Texas Is Burning (lyrics)

A hundred days of hot and the grass is all dried up

Texas is on fire, but with a little bit of prayer and and a little more luck

The skies will finally open up.

Chorus:

-Lord, bring the rain.

-Let it wash away all this pain.

-Through thick and thin, we’ll stand as one.

-Brothers and sisters of the plain

-Come together and pray for a little more rain.

Crops and stock are at an all time low.

Farmers from across this great land have no place left to go

Blood and tears after all these years won’t save Texas from burning to the ground

There’s only one solution to rid the sky of the smokes pollution.

Let’s pull together and gather round and ask the Lord to bring the rain.

Chorus:

-Lord, bring the rain.

-Let it wash away all this pain.

-Through thick and thin, we’ll stand as one.

-Brothers and sisters of the plain

-Come together and pray for a little more rain.

We thank the men who serve our land

For keeping us safe at night.

But theres only so much they can do

Til the fires are finally through.

We can all lend a helping hand.

And ask for those big blue clouds to drop down

Take care of Texas the old fashioned way

Thunder and lightning, it don't really matter

Put your hands together,put your heads all down

And say,

Chorus:

-Lord, bring the rain.

-Let it wash away all this pain.

-Through thick and thin, we’ll stand as one.

-Brothers and sisters of the plain

-Come together and pray for a little more rain.

Reckless v Motorcars..Which Brother Pair is Best?

So which of the Braun brothers faired better this summer? With the release of Reckless Kellys newest album, "Good Luck and True Love", and last months Motorcars album, "Raise My Glass" I am wondering how well the two sets of bros get along when one set fairs quite a bit better on the charts than the latter.

M&MC's album did come about about a month ago and has already been taken out of my usual cd rotation. To be honest, it's a good effort, but it seems a bit boring and easily forgettable. Summer is a time for rocking athem-type albums, not somber, moody blues music. Save that for a Janurary or February release, when the rest of the U.S. is depressed with you. See what I mean?

All that being said, Reckless Kelly's newest effort sounds like another solid album, without too many bells and whistles. I guess they decided to put more effort into the packaging rather than into the lyrics. The songs are all good, don't get me wrong, but after listening through a few times, they are all about the same things every other band has written about. I understand that the bases have all been covered by now, and there is not much original anything left out there (I'm looking at you Hollywood!) but it seems that most of it is recycled or rehashed ideas with some new guitar licks and drums added on.

I'm not trying to be too critical here, I personally love the new album, I just kind of had to step back for a second and think, "Haven't I heard this somewhere before?" Oh yeah, I have everytime I turn on the radio.

So as far as the battle of the Braun brothers goes. I think it would be safe to say that the elder and more "Reckless" of the brothers have won it. The cd just rocks. The package is entertaining in it's own right (read the directions on the inside after opening the cd and give the finger a flick!) The opening song is catchy and really sets the tone for the rest of the album. There are a few slightly slower songs, but nothing that ever feels dragged down and sappy. Highlights on the new album include, "She Likes Money, He Likes Love"/ the title track, "Good Luck and True Love"/ and my persoanl favorite and probably the best new song to see performed live, "Hit The Ground Running".

I will say that Micky put out a good album as well, just in the wrong season. Check back with me in December and see if it isn't the only thing I am listening to, as well as my other December favorites (Wade Bowen/Aaron Watson).

Looking forward to next week with Kyle Park's latest cd (both EP's put together and a few new songs added). We have all listened to it already so it shouldn't be a very long review. Til' then.

-RDW

Its been a long hard road...

I know its been a hell of a long time since my last post. I mean, it's not like anyone is actually reading this so I don't feel as bad. Anywho, just wanted to get back on here and announce that this will most certainly be updated more often than it has been. Sorry I neglected you (blogspot), I promise things will be different this go around.

More to come.

-RDW

Thieving Birds

I can honestly say that I have been a fan of the Kyle Bennett Band since the first time I heard, "Adios", "Come On Radio", and of course, "Donnelly Drive". Suffice it to say that I was heartborken when I found out that shortly after their release of the absolutely amazing album, "Grey Sunrise", the band had called it quits. Which all leads me to this, Kyles ex-bandmates have a new project and another go around. Ladies and gentlemen, The Thieving Birds.

