afraid of the dark. That’s where the line came from and we just wrote around that. I wrote this with Stephony Smith in Nashville who is just an amazingly talented woman. She’s written with Randy a bunch. She completely got the seriousness of the situation and that is tough to do as an outsider.

-Why Makes Perfect Sense—I started writing this in the back of the bus during the acoustic tour I do with Randy. That particular night was my 19th show in 19 days. I was lonely for home and ready to write about it. Randy was about to get married so he understood where I was coming from on this one.

9. What is your favorite way to kill the doldrums on those long road trips?

I try to play a little golf when I can to get off the bus and get some fresh air. We play video games and watch a ton of movies as well. I love movies, so that’s a ton of fun for me. That’s really it other than eating, sleeping, and having just the occasional cocktail. (laughs)

10. If you could collaborate with three musicians alive or dead…who would they be, and why?

Good question. Elvis just because it’s Elvis. I would have just loved to hear him sing one of my songs. Bruce Springsteen because I think I would learn so much. I am such a huge fan of his and I love that he never settles. He is always finding ways to shake things up in his career and it is usually his lyrics that start that process. That’s pretty powerful stuff for a singer/songwriter. Patty Griffin because I think she is the best female singer/songwriter going right now. I love everything she does and it’s her way, no one else’s. She has this unique way of singing and writing a lyric that is all her own. Also because I could enjoy hearing her sing Mary had a little lamb. She’s just amazing from start to finish, all the way around.

11. You seem to grasp the important role that technology plays in the music business in this day and age, and have embraced it with a revamped and state of the art website. What inspired this move?

I have to give all the credit to my management team. I believe moving to them has helped tremendously in this category. Scott Kernahan and Pete Olson, my managers, are very innovative. I chose Scott because he doesn’t like to play by the rules and he is very smart, a scary and great combination. Over the next couple of years, I hope you see some crazy ideas and new thoughts come from me and my camp. I think it’s a necessary step with music business being as crazy as it is right now. It’s important to challenge the process a little bit right now because we can. Why not see what’s out there?

12. Favorite touring memory of the following towns:

-New Braunfels—Last call at Saengerhalle when Stoney and Cody and I played for about five hours on the last show ever there. We didn’t want it to end. It was a great bar with beautiful owners and I truly miss it.

-Little Rock—Ending the acoustic tour with Randy at The Rev Room there last year. We had such a great month and I love that town. It could not have ended any better. My tradition here is to eat sushi with the owner and drink a Leinenkugel for dessert.

-Nashville—This last time through I played an acoustic show Randy and it was a blast because we did our show the way it’s supposed to be done. We took our songs and stories tour on stage with us and had a great time in front of people who we had to win over. Then we got to watch Seth James rock full band. Good night!

-Dallas—I have some really good memories of just building a crowd at Adair’s. We were so young and had no clue and it was the perfect bar to make mistakes and have a blast and learn!

-Fort Worth—Having Lee Ann Womack sing harmony on Walkin Along The Fence line and Vince Gill play the solo onstage at Billy Bob’s.

-Beaumont—The night we took the Lee Ann Womack and friends tour through there was the best night of the run. We all had a blast and I got to sing I Hope You Dance with her and her band.

-San Angelo—Playing Cross Canadian Ragweed’s 10-year anniversary gig with them. The video was great and the night was just a blast. It’s always cool when you get to celebrate good times with your friends.

-Wichita Falls—Meeting and getting to know Johnny Cooper. I met him years ago and I thought he just had it together…complete package. I’m glad to see him doing well. He deserves it!

-Chicago—Watching Trent Tomlinson take his shirt off onstage and play the entire show that way! Terrible!



13. You’ve gotten to perform on some really big and cool bills over the years. What was the one festival or headline act that you met or played with that you had to pinch yourself to believe it was really happening?

I was really glad to finally play Larry Joe Taylor Festival this year. I was so excited and usually when you build something up that much, it tends to let you down. That was not the case. I remember having so much fun with that crowd that I didn’t want it to be over. From the energy the fans gave our band on the mainstage to the intimacy of the campfires. Seeing Kristen Kelly sing “Angel From Montgomery” around a campfire for thirty or so die-hard music fans at 3AM is hard to top. I loved it and cannot wait to do it again this year.

14. Compare and contrast the aspects of playing full band versus acoustic. What do you dig more about one over the other? Or vice versa.

Full band is what it is. It’s loud and crazy and fun and relaxed. It has its own way of kind of taking control of you. I’m lucky to play with a great band that gets along so it’s such a group effort every night to play well. You really are only as good as your weakest link so you have to work to never have that and it’s fun but tough. When I play acoustic, it’s just me that I have to worry about. Depending on what kind of crowd you have always dictates what you are going to do onstage, but with acoustic stuff I always feel I have a little more control. I am naturally a pretty intense guy. I play music for that reason…to try and inspire people. I don’t play music to party so I think for that reason more than anything is why I love the acoustic shows.

15. What is a typical day like for you on the road? What is a typical day like for you off the road?

On the road, I wake up, sound check, eat dinner, grab some drinks and hit the stage. That’s pretty much it. I sometimes go play golf or try to get off the bus and change the routine a bit. I have recently gotten to where I try to use that time to catch up with old friends or get some work done as well.

Of the road, my schedule strictly revolves around my family. I feel I am away from them so much that I just do whatever they ask and whatever they want to do. So that is really up in the air. I wake up at 6 and get Bruce ready for school and then take care of the little one. If Cody is in town, we always seem to meet up for lunch or dinner just to see each other and get the families together. Seems boring I know but it’s my life and I love it. What a fan sees is a road schedule full of shows. What you don’t see is all the trips to Nashville for business that keeps me away as well. That’s why I just relax when I’m home

16. What is the coolest thing about being a professional musician? And the least cool thing?

The coolest thing for me is the way people treat you. The way you can inspire some people is simply amazing. I love when people want to meet me and want to take the time to tell me a story or to just say hi. It never gets old and it really keeps me going out there. I’ve worked so hard for so many years, which is why those stories are so special. I’ve waited my whole career to get to a point that I could make a difference in someone’s life and see a difference when I get on stage and it is finally to that point.

The least cool thing for me is the crazy hours and unstable workload. You really have to be working all day and all night. Everyone wants a piece of you during the day for interviews or to just get your own personal work and life in order. Then you have to go play and show all night and by the time you finally get to bed, it’s almost time to wake up again and start all over. Between balancing that schedule and then try and come home to a normal schedule with your kids is the toughest thing. But, I’m not complaining…you asked! (laughs).

17. If a documentary TV crew followed y’all around on tour for a month, what is the most interesting thing your fans would find out?

How funny my band is together. It really doesn’t come across that way onstage most of the time but they are funny. I just sit around most of the time laughing at them and what they’ve got going on. They would also find out that we don’t handle our drinks as well as we portray! “Hangovers hurt more than they used to…” (laughs).



18. Rapid fire:

- Favorite pirate: Mike Leach or Captain Jack Sparrow?
Jack Sparrow because my son is obsessed with Pirates. Love them Red Raiders though!
-Tony Romo or Jessica Simpson? Maybe Tony would let me sit by Jessica at a game. I promise I’d yell loud for him! (laughs)
-IPod or Zune? IPod.
-Haggard or Jones? Jones
-Favorite golf course? Ridgewood in Waco, TX.

19. Last time we found out your favorite George Strait song was, “Honky Tonk Crazy”, so this time I’m adjusting the musical litmus test and asking…what’s your favorite Alan Jackson song?

I love his remake of Hank, Jr’s “The Blues Man.” As far as his songs, I love “Wanted” and “Monday Morning Church”. I also like “Home”. Too hard to narrow it down. Good call on the Alan Jackson.

20. There is bad music coming out of Texas and bad music coming from the Nashville mainstream. How do you personally, weed out the bad stuff?

It’s funny to me that you ask this because I was just discussing this very thing the other day. It seems to me that so many people are more interested in just being able to say they have an album out then to actually spend the time and do it right. An album is forever for crying out loud! As far as weeding it out, I think I just do the best I can to give everyone a chance first. It sucks because I probably miss out on some really great artists that never quite reach me. But I think overall, it is more important than ever to utilize word of mouth and scream at people to listen to something that you’ve heard that moves you. Make them listen to it because there is great music out there coming out of Nashville and coming out of Texas. Just make sure it is good and that it is the best it can be because people just aren’t giving as much time to listen to full albums as they used to. It’s a fast paced world we live in and an even faster paced music world.

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1. What’s new and exciting with 1100 Springs?

We just released our new record produced by Lloyd Maines. We’ve been traveling the country extensively playing to new and exciting audiences. Just got back from the west coast two weeks ago. That was lots of fun.


2. Your musical style has a definite throwback sound to it. How did you develop that sound? What are you main influences?

Everyone in the group shares a love and knowledge of classic country music. For me personally, Buddy Holly and Hank Williams were the two most influential artists. I dissected rockabilly and country for what they were - hillbilly blues. From there, I dug deeper into country, blues, jazz, rock and roll, etc.




3. Name association:


-Dale Watson-Classic country guru.

-Jason Boland-My friend.

-Billy Joe Shaver-A prophet.

-Jack Ingram-Fun to hang with.

-Doug Moreland-Renaissance man.

-Mike Mancy-Hardworking.

-Pat Green-A man of the people .


4. You and your bassist, Steve Berg, have been friends and collaborators since your teen years. Did you envision making a career out of music as teens? Or, is it something that just evolved and one day you realized “Hey, we’re pretty good at this!” ?

