Jason Boland ~ Intimate Thoughts from a True Rodeo Cowboy

To see Jason Boland perform is to get the idea that he enjoys the solitude of life on the road just as much as the spotlights of the stage.  To get a chance to meet and talk to him you get the impression there is much more to the man than you might think behind that toothy smile.  Upon spending any particular length of time with him, you know there is a very worldly outlook that only years of hard living mixed with ‘time of reflection’ can create.  It has been these trials and outtakes that have produced six excellent studio albums and two live recordings over a very successful 15 year career.  We had a chance to sit down to talk with Jason recently and it was fascinating to hear his thoughts on topics such as where music stands today, where those clever thoughts that fill up his songs come from, and much, much more.

Seeing Jason perform an acoustic show at The Blue Moose Lodge, (located in Houston, TX on Washington Ave.) was like seeing  a man who is a master of his craft…yet always striving for more.  He is the consummate professional who is always trying to improve upon his talents—not only for his fans, but for himself as well.  When LoneStar Outlaw (LSO) asked when he knew this was his calling (given his booming baritone voice) he replied, “I still don’t.  Everything I’ve done I think to myself, “Man, I gotta do better the next time”.  I’m glad people listen but I don’t hear it.”  Which begs the question:  Is wanting to improve something that keeps you motivated?  “I think so.  I always think “I don’t wanna go out like that”. “

Jason is one of the lucky ones.  And by that...we don’t mean the endorsements, the notoriety, or fame.  He has found a craft that suites him to a ‘T’.  To which he says, “We got lucky.  If everyone was able to do what they love, the world would be a much better place.”

His latest album is Rancho Alto—a critically praised record which seems to find Mr. Boland in a mellower state of being.  Jason says, “I think it’s much more of a country album.  Definitely more rootsy and rural than some of our other stuff.  Some of our material tends to delve into rock & roll a lot.  We’re another part of that fusion of ‘rock and country’ but we tried to put a lot of country into this album and it came out pretty hardcore.  It’s an album I’m proud of.”

To be a fan of Jason’s music is to appreciate his clever way with words.  Songs such as “Shot Full of Holes”, “Telephone Romeo”, and  “Falling with Style” are just a tiny glimpse into back catalogue chockfull  of his witty, often autobiographical, lyrics.  “I have always seen words as having a lot of grey area in them.  In the English language…there is a lot of grey area to play around with; puns and funny ways to say things and words with different meanings.  I’ve always found that using this grey area is entertaining to do and I think it came from the songwriters I look up to on both the national level and a personal leve.  I don’t remember who actually said it but “songwriters find extraordinary ways to say things that are pretty simple and find simple ways to say things that are extraordinary.”  Most of the times those work.  If you look at a guy like Guy Clark, he takes a view of a common everyday observation and twists it around in a way you’ve never seen it, or shows an angle you’ve never seen it from.  I’ve just always enjoyed writers I thought were clever in that manner—guys like  Cash, Steve Earl, and Robert Earl Keen.  If you have a different way of looking at it and if you stick to your way, it’s gonna be original.”

   

Speaking of "having a way with words", LSO was pleasantly surprised to see one of JB's songs (“Telephone Romeo”) show up on a Kid Rock album.  How did that come about?  “He heard it on Satellite Jukebox with a mutual friend.  He liked it and then one thing led to another.  He and his song writing partner changed it a little to make it work for them and called it “Purple Sky”.  I was really flattered.”

As with many artists, we found ourselves wondering if Jason Boland had a particular "favorite" song he'd written? "They were all my favorites at some point but I think "False Accuser's Lament" is about as good as I write a song.  I like "Between 11 and 2" as well."

Hearing that, we instantly had to ask him: what was the last song you heard and thought to yourself, “I wish I had written that?”  “Usually it’s a Todd Snider tune.  Snider blows me away.  He’s the complete package of folk, rock, country, thoughtfulness, compassion.  He’s a great human and I hope he thinks the same about himself.  But I guess the last song was “The Hobo Song” off Jack Bonus’ album, Old and in the Way.”  

