LJT 25 Preview: Monday and Tuesday

*This is the first in a series where we will preview our must see acts from each day of LJT 25.

MONDAY

In a new twist this year, LJT organizers have added a Monday event.  This change essentially means there will be some folks rocking out in the hills of Melody Mountain Ranch for seven whole days.  Kicking things off is famed singer/songwriter and recent honorary Texan, Thom Shepherd.  LJT will find Shepherd busy as aside from his Monday kickoff duties, he is hosting a daily “Bloody Mary Morning Jam” at 10AM at the newly renovated T-Bird’s Garage Pub stage.  Shepherd is a songwriter of national renown and a fun showman that will start your LJT experiences off in the right way…be it Monday or Friday morning.

TUESDAY

The traditional start to the festival has been moved to Tuesday in recent years.  Due to a car accident, David Allan Coe had to be replaced in the Tuesday line-up.  Aside form Larry Joe and Pat Green, Tuesday now has The Departed.  A couple years back, LJT served as one of The Departed’s earliest debuts.  The crowd was uneasy and the vibe was weird.  The masses wanted their Ragweed fix and didn’t really know how to handle the soulful blasts of rock n’ roll hitting their ears.  Any of those rough edges have been worn off and the band that will be hitting the stage on this night is one you must see.  Seth James emergence as bandleading peer with Cody Canada has led The Departed to be compared to Texas legends such as the Arc Angels or Storyville.  If you’re one of the lucky few able to attend LJT on Tuesday, you’ll see why.