Although I have not had the opportunity to see them in concert yet, (could've last weekend for the cd release) I can say this. I am sure that they will give 110% and one Hell of a performance. After listening through their new album (Self-Titled), I was astonished at just how good and how quickly they came together. It was only last summer that I had heard the horrible news of the split, so for a band to come together, put out a cd and start a tour this quickly....and still sound great, was simply unbelievable to me. But, here they are, and looking to make a name for themselves. The first single, "Hey Leigh" is already rising the charts of the Texas Music Scene and being frequently requested on 95.9 The Ranch. The people can't seem to get enough, and it all makes me so happy. The new country-alternative-rock sound is really my favorite part of this album and something I hope many others find appealing as well.

So here's to you, Thieving Birds, may your journey be long and prosperous. May your guitars continue to wail, and your concerts bring in thousands of new fans. I'll be keeping my eye closely on this group of guys. Keep rocking.

-RDW

Upcoming Shows For the Remainder of June

Tues 06/28/11 Randy Brown / James Nored - Railhead BBQ Willow Park

Wed 06/29/11 Kyle Park / Cody Johnson - The Ranch Texas Music Series At 8.0 In Sundance Square

Wed 06/29/11 Big Mouth - Glass Cactus

Thurs 06/30/11 Jason Boland & The Stragglers / Turnpike Troubadours / Dirty River Boys - Glass Cactus

Thurs 06/30/11 Pam Tillis - Greenville Municipal Auditorium
Thurs 06/30/11 Lyle Lovett / John Hiatt - Meyerson Symphony Center



Hope this helps with all of the choices. I will post more for next month!


-RDW

Cody Canada and The Departed Show

The saying, "It's the little things in life" has never applied more in my life until this past Friday night at Billy Bobs Tx. Cody Canada's new project/super-band, "The Departed" played their first show in Texas after releasing their first album, "This is Indian Land", this past Tuesday. It was this show and these kind of guys that really made me sit back and think to myself, "Wow, this is what I want to be apart of, this is what I want to do with my life in some way, shape, or form." It is their passion for the art of music, their love of perfecting their craft and putting on a great show, and most of all their attitude throughout it all that make them a must see band.

I can't even begin to describe the atmosphere without including the word, "electric". Fans new and old gathered around to behold the amazing sounds that would be coming from the stage in front of them. I had heard in a few interviews prior that they were not Cross Canadian Ragweed (obviously) and thus would not be including any of those songs into their lineup. Perhaps this was to throw the public off, because after about an hour of brand-new Departed material, we got a little taste of familiarity with "Dimebag". A classic Ragweed song about the late Pantera guitarist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott. The crowd went crazy, as expected. It is the little things such as this that really put a smile on a guys face. I went to Billy Bobs not expecting to hear anything from previous efforts, however, "Dimebag" was only the beginning. Other highlights included a few songs released from lead guitarist and backup vocalist, Seth James, before he joined The Departed. I can also tell you that there were a handful of amazing rock songs that had everyone asking their neighbor, "What song was that?" until Mr. Canada happily announced that these were songs written by The Departed, material for their first actual album (not tribute) to be out sometime soon. (check into "Midnight Train to Memphis"-sung by James)

After a good two and a half hours of solid southern rock-n-roll, everyone left in utter amazement and awe. There hasn't been a show of this caliber come through this area in a very long time and I truly believe that they are on to something big. The Red Dirt Scene has needed a band like this to come along and mix things up. This transition from twangy-country to true blues and banging southern rock is just what the doctor ordered and I think we might see even more bands try to emulate this style in the near future. (Look into Whiskey Myers and their unique rock sound as well)

Perhaps this Oklahoma tribute album is but a stepping stone in the very long career of The Departed. I know I will be patiently waiting for what they have in store next and I hope you will be too.

-Red Dirt Wheeler

New Things

Hello folks,
First off, my name is Stephen and I am finishing my last online course of my college career and looking to enter the "real world". I will tell you this, I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life, but I do know that I have a passion. A deep passion for music, more specifically Texas Red Dirt music. I know what you are thinking. There are a million and one people out there my age who say that they have a passion for something so general and massive as music (rolling eyes), well let me assure you that I am not as dumb as they tend to usually be. My passion isn't for creating music, but for sharing music (not illegally), I just mean that I live and breath good tunes, and I want everyone out there to share the same kind of joy and excitement as I do. So this is but the first of what I hope to be many posts. Everyone always tells me that I have a way with words and I should try this, so here we go.

Be looking for reviews of new and/or "new-ish" albums in the near future as well as interviews with guys trying their darndest to break into the scene.

Thanks guys,
Red Dirt Wheeler