Jason Boland and the Stragglers have seen more blacktop and greener pastures throughout this country than most of us can fathom.  Their current exploits take them over international waters into Playa Del Carmen, Mexico and then back up north to Sitka, Alaska for the “North to Alaska” trip (with fellow musicians Bleu Edmondson, Stoney Larue, Brandon Jenkins, and the Braun brothers that make up Reckless Kelley, and Micky and the Motorcars).  But it is in the small dance halls and honky tonks that he learned to hone his craft and (in our own opinion) seems to find more comfort.  We asked if the dance halls will survive given all the hard times hit upon by everyone.  “They’re having to ride out the bad times just like everyone.  It’s such an abundant music scene; people have choices to go watch live music all the time.  Which is great, but they can go see whoever, whenever and people are much choosier about how they spend their money.  The places that win out are the ones that have synergy such as Gruene Hall.  I think it’s really hit or miss but they keep fighting the good fight.” 

How has the landscape of music changed, both locally and nationwide?  “The bad has gotten worse.  Bands that used to ride the fence line with some decent Rock & Roll tunes, you think “Oh, they got me on that one”.  Now it’s all a bunch of house music auto tuned to death and it’s God awful.  We watched this scene get bigger and it’s gone through its life cycles.  This thing became its own entity with its own anthems and the social risers and the rotation through.  I hope that this scene will really fight to hang on to its roots.  And by roots I mean its spirit, its originality.  It already encompasses Rock & Roll, Western Swing, Folk, Honky Tonk; it has everything in it.  It’s had stuff that sounded like Nashville Country, but good Nashville Country.  I just wished they talked about something different in their songs.  I’ve seen Texas Country/Red Dirt music start to struggle with some of its originality but that goes back to money.  If the listeners get kidnapped by a pop anthem, who’s gonna fill up the dance halls?  Get out to Schroeder Hall and support the former bull riders who are singers now.  We’ve seen the growing pains, just like any other system, scene, or whatever.  It’s gonna be fine.”

Lastly, the one thing on the road JB has to have would be…. “Coffee, definitely coffee.”

Jason Boland and the Stragglers have been a musical force since 1998 and to quote Jason, “We’re amazed and flabbergasted and pretty good at making it up as we go.”  They have proven time and again that there is a place for everyone in a scene and that genres are meant to be deviated or skewed at times.  You can do these when you have the musical chops to back it up.  Through all the albums, tours, and life lessons, Jason has remained a ‘down to earth’ and humble individual who makes you remember why you fell in love with music in the first place.  He is molded from the same cloth of musical icons of the past and we hope he continues to follow that path and make the music that keeps us all dancin’ and singin’ along…and most importantly, keeps him being honest with his own thoughts, creations, and art.  We’ve loved his stuff from the beginning…and can’t wait to see what’s yet to come for Jason Boland and the Stragglers. 

To learn more about Jason Boland and to find out where you can see him in a city near you, visit :

www.thestragglers.com

To see the rest of the images from JB's acoustic show at Blue Moose Lodge, visit us on Facebook and become a fan today by hitting "LIKE" on:

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Sample Setlist from JB Acoustic Show

@ Blue Moose Lodge ~ Houston, TX:

False Accuser's Lament
Tennessee Whiskey
Drinking Song
Mary
Big Shot Rich Man
Fences
Telephone Romeo
Paradise (Written by: John Prine)
When I'm Stoned
Angels Flying too Close to the Ground
Mary's Ellen's Greenhouse
Comal County blues
Shot Full of Holes
Somewhere in the Middle
Falling with Style
---
Somewhere Down in Texas
Pearl Snaps
Tulsa Time

Wade Bowen ~ The Inner Thoughts of a Traveling Man.

When talking to fans and musicians alike, every time you hear the name Wade Bowen it is seemingly always followed by “nicest guy you’ll ever meet”, “he was so great to be around”, or something of that nature.  There is something to be said for that in this instant stardom world we live in these days-- where many artist were dead broke one day and, thanks to auto tune and a dumbed down listening audience, instant YouTube celebrities the next.   Wade Bowen has done things the old fashioned way…pouring his heart and soul into his music, his songwriting, his live shows, and his dedication to always put the best product out there for his growing legion of fans.  We had a chance to catch up with him recently in between his countless other obligations and he was kind enough to open up to us and share his thoughts, ideas, and where he sees this roller coaster heading.

