A Quick Chat with Stoney LaRue...

Have you ever had a friend that you felt to be as genuine as the Earth?  As relatable as a lifelong companion?  As true as the day is long?  Meet Stoney LaRue for a few minutes and you’ll feel the same way.  Stoney and I are not friends but he has a way of making you feel at ease and comfortable in a matter of seconds.  He is a gracious, humble, gregarious guy who was kind enough to give us some of his time…and it is crystal clear to see why he makes fans by the hundreds, appeals to all audiences around the country, and continues to see his star rise.

So what do a hippy, a frat guy, a Wall Street banker, and a big burly biker have in common?  Not a whole lot that I can think of except you’ll see them all at a Stoney LaRue and the Arsenals concert; and probably singing along to every word as well.  The broad appeal of his music is somewhat puzzling, but makes it that much more authentic.  I don’t want to listen to music that only appeals to a small, catered to demographic.  I want my foot to tap, my head to bob, and my heart to break with the music I pay my hard earned dollar to see and experience.  And that’s what you get with a Stoney LaRue show.  You’ll leave thinking you got away with seeing the main feature at a matinee price.

Between his yearly trips to Mexico and Alaska and, oh by the way, releasing the long awaited album, Velvet, it has been a busy year for Stoney.  “I love the trip to Alaska.  It started off with Bleu Edmondson and myself going up there and we try to take new people with us every year.  This year it was the Braun brothers and of course Jason Boland and Brandon Jenkins.  We like to take people who are spiritual and will know how to take it all in.”

As for the new album, Velvet, I didn’t know what to expect upon first listening with the exception of hearing a few songs getting “road tested” at some shows.  It feels like a strong departure from some of the older music.  The music seemed to find Mr. LaRue in a calmer, more reflective state of being.  It was different, it was easy flowing, and it was easy on the ears.  All in all, a beautifully crafted album that has been well worth the wait.  “I could see how that would come across (being calmer, reflective).  It does lend its self to a listening album.  There’s a lot of depth to it.  After being on the road for 14 years I would hope I have some things to look back on.  It is reflective but looking forward at the same time.”

The album does in fact lend itself to listening.  Not too many albums out there can you get away with listening to at a loud club, a road trip weekend, and a quiet night at home.  But Stoney is able to pull it off, and judging by looks of it, quite easily.  As previously stated, Stoney really is one of the nicer guys you’ll ever meet…and yet…badass, all at the same time.  All of us here at LoneStar Outlaw Review know that there is absolutely nothing standing in the way of him becoming a household name nationwide.  Catch his current single “Look at Me Fly” out on the radio dial and don’t be too surprised to hear even more great NEW music in the not too distant future.  Seems as though Stoney isn’t quite done reflecting just yet…    

 

To find out when you can catch Stoney LaRue and the Arsenals

in a town near you, check out:

www.stoneylarue.com

 

 

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Article Written By: Matthew Ricketts ~ Senior Staff Writer, LoneStar Outlaw Review

Photography Rights belong to LoneStar Outlaw Reivew,

courtesy of ©KelleyStroutPhotography

Cory Morrow: A Travelin Man

If you were coming of age at any Texas university in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, there were really only a few things you needed to know to survive your studies.  Beer tasted just as good in the morning as it did last night, Taco Cabana is open 24 hours a day, and Pat Green and Cory Morrow’s mothers somehow inexplicably named their children with the same middle name.  Oddities aside, Cory was as close to royalty as you could get at the time.  The Big Ski Trip that happens in Steamboat every year was originally named after Pat and Cory.  Watching the Godfather recently I was reminded of the line by Hyman Roth to Michael Corlione, “Michael, we’re bigger than U.S. Steel.”  Now that may be a little far of a stretch but it gives you a scope of the magnitude that these fellas had.  Everything that was Texas Country revolved around them.

Seeing Cory Morrow (alongside John Carroll) perform an acoustic set in his native Houston at Pub Fiction recently reminded us why he got to his position.  Cory has been a very gifted performer for many years now and he brings his animated style of play with him to all events.  He is easy going with the crowd, accommodating with his set list, and brings such a sense of joy to all those around him.  His enthusiasm is contagious and his playing chops match that of a performer who spends the better part of his life on the road. 

On this particular night he stuck with predominantly the favorite tunes that his fans have come to love for going on two decades with some new material sprinkled in.  Cory has changed a lot over the years and it reflects in his songs.  It would seem the hard charging, party animal has subsided and a fresher, more mature, more spiritual side has morphed.  It has done wonders for his music to say the least.  Many of the “party all night” themes have changed into love for his family, his faith, and most importantly, himself.  I can’t recall ever hearing a bad song from his earlier albums but it is clear that he is more focused now that he has turned over to religion and he doesn’t hide his convictions with an album titled Brand New Me and song titles of “He Carries Me” and “Lord, You Devil”. 

Let me get things straight before we go any further, this is not a prayer meeting popping up a tent in your town.  This is a man (backed by a very solid band) who can bring the rafters down with his good time songs, belt out the National Anthem at a Texans game, and I’m sure still drink you under the table if he felt the need.  But nearly 20 years into his career, he has settled down a bit and we all still like him just the same.  It’s phenomenal to see such a great artist evolve over time and still be able to bring along his fans with him for the ride.  And if he’s able to touch some more fans along the way by sharing his own personal stories through lyrics, then all the better.  I don’t think that it is in Cory Morrow to put on a bad show, he’s just too talented and has too much of a love for his fans and for performing.  Now about that middle name…….. 

Check out when you can see Cory Morrow in a town near you!

www.corymorrow.com

Cory Morrow ~ Live @ Pub Fiction

Ramblin Man

21 Days

Nothing Better

Big City Stripper

The Songwriter’s Lament

Light On The Stage

Texas Time Traveling

My Baby and Me

Love Me (Like You Used To Do)

Beat Of Your Heart

Friend Of The Devil

Always And Forever

Just Along For The Ride (Awesome)

Good Day To Be Alive

Nashville Blues

He Carries Me

Encore

Beer

Take care of you?  (A great song about his son that has previously not been recorded.)

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Article Written By: Matthew Ricketts ~ Senior Staff Writer, LoneStar Outlaw Review

Photography Rights belong to LoneStar Outlaw Reivew,

courtesy of ©KelleyStroutPhotography