I always knew music was it from day one. I can’t speak for Steve, but I sure am glad we’re still playing together. Having your best friend to share your love for music on stage creates miracles every night.


5. The Dallas-Ft. Worth area has a number of radio stations that support this kind of music. Do you think that has helped cultivate your large Dallas area fanbase? If you were in charge of one of the stations for a day, what would you play?

Without radio support, our lives would be much more difficult. There are some great people supporting great music out there. I won’t pretend for a second that I could do any better than what local stations are already playing. I would probably get fired my first week…as Texas pyschobilly doesn’t quite fit the local airwaves. (laughs)


6. In your early days you did quite a bit of touring with rock bands like the Toadies and Tripping Daisy. How did the rock crowds react to rockabilly music?

We were always like a breath of fresh air to those audiences. We fit right in. It might have sounded a little different, but we rocked just as hard as anyone out there.




7. Later on, Mark Reznicek of the Toadies would become your drummer. How did his addition influence your music and songwriting?

Believe it or not, it made us more country. He can play so straight ahead and simple. That’s what we wanted. He approaches it the same way Phil Rudd of AC/DC would. I love it…and I love Mark.


8. In addition to Mark, the band includes renowned fiddler Jordan Hendrix and steel player Danny Crelin. Is this the best line-up you’ve had in Eleven Hondo? And, how is this line-up different from past groupings?

I won’t even start to say anything remotely disparaging about any of the excellent musicians who have honored us by gracing the stage and studio to make music together, but I do feel that we’re very focused now. These are some great guys. I’m proud to know them and jam with ‘em.


9. Your fans are very passionate and dedicated. What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen one of them do?

I’ve seen more than one with an Eleven Hundred Springs tattoo...enough said. (laughs)




10. Favorite touring memories of the following towns and clubs:

-New Braunfels-The first time we ever headlined Gruene Hall is a memory that will always stand out. We had a big party back at the hotel with all our friends.


-Houston-There were some friends in from California one night at the Armadillo Palace. They came back to the hotel. We sang and drank and told jokes ‘til the sun came up.


-Lubbock-Ryan Bingham and Doug Moreland were in town for a gig at another club, but we were all at the same hotel. We passed around the guitar and messed up the rooms rock star style. (laughs)

-Stephenville -We tried to go to an after hours party but wound up driving in circles.

-Denton-There have been too many legendary house parties there to pick just one…but if I have to…(laughs). The one that stands out the most was the one that broke my marijuana cherry. I was an embarrassment, but I sure had fun! (laughs)

-Austin-I had a really fun birthday party at Antone’s a couple of years ago.

-Oklahoma City-We had hotel jam there that no one should have been playing music at. Nobody was together enough to sound good, but we thought we were doing great at the time!

-Kansas City-We did a really cool show there with Wayne Hancock recently. He’s one of my favorites. The people there love Texas music too. They make you feel so at home.

-Continental Club-Backing up Ronnie Dawson at the Continental Club in’94. He was amazing.

-White Elephant-Last year, in 2007, was the first time we’d been there in years. The crowd was on fire and we took so much from that. It was a lot of fun. We had dinner at the Lonesome Dove beforehand. We ate like kings and did a really fun show.

-Golden Light-We were coming back from a west coast run, and no matter how much fun you have traveling out of state it always feels great to come back to Texas. The people at the Golden Light have always been so nice. It was just the welcome home we needed. Pass that Thunderbird up to the stage!

-Floore’s Country Store-Everytime we’ve played there before our river trips has been a blast. People are in such a fun mood in preparation for the river.




11. Related to that question, you guys have a huge following outside the state of Texas. How long have you been touring in other areas? How long did it take you to make headway in other regions? What are the differences in the audiences here at home versus abroad?


People love Texas music everywhere you go. Out of state, crowds are hungry for our flavor. Depending on which market you’re talking about, we’re still trying to make headway. You have to continue to work these places to see results. There’s nothing like the feeling of looking into an audience and seeing somebody who’s witnessing something they’ve never seen. That’s the difference. People here at home grew up with it. Out there it’s something fresh.


12. Last Valentine’s Day, you became a traveling sing-o-gram across the DFW Metroplex. What was that experience like? Who developed that idea? Do you plan to do it again?

That was a lot of fun, and a lot of work for one day. I had the idea as I was trying to figure out what to get my valentine. I thought of slipping a little bread to one of my singing buddies to surprise her at work . Then a light turned on. Maybe I could make the money. I actually did this in high school. They called it a Val – o – gram. You had to audition in the lunch room…then people bought you to go around to different classrooms and serenade their valentines…I did anything to get out of class! (laughs) Anyway, I had my doubts, that it might have been too cheesy of an idea. Maybe it was, but people loved it. Place your orders for ’09 now!

13. In 2004, you signed with Palo Duro Records after doing the independent thing for so many years. How has having label support helped? Do you have creative freedom or is there a label exec giving notes?

In today's music world, we will see if having a label helps. This new record is our best yet and radio all over has expressed nice interest in it. We will see...


14. You’ve been hitting stages since you were a teen, starting with Reverend Horton Heat. And, Eleven Hondo’s calling card is your blistering live show. What makes a good gig for you? What makes a bad gig?


When the crowd is dying for you to entertain them it’s really good. The love back and forth can’t be matched. When for reasons unexplained you can’t connect, it’s frustrating. It’s still good though. The worst day on this job is still pretty damn good.


15. Stories behind the following songs:


-Gina From San Jose -Steve came to me with most of the lyrics finished. I added some things, but that was mainly him.


-Why You Been Gone So Long -Mickey Newberry wrote it, but it was introduced to me by Ronnie Dawson. He used to warm up back stage with it. The first I heard it, he and Mac Curtis were harmonizing on it backstage. It was a magic moment between two Texas legends, and I was a fly on the wall.

-See You In the Next Life -I wrote it after my high school girlfriend and I broke up. The details are specific to my experience, but the sentiment is shared by many.


-Thunderbird Will Do Just Fine -I was in full party mode then, and I pretty much documented any given day for me. I recommend chilling Thunderbird before drinking it (laughs). I could have also substituted St. Ide’s Malt liquor in that song if I’d wanted too.

-Can’t Win For Losing -It’s about money getting in the way of friendship. I had an argument with someone over money and that’s what came out.

-Long Haired Tattooed Hippies -I wrote it after we did a support slot for Pat Green at Gruene Hall. We were just getting started and Pat was really cool to us, but no one knew who we were. So, when the first saw us they didn’t know what to think…probably still don’t (laughs).

-Kick Me When I’m Down -Our old steel player, Aaron Wynne wrote that one. We recorded it at Chris Claridy’s house. It has always been one of my favorites.

-A Straighter Line -Aaron, Chris and I wrote it in southern California. I woke up early with the hook in my head. I went out on the porch and worked it out. We had it finished by breakfast.


-Northside Blues -Steve and I wrote this after someone stole our gear in San Antonio. He mentioned that it would be cool if we had a song that talked about all the cool Texas towns. We took it from there




16. You attended the same high school as Norah Jones and Erykah Badu among others. That’s a lot of talent coming from one place. Were you in school with anyone that just blew your mind away with their talent that didn’t “make it”?

I was blown away everyday by the talented kids there. I learned so much more from them than I ever did from the teachers. I haven’t kept up with everyone. I will say that it takes more than talent to make it in this business. You’ve got to have a thick skin and a serious drive to get by. Most people don’t stick with it. Even some of the most talented drop out.


17. What’s the worst day job you ever suffered through in order to support your music?


I worked in a warehouse doing shipping and receiving…it sucked! (laughs)


18. Rapid fire:

-Frisco or Soutlake? Do you mean San Francisco? It’s a beautiful city. (laughs)

-Favorite bar to hang at?-A Step Up

-Toadies or Burden Brothers?-Why must I choose? I’ll stand with my bandmate and say Toadies.

-Favorite Mexican food joint?-Casa Navarro off Marsh Lane in North Dallas…it is amazing.

19. Favorite George Strait song.

“Unwound“


20. What do you see as the main difference between the music you’re making and the stuff you hear on mainstream radio?

We’re trying desperately to get back to the heart and soul of country music. You’ve got to get the blues back in to it. That heartfelt feeling that rings true for everyone. We’re trying to keep the formula simple in hopes it will be classic…or at least pay tribute to something classic.

For all things 1100 Springs click here!

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1. What’s new and exciting in the world of the Modern Day Drifters?

We have a debut album out The Highway Is My Home – now available at any of our shows, LoneStarMusic.com and OurTracks.com. Please request the first single from the album “Tired Of This Town” at Radio Free Texas and any radio station you listen to.-Kristen

2. The two of you produced the new record yourself. Was this by design, or out of necessity?

By design. When you are establishing your sound, who better to do so than yourself? -Joe
Coming from other bands, we knew we had a specific vision and sound in our head for our first record as the Modern Day Drifters.-Kristen



3. Name association:

-Drew Kennedy- I like his songwriting and ability to construct melodies…which set the mood for the songs that he writes.-Joe
-Rich O’ Toole – Puts on a very energetic show – love the song “Kelly” - Kristen
-Josh Grider – Very gracious. A fellow survivor of the Waco music scene.-Joe
-Billy Joe Shaver – Papa Joe... one of the most influential singer/songwriters ever and my godfather in more ways than one.-Kristen
Will never forget the night he played my guitar for his whole show, unreal. - Joe
-Randy Rogers-Love the way he balances melody and lyrics.-Joe
-And the way he treats his band as equal partners in everything is how it should be done!-Kristen
-Pat Green – One of the reasons the Texas Music Scene is where it is today. – Joe.
-Wade Bowen-Super nice guy, has been willing to help us from day one.-Kristen
-Jason Boland – Cheap bourbon whiskey and pearl snap shirts.- Joe
-Larry Hooper – He’s funny … first met him at the Big O Katrina Benefit at George’s back in ’05, and he’s been a trusted musical ally ever since.- Kristen
-Bo Cox – Drinking plenty of Miller Lite while pickin and grinning in the garage after his show at George’s – Joe




4. You graduated from the prestigous McLennan Community College commercial music program led by Dick Gimble. Other notable alumni include Drew Womack and Ruthie Foster. What made you want to pursue your education there? How beneficial do you feel it has been for you?