LoneStar Outlaw: Your latest release, The Given, is your first major label release as opposed to the independent releases you have had in the past.  What were some of the biggest changes you experienced?

Wade Bowen:  With me, there weren’t a whole lot of differences.  I still went and wrote the record the same way I always do.  Always trying to get better, write the songs the best I can, pick the right producer, and the right guys to play with.  I’ve never written as much as I did for this record and it made it difficult to cut out certain songs that I really liked that ultimately wouldn’t make the record.  Other than that, you just have a few more people putting in the input but once you realize everyone’s there to help and we all shared the same common goal…there wasn’t too much difference.

LSO:  How many songs do you usually write for an album as compared to this record?

WB:  It’s hard to say, but probably 50-60 for each record and this one was easily over a hundred.  Plus we had thrown everything back in from the past.  Being a National release we threw everything back into the pot which I was really happy about.  They (the record label) felt there were some songs that didn’t see the light of day that were good that we should take another look at. 

LSO:  Your co-writing credits on the album feature many of the usual suspects (Adam Hood, Sean McConnell, and Seth James to name a few), but we noticed more so that some of the names were missing from previous co-writing credits on other (earlier) albums.  Guys with the last names of Canada, Edmondson, and Rogers.  This is the first album you’ve had without any of them on it correct?

WB:  I hadn’t really thought about it but I guess so.  Cody and I haven’t really written that much.  Seth and I have written some.  It certainly wasn’t by design, more so just the way it worked out.  It just kinda worked out with a few Adam songs and a few Sean songs.  I was writing all over the place and the record could have gone in so many different directions and I think the songs that ended up all shared a common theme. 

 
Wade Bowen (just as countless other acts throughout the US) spends his life on the road.  For bands (like Bowen’s)…it is where they find their solace, their balance, and their sleepless nights.  Many of the artist that travel the Texas (and beyond) circuit are on the road up anywhere from 200 to 250 days a year.  It is “a life they have chosen” or as some would have you believe, “the life that chose them”. 
 
LSO:  Is it getting harder to find the time to sit down and write between the constant touring and trying to keep some semblance of a home life?       

WB:  Since I’ve had kids I’ve gotten used to that.  I have time I have to devote to them and my wife and I have to set aside time to write as well.  Life gets so busy with meetings, shows, interviews, outings;  you have to force yourself to sit down and write.  Unfortunately I don’t write well on the road.  A guy like Sean (McConnell) will come out on the road with us for a weekend and we’ll try to write but it just doesn’t work most of the time.  I try to give my mind a breather and when it starts getting closer to record time I crank it back up. 

LSO:  Are you a “thoughts turned in music” guy or a “music that needs lyrics” guy?

WB:  Mostly the lyrics start the process.  Sometimes it’s just a thought or sometimes it’s a hook or sometimes just writing something down I am feeling at the time.  But it usually starts with the lyrics and then how I think the melody should go.  Should it be a fast song or a slow song?  That kind of thing…

LSO:  Checking out the CMT website we saw an acoustic version of “Saturday Night” which was great because it’s almost like hearing a completely different song.  Where was that filmed?

WB:  The Mercy Lounge right above the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. 

LSO:  You’ll be spending a little time in Nashville coming up very soon.  Playing at the Ryman Auditorium and then CMA Fanfest.  First time for both?

WB:  CMA Fanfest, yes.  The Grand Ole Opry, this will be the second time playing there but the first time to play at the Ryman.  Playing there, it’s like “this is it, man”.

LSO:  What does it feel like to be on a stage where all of your heroes have come before you and performed the songs you love?  Does it hit you all at once or is a steady build of emotion?

WB:  The first time I played the Opry it wasn’t as much of a nervous thing as I thought it was going to be.  There was actually a calming sense about it.  The people that work there treat you very nice; they’re respectful, they’re really glad to have you there.  When I got out on stage there was a real calming effect just because it’s so peaceful there.  It’s like being in church and feeling like nothing bad can happen to you.  Everybody’s on your team and the people in the crowd may not know your music or who you are…but they’re going to support you because you’re on that stage.  It’s a really cool “family” feeling that you just don’t experience anywhere else.

