TXRDR - Blog

Road Kill Blog 06/20/2010

Russell Foreman — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:46:12 +0000

Living the Dream with a Smoke Machine

Friday Night my wife and I went out for a night on the town with a few friends and then a few friends more. Because we don’t yet have kids, we tend to make last minute plans and because of this we don’t very often get to hang out with some of our friends because they have little ones to care for and an hours notice from us usually isn’t enough time for them to find a sitter. Don’t get me wrong, we love kids, and good Lord willing, we’ll have a house full one day soon.

The number of our friends without child is shrinking faster than a Costanza in cold water. With this being the case, we value the rare occasion when we can get a large group together, even if it’s only for an hour or so to enjoy a meal together while we tell stupid but always funny stories over a few cocktails (Bud Light for me of course). For those of you that live in Fort Worth, I want to give a plug to Casa Ritas on Western Center. As good as the food and drinks were, the service was even better, it was top shelf.

Like a kids birthday party that has ended before the cake and ice cream has been served, our “parents” were off to the house to relieve the sitter, and their bank accounts for that matter. Can you believe what it costs to have someone trustworthy watch your kids for a few hours? I can’t blame them for not going out with us more often, and to think all this time I thought they just didn’t want to be seen in public with me, or was that my wife?

Meanwhile, across town our newlywed friends were wrapping up dinner and agreed that the night was still young, even though I’m not anymore as my body reminded me the next day, and that we should seize the moment while it was still ours and cap off the evening with a few drinks at a little establishment near home.

Unfortunately there aren’t any Red Dirt Music venues within safe driving distance of our homes so we had to settle for a joint that provides entertainment in the form of people watching and the occasional cover band. By this point in the evening and because my wife was nice enough to volunteer to be our D.D., everything was alright by me, including the dudes living the dream on stage that night.

Now who am I to judge guys that are willing to live in an 80s time capsule complete with hair metal hair, wrist bands, smoke machine, and a set list that would make the class of 87 feel like they had just taken a ride in Delorean. Hell, I was singing along with the rest of them like I was 11 years old again riding around in the back seat of my sisters 82 Pontiac Grand Prix that is until the fog rolled in and I don’t mean the kind that is created from one to many Jack & Cokes.

Even though I’ve been fortunate enough to see more concerts than a squirrels seen nuts, including my first concert experience way back in the fifth grade when my God Father to us to see Pink Floyd, I still don’t understand how the smoke machine works. Obviously it’s not the kind of smoke created from a fire, unless of course it was at that same Pink Floyd show and we’re talking about the thousands of little fires blazing from the ends of what my grandmother called left handed cigarettes, the kind of smoke that sent me to school the following day proudly yet casually sporting my concert t-shirt and a look of calm and quietness that I’m sure my teachers had never seen before or since. It’s the little things in life that boggle my mind, things like where does the smoke come from, is it set on a timer or does some one mash a button for an on demand effect?

Needles to say, the belly of the smoke machine beast was puffing out signals like it was going out of style, wait, I think it is out of style, isn’t it? Does anyone in Red Dirt music employee the smoke machine, and if not why? In the age of what’s old is new again, I challenge a band to bring it back. While we’re taking a quick detour, did I mention that the female version of Texas Chainsaw Massacre was in the house? I’m not kidding, the whole family was there; everyone from Leather Face, a huge b_ _ _ _ wearing a wig and walking like Frankenstein, even an elderly woman that fit the part of the grand dad they fed the blood to, it was really creepy to watch them setting together in a booth across the room. Any who, one minute we are taking in both the visual and audio entertainment, and several songs later we’ve been transported to the cosmic junction of a Great White concert taking place in San Francisco bay as the fog rolls in off the Pacific. I have to believe that in their minds eye, these dudes weren’t playing a sports bar in the mid cities, they were playing Texas Stadium (God rest its soul) circa 87 along with Rat, Warrant, & Poison (make sure to check out the video of Justin covering a little Every Rose). I don’t know if the machine got stuck wide open but I do know that it got to the point that we could barely see not only the band 100 feet away, but each other a few feet away. Thank God for the draft that was created when the resident bar tender/fire marshal opened the front and back door to allow the place to clear out, the smoke that is, along with the four of us. As for everyone else, there was still time to “rock it, yeah”.

It’s nights like this that remind me that just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so to is the dream, even if you can’t see the dream thru all of the smoke, or maybe that is part of the dream….. May everyone’s dream live on and maybe just maybe when the smoke clears I will figure out the intricacies of the magic smoke machine.