I happened upon the music program at MCC and was pleased to find that it was a Commercial program and not a transfer program. It helped me hone the skills that I had built on my own. It has made my musical progression a lot easier, and I’m a much better musician than when I was prior to going through the program. -Joe

I never liked school … and when I realized I could go to school for music … I jumped on the opportunity, because I didn’t feel like I was going to school. I had a lot of trouble with harmonies and feel that my vocal lessons with Beth Ullman really helped. I learned theory and things I probably would not have applied myself to learning otherwise. Most of the guys in the band went through the program too, and I think it gives us an advantage stepping on stage and being so well-rounded. -Kristen


5. You are based out of Waco, which at times can be a very fickle live music town. Yet, you guys seem to have made it work for you. You’ve developed new venues and created a hardcore and loyal home fanbase. What is the best thing about being based from central Texas? What are the drawbacks?

The fact that we are centrally located within the state, would be the best thing about being based from Waco…we are just short drives away from DFW or Austin…or just about anywhere else for that matter. The only drawback of being out of Waco is we get all the silly, “Oh, y’all are from Wacko” jokes and stuff. Then you have to explain that all that actually took place in tiny Mount Calm about twenty miles outside of town, but whatever. (laughs) The pros definitely outweigh the cons.-Kristen

6. While starting out in the music industry, all musicians must support themselves with day jobs they are not huge fans of. What have been the worst day jobs you’ve had to endure?

Tire delivery man…lots of long drives and late nights. It is hard to be out changing tires in the middle of nowhere at the same time you’d rather be gigging. (laughs) -Joe

Waiting tables. The hours weren’t very conducive to gigging and there are way too many crappy tippers out there! You know who you are! (laughs) -Kristen

7. Stories behind the following songs:

-Tired of This Town – Drunk in the garage - I had the verses and Joe had a chorus. We started meshing them together and they seemed to fit…then again - it could have just been the alcohol. (laughs) -Kristen
-Rock Bottom – Relationships suck. (laughs) - Joe
-Gypsy – It is what I am, it’s what I wanna be. Being a musician is either in your blood or not. I crave the road and the adventure as much as the show itself. - Joe
-Nature To Run – You know those times where you wish you could turn back time, this is about one of those times. - Joe
-Broken White Line – I was delivering tires in that job I hated. I was somewhere between Hico and Stephenville middle of the night and the radio didn’t work … a song was born - Joe
-Shades of Gray – I had the lyrics, and a melody. Joe helped me make the song happen by adding the music…and I think it came out really cool. - Kristen
-Gone – “Hey Kristen, help me finish this song!” - Joe

8. Kristen, you wrote “Down in Flames” with Stoney LaRue and Brandon Jenkins. What do you find most difficult about co-writing? What is the best thing about writing with others?

I actually have always found it a welcoming task…and it always helps having outside ears. It’s kind of like putting together a puzzle. Each person puts in their pieces. I like collaborating with everyone I can. I have slips of paper and journals that are almost ten years old that I still keep around and share, because you never know when someone will have that missing link to your song.- Kris

9. On this album, you cover “Angel From Montgomery” by John Prine. What made you want to cover that song in particular? Were there other songs you considered covering for the album instead?

We never really considered covering any other songs. The Prine tune is one I had been singing for a while and we felt compelled to include it after recording it. It always gets such an amazing response at the shows, that I knew it must go on the album. - Kristen

10. Favorite touring memory of the following towns:

-New Braunfels – Late nights by the campfires at a cabin right on the river … copious amounts of alcohol (laughs) - Joe
-Stephenville – Lots of things come to mind…LJT Fest…Mandatory FM Stage … naked band members … crawfish … way too early in the morning … need I say more.-Kristen
-Ft. Worth – Bad house PA…free beer…Chuck Taylor. –Joe.
-Houston- A hard town…sometimes I feel like Bingham…”Houston gets me down.”-Kristen
-College Station – Keg party before the show, so drunk I fell down on stage. But, actually ended up playing one of the best shows ever. Funny how that works sometimes. - Joe
-Dallas –Justin Frazzell rocks my face off.-Kristen
-Austin – SXSW Showcase at Waterloo…any show where Drew Kennedy talks about a pinata massacre on I-35 is memorable.-Kristen



11. Every band has a gig memory that could be a horror story. Without giving away the details…describe the worst gig you’ve ever had?

To drive all the way down to a gig and find out the place is closed. Then turn to find someone pulling in to ask us “Hey, when did they open this place back up?” -Joe

12. On the flip side of that question, tell us about the coolest gig you’ve played to date as Modern Day Drifters?

Our album release party at the Horny Toad in Cranfills Gap was awesome! – small place but lots of love. The Galleywinter/Americana Roots South By showcase was super cool too. We’re big fans of Mando and DK and the energy in the room that night was good for our set.-Kristen

13. Kristen, your sister, Kimberly Kelly is making quite a name for herself in the scene as well. Can you describe what y’alls relationship is like, and talk about how your family has supported the two of you. Also, to what do you attribute the musical prowess in your family?

We have a great supportive relationship. We equally spread the word about one another and share contacts, road stories, etc. Our family is very supportive, although I don’t think I’ll ever get used to hearing one of them talk about us. Our grandfather was a musician and our father and uncles all played in his band. Music has been a part of our family for as long as I can remember.-Kristen

14. Prior to being in this band, you have all participated in other projects. What do you think makes the chemistry work so well as the Modern Day Drifters?

We are partners in crime, as cliché as it sounds, we are like brother and sister … without all the fussin brothers and sisters tend to do. The people we have working with us and all the guys that have joined the band fit right in and we’re all just enjoying the ride. -Kristen


15. If they were to make a movie of your lives, who would play each of you in the film…and why?

I think Joaquin Phoenix would play the role of Joe well. – Kristen
James “Jaime” King for the role of Kristen..because nobody puts baby in the corner! (laughs) – Joe

By the way, if you haven’t seen the movie Lone Star State of Mind, you must purchase it immediately and watch it religiously!– Kristen

16. There seems to be a growing wave of quality bands in this scene that feature a male and female lead working together. Such as The Gougers and Blake & Fallon. What is the biggest benefit of sharing lead vocals? Are there any drawbacks?

Our fans get the best of both worlds…male and female perspective on life and music.-Joe

I think it is just a reflection of society and modern music. Acts like Sugarland and the Gougers and other male/female duos seem to connect with their fans on a very passionate and personal level because they are making music from the heart. And, that’s what we do too.-Kristen



17. If you could erase one song from the public’s collective consciousness what would it be and why? What is one song everyone should have on their Ipod and why?

Nothing should ever be banished completely, because it can be learned from even if you hate it. That being said, I am tired of hearing that Ashton Shepherd song about the cold beer and wedding band every five seconds. (laughs)-Joe

Everyone should have “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin…she’s one of my heroes and this is my favorite song of hers. We cover it when we play acoustic and I hope we do it justice! - Kristen

“Horseshoe Lounge” by Slaid Cleaves is one of my all-time favorite songs, and one that surprisingly a lot of people don’t remember or know about. - Joe

18. Rapid fire:
-Favorite hobby? – Anything outdoors-Kristen; Hunting and fishing!-Joe.
-Favorite restaurant? - Pacho’s in Dilly, Texas. I’ve tried to describe this place to people, but words alone don’t do it justice. Seek it out, you’ll be glad you did. – Joe
Any restaurant that serves steak and potatoes…and let me drink my wine out of a Dixie cup.- Kristen
-Any hidden talents? – Joe does some pretty spot-on impersonations.-Kristen

19. What is your favorite George Strait song?

“Fool Hearted Memory”. I’m a huge fan of that era of country music, and this is one of my favorite songs from that time.– Joe

“Unwound”…still great to this day.- Kristen

20. What do you think sets your music apart from that of mainstream country music?

Simply put, it’s homegrown.-Joe

We make music from our heart and soul wherever the inspiration or motivation takes us. We don’t try to focus on a predetermined demographic, or think about what radio will like. We just do what we do, and the more people that dig it the cooler. If that is only a handful of people who truly believe in what we do, then so be it. I’d rather be real and struggle than fake and have it easy. -Kristen

MDD MySpace
Buy the Album at LSM.com

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1. What’s new and exciting with Ryan James?

My wife is nearly six months pregnant. How’s that for new and exciting? (laughs)

2. You are known as one of the nicest guys in this scene. How does it feel to be held in such high regard by your peers? And who do you look up to as a source of inspiration and humility?

I generally really like being around other people. It’s nice to know that some people don’t mind when I talk their ears off. I’m not inspired to be humble; I just like people. Really, I wouldn’t consider myself a humble person. Ted Turner said it best, “If I only had a little humility, I'd be perfect.”