LSO:  According to your twitter account (@wadebowen) you have been here, there, and just about everywhere talking to about this new album (The Given).  One day it was Buffalo, then Pittsburg, then Cincinnati.  Was the “radio world” as receptive as you’d hoped?

WB:  They really were!  I was kind of scared at first just because you hear horror stories but I didn’t meet anyone that treated us bad.  Most of them were very appreciative that I took the time to come in to the station and I’ve still got a lot more to go before I finish.  I’m sure I’ll run across a rough one somewhere out there…but for the most part people are into music because they love it and they’re receptive to new things and people. 

LSO:  It’s a slippery slope trying to keep everyone happy but have you been able to integrate your new fans in with the old ones easily?

WB:  You can’t keep everyone happy all the time.  You just have to be honest—that  has always been my approach.  If you’re honest with yourself, your music, and your fans…then everything else just takes its place.

LSO: We saw you play a month or two ago and you incorporated 6 or 7 new songs that night into the set list.  Has that been a smooth transition working them into the show? 

WB:  We’ve just started playing all the songs throughout the shows and we’re doing that because we don’t know which ones are gonna catch on live.  Sometimes you hear a song on an album and it just doesn’t resonate on stage or vice versa.  They’re all still new to us as well.  We’re not completely comfortable with them yet either.  It usually takes a couple of times through a song live to get it where we want it to be.  The fans might not hear the difference but we do and we want it to be perfect every time.

For those of you that have followed Wade throughout the years you know he always gives back to the community—and especially the one that raised him, Waco, Texas.  For the past 14 years Mr. Bowen and his merry bunch of friends have raised awareness, serious funds, and most importantly…he has continued to show his appreciation to the fans that have supported him all these years.  This year they rose over $150,000 and it looks to only get bigger.

 
LSO:  Was that the most you’re ever raised and did you do anything different this year?

WB:  That was by far the most we’ve ever raised.  We haven’t really done anything different, it’s just gradually grown every year.  Word keeps spreading about the event and that’s what we’re trying to do.  I want my friends and the artist and the fans to have a great time where they’ll wanna come back.  It finally got to a point where I looked at the list and we had 27 artist and I was like “how are we gonna fit all these guys in?”  But that’s a good problem to have I guess.  

LSO:  The core group of guys that all came up together; Reckless Kelly, Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers, Mickey and the Motorcars, Bleu Edmondson to name a few, all perform at each other’s charities.  Has the “business” side of things taken over or is it as easy a simple phone call between you guys?

WB:  These guys are my friends.  We’ll just shoot them a date of when our deal is and to let us know if they can make it and they do the same for me.  We’re all in this together and we’re all doing benefits so it just goes hand in hand.  We all try to be there and do whatever we can to help.  We want bands that we’re fans of or guys we look up to (ourselves) to play as well. 

LSO:  Wade Bowen can’t live on the road without……?

WB:  My golf clubs!  Even if I don’t get to play I just like to have them around.  I’m about a 10 or 12 handicap right now but I’m always trying to get better.

 
And sometimes...it's just that simple to wrap people up.  Whether it is his golf game or his professional life, Wade Bowen is constantly trying to improve upon himself.  And similar to his golf clubs and how he likes to keep them around (whether he gets to use them on the road or not), Wade is like that for us fans that have been around for the long haul.  We have become jaded to the fact that we get to see him on a regular basis, always keeping him around for whenever we wanted to listen.  But now the cat’s out of the bag and the rest of the country gets to share in on our little secret.  We couldn't be more proud.  Having the backing of a major label, “the hardest working band on the road today”, and the sheer will to knock down any doors up in front of him, the sky’s the limit for Wade Bowen and we’re behind him all the way.