Weiver Esiurc It has taken me a few weeks to have a mind clear enough to set down and write my wrap up review of the 2^nd annual Sonny Burgess Cowboy Cool Cruise. My body came back but my brain, liver, and extremely expanded stomach was temporarily lost at sea. For those of you lucky enough to set sail this year, I am sure you know exactly what I am talking about. Like watching the sunrise up over the Caribbean ocean horizon, the haze of seven days at sea has finally cleared to reveal a beautiful view of what was a wonderful trip. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and there could not be a better example of this than Sonny & Dona Burgess, his band The Show, management, David and Julie Green at Cruise Planners www.funoncruises.net , and of course the foundation of it all being his fans. There could not be a kinder and more fun loving group of folks in all of Texas Red Dirt Music. Words cannot describe what it is like to look in every direction and see nothing but Blue Ocean. I’ve said it many times, but I can certainly understand how pre-Columbus explores thought if you sailed to far you would fall off the end of the earth. Seeing this for the third time it was still absolutely amazing and humbling all at the same time. I am glad that I was not in the process of giving up drinking or in the midst of a diet, because a cruise ship is no place for either one of those wagons. It would be nearly impossible for a person to die of thirst or hunger on a cruise ship. Booze was a flowing and delicious gourmet and buffet style food had my waste line a growing. Now would be a good time for me to start using that gym membership I’ve been paying for. In fact, if I owned a national gym I would stand on the dock and pass out flyers to everyone wobbling off the boat at the end of the week. Perhaps the best part of my job here at TXRDR is sharing the talent and music this scene has to offer. It was really neat to set back and watch unsuspecting and random people walk into an ambush of great music while Sonny and The Show were playing in one of the ships lounges, or on the post card beach in Cozumel. Who knows where these newbie’s call home, maybe Oklahoma or Ohio, but from the toe tapping and sand shuffle dancing they were doing it was obvious that the recognition of good music is universal. There was plenty of lip smacking food, an ocean of booze, great Texas Red Dirt Music, and great company so who can blame me for taking a few weeks to snap back into reality.

Cruise Review

This article was written several months ago and managed to get lost in the shuffle. After reading it I’m sure you will understand why.

Justin's Blog 9-14-09

Justin Frazell — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:53:47 +0000

Hello Fellow TXRDR family members,

Let me begin by saying a word of thanks to several folks.

First, the good folks at 95.9 The Ranch in Ft. Worth. They have been extremely gracious in giving a broadcast home to the Texas Red Dirt Roads Radio Show. As we've all known for some time, they have a good thing going on there and only hamstrung by signal strength. While we all continue to pray for the upgraded signal, I believe they may be closer than ever. That will be a great, great day.

Second, Bert and the fine staff at the Railhead Smokehouse in Willow Park, Texas. We just finished up an eight week run there with the LIVE show. They were very accommodating to us and our singer/songwriter guest and made the broadcast easy to pull off. The food is excellent and the beer is cold and in a big'ol schooner. Thumbs up folks. Thanks for having us. Go see'em the next time you're out I/20 and Ranch House Rd. way.

Of course a HUGE thanks to all of you that made the Railhead shows and have made it a point to be by the radio Sunday afternoons from 4p - 7p. None of this is possible without a fan base to follow it and you certainly have established that. I sincerely appreciate you allowing me and my TXRDR compadres to be one of your outlets for Texas / Red Dirt Music.

Finally, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of you that attended Pickin’ for Preemies 2009.
It was our biggest to date as far as attendance and money raised as well. The tabulation is still going on and I should have a final number for everyone in the next week or so. As much as I and my family were touched by your outpouring of support, know that Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth is ten times as grateful. Those of you that have been touched by Cook’s personally know first hand the excellent work and care giving that goes on there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those of you that may not be as familiar with Cook’s, know that your hard earned money went the finest facilities not only in the state of Texas but the world. On behalf Cook Children’s Hospital, my family and all of the families touched by premature child birth, God Bless you and Thank You!

As Texas Red Dirt Roads begins to pack away the suntan lotion, swim trunks and Summer memories and prepare for the Fall Season at the same time we are beginning to unpack big plans for the next few months. One change you’ll notice immediately is our show schedule. Our home base, 95.9 The Ranch broadcast all Cowboy games. When the Cowboy game starts at 3p, Texas Red Dirt Roads will be heard immediately following the game. When the Cowboy game starts at 7p, Texas Red Dirt Roads will begin an hour early at 3p and be LIVE until 6p. Noon starts will have no affect on our program. I am in the process of lining up guest for our Fall run so if there is anyone you would to hear from, holler at me and we’ll book’em.