3. Name association:

-Ryan Turner: Knows me too well!
-Wade Bowen: Makes incredible music.
-Josh Grider: Always believable and sincere.
-Drew Kennedy: Is the storyteller.
-Jason Eady: One of the smartest people I’ve ever known.
-Adam Hood: Gotta a lotta soul for a white guy...or any color for that matter!
-Mike Eli: Will never know how appreciative I am.
-Cory Morrow: Has always been a great friend.
-Jason Boland: An old soul.
-Walt Wilkins: Lives for his family.



4. At an early age, you made the distinction between the stuff you heard on the radio and the type of music being made by Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. Most people don’t realize until much later what a big musical world is out there. How do you think this early realization fostered your sound and style?

The truth is that I didn’t discover REK until my early college years, and I listened to Lyle because my mom did when I was a kid...although, I love him now I must say. I was a big Pat Green fan in the mid to late 90’s when Pat and Cory were starting to gain success. That music was incredibly infectious then because it was so different and uniquely commercial. From there, I started listening to everything in the newly discovered genre. Stuff like Ragweed, The Great Divide, Reckless, Cooder Graw, Phil Pritchett, Cory...and, to this day, I continue to find new unique music every week that deeply affects my songwriting. It’s overwhelming in a real good way.

5. You realized the potential of digital media early on in your career. Your MySpace and other outlets are loaded with juicy info and your personal blogs. What made you decide to take this approach? Why don’t you think more artists do things this way?

I’m always shooting for three things really. One, get as much information to people as they could possibly want. Two, do it in a way that looks good. And, three really involve friends and fans in the whole musical process. I’m sure other artists do this stuff because that’s where I get a lot of my ideas. If they don’t, they’re probably intensely focused on the process of music-making exclusively.

6. The start of your career had the traditional slow burn. Now, radio is beginning to embrace your songs, promoters are beginning to fill up your schedule, and your fanbase is continually growing. I think there is some benefit to layering your career growth in this way. Are you glad things have happened organically like this?

My start in music was relatively out of focus. Over the years, I’ve slowly tried to improve my art and my business. Each step, each failure, and each success is a learning experience I wouldn’t trade. I’m truly fortunate for the life I have.



7. Favorite touring memory of the following towns and clubs:

-Austin: Home...it’s always an easy night in Austin.
-Dallas: Firewater with Cory Morrow…sold out and a really fun crowd.
-Lubbock: It’s where I got my start in bars...The Blue Light as a matter of fact.
-San Marcos: Kent Finlay at Cheatham St. has always treated me like a real friend.
-Stephenville: Some tough nights in Stephenville…We’ve really had to earn those fans there.
-Ft. Worth: Home away from home. Radio up there is always pulling for me.
-Houston: Firehouse Saloon with Billy Joe Shaver – it was truly a great memory.
-Huntsville: George at the Jolly Fox. He takes good care of musicians.
-Wichita Falls: Disco dancing with the Ryan Turner band after hours…you had to be there.
-New Braunfels: We’d float the river, do what you do while you float, and play Gruene Hall sun burned and snookered. You can’t beat that!
-Oklahoma City: We opened for Fowler at The Wormy Dog and there was a big fight right in front of me. One guy dropped a bottle from the second floor onto another guy’s head on the first floor. It wasn’t pretty. When the bottle-dropper tried to apologize, the other fella’ hit him square in the jaw. Not cool.
-San Antonio: Floore’s with the Eli Young Band. We felt like rock stars!

8. Your family is heavily involved in your career, and your dad is well-known around the scene. Can you describe what it’s like working so closely with your family? What are the benefits and the disadvantages of constantly having them around?

I couldn’t do this without the help of my family. They’ve devoted so much time, money, and heart to this whole process. It’s not my career so much as our career. I think the only real disadvantage is that I’m afraid of letting them down. I know I can’t, but I still want validation for everyone. I think that would make me happy.

9. In addition to your strong voice, you were somewhat of a musical prodigy, mastering a number of instruments at an early age. What all can you play? What is your favorite to play? What is the hardest thing to play?

I never considered myself anything close to a musical prodigy because I’ve had to work really hard at my craft. Truth be told, the process has been anything but easy.
I started off at a real early age playing "Five Foot Two" on the piano with my Grandma. I started writing songs on the piano around 6th grade. That’s also about the time I started playing drums. I’ve always thought drums were my strongest instrument. I picked up a guitar my freshman year at Texas Tech and was taught a lot by my roommate Kirk Sears. I think they’re all pretty tough instruments; at least for me they are. I’d say the guitar is especially a constant learning process for me though.



10. Story behind the following songs:

-Are You With Me?- This is just a great Paul Thorn song. I knew I had to record it after I heard it once.
-Goodbye Carolina-I don’t remember writing the lyrics to this one. I found it in an old spiral notebook, added music and have played it ever since. This is my favorite song to play live.
-I Should’ve Broke You Heart- I’ve been on both ends of a break up where one person is hurt and the other is not. It sucks to hurt and watch the other person move on like the relationship never happened.
-She’s Always Leavin’- Keith Gattis is the best at writing the rocking tunes. This one was a song that Walt Wilkins and Keith wrote. Walt pitched it to me before we recorded, and I instantly saw it being a part of my show.
-How Long: This is the oldest song of my two records. I didn’t want this on the record originally but Walt heard something I didn’t. It really came out much better than I ever envisioned it could. It’s even fun to play now.
-Just Keep Driving- Walt gave me a demo to listen to for my second record. This song stuck out to me in a big way. I love the strange chords and hooky chorus. It just felt like something I’d sing.
-Take Your Time- I wrote this one with my old friend Waylon Pierce. The song was our attempt at writing a tongue-in-cheek tune with big harmony vocal parts. This is always a real swampy, get-nasty part of the show that I love.
-Home To Texas- I wrote a good majority of this song when I was on my Pat Green kick. I really wanted to have my own "Texas on my Mind", props to Django... I never got the chorus and 2nd verse exactly right, so Walt helped me finish this one. It’s become one of our crowd-pleasers.
-Waves- I’ve wept listening to Sam Baker sing this song. He is a true poet and I just wanted to pay homage to a great songwriter who has meant a lot to me artistically. I aspire to this type of songwriting.
-Get Busy Living- I stole the line from the movie Shawshank Redemption, which is one of my favorite movies. I’ve always thought it important to keep looking forward. You’re either living or you dying and you can’t be concerned with what the world thinks.


11. During a bout of homesickness in North Carolina, you got a rather large tattoo of the Texas flag on your left shoulder blade. Have you added any to your collection since then? And, if there had been a television production crew there that night for a show like Miami Ink, what would we have learned about Ryan James?

No new ones yet. Lindsey, my wife, got a huge tattoo on her left shoulder blade about three months ago. I posted the process on YouTube. I’m really wanting to add to my collection, but haven’t come up with the one great design yet. I was thinking of a Shel Silverstein drawing. Don’t know yet though. I'll keep y'all posted!

12. What is the best part of being a professional musician? Aside from missing home, what is the worst part of the business?

The best part is the perspectives I’ve gained. I’ve really gotten to know our small chunk of the world well. I hear great stories, I see miles of Texas, and I’m constantly looking forward to the next show.

The worst for me is that I can’t ever complain. My wife is a nurse in labor and delivery for crying out loud! What can I say when we have a bad night? “They didn’t give us beer tonight, Honey.” She replies, “Oh yeah? We lost a baby.” And we’re back to perspective: My job is ultimately not worth worrying about – I know exactly how good I have it.



13. Starting out in music, every artist has to deal with many setbacks. What has been the biggest struggle you’ve faced in launching your career?

I have good days and bad days. I’m confident things will always get better. Not necessarily because I’m that good, but rather because I will keep doing this until the day I die. I really feel like, with all the support I’ve had, that I have it relatively easy. I’m here, patiently waiting for the bars to fill and crowds to sing along. I think, one day, we’ll all be singing together.

14. Driving up and down the road to gigs, I’m sure you’ve seen your share of crazy and unbelievable things. What has been the most odd or surreal thing you’ve witnessed out on the road?

My great friend and former guitar player, Cale Richardson, likes to dance to Dwight Yoakum. When he hears Dwight’s music, he instantly flails around in some bizarre dance interpretation. After a show in Wichita Falls with the Ryan Turner band, a Dwight song came on the PA and Cale was the only person on the dance floor. It was truly inspiring. So, the rest of our band and the Turner band joined in. It was a strange "Alice in Wonderland" kind of moment. Wheat Bailey, from the RT band, was skating around the dance floor with a broom. I think I was doing the robot.
Yeah…it was that strange. I could go on, but I’ll spare you the, “You had to be there,” ending. (laughs)

15. You once claimed you were as influenced by the awful albums you’ve heard as you were the great ones. What are the top 3 “bad” album influences? And what are the top 3 good?

I’d hate to rattle off bad albums, but there is music that I really like that some people are surprised by. For example: Cyndi Lauper, Keith Urban, Queen, Alan Parson Project, Elton John. I don’t know, maybe I’m exaggerating – those people put out insanely great music.

The really good stuff is easy: Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Hank, Cash, Willie, Merle, Waylon, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Tom Petty, The Boss, The Band…I could go on for years.


16. You are one of those artists that is kind of stuck in that gray area between country, Texas, and Americana. Do you feel that with Directed you’ve helped define your sound more? And, are you feeling more welcomed by the communities at large?