 

For more information about Wade Bowen, The Bowen Classic, 

 & to find out when to see him in a town near you,

check out: www.wadebowen.com

To see the rest of the images from our interview with Wade and his show at Mo's Place,

check out our Facebook page at:

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All photo rights belong to LoneStar Outlaw Review
Courtesy of ©KelleyStroutPhotography

Jason Eady ~ Looking Forward While Remembering Where We Came From

Many times in life we are told about something new that we ‘need to see’ or ‘give a chance’ and we either pass or reluctantly… finally get around to it.  Based on the words of Cody Canada telling us that “if Jason Eady is not the biggest thing in Texas within a year, then something is majorly wrong”, we took him at his word.  Fortunately we did not need to wait long as Jason Eady’s fourth album, AM Country Heaven, had  just recently came out and he played a CD release party here in Houston at the Firehouse Saloon. 

Listening to the album is like watching the hands of time go backwards right in front of you.  There is only one song that we can pinpoint, “Longer Walk In The Rain”, that would fit the format of today’s country radio.  (And we mean that as a compliment.)  The rest of the songs harken back to where expressing yourself, in any format, was what really mattered.  There are songs that reminisce about the days of old such as the title track “AM Country Radio” and “Old Guitar and Me” to a song like “Man on A Mountain” that literally sounds like it could have been a B-side to a Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers album.   There are songs about drinking, losing a lover, and doing all the things good ol’ boys are supposed to do.  All in all, there’s at least one song for every listener.

If you want to find out why your parents fell in love with country music then have a listen to this album.  The music feels authentic and that is something that cannot be faked.  While todays musical landscape remains dominated by cookie-cutter artist doing what is pandered to them and making sure to fit the right mold, it is very refreshing to see and hear an artist going against the stream and helping us all remember what good music should sound like. There will be more great things to come from Mr. Eady.  We’re counting on it!

Check him out for yourself...and let us know what you think!

http://www.jasoneady.com/jason-eady.html

SET LIST

AM Country Heaven

CD RELEASE PARTY

Firehouse Saloon ~ Houston, TX

FOR MORE PICTURES FROM

JASON EADY'S CD RELEASE PARTY

AT FIREHOUSE SALOON (HOUSTON, TX)

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The Writers Corner ~ "One More Day"

While we are franticly working on putting together all the articles and pictures from the great shows we have seen recently, we wanted to inject something new to the website as well. For every one of your favorite artist out there, a thousand others are trying to make it big, catch a break, or just write for their own personal reasons. The latter is where we start. One of our lead writers has donated a piece he wrote a while back to get this new idea off the ground and running. His name is Matthew Ricketts and this is what he has to say about his writing.

"Writing for me has always been an outlet. It started off as simple poetry and progressively took the form of song. I knew I was never cut out to be a musician but writing offered me a chance to express myself through words that I was unable to speak. It has given me an outlet to let go the things that might eat away at the insides. This particular choice (entitled One More Day) was written right after a friend’s suicide about four years ago...and I was devastated. I didn’t know what to do or what to say but it all poured out of me in a matter of moments and that’s what you have here. I have never been one to try and sit down and force myself to write, it feels like a job then. When I write it is because I need to get things out and don’t know how to otherwise. I can only hope that people are able to find that release that they need as well. Thank you."

One More day

I’m floating through the atmosphere
Not quite sure how I got here
I want to cry
But there’s no more tears

Then someone called and said you were gone
Don’t know quite what’s going on
I couldn’t believe
What you’d gone and done



And when my tears say
All that I want to say
And the craziness
Makes me insane

And when the pain
Won’t seem to go away
I’m wishing for
Just one more day



My twisted thoughts and memories
Come creeping back and haunting me
I want you back
Here right next to me

One more day is what I ask of you
Why couldn’t you just follow through
We had so much more life
And other things to do

Bleu Edmondson ~ A bad, bad, man.

To be a Bleu Edmondson fan is to be rewarded in many ways.  Stellar shows whenever you see him live… an ever evolving musical sound when listened to on record…and a candid, no BS personality to be around when in person.  Any followers of this website know we are biased when it comes to Bleu’s music, but when something is that good, you just keep wanting more!  And he never disappoints.

“I think I want to be the Little Weezy of Texas Country, just start dropping mix-tapes every couple of months”.  Yep, that got said.  You never quite know what’s going to get said when interviewing Bleu (which we recently had the chance to do at Blue Moose Lodge—glad to see a place like that get itself on the map), but you know it’s going be from the heart, and it’s going to be sincere.

