Texas Country Music (more popularly known just as "Texas Country" or "Texas music") is a rapidly growing sub-genre of Country Music. Texas Country is known for fusing traditionalist root sounds (similar to Neotraditional Country) with the outspoken, care-free views of Outlaw Country. Texas Country blends these sub-genres by featuring straight-forward, truthful lyrics, a "take it or leave it" approach, a "common working man" theme, comical, witty undertones, intense live performances, and loyal fan-bases. These often combine with stripped down music, increasing the intimate connection between a singer and audience. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... Red Dirt is a genre of music based in and around Stillwater, Oklahoma (the college town where Oklahoma State University is located). ... Country music, the first half of Billboards country and western music category, is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... Acoustic guitar can refer to the following musical instruments: Nylon and gut stringed guitars: Renaissance guitar Baroque guitar Romantic guitar Classical guitar, the modern version of the original guitar, with nylon strings Flamenco guitar Steel stringed guitars: Steel-string acoustic guitar, also known as western, folk or country guitar Twelve... An electric guitar An electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into electrical current, which is then amplified. ... A Dobro style resonator guitar Steel guitar, strictly speaking, refers to a method of playing using a metal slide (or steel) on a guitar played horizontally, with the strings uppermost. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... This article is about the musical instrument. ... A modern Gibson Dobro Dobro is a trade name now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar. ... “Fiddler” redirects here. ... A short grand piano, with the lid up. ... A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ... Neotraditional country, also known as new traditional country, is a country music style that rejects most elements of modern Top 40 country music. ... Willie Nelson Outlaw country was a significant trend in country music during the late 1960s and the 1970s (and even into the 1980s in some cases), commonly referred to as The Outlaw Movement (both by fans and by people in the music industry) or simply Outlaw music [1]. The focus... Red Dirt is a genre of music based in and around Stillwater, Oklahoma (the college town where Oklahoma State University is located). ... Country music, the first half of Billboards country and western music category, is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... Neotraditional country, also known as new traditional country, is a country music style that rejects most elements of modern Top 40 country music. ... Willie Nelson Outlaw country was a significant trend in country music during the late 1960s and the 1970s (and even into the 1980s in some cases), commonly referred to as The Outlaw Movement (both by fans and by people in the music industry) or simply Outlaw music [1]. The focus... The term common man emphasizes the similarities between a politician and the average citizen. ...

Instrumentation

The acoustic guitar is essential in Texas Country Music. While the acoustic guitar is the most often used, the electric guitar is not completely uncommon and the steel guitar (or "lap steel") is also quite prevalent. Bass and percussion usually round up the essentials for a touring band, but appearances by a 12-string guitar, piano, baritone, banjo, fiddle and harmonica on studio recordings or in larger shows are not considered odd to the genre. Instrumentation often lies in the gray area when defining Texas Country, but the music is centered and focused around the acoustic guitar^{[citation needed]}. A steel string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound. ... An electric guitar An electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into electrical current, which is then amplified. ... A Dobro style resonator guitar Steel guitar, strictly speaking, refers to a method of playing using a metal slide (or steel) on a guitar played horizontally, with the strings uppermost. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass; pronounced , as in base) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ... A short grand piano, with the lid up. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... “Fiddler” redirects here. ... A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ...

Vocals

The line of delineation for vocals is also unclear. Artists considered Texas Country, such as Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Randy Rogers, and Reckless Kelly, each have distinct voices. Texas Country "anthem songs" are often loud and equally loud vocals are characteristic of these tunes^{[citation needed]}. Kevin Fowler at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo 2007 as spokesman for the The Texas water safety campaign, Nobodys Waterproof. ... Roger Creager (1971- ) is an award-winning Texas country music singer and songwriter. ... Robert Earl Keen, Junior (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... http://www. ... Reckless Kelly Hopefully fate, and perhaps good sense, will provide a more prosperous road for Reckless Kelly than Ned Kelly, the 19th century Australian bank robber from whom the band takes its name. ...