Directed is musically worlds apart from Back to the Wind, and the stuff I’m writing now is nowhere near either of those two albums. I do think it’s somewhat confusing for the audience, but I think we’re still in the acquaintance part of our fan/artist relationship. We’re still feeling each other out. The fans I’ve met along the way have become friends, and I feel like every show we’ve gotten more and more friends coming out. It’s been very good I think.

17. When you first hit the scene you had long hair, and now you sport a much shorter look. What was behind the change: your wife, a marketing decision or were you just tired of it?

I saw a photo of me taken by my talented photographer friend Tessa that was just awful. My hair was huge, and I mean huge! I grew it out originally because I’ve always wanted to do it once in my lifetime. I tried it and didn’t like it, so I’m back to plain ol' short-hair. Surprisingly, my wife couldn't really care less.



18. Rapid fire:

-Worst driver in your band? Me
-Favorite convenience store treat? PowerBar Triple Threat or Capp’s Hot Fries.
-It’s 3AM…Whataburger, Taco C or a truck stop? Whataburger

19. Now, it's time for our very own musical taste barometer. What is your favorite George Strait song?

Just One? Not possible! "Marina Del Rey", "I Can Still Make Cheyenne", "Drinking Champagne", "The Chair"...and so many more!

20. What do you feel are the major differences between the music you and your peers are creating, and that of the mainstream?

I think the only thing that makes music truly mainstream – or not – is the number of people listening. In my opinion, on a large scale people listen because it’s good, and it’s that simple. I’m saying that Texas music is mainstream sometimes.
I think some of the records in our scene like Wade’s Lost Hotel or Eli Young Band’s Level are great examples of mainstream Texas music. That’s also why Pat, Randy, Ragweed, Fowler, Jack, and all those guys have done so well outside of Texas. They’re Texan through and through, they have commercial sensibility, and they’re masters of songwriting and performing. That’s pretty damn rare.

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1. What’s new and exciting in the world of Ray Wylie Hubbard?

I will soon be releasing a live album we recorded at the Granada Theater, also have been working on the movie I wrote with Tiller Russell “The Last Rites of Ransom Pride", you can check ito ut at www.ransompride.com. Other than that, I've been producing records for the Band of Heathens, Liz and Lincoln Durham and Lucas Hubbard. Doing our Roots and Branches radio show, and writing the next record, just grooving!

2. As a music business veteran, you’ve seen quite a lot of changes over the years. What things have stayed the same? What things have become very, very different?

What’s stayed the same, is if you give a boy a guitar the girls come around. What is different is there’s a lot more boys with guitars!



3. Name association:

-Randy Rogers-Rock and roller.
-Cory Morrow-Good timer.
-Jason Boland-Walking cool honky-tonker.
-Hayes Carll-My next big royalty check!
-Slaid Cleaves-Woody Guthrie's heir.
-James McMurtry-Guitar slingin' poet.
-Billy Joe Shaver-Christian Outlaw.
-Stoney LaRue-Stormy Monday blues.
-Todd Snider-Peed on my front tire one time!
-Walt Wilkins-Pat Green’s favorite writer.


4. You’ve got a great relationship with the Ragweed bunch. Can you talk a bit about how you hooked up with them. And, what do you think makes y’all connect on an artistic level?

I met them at KNBT’s Americana jam a few years back and was invited to their Waylon benefit. Cody came out a played lead on "Wanna Rock and Roll"...something about the chords E, D and A played with reckless abandon in 4/4 time in front of a couple thousand screaming kids...and to tell the truth, art may not have a lot to do with it, but you do connect on some low down, deep-grit and groove, sweat and blood level.

5. Your “Roots and Branches” radio show is quite influential and respected. What do you enjoy most about doing the radio show? What’s your favorite moment from the radio show?

I like the idea that you’ve got to write songs to be on, and since Mattson Rainer (KNBT Program Director) and my wife Judy book the show and both have great taste in music, I know that I wont be hearing any crappy songs for a couple of hours. One of my favorite times was when Billy Joe Shaver was on the show and told about how he spent the night with Tanya Tucker sleeping at the foot of her bed.

6. Much like Rusty Weir with “Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance”, your ascent in the music business was bolstered by one song, “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother”. You’ve played it live thousands of times, yet you seem to manage to keep the song fresh by interjecting humorous quips and lines about what it is like to have written a song that is so identifiable and tied to you. The majority of your song catalog is decidedly un-“Up Against the Wall”. Can you relate what it is like having the albatross of that song hang around your neck? And talk a bit about how you’ve managed to wear it so well, so well, so well?

For such a long time that was the only song I was known for...so my other songs suffered for it. Nowdays, it fits well in my arsenal so I appreciate much more than I did for such a long time. I tell young kids that after you write a song...ask yourself, "Can I sing this for 34 years?"



7. You’ve been touring for several decades, what are your most memorable touring experiences from the following towns:

-Houston-Doing a song swap with Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle at Rice University.
-Dallas-Playing poker with Freddie King after a gig.
-Lubbock-Loading in under blue skies, playing in a dust storm, loading out in the rain.
-Amarillo-Cowboys, bikers, and frat boys all at the same gig. They didn’t particularly like each other, but they all sang along on "Redneck Mother"!
-Kerrville-President Lyndon Johnson in the crowd.
-Oklahoma City-Playing a Woody Guthrie Festival with Nora Guthrie in the audience.
-New Orleans-The food and the vibe every, single time.
-Stephenvilleb - My son, Lucas’ first time to sit in with the band. He and Seth James traded 8’s on the song "Cooler In Hell", it was amazing.
-Tyler-Played with Bugs Henderson on one of my birthdays, got a cake.
-Galveston-Seeing Hayes Carll play for the first time. He was opening for me and Wrecks Bell, and he sang "Redneck Mother" in pig Latin at the Old Quarter.




8. Your story of redemption and sobriety is inspiring to all who hear it. You’ve credited Stevie Ray Vaughan with helping you make the decision to clean your life up. Many people have used your story of recovery as a foundation for their own. What was the catalyst for your life-changes? What advice do you have for those currently struggling with their own demons?

When you’re born you get so many drink coupons, and I used all mine up and finally got to the point I had all that fun I could stand. If you want to quit drinking, the first thing you do is quit drinking.

9. Aside from your influence, most artists cite Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff and Guy Clark as heroes. You were knee-deep in the foxhole with those guys back in the 70’s. What do you think was the common thread that made each of them have such a lasting impact?

Simply put, they all wrote great songs. Their output holds up as well today as it did then.

10. You’ve written songs solo and you’ve co-written many songs. Do you have a preference? Typically, where do you find inspiration for your tunes?

Inspiration can come from anything and can happen at any time, you’ve got to be ready. Also, never second guess inspiration, yet it is okay to rewrite. I have no preference, co-writing or solo I’m just glad when they rhyme and are done!

11. Gurf Morlix seems to be the musical yin to your songwriting yang. To what do you credit your tremendous working relationship with Gurf?

Gurf knows grit and groove and grease...and he is completely fearless...beyond walking cool. He won’t let me slough any thing off.



(onstage with Gurf)

12. Stories behind the following songs:

-Snake Farm- I’ve been driving by the Snake Farm for years, and one day I just looked over and went "Oooh just sounds nasty." So, I came up with the chorus, and then asked "What am I going to do with this?" Of course, the answer was to make it a love song.
-Three Days Straight-Lucas was in the 3rd grade and asked me to help him with his multiplication tables...and I liked the numbers 3, 6 and 7.
-Didn’t Have a Prayer-About being in the darkness, and the only way out is prayer.
-Ballad of the Crimson Kings-I just liked the idea that there are those condemned by the gods to write...maybe that explains why I’m still doing this.
-Conversation with the Devil-Just a bad dream that turned into a pretty good song.
-Screw You, We’re From Texas-Just a way to say that I like Texas better than Nashville.
-I’ve Seen That Old Highway-I really have seen what’s its done to the young and kind.
-The Way of the Fallen-Well, I asked myself, "If there really was a devil where would he live?" The thought came to me, Corpus Christi...and it went from there.
-Wanna Rock and Roll-I’ve always liked old bluegrass murder ballads like "Knoxville Girl" and "Tom Dooley", so I just wrote one with a speeded up raunchy rock and roll "Gloria" beat.
-Dangerous Spirits-The Hopi Indians used to explain that when things were terribly, terribly wrong and bad that dangerous spirits were at large in the hills, and that seemed to be a good as reason as any to explain the unfortunate circumstances of this old world.

13. You’ve been playing live for many years and at many venues. Can you relate the craziest story or incident you’ve seen or heard…that is fit to print!

Well, in Colorado we were playing a club back in the early 70’s and decided to leave our gear and amps there and pick them up the next day on the way out of town. But, the club owner, whom we heard was heavily in debt, insisted that we should go ahead and get our stuff out that night. We did, and the next morning when we drove by on the way out of town, there was nothing there. Seems sometime during the night someone had dropped a whole bunch of dynamite down the chimney and blew the place off the face of the earth.

14. Your son, Lucas, has become quite the guitar picker at an early age. Were you an early guitar prodigy as well? Also, you have a rather distinct sound. What were the biggest influences on your guitar pickin’ style?

I got my first guitar when I was 15, and just beat the hell out of it until I was 41! Suddenly, I decided I wanted to be a real songwriter, so I took my first ever guitar lesson to learn how to fingerpick. My influences have been Lightning Hopkins, Tony Joe White, and Sam Swank out of Dallas.



