of course the highlight of everything was the county line I-10 concert. this concert series is just phenomenal and it has quickly become my favorite thing to do in s.a. the concept of it is so cool because every single wednesday night, they just pack in as many people as they possibly can into this little backyard for these amazing acoustic sets. it's not about "the smoke and the lights" (pure country anyone?); it's about ordinary people just getting together and having an absolute blast listening to some good music.
this past week, i got to see paula nelson, who i happen to think is one of the coolest chicks around! besides being the daughter of another famous nelson (i'm pretty sure you know who i'm talking about), the girl really can sing. it's got to be tough having that kind of iconic musical history before you, but paula's got her own sound and she works it. a few people at the concert told me that she reminded them of me and that's such a fantastic complement because paula nelson is WONDERFUL! i guess all i have to do now is get tatted up and learn to play the guitar and i'll be good to go...
how would you like for waylon jennings to be your godfather? pretty darn cool.
however awesome paula may be, it was the next act that really blew my mind. so i've seen stoney larue play a lot over the last 5-6 years give or take, and gosh, he's getting better and better every single time!!! the thing about stoney is that he can write a song that is so powerful that it causes you to stop your car on the side of an old dirt road, but that man works his rear end off to entertain his fans as well. i think a lot of the guys on the scene can write a good song, but no one gets a crowd going like stoney. seeing stoney play in a tiny enclosed venue is seriously one of the most religious/spiritual experiences you can have. you're soaking wet because you're sweating profusely. you inhale the aromatic fusion of marlboro lights, shiner bock beer, and that cheap perfume all the sixteen-year-old girls are wearing. you turn to your neighbor who you only met two minutes before and give them a hug as if to say, "sure is a great day to be alive." and then with stoney as the leader, you all form one passionate, zealous choir singing "forever young. forever young. may you stay forever young." take my word for it, it's like an out of body experience.
the other really cool thing that happened at that show was that i managed to get backstage (which was incredibly easy to do) and i got to talk to stoney's wife (and manager) kandace. she is an absolute doll and she is perfect for stoney! we started talking about what a close-knit community texas country music is and how everybody seems to be really supportive of each other. for instance, many of the guys are really close friends...i learned that jason boland, wade bowen, cody canada and stoney are a pretty tight circle. which, random trivia, did you know that wade & cody are married to sisters (shannon & shelby)? i agree with kandace, the makers and followers of this brand of music are just awesome people and there is a real camaraderie that exists. i've been able to really see that first hand since i've been a part of this "movement" - or whatever you want to call it - for the last 10 years. from the beginning of seeing shows out at west texas fairs all the way to working with the guys from texas music mag , i just really can't believe how big the whole thing has gotten.
anyway, caught eli young band and casey donahew band this weekend. eyb didn't disappoint, but mike eli, get over yourself and stop being so "california!" uhh i hate it. casey donahew didn't do much for me, but maybe it's because he looked like a second grade little boy coming on stage with his pressed short sleeve plaid shirt and clean-cut, gelled hair. whereas hayes carll would be the smelly, dirty, loud, crude, motorcycle driving boy that your parents would hate to see you with; casey donahew is the sweet, all-american, letter jacket wearing, all-a honor roll, student body president that would make any grandmother proud.
all in all - great shows last week!
i have to say that living in the hill country has been like a dream for me because that is where the roots and home base of this music reside (in addition to stillwater). i have been so fortunate to see so many people play around s.a. and meet so many people who share my same passion for the music. navigating post-college life isn't easy for anyone, but it was particularly difficult for me because i just felt alone and like a fish out of water most of the time. i went from living in the "mansion" with 5 girls and constantly being surrounded by people, noise, and endless options for entertainment/activity (with me being the ringleader most of the time) to moving back home, moving to mexico sans knowing anyone, moving to s.a. and knowing only one person in the whole city! this past week, magic happened. doing something that i love, encircled by my best friends from all phases of my life (the lifelong friends, the college friends, the new friends, the brand new acquaintances), i really felt like myself again - for the first time in probably a year. i guess that's what being in your element will do for you.
hope you find yours.
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