Good luck to all of you that have begun your Fall semesters at school. Go Cowboys and for awhile longer, let’s keep our fingers crossed for the Texas Rangers. Get out and see a show and buy a truck load of Texas / Red Dirt Music and we’ll see ya on Sunday’s

See Ya Down The Road…
Justin.

Justin's Blog 6-28-09

TXRDR-Brad — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:07:27 +0000

Hidy Folks,

I just came from the studio where we had James Lann, Jason Allen and Kyle Park join us for another Sunday evening Texas Red Dirt Roads show. I hope most if not all of you caught it. We had a big time and certainly heard some great music. Thanks to all of you that joined in the chat room this evening as well.

As I write this, June 28th, 2009, it has certainly been a rough week. The world lost 4 wildly re-noun celebrities this week. If you're only counting three, then you may not have heard that pitch man Billy Mays passed away Sunday morning. You knew as the dark bearded gentleman that was famous for pitching Oxy Clean, Orange Glo and so many more "as seen on TV" ads. He recently was part of Discovery Channels new show "Pitchmen". He was 50.

The other three, I think most would agree, had a much bigger splash on all of our lives. First Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett and without a doubt the most surprising, Michael Jackson.

I spent many a night in my daddy's lap watching Ed introduce Johnny Carson with his famous "Heeeer's Johnny" then watching Johnny appear from behind the multi-colored curtain and brandishing his famous mock golf swing. Ed made a good living playing Johnny's sidekick and often times punchline. How much of it he had left at the time of his death is unknown. I think it goes with out saying, the memories he leaves us with are priceless. Ed McMahon was 86.

Then there's Farrah. Farrah, Farrah, Farrah! After listening to the radio and tv all week long, turns out I was not the only one that had that poster of her in the red bathing suit on my wall. How many still have it? I know one. My mom will tell you she still has a t-shirt of mine that had that poster on it as well. Apparently, even though I wore it everyday, it is still in decent shape. If it will hold up, you may see Castin with it on one day.

Finally. What in the hell happened Thursday?!?! You have got to be kidding me! Really? Alright, OK! Let's get this out of the way first. YOU BET, he turned out to be one of the weirdest people on the face of the Earth. Lots of folks believe that his passion for kiddos went beyond free carousel rides at Neverland. Would I send my kids racing over to play Easy Bake Oven with MJ? Probably not. But will they know his music? Uh-huh. Regardless of where you stand, no one can deny the impact this feller had on people and music. Who can moonwalk? We've all tried. I still do. Who can Thriller dance? My wife, Casey can. Who didn't race home after school everyday to be in front of MTV to catch the Thriller video everyday at 3:30? I did.
There are tons of examples. We could all compare notes. I still kick myself that I did not get to see Waylon Jennings in concert. I had the opportunity when he played Country 2000 many years ago and passed it up for some reason or another. He passed on and I missed out. Fortunately, in 1984 my parents gave me the opportunity to see Michael Jackson and his brothers at Texas Stadium. I can still remember it. We sat in the very back, three rows from the top, dead center. The music was great and the smell around me I have since figured out. Turns out, Mary Jane is more than the lady that worked for my mom and dad so many years. I still have the ticket stub and t-shirt too. Casey and I sat around the other night recalling our youth while trying to play mommy and daddy and explain to 5 year old Jaycie why we couldn't remove ourselves from the TV. It was a solemn yet cool moment in our home. Michael Jackson was 50.

In closing, our Rangers are in a little funk right now. 1 1/2 games back at the time of this blog. Enough with bad news. How about we end on a happy exciting note.

The Texas Red Dirt Roads show is now partnered with Justin Boots Bent Rail line. We now stand shoulder to shoulder with Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers Band and Reckless Kelly. We could not be anymore honored and thankful.

And...

The Texas Red Dirt Roads radio show is heading back out on the road in a few weeks. Beginning Sunday July 12th, we'll broadcast LIVE from Rail Head BBQ in Willow Park. I/20 and Ranch House Rd west of Fort Worth. We've got an exciting line-up in store for y'all so I hope you'll come see us like you did at River Ranch.

All my best friends. Thanks for being members of the Texas Red Dirt Roads Family.

See You Down The Road...and...."Sham-on"
Justin.

Justin's Blog 5-18-09

Justin Frazell — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:20:29 +0000

Hey Folks,

So....Here I sit and I am a pretty happy boy right now Why?

BECAUSE YOUR (MINE) TEXAS RANGERS ARE IN FIRST PLACE BY 4 1/2 GAMES!!!!!

Sorry to all of our affiliates that have their own favorites. We have to celebrate our victories around here.

So what does that have to do with Texas Red Dirt Music? Plenty! Let's see.