(onstage with Lucas, photo credit: Todd Purifoy)

15. You are widely praised for your sense of humor and generosity. So, I’d like to know…who is the funniest person you know? And, what person has been the most helpful or beneficial to your career?

The answer to both is my wife, Judy.

16. You began your career in a folk group with Michael Martin Murphy. What would the folk musician of your youth think of the hard-rocking troubadour you’ve become.

I actually wasn’t in a group with Michael, but we did go to the same high school Adamson, in Oak Cliff, TX at the same time...so we pretty much ran in the same circles. He was inspirational in getting me started in writing songs. I probably would like what I’m doing from that age looking at now...in that I'm still trying to honor those folk roots.

17. Of the respective pronunciations of your name in song, whose do you prefer: Gary P. Nunn or Ragweed’s?

Ragweed’s.

18. Rapid fire:

-Who is more “cosmic”…Bob Livingston or Steven Fromholz? Bob, but Steve has his moments.
-Luckenbach or Gruene? Luckenbach, of course.
-Favorite vacation spot? My loft.
-Least favorite place?Airports.


19. Usually, this is the time where I would ask you what your favorite George Strait song is as a matter of gauging musical taste. But, since you’re the Wylie Lama…we’ll cop out and ask you what your favorite song is that you have written? And, what’s your favorite song that you had no hand in writing?

"The Messenger" that I wrote, and "Choctaw Bingo" by McMurtry.

20. Acts like Ragweed and Jack Ingram excluded, what do you feel are the crucial elements that set Americana and Texas Music apart from the stuff the mainstream and major labels produce?

The writing...and you might as well know this...there comes a point in a songwriter’s life when the applause, money, fame, adulation or whatever, is not enough. What is more important is validation from other writers...you can’t buy it...you have to earn it. And, it is not given to anyone who writes crappy songs, no matter how many records they sell or how much money they make! And a few of the Texas and Americana cats are just walking cool bad ass songwriting sons a bitches and, there are female members of this organization as well.

For all things Ray Wylie click here!

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1. What’s new and exciting in the world of Mark McKinney?

Writing new songs for the next record. Let me see...been working hard, getting Mark TV edited and off the ground...just moved to a new place in South Austin...working on a new hot sauce recipe...got a new BBQ pit… breaking it in. Planning on touring hard and keeping the singles coming.

2. How often are you mistaken for the legendary Kids in the Hall comedian/actor Mark McKinney?

Not really that much. People searching online for him might happen to stumble upon me, who knows?



3. Name association
-Wade Bowen -- Great singer/songwriter.
-Cody Canada -- Plays a mean guitar.
-Phil Pritchett -- Has a good sound.
-Bleu Edmondson -- Very cool new song.
-Cory Morrow -- One of the founders of the scene.
-Jason Boland -- Love his strong Outlaw sound, cool tunes!!
-Mike Eli -- Such a great guy, love his songs!!
-Aaron Watson -- Great traditions, sound, and songs.

4. You’ve worked with Kevin Fowler quite a bit, tell us about that working relationship. How did it come about? What makes it enjoyable?

I have known Kevin for many years, at one time we shared a drummer… a great old friend of his and mine. We have written some cool tunes together, like "What's Your Point" on his new record. What makes it enjoyable? Food, fun and family. Our wives get along well, the kids fish and play together... good times!



5. Who are some of the people you haven’t worked with yet, that you would like to?

Of course, Mr. Willie Nelson...I played bass with his daughter Paula Nelson for a few months, years ago. Jack Ingram would be cool to work with, too. He has done a great job of keeping a cool sound as he takes it to a national platform. Also, Tony Joe White, a legendary songwriter. I learned to play the "Harp" listening to him. Lucinda Williams or Kelly Willis would be cool to work with as well.

6. You were born and raised in Big Spring…not exactly the mecca of music in this state. Do you think growing up there has influenced your sound or style? And if so, in what way?

Sure, any place you spend seventeen years is gonna get in your blood. I grew up running free on 10 acres next to a state park. That freedom I had as a child is still a strong part of me. I also think growing up in the household I did has influenced my sound. My parents were music lovers, turning me and my two brothers on to all kinds of music, and getting us started on guitar lessons at the early age of 6 or so. We also went to lots of concerts.



7. Much like me, your early musical influences were shaped heavily by that of your parents and your older sister. I can remember listening to as much George Jones and Randy Travis as Bon Jovi and Madonna. This diverse musical background shows up in your music….the question is, how much does it also show up in your IPod playlists? What is the craziest thing one would find on your mp3 player? What is the thing you’re listening to the most at the moment?

Iron and Wine, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Gomez, Eli Young Band, Tony Joe White, the new Alison Krauss and Robert Plant Duet album, Spoon, Hundred Year Flood, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nickel Creek.... I like a nice big stew of music!

8. You’ve built a solid reputation as quite the live performer. Tell us a bit about your band and how you’ve developed your live show.

Yeah, I do have to say I have a bad ass band! (laughs) They tear it up every night. We are like a family, well maybe because three-fifths of us are. My brother Eric McKinney plays lead guitar and lap slide. My cousin Ryan Coggin plays bass. My good buddy Jonas Lorence plays lead guitar, and good ol’ Michael Kelton, or just Kelton as we call him, beats the hell out of those drums. We have a great time on stage.

We take the Rolling Stones approach to it: high energy entertainment. We know you can listen to the songs at home or in your truck, but when you pay good money to come to our show, we're gonna give it to you. Some folks out there may not like smoke, lights, and our high energy performance, but that's just what we do. It would suck if everybody did the exact same thing. We like to do stuff live that we would like to see when we go watch a show. We don't want any of the crowd to leave before it's over, thinking “Ah hell… I can just go home, drink cheap beer, and listen to this on my iPod”.

We truly enjoy what we do and have lots of fun every night, and I think it shows.

9. Which three celebrities would you not want to be stuck in rehab with?

(laughs) I will have to get back to you on that one!



10. Stories behind the following songs:

-Comfortable in This Skin – Simply put, I wrote this song about who I am.
-Stompin’ Ground -- This is a quick journey back to the place I grew up and some of what I learned there.
-Party Foul -- Just a simple party song, a catch phrase, and some rules my friends and family have always thrown around.
-Fall -- A sweet little love song.
-Story of My Life -- Working man’s cry for the weekend.
-Bonfire -- Therapy for a wounded heart.
-Get Your Country On -- A state of mind, forgetting about the bullsh*t, and rockin’ it up.
-Reckless in Texas -- A tall tale about a broken-hearted fellow who has found comfort in being in Texas.
-Addicted -- Love or lust can be very addictive and we certainly live an addictive society.
-Deal Breaker -- A guy’s look at the search for the right one.
-Stranger Things -- Inspired by something a friend of mine went through.
-Are We Doing This? -- A life anthem.
-The MySpace Song -- A little funny tune about the whole MySpace phenomenon.

11. Your producer, Rob Dennis, has worked with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cross Canadian Ragweed in the past. How did you hook up with him? How did he help shape the sound of your album?

Rob and I have been best friends since the 6th grade. I asked him to be my drummer in our first band then he went out and convinced his folks to buy him a drum set. We have made lots of musical and life memories together. Rob is the number one reason my music is being heard today. He and I got inspired by the songs I was writing a year and a half ago and he produced an awesome record for me. We work really well together, and look forward to making a great follow-up record this year.



12. What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you or in front of you?

I've had a few girlls get up on a guy’s shoulders and flash me their girls!

Well, what is the craziest thing you've done as a fan of someone else?

The craziest thing I've done was at one of Fowler’s shows that we opened. My band made our way to the front row, then I got up on Kelton's shoulders, and flashed ol Kevin with my girls!

13. You got to take part in the Big State Festival this past October. Talk about how intimidating, yet cool it was to share a bill with the likes of Skynyrd, Willie, Lyle et al?

It was an awesome experience and we had a great time that day. I hung out with my buddy Fowler, Mike Eli, Collin Gilmore, ran into Jack, Trent Summar, and Kelly Willis. We just got up there and did our thing. It is so cool to be on a bill like that; you can't think about being intimidated, you just have to do what you do. I have learned with anything, some will like what you do, and others won't, but you can't worry about that… you just have to make yourself happy and people who connect to what you do will find you and let you know.

14. Favorite touring memory of the following towns/clubs:

-Dallas -- Always have a great time with Justin and a big gang hanging out on air at the Wolf.
-San Marcos -- Doing a show at Gordos and all the power on stage goes out for about 10 minutes… boy that makes things fun.
-Ft. Worth -- Billy Bob’s was awesome, 8.0's was incredible, the Horseman is always a blast, but it would have to be playing Ranch Bash to 15,000 people.
-Oklahoma City -- Love the Wormy Dog. We finished and loaded out in 18 degree weather, then hauled ass as a huge ice storm was hitting… scary and cold!
-Midland -- Ranch Jam was fun with Fowler, sun setting right in my face. I got a tan that day. Had all my West Texas friends and family out there.
-New Braunfels -- River Road Icehouse. It was only our second show and we played for 2,000 people as we opened for Fowler. We also had a good time at River Road playing with Randy Rogers Band...those guys rock.
-Firehouse -- Climbing all over the fire engine out back is always fun. Some embarrassing pictures have been taken back there!
-Rolling Oaks -- It's fun to have people 20 yards from the stage driving golf balls. We had a great crowd and show there last time. Love San Antonio and The Outlaw, Hank T...the whole deal is cool down that way.