So not to take the last quote out of context (although we love the idea!), but fans don’t always understand what it takes for bands to take the time out to ‘live through’ what makes their music, find time to express it in word, and finally…get it out to the masses.  And then to set yourself up to have your life diagnosed under a microscope based on the words that come out of your mouth, that’s a tough gig.  No one is tougher on themselves than Bleu.  “I just recently was listening to my first couple of albums and it made me cringe.  But those records are a reflection on what is going on with a 21 or 22 year old, which I was at the time.”  By those he of course is referring to his first two studio efforts, Southland, and The Band Plays On.  Though he may be judgmental and hyper critical, his fans loved the albums and they helped put Mr. Edmondson on the forefront of the Texas Country boom that encompassed the late 90’s/early 2000’s.  Years of hard work and a relentless tour schedule kept his fans around for the next chapter.

By the time it came around to recording his next album, 2007’s groundbreaking Lost Boy, Bleu had “grown up a lot” and consequently “been kicked around a lot too” and finally felt he had the right material to get out to his fans.  Taking “a heavy left turn” from traditional country music, Bleu dropped the hammer on some rock and roll and unleashed some of his badass storytelling put to beat of his career.  Heavy hitting songs with softer moments of self-reflection blended together beautifully to show the world the true inner workings of a confused late 20’s artist just trying to find his way.  “I finally felt like I knew what I was doing and actually had something to say that someone might care about.”  He certainly did.  Eleven masterfully crafted songs about life, love, and the pursuit there-of.  The album even secured Bleu his first music video on CMT for “Finger on the Trigger”.  We asked him what his thoughts were on his ravenous fans going unglued during his live performance of that song, given its perception as a darker song.  “To me it’s about people celebrating where they’re not.  They’re out with friends, drinking a beer, having a good time and not sitting in a car somewhere alone by themselves.”  It is his altered way of surveying the landscape around him and attention to detail that has led to his incredible songwriting abilities.

Not too long after the success of Lost Boy, Bleu hit the studios again trying to channel the same intensity.  What followed was another barn storming declaration of loves lost and won compactly spaced through 10 songs to make up The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be.  Producing five hit singles, the album is another bold step out further towards left field of traditional country sound, but a step well worth the risk.  “I just try to tell stories.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t”.  Modest as he may be, what did work was another glance into the fragile mind of a man really coming into his own.  “I’m still learning how to write a fast passed rocker song that is about positivity.  I don’t really come from a place where that’s everyday life.”  When asked what his favorite song off the album is, “Riot Night, for sure.  The piano in it is just the heart and soul of the song and I love the way it all came together.  It’s a love song, man.”  From the opening rocker “Blood Red Lincoln” to the introspective closer, “I Got My Yesterdays”, the album is quick to the punch and high on emotions and intensity.

So where does that leave Bleu Edmondson today?  He just recently collaborated with Kylee Sackley, a female Australian songwriter, to write “I Can’t Run” which has already become a crowd favorite.  “I feel vulnerable sitting down with anyone and writing, but especially my first time to write with someone and my first time writing with a woman.  She was/is so awesome and I hope to write with her again.”   Does he think he’ll tackle more themes like the perceived notion of Religion on Lost Boy?  “That certainly wasn’t on purpose, it just happened organically.  I wrote the album in different spurts and I guess subconsciously it worked its way in.  It just went with what I was thinking or what the character was thinking or should be doing.”  “As far as the future goes, I’m hoping to have new music out by the end of the year, whether it be a full album (hopefully) or who knows.  Maybe in this iTUNES world we live in it is better to just release songs that way or an EP twice a year.  I’m looking to revive a couple of songs as well that only old school fans will know. So just keep your ears open, you never know” 

Bleu Edmondson is a killer performer, songwriter, and singer who knows how to balance his banter with the music and give the crowd just what they want.  He is his own biggest critic, which is a shame, because the joy he brings to his fans is plentiful and abundant.  Many of the fans he has have been following him for years and it’s because of him that they keep coming back to show their support.  He is steering a course that not many other artists are willing to sail these days, and that is to carve his own niche in an otherwise branded market.  It takes some true courage, character, and most of all talent to do so…and Bleu has all three with some to spare.  We personally can’t wait to see what the future brings and what the next step in the evolution will be. 

