Ragweed Taking a Break

Rumors have been persistent for weeks that the Cross Canadian Ragweed family had a huge announcement coming regarding their future. This morning, several outlets have confirmed via press release the news that the band is taking a break from touring. There is a discussion regarding this topic happening HERE.

We are working on a couple retrospective pieces dealing with Ragweed’s enormous influence on the Texas/Red Dirt scene and what their legacy will be.

The full text of the press release is below. CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED TO TAKE A BREAK FROM LIFE ON THE ROAD Nashville, TN — May 19, 2010 —

This morning, Cross Canadian Ragweed announced their decision to take a break from life on the road. The band of brothers comprised of Grady Cross, Cody Canada, Randy Ragsdale and Jeremy Plato are true road warriors. They’ve played over 220 dates a year for 13 of the last 15 years, solid. They are family to one another. They’ve watched each other grow up, get married and start their families. Always in synch with each other, often with marriages and births just months apart. While they love their time on the road, each has yearned to spend more time with their families at home. Together they have made the decision that it is time to take a break.

Just days ago, founder of the band (drummer) Randy Ragsdale, let the band know that he needed to be at home with his family, specifically his autistic son. “For many years my band has been my top priority. Being in a touring band you have to give it your all, give it 100%. Right now, I need to be at home for my family, particularly my son JC, who has autism. He’s ten years old now and still struggling in his development. I feel the only way I can help him, is to be more hands on and close to home. I would understand and support the bands decision to get another drummer and press on. But that’s not what they wanted to do. I was blown away by their decision and their support.”

“We’ve always said from the start, we’re Ragweed as the four of us, or not Ragweed at all,” said front man Cody Canada. “These guys, they’re my brothers, I love playing with them,“ said Grady Cross. “I’m sure we’ll be back on the road soon.” “We’ve been at this for a long time, we’ve all had to spend time away from home missing birthdays, holidays…it’ll be good for us to have a breather.” added Jeremy Plato.

Together Ragweed has sold over a million albums, signed a major label deal and sold out venues from New York to California. They’ve broken attendance records along the way including one set by Willie Nelson at Lone Star Park drawing tens of thousands of fans and creating a traffic jam on I-35 for miles in each direction towards the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. The band has played major festivals including ACL Fest, Stagecoach and Summer Fest.

As leaders of the red dirt movement the band headlined their own festivals drawing over 60,000 fans out each year to Red Dirt Round Up and Family Jam. Their reputation for rowdy crowds helped them earn coveted spots sharing the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, ZZ Top, George Thorogood, Johnny Lang, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Allan, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and numerous others.