15. Musicians spend more time on the road than at home. And, for those of the independent variety such as yourself, that usually means a great deal of time spent behind the wheel driving from gig to gig. Ironically, most musicians and music lovers that I know, myself included, spend a large amount of their time on the road listening to sports or news talk radio. What keeps your ears tuned in, while your heading down the highways and backroads of Texas and beyond?

We watch lots of The Family Guy, The Office, and all kinds of movies. We listen to comedians, as well as lots of music and Texas Radio.

16. Many times when writing songs the lyrics come before the melody or vice versa. But, whatever the order is, one usually comes before the other. What do you find yourself coming up with first more often? And, what is your overall writing process like?

I often come up with melody first, but I'm also always scrambling to write down lyrics and song titles that pop in my head, writing them on whatever I can find to write on. Some songs come all in 10 minutes, and with others I may have a great melody but search for the right lyrics for months, editing and changing it until it feels right.

Sometimes songs come together patchwork style, a part of one works well with another etc. I have several books of lyrics or poems that I’ve written, whatever you want to call them...some find their way to a melody and others just live on that sheet of paper forever.

17. If you had to try out for one of those televised talent shows like American Idol or Nashville Star, what would your audition song be? And, why?

"Comfortable in This Skin" because it would give me three minutes to explain who I am.



18. Rapid fire:

-Favorite alcoholic drink? Beer!
-Favorite non-alcoholic drink? Sweet Tea!
-Favorite hangover cure? Sleep, Advil, water, then repeat.

19. Favorite George Strait song…and why?

I like lots of his old ones, but would have to say.. "Fool Hearted Memory". I just love the melody on that tune.

20. What are the main differences you see between the independent music you’re making and that of the mainstream?

I'm just making music I like to make. It's so easy for the mainstream labels to say, “We don't know where you fall...” or “We don’t know what to do with you...” or “You're too Texas...”, or whatever label they come up with that day. Mainstream music has to sound a certain little way, and I personally believe they kinda short change us by thinking we all want every song to sound the same way on the radio.

There is not enough diversity in mainstream music anymore.

The Texas music scene definitely has more diversity, although there are several artists who sound very similar here too. You can't think too much about it, you just have to be true to yourself and the music that comes out of you. It may be somewhat Texas, it may be somewhat mainstream, whatever someone wants to label it...we love to label things in this country! At the end of the day, it just has to be you!

Mark McKinney MySpace

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1. What’s new and exciting in the world of Owen Temple…both musically speaking and on a personal level?

Exciting to be back home in Central Texas after a few years out of state – enjoying a Texas winter in short sleeves, mostly, and reconnecting with old friends and fans. Family is good, my son Bond is turning four at the end of the month, so we’re planning a birthday party.

More and more folks are hearing the new record so we’re starting to see some exciting reviews and airplay on some cool programs here in the U.S. and overseas. A really good review came out in No Depression this month. We’re having a lot of fun playing these new songs out at shows- doing about 18 shows a month.




2. Around 2002, you took a multi-year break from doing music full-time to concentrate on the 9 to 5 life and finishing your Master’s Degree in Wisconsin. How did you end up in Wisconsin of all places? And, how hard was it to give up Texas and music simultaneously?

I have always been interested in psychology and I got an opportunity to go to grad school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. UW-Madison is consistently one of the best ranked graduate psychology programs in the country, so I was lucky to be accepted. I had a few other choices too, one on the west coast and one on the east coast. I visited four schools and looked at the programs and people and Madison and UW was the best fit. Friendly people, great town, great graduate advisors doing work on the brain and emotion.

They like cheese and beer in Wisconsin, I like cheese and beer.

Leaving Texas was hard, but luckily I didn’t have to give up music with the move up there. There are small but strong folk, country and rock music scenes in Madison, Chicago, and the Twin Cities so I kept performing and writing while I was in Wisconsin so I didn’t have to give up music per se - just music in Texas venues for awhile.

3. Name association:

-Hayes Carll-Popularity comes and goes, but the songs are forever. That is something Ray Wylie Hubbard told Hayes that gives him a sense of focus and purpose in the music business. Hence, Michael Jackson peaked at Thriller…

-Walt Wilkins-Gentle, catchy, and beautiful songs from a great person. Walt’s songs shine like diamonds in the sun.

-Max Stalling-Smooth Max, one of the most loyal and thoughtful guys you’ll ever meet. I love his new record Topaz City.

-Larry Joe Taylor-The model for the do-it-yourself music career. He writes great songs, makes quality records, and then throws a big party a few times a year, invites fellow independent artists, and plays songs to thousands of like minded friends and fans. Who needs a music videos or focus groups to help pick songs? He lets thousands of people know about our kind of music every year – I’m personally very grateful to him for introducing me to a lot of my fans. He is a major architect of the Texas Country / Red Dirt Music movement.

-Adam Hood-Very glad he decided to make his home here in Texas for the time being – glad the folks from Alabama share him with us – dude’s got soul and great songs

-Josh Grider-Insightful songwriter, great guy, one of the best singers I know

-Jack Ingram-Proves that commercial success and artistic integrity are not mutually exclusive – there is a hard road where the two things can happen together and he has taken it, town by town, night after night, without pandering or looking for shortcuts

-Randy Rogers-A songwriting kindred spirit of mine – he gets as excited about a new song he is writing as I get about some new lyric I may be working on – glad the audiences agree with me that his songs are some of the best around


4. Two guys I didn’t include in that list are Pat Green and Cory Morrow because I was wanting to look at your relationship with them on a more in depth level. At the turn of the decade, the three of you were a trio of Pied Pipers leading the charge of a new era in Texas Music. From singing memorable duets on Cory’s album (“Drink One More Round”) and your own album, General Store (“Jaded Lover”), to playing numerous shows with each other, to sharing Lloyd Maines as a producer…you pretty much laid the blueprint many guys would copy for the next several years. Could you describe that time of your life, all the craziness that was going on and all that good stuff. If you could, also please elaborate on what your relationship was like with those two guys back then, and what it is like now.

Some fun times – I was still in college and playing music every weekend to pay my way through school during the old days, mid to late nineties, you’re talking about. Pat and Cory were doing it full-time and inviting me along to open a show or swap songs with ‘em.

Cory first introduced me to Lloyd Maines and told me to think about making a record, so I’m forever grateful to him for that. I’ll never forget opening for Cory down on Sixth Street during Outlaw Thursdays at the old Hang ‘Em High Saloon. My first time on a big stage sometime in 1996. The place was packed. I also remember that he opened for Merle Haggard back in 1997 and I thought that was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do something like that. A few years after that I opened for Waylon Jennings – if you had told me that I would do that then, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Pat was and is such a supportive and encouraging guy. He said he’d love to sing “Jaded Lover” on my record, and he drove down from Waco to do it. After that, Cory, Pat and myself got together and hung out whenever we were in the same town and didn’t have a gig, and after gigs we were all on. We usually didn’t have to be somewhere else the next day, and didn’t have anybody carrying our guitar or people relying on us and the music for their incomes. The schedules were not as hectic then.



(Pat & Cory back in the day)

We still get together whenever we can, but everybody’s traveling further, playing more shows per year than we believed was possible, and it takes more and more coordination and a bigger team of people to get it all done. That’s just part of the price of success – less personal time. Whenever we are in the same town on the same night, we get on the phone and try to get together – even if it’s just for awhile before or after the shows.

I’ll never forget a show in 1997 at the old Cadillac Jack’s (now closed) in Waco, when I was booked in there and Pat stopped by, passing through to say hey. He asked to buy ten copies of General Store and I told him I’d give them to him, but he insisted, no, he wanted to buy them, and at full price. He is one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, and I’ll always remember that encouragement he gave that night when I was selling my first record.



5. Speaking of Lloyd Maines, you used him for your first two albums, went with Phil Madeira on your third record, and returned back to Lloyd for this latest effort. What made you want to work with him again? And, what is it like working with Lloyd in the studio?


Everything Lloyd works on sounds great, and he really cares about the projects, takes the recording project on as if it’s the only thing happening in the world for the days you’re working on it with him. He is a great musician and a great person.

I also knew from prior experience that he cares about meeting the budget on a record, and we knew what we wanted to spend on recording the new one. When the project was finished, he came in under budget. That’s unheard of in the music business, but that’s the kind of integrity he has.


6. What are the main differences in live music crowds you’ve encountered outside of Texas when compared to those in your home region?

In Texas, we have a culture of seeking out and supporting independent artists. That old Independence thing again – remember the Alamo? (laughs) Support of independent artists happens everywhere, but it seems to happen more passionately and by more people in Texas.


7. Favorite touring memory of the following towns and clubs:

-Dallas-Opening for the Jackopierce reunion show at Gypsy Tea room – those guys were some of the first Texas Music superstars and it was a good time kicking off their reunion show a few years ago

-Stephenville-Playing Valentine’s Day with Pat Green in 1999 at City Limits – that meant all of us, everybody in Pat’s band and my band, brought our girlfriends and we all had a good time hanging out. It was strange going out with a lot of friends on Valentine’s Day, but that’s what it was like.

-Lubbock-Playing Stubb’s Barbecue in Lubbock the last night that business was open. Though it was sad, it was special because of all the great music that happened in that club over the years. Joe Ely, one of my heroes, got started there.

-Ft. Worth-Playing the Aardvark in Ft Worth with Cory Morrow and seeing a poster on the front door that said. “Tonight – Opening for Cory Morrow is Otis Triple”

-Gruene Hall-Just a few nights ago on a songswap I did there with Adam Carroll. Great songs and a great place to play them. They had the woodstove going and we did it up in the front room of the bar on a chilly night in the middle of the week. It just feels right playing acoustic music in an old dancehall.