SETLIST

Bleu Edmondson ~ Live @ Blue Moose Lodge

 Last Last Time

American Saint

I Can't Run

Good Thing

Resurrection

Not Scared To Be Alone

And The Band Played On

The Echo

Dallas

$50 and a Flask of Crown

Traveling Man

Tougher Than The Rest - (Springsteen)

Laughing Right Out Loud

Just A Little Bit Crazy

Curtis Lowe - (Skynard)

Finger On The Trigger

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An Open Letter to Wade Bowen and Fans.

You can teach a child how to ride a bike and hope that someday he wins the Tour De France.  You can show a teenager to throw a perfect spiral to help him achieve his dreams of winning a Super Bowl.  You can even train a young pianist flawless technique when they aspire to one day become part of the American Symphony Orchestra. However, there are some things you just cannot teach; such as talent, drive, perseverance and most importantly…passion.  This makes Wade Bowen one unique son of a bitch.

Many years ago one of our writers (here at LoneStar Outlaw) was having a birthday celebration at the Firehouse Saloon, and Wade Bowen happened to be the performer.  Besides the group of them that were there to celebrate a friend’s birthday…there were approximately three other people in the crowd, including a child up way past its bedtime.  Wade had his usual great performance and was even kind enough to wish our writer Happy Birthday over the microphone.  Fast forward to a few nights ago: a sold out show with a line down the street (just to get in the door), fans chanting his name, and the look and feel of a big time performer about to hit the stage.  It was then that we remembered…this was exactly the same guy.  The same guy whose debut album we found on a value rack at a used CD shop…is now giving interviews across this great Nation. The same guy who used to be the opening act at festivals…is now headlining them.   The same guy who put his heart and soul into that show at the Firehouse for less than a dozen or so fans…puts exactly the same effort forth with a full house cheering.  These are things you cannot teach.

The songs have always been there.  Go back to his debut album, Try Not to Listen, and point out a bad song.  Didn’t think so.  And we’d really love to hear the argument that you could find something not worth your time on his subsequent albums, Lost Hotel and If We Ever Make it Home.  The point is Wade has always been an incredibly gifted craftsman of words; it is actually a shame that a gem like him is only just now getting his voice out to a bigger platform.  The live albums, Blue Light Live and Live at Billy Bob’s, only further validate his all-around repertoire of not only being an excellent singer/songwriter, but help to convey the deep emotions that go into his songs.  (Editor’s note:  About damn time they gave you the Billy Bob’s album.)

His live shows are great.  Remembering his shows of yesterday and seeing him more recently remind us of seeing a young man sent off to boarding school.  When the boy leaves he might look a certain way, dress and/or act a certain way, but upon his arrival back home…you notice changes.  Maybe he dresses better, is in better shape, and looks sharper all the way around.  This is not to say Wade needed any changes, but he carries himself as if he belongs among the upper echelon of the Texas/Red Dirt scene.  And with good reason, because he does belong there; and his stature is only growing.

 Wade Bowen has been one of our favorites for many years now, both in and out of Texas.  We here at LoneStar Outlaw Review can’t wish Wade enough luck as he makes new fans out there on the road and brings a little bit of Texas to the world.  We know that people/fans aren’t always quick to adapt to change and, trust us, we’d love to go back to seeing him with three other drunks in a bar…but those times have passed.  We know that at his core he will always be the same person driven to put forth the best effort possible.  We realize that more publicity and notoriety gives him a better chance to spend more time and effort on even better albums than he have already given us.  He is at a huge crossroads in his career and we see absolutely nothing but great things coming down the turnpike.  To Wade Bowen and the “hardest working band in the business”, God’s speed and safe travels, we know you’ll be back and we can’t wait to see what the future brings you.

 

WADE BOWEN ~ LIVE @ BIG TEXAS (SPRING)

MARCH 30TH, 2012

SETLIST

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