COUNTRY DREAMING: Texas Red Dirt Country

February 2, 2016LokeshCountry Dreaming, Uncategorized

What is Texas Red Dirt Country?

Country music is always changing, some people love it and some people hate the change; for me it is a love hate relationship. I love all kinds of music so the pop sound of country is nice from time to time, but when I get down to my roots I need the country twang foot stomping sound. The fiddle, banjo, and harmonica always send me to a place I think of as Heaven. Anytime I hear the classic sounds in country music today the music sings to my soul, I throw my hands up and praise Jesus that there are people out there bringing “Country” back to country music. They are Texas Red Dirt Country!

To describe the Texas Red Dirt Country sound would be describing some of the original Outlaws of our time, the Johnny Cash, Waylon and Willie of Country Music mixed with the sounds of George Strait. Texas Red Dirt Country comes with the twang and the rhythm of a steel guitar, banjo and fiddle yet some will tell you it has the old southern rock vibe to it as well. Honestly, all I hear is TRUE country music, and that makes me Happy, Happy, Happy!

The first band of Texas Red Dirt Country I had heard was The Randy Rogers Band, little did I know then that they were Texas Red Dirt Country, nor did I even know what that was at the time. The Randy Rogers Band opened for Miranda Lambert back in 2011 at Matthew Knight Arena, putting on a spectacular show. The fiddle was present and there was foot stomping but to be honest I didn’t know who they were much less most of everyone else. Now speaking of Miranda Lambert, I am a long time member of the Miranda Lambert Fan Club where I have gained friendships with people from all over The United States and some of these friends live in Texas where the Texas Red Dirt Country is widely known. My long time fellow Ran Fan Club friend Veronica Eichman has routinely introduced me to names such as Stoney Larue and Jason Isbell among many others telling me; “Rikki this is the real deal!” It was then I went on the search for my own finds of this music called Texas Red Dirt Country.

Randy Rogers Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl5s3vcyAzg

Jason Isbell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvlTwSWyqUM

Stoney Larue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxDRhCKtdU0&list=PLZSYjRCu02S04YyNOnGAtDeSyfjH6ofRy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig_N41OZXps

Thanks to the World Wide Web it is quite easy to find new music; there are playlists for every kind of country music from new up and comers, oldies but goodies and where I even found Texas Red Dirt Country. With bands like Whiskey Myers, Aaron Watson and Turnpike Troubadours you’re bound to find something to your liking if you miss the old country sound. Aaron Watson’s song “Freight Train,” has been played so many times in the last couple days, I am pretty sure that I have broken some sort of record. I first found Aaron Watson when I heard his song “Fish,” now I may be a little biased being I am a fisherwoman but it led me to look into more of his music, I can say he is probably my favorite thus far! I do want to say that Aaron Watson’s song “Fence Post,” is a pure description of why these artists are Texas Red Dirt Country. I will let the lyrics speak for themselves!

“Fence Post” Beginning Lyrics

Now this is a true story for the most part
That occurred on the top floor of this
Bigwig record executive’s office in Nashville, Tennessee
Now understand I’m not poking any fun or disrespecting anybody
God knows I love country music with all my heart and soul
And I love the Grand Ole Opry
But I do have a problem with someone who
Can’t even play a D chord on a guitar
Telling someone with a dream that they won’t get far
So this song is dedicated to all those underdogs like me
Out there running around
Don’t get discouraged if you have a dream

Don’t be afraid to chase it down
It’s how it goes

Turnpike Troubadours

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8543i8c5vY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTYq66Tx1GY

Aaron Watson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivpfMF1v8H4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emACEJzEUDo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuKed7NTL4o

The one thing that I noticed was that there are not a lot of female Texas Red Dirt Country singers. One familiar face I did find in this line up was Sunny Sweeney the “From a Table Away,” singer, who is listed pretty high on the Texas Red Dirt Country charts. There are a few others here or there, but to be honest that’s about all I could find, so the search must continue!

Sunny Sweeney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMoIxjMYRmY

Now that you know all about Texas Red Dirt Country I will leave you with a play list that will hopefully bring music to your ears and joy to your soul. If you know of any other artists that I missed or of someone you have found that you think I might enjoy, shoot me an email. You never know, it might be the next feature of Country Dreaming! Happy Listening!

RIKKI’S PLAYLIST

Ryan Bingham – Southside of Heaven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EMWoB-64uw

Pat Green – Texas on my Mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0qVzvQqk3s

Turnpike Troubadours – Gin, Smoke and Lies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki4VJCsF0qk

Josh Abbott Band ft. Kacey Musgraves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjF_lQBzXKk

Reckless Kelly – Seven Nights in Eire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho914_qx4Lw

Whiskey Meyers – Ballad of a Southern Man