Live Performances

Enthusiasm is the best descriptor for both band and crowd at a live Texas Country performance. "It is not an uncommon sight to see clubs all over Texas packed to the rafters; girls and boys in cowboy hats and Wranglers two-stepping next to the mosh pit, where college boys in khakis and college girls in Juicy Couture are pressed up against the stage" ^[1]. It is definitely true that Texas Country shows are rowdy and interactive^{[citation needed]}. Wrangler is one of the oldest and most popular jeans brands in the world. ... Two-step (Two Step) is the name of several dances, some related to each other and some not. ... While the terms fraternity and sorority may be used to describe any number of social and charitable organizations, including the Lions Club, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, International, and the Shriners, in the United States and Canada fraternities and sororities are most commonly known as social organizations of higher education students (though...

Origination

Neither the location of birth nor the location of upbringing seems to calculate in the definition of a Texas Country artist. Though many are "born and raised" Texans, it has not been uncommon for many outside the state lines to test Texas waters. Artists such as Cross-Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland & the Stragglers, and Stoney LaRue are often considered Texas Country musicians, despite their Oklahoma ties. The distinctive characteristic in location is that all artists hold concerts in Texan venues. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Jason Boland & the Stragglers as a American band. ...

Themes

Lyrical content is the backbone of Texas Country. Waylon Jennings, an Outlaw Country music legend, who is sometimes cited as an inspiration to present day Texas Country musicians, once said, “Your melody goes where the words take you” ^[2].

Drinking

Alcohol often takes dual roles in Texas Country music. The melancholy route is usually related with alcohol abuse, which has affected artists such as Randy Rogers, Jesse Brand, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt and takes a deeper, life-altering meaning. The more popular route is that of recreational or social drinking. http://www. ... Jesse Brand Train is a country music band of the Red Dirt music scene that can be seen in the Ft. ... Steve Earle (born Stephen Fain Earle January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, well known for his rock and country music, as well as for his political views. ... Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997) was a country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet. ...

Mexico

The importance of Mexico in Texas Country Music is apparent from the get-go. The positive aspects of visits to Mexico (i.e. cheap beer, care-free attitudes and relaxed environment) often inspire entire songs in Texas Country music^{[citation needed]}. More interesting, these same positives often are attributed back to Texas and instead, Texas is praised because of its proximity to the neighboring Country.

Landscape

Songs about traditional dance halls, open roads, family farms and hometown bars, along with other illustrations of Texas landscape, are all found in present-day Texas Country artists' catalogs. The ties of landscape and music seem to serve as remembrance and gratitude, as evident in most songs. Appreciation for surroundings is not the only limitation for this theme. The "average man" and his struggle with nature do appear as well. "The songs definitely incorporate a spirit of the times and constitute a spontaneous and fairly comprehensive record of life" ^[3].

History

Texas Country's roots lie in the Outlaw country movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Texan artists such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and David Allen Coe retreated from the Nashville Country Music scene to Austin, Luchenbach, and Dallas. Other artists who were inspired by this movement included performers like Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Steve Young, Kris Kristofferson, Joe Ely, Terry Allen, Steve Earle, and Townes Van Zandt. Willie Nelson Outlaw country was a significant trend in country music during the late 1960s and the 1970s (and even into the 1980s in some cases), commonly referred to as The Outlaw Movement (both by fans and by people in the music industry) or simply Outlaw music [1]. The focus... Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was a respected and influential American country music singer and musician. ... Willie Nelson (born Willie Hugh Nelson, April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939) is an American country singer who had his greatest popularity in the 1970s. ... Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. ... Luckenbach is thirteen miles from Fredericksburg, Texas in southeastern Gillespie County, part of the Texas Hill Country. ... Dallas redirects here. ... Guy Clark on the cover of Keepers (1997) Guy Clark (born 6 November 1941) is a songwriter and performer who often performs in the country style. ... Jerry Jeff Walker, 2002 Jerry Jeff Walker (born March 16, 1942) is a country music singer. ... Steve Young is a country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. ... Kristoffer Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential American country music songwriter, singer and actor. ... Joe Ely (born February 9, 1947) is an Austin, Texas honky-tonk/country musician. ... Steve Earle (born Stephen Fain Earle January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, well known for his rock and country music, as well as for his political views. ... Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997) was a country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet. ...