"I Like Texas" plays after each Ranger win at the Ballpark.
Brandon Rhyder has been heard during the pre-game warm-ups
Jack Ingram played a show after an April game.
Robert Earl Keen played a show after a game to celebrate first place.
Reckless Kelly will play a show post the June 13th game
Casey Donahew will play a show post the July 18th game.

It's no secret that many of the Ranges are TXRDR fans. Kevin Millwood and Bobby Duncan hang out quiet a bit. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (yeah I spelled it right) uses Down and Out by the Randy Rogers band prior to each at bat. There's more that I could go on about. I'd rather everyone go to a game and let's find out for ourselves.

Go Rangers!

We would like to welcome in our newest affiliate stations now broadcasting the Texas Red Dirt Roads show.

KKAJ 95.7 in Ardmore, OK
KRVA 107.1 in Sulphur Springs, TX
KRVF 106.9 in Corsicana, TX

Glad to have y'all. If you still hearing the show via the internet each week, then I highly recommend you call your local station, give them the website and tell them to get on the ball.

Moving forward. May 17th we finished up our music series at River Ranch in Fort Worth with an amazing show from The Tejas Bros., Randy Brown, Chuck Allan Floyd and Brett Crenshaw. Sorry you missed it if you did. Best weather for a show yet!

We're not done though. Yes, we are going to move back to the studio for a few weeks, but we'll be back. We are tossing around several opportunities right now to move back out on the road. Stay tuned! 4p - 7p every Sunday.

Many of you have asked about Pickin' For Preemies and Pitchin' For Preemies this year. Thank You! Know that I am doing all I can to work those out. It's hard to put together when I am havign to sell washers and dryers at Home Depot. Keep your fingers crossed.

Enough for now. Rangers are off tonight (5/18) and I have been informed that The Bachorlette will be on our family TV tonight. Pray for me! With that in mind, if your watching, look for Texas singer / songwriter Wes Hayden as one of the Bachelor's.

SYDTR
Justin...

Justin's Blog 5-7-09

Justin Frazell — Sat, 09 May 2009 22:21:58 +0000

Hey Y'all...

Thanks again for checking us out here at TXRDR.

Let me start by saying a big word of THANKS to all of you that have joined over the past few weeks for our Bud Light Texas Red Dirt Roads Backyard BBQ's. If you've come out, then I hope it's all you'd hope for and that you've had a big time. If you have not joined us yet, you best hurry. We'll only be at the River Ranch through May 17th and then we head back in studio. Going forward, who knows when or where we'll pop up next. Stay Tuned and come see us!

I can tell you that we are excited to be presenting the Memorial Day Jam. Just as we did at Mardi Gras, we'll have the Texas Red Dirt Roads pavilion back in action. Come by the pavilion to get up close to your favorite Texas / Red Dirt Singer / Songwriters. They'll be by all day and we'll visit and here some acoustic tunes as well. All the information can be found at www.memorialjamdfw.com   You can even get discount by checking out the topic in our forum and finding the pass key.

Here are some random thoughts as I sit here this evening watching the Ranger Game.
* The Rangers are HOT HOT HOT right now. First Place in the AL WEST.   Told You!

*   Been to a Stoney show lately. Listen to the Mobile Mob announcement before the show and see if you recognize anyone...

* Check out www.stoneylarue.com and download his newest song. It's Empty Glass by Gary Stewart. Acoustic version is lovely. There will be more released soon.

* Kevin Fowler has got something similar going too. www.kevinfowler.com

* Recently Q104 in Kansas City, Missouri held their Back Yard BBQ with Ragweed, Randy, Stoney and a few others. It was a capacity crowd and many of them were only seeing these guys for the 2nd or 3rd time. Some for the very first. The excitement was high as the dirt spread! I guess we're plenty spoiled around here.

* They just shot the new Home Depot commercial in my store. I was asked to be in it but could not. I promised my little girl I would put her new playhouse together that day. It's good being a daddy!

* Swine Flu. We barely knew ya! Thanks for the few days off though. Should be all clear for the Cowboy Cool Cruise. If not, I’ll stay on the boat and stand at the craps table. Lose my money vs. losing my lunch.

* How 'bout the Eli Young Boys on Leno. See It? You Tube it!

* Ryan Bingham is a bad ass and so is Roadhouse Sun! Get it!

* New music from Charlie Robison soon. Get It! Beautiful Day!

* Austin Allsup's new CD, Cryin' Out Loud is good y'all. Good to see him again.

* Scott Miller's CD is called - For Cryin' Out Loud. I need to get a hold of this one too.

Enough Random for now! See ya Sunday!

SYDTR
Justin Frazell
www.txrdr.com