-Executive Surf Club-The night I wrote “Red Wine and Tequila” after drinking too much of both after a show there.

-Blanco’s-The dancefloor jammed, people partying while a tropical depression raged outsid...it was only a mild hurricane not a big one – in Houston they’re used to it!

8. You’ve had quite the unique approach with the release of your latest album, Two Thousand Miles. The release itself has been a multi-faceted event that has included new, digital media strategies, as well, as employing more traditional approaches. Who gets credit for the idea? Has it lived up to your expectations?

Gino Genaro, my longtime manager, came up with the staggered, multi-layered release idea on this project. The success has far exceeded our expectations – it has been unbelievable. Hats off to Gino and to LoneStarMusic, our partner on the digital and online release, for all their work and creativity around this new record release.




9. Your songwriting has always been more poetic and intellectual than many of your contemporaries. To what do you attribute this? And, what influences do you feel cause this?

I suppose I focus on the lyrics first and foremost – the words have to be right before I move on to the rest of the arrangement or music of a song– so maybe that has something to do with it. Some people come up with melodies first, but I have done it that way only rarely. So maybe it comes from songwriting being a lyric-driven process for me. I would also say that the more lyrical writers are my favorite – Bob Dylan, John Prine, Guy Clark – so maybe it comes from what I like to listen to the most.




10. You’ve been in the music business for over a decade, what is the best thing about the business? And, what is the worst thing about the business?

Best thing....getting up in the morning and doing what I love most for a living.
Worst thing...being away from home and family for long stretches of time.


11. Another notable thing about your early career was that you were a significant man on campus at the University of Texas-Austin. How did the support and influence of the university shape your life and career?

Being in Austin was critical to my development as a songwriter – I could go hear these songwriters and artists who were playing five minutes from my place.

Also, playing music at parties and bars while I was in college meant I knew a lot of people in a lot of different organizations. So when I was elected student body vice president, I just helped the people in the different organizations get connected with each other to solve the problems they were working on. Made a lot of good friends through music and organizations on campus.



12. Stories behind the following songs:

-You Want To Wear That Ring-A friend who was engaged to be married Randy Rogers, asked me, “Shoot me straight - really - how is it being married?” A complicated question, so Wade Bowen (the co-writer of this song) and I gave him a complicated but realistic answer. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s hard. A song about the hard work in a relationship that concludes that it’s usually worth it.

-Dry Creek-I wrote this song after the first time I visited the Austin bar down Mount Bonnell Road on a beautiful gorgeous spring afternoon. Loved how cranky Sara was contrasted with how much people loved her place.

-Can’t Drink Enough to Sing-A songwriter friend of mine who was living in Chicago, Jay Altizer, drove up night to visit me in Madison, and we walked down the block to a little club. Turns out there was an open mic going on there at the club that night. We only came for a few drinks, but the guy sitting at a table next to us had come to perform in the open mic. I could tell because he had a lyric sheet in front of him, about four scotch and sodas lined up within arm’s reach, and his wife was rubbing his neck – trying to keep him loose for his performance. When she saw that, despite her efforts, he was getting anxious, she’d run up to the bar and get him another drink. We got to the club about 9pm and left at about midnight, and he still hadn’t got up to play a song – but he had got drunk. We don’t know what happened later that night but the third verse of this song is our best guess.

-Swear It Off Again-A song that goes out to anybody that has tried to quit something unsuccessfully, anybody who finds themselves swearing something off again and again. But somehow, they find themselves back in the rodeo. Wrote this after talking to manager Gino Genaro who was putting together a show for the Pro Bull Riding Association (PBRA).

-Downtown-A song about these small towns all over the US that used to be the center of it all before the Wal-Mart on the outskirts of town became gathering place. I wrote this thinking about Texas towns like Sabinal, Uvalde, and Ranger.

-Tennessee Highway-Len Lewis, a high school buddy of mine, and I went up to Nashville on a road trip because we were big fans of Merle Haggard, Roger Miller, Hank Williams, and when we went to a few songwriter’s showcases, all we heard were lame cheesy songs from people who wanted to be stars. So we cut short our stay in Nashville and headed back to Texas, via New Orleans. Before we left Tennessee we wrote this song in a motel room.

-Like We Still Care-Pretending to care, when you don’t, can be miserable. Sometimes all you can do is try to smile, make a little awkward conversation, and then get away as fast as you can.

-Listening to the AM-Truck drivers and singer-songwriters work late hours, sometimes all through the night, and both involve a lot of driving. I’ve seen a lot of all-night truckstops myself. So it wasn’t heard to imagine having to work the crazy hours truck drivers work.

-This Ain’t Las Vegas-Wrote it after a trip to Las Vegas. My wife and I couldn’t win a hand. We couldn’t even bear losing long enough to wait for the free drinks to come around. Our vacation turned out to be a miserable couple of days. We were stressed out and didn’t feel like gambling, and getting on the plane to come home we felt like we didn’t have much to be happy about. I wrote this to cheer us up, ‘cause, I hope, real life ain’t Las Vegas. If you bet on love and try to enjoy life in the present, right here and now, you really can’t lose, or I’d like to believe you can’t. I think that idea is the common thread between the album’s songs, the theme of that Right Here and Now record.

-No Daring Is Fatal-A song of hope in the face of uncertainty. I was considering the decision whether to move on to write songs full time. I read something by the novelist Henry Miller where he cited a phrase that he kept in mind when deciding to pursue his own writing, that ‘no daring is fatal.’ Miller went on, saying something like, ‘progress in life comes not through adaptation but through daring, through obeying the blind urge.’

It’s what we try to do as individuals, to have the courage to live the kind of lives we want to live and become what we want to become.

-The Wanna Wanna Bar-True story about a local guy I met named Gary at the The Wanna Wanna Bar one Sunday night. After the bar closed we walked across the street to his place, drank rum and coke, and he told me about his ex-wives.

The bar name, Wanna Wanna, just stuck in my mind and I told the story he told me but I made it rhyme (laughs).



13. You’ve co-written with a number of folks…what makes a good co-write?

Time to kill and a couple of good unfinished ideas or lyric fragments. It also helps if you like the same kind of music or at least admire a few of the same artists. That way what you come with will be agreeable to you both.

14. How bad is the Mexican food in Wisconsin?

Taco Bell was the best Mexican food I had in Wisconsin. That makes me very sad to say. I am hoping that there actually is some good Mexican food there and that I just didn’t find it.

15. Many of the singer/songwriters who came in the wake of your first couple albums hail you as an influence. Who or what is your favorite of the current crop of bands and artists playing the Texas circuit?

I’m a fan of too many bands and artists to list, but a fairly new band that I’m a big fan of is The Band of Heathens. My buddy Gordy Quist is one of the songwriters in that group. He also has a great new solo record out called Here Comes the Flood, that I highly recommend!

16. What are you favorite things to do in your downtime?

Hang out with the family, read...lately I’ve been reading a lot of music autobiographies. Levon Helm of The Band, Chuck Berry, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard...and biographies Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, The Rolling Stones... I’m reading Johnny Bush’s autobiography right now...drink coffee, learn new songs.

17. You covered Hank Williams “Long Gone Daddy” on your Passing Through album. What made you pick that tune to cover? Are there any other songs you’d like to cover on an album? What are your favorite covers to play live?

Hank Williams is a major hero of mine. He could express so much sadness, attitude, and joy with his lyrics.

I like the attitude and the swagger of Hank’s “Long Gone Daddy”- and I love lines from this song like “I’ve been in the doghouse so doggone long that when I get a kiss I think that something’s wrong.” So he’s hauling ass and he doesn’t need her anyhow. That’s a very rock n’ roll attitude from the ultimate country singer/songwriter - he was the first country music rebel. There would be no Steve Earle without Hank Williams.

That said, I’d like to cover Steve Earle in my show too. We occasionally do “Guitar Town” a song that opened up my eyes and ears to a whole new kind of country music when I first heard it. I cover songs by Guy Clark, Townes, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Merle Haggard, and Buddy Miller.



18. Rapid fire:
-Who’s it more fun to beat: Aggies or Sooners? Sooners

-Favorite restaurant? Judging by how often I’m eating there, Taco Cabana. And they’re all over… Aw Shucks in Dallas is a favorite too, whenever I’m up there, especially when crawfish are in season!

-Favorite town you’ve lived in? Austin

19. Everyone gets this question as a barometer of their musical tastes and style…favorite George Strait song.

Amarillo By Morning...I like a good rodeo song.

20. What do you see as the main differences in the music made by independent artists such as yourself and the music made by mainstream outlets such as major label acts from Nashville?

Independent artists have to please themselves and a few, like-minded and trusted others with their recordings. Sometimes that means the recording is quirky, daring, and fresh. Sometimes that means it’s amateurish and just bad.

Major label artists have to please much larger committees of label staff, publicists, promoters, etc. Because the stakes are higher and the dollars lost or won is greater, the majority rules and the recordings generally shy away from the risky or unconventional, so the results are sometimes bland, predictable, and less interesting. But every now and then, occasionally (and less and less every year it seems), the process works and something cool, edgy, and unexpected makes it through that gauntlet.

Different personalities seek out different kinds of music, and as long as people are different, there will be markets for both independent and mainstream music. My own personality directs me toward more independent, challenging, and less predictable music.

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