These artists were followed in turn by the work of singer/songwriters such as Pat Green, Robert Earl Keen, Cory Morrow. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Robert Earl Keen, Junior (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter. ... Cory Morrow is a singer/songwriter who has gained popularity in Texas. ...

1990s

Robert Earl Keen's No. 2 Live Dinner, released in 1996, had it all; comedy accompanied with "a sharp wit, a laid-back cowboy style, and an eye for detail... combined in [his] songs that are as easy on the ears as they are packed with insight" ^[4]. Keen's home calling came after a short stint in Nashville, where he quickly became uncomfortable. His 1996 live album release truly showcased the “wide range” of the talented Texas musician and popularized the single “The Road Goes On Forever”, the song many claim is the paradigm for Texas Country anthems. Robert Earl Keen, Junior (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter. ... No. ... The Road Goes On Forever is a song by folk singer Robert Earl Keen, Jr. ...

The 1998 release of Roger Creager’s Having Fun All Wrong had an immediate impact on the Texas scene. “The Everclear Song” reached “hit single” status when it quickly spread across Texas college towns^{[citation needed]}. Roger Creager (1971- ) is an award-winning Texas country music singer and songwriter. ...

2000s

Cory Morrow, a Houston native, had been on the Texas scene since the mid-90s. It was not until 2002, with the release of his fourth album "Outside the Lines," that Morrow received his well-deserved fame. The album's success on the Country Music charts^{[citation needed]} proved that Texas Country was making its way into the ears of many. Cory Morrow is a singer/songwriter who has gained popularity in Texas. ... Houston redirects here. ...

Kevin Fowler, a celebrated Texas Country artist^{[citation needed]}, self-released his album “Beer, Bait & Ammo” in 2000. The title track and “100% Texan” gave his fans a peek at his Texan roots. With Songs like “Lord Loves the Drinkin’ Man” and “Loose, Loud & Crazy” off his 2nd major album, Fowler gained further notoriety in a short amount of time. His personal ode to Willie Nelson, “Don’t Touch My Willie,” demonstrated the significance of Outlaw Country on his work and solidified his place in Texas Country Royalty^{[citation needed]}. Kevin Fowler at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo 2007 as spokesman for the The Texas water safety campaign, Nobodys Waterproof. ... Willie Nelson (born Willie Hugh Nelson, April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ...

Progression

The following artists are often classified as members of the Texas Country movement:

• Robert Earl Keen
• Cory Morrow
• Pat Green
• Roger Creager
• Dub Miller
• Chris Knight
• Max Stalling
• Mark David Manders
• Reckless Kelly
• Cross Canadian Ragweed (Originally from or still resides in Oklahoma)
• Jason Boland and the Stragglers (Originally from or still resides in Oklahoma)
• Jimmy LaFave
• Jesse Brand
• Randy Rogers Band
• Eli Young Band
• Kevin Fowler
• Reckless Kelly (Originally from or still resides in Idaho)
• Stoney LaRue (Originally from or still resides in Oklahoma)
• Johnny Cooper (musician)
• Jarrod Birmingham
• Bleu Edmondson
• The Lost Trailers
• Dean Seltzer and the Redneck Mothers
• Django Walker
• Charlie Robison
• Bruce Robison
• Aaron Watson
• Kelly Willis
• The Gourds
• Wade Bowen
• John D. Hale Band
• The Casey Donahew Band
• The Kyle Bennett Band
• Brandon Rhyder
• Jack Ingram
• Kyle Park
• Jamie Richards
• Jason Allen Band
• Buster Jiggs
• 10 City Run
• The Britt Lloyd Band
• Johnny Cooper
• Bart Crow Band
• No Justice

Robert Earl Keen, Junior (born January 11, 1956 in Houston, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter. ... Cory Morrow is a singer/songwriter who has gained popularity in Texas. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Roger Creager (1971- ) is an award-winning Texas country music singer and songwriter. ... Christopher Knight in a recent publicity photo Publicity photo of Christopher Knight as Peter Brady for The Brady Bunch Christopher Anton Knight (born November 7, 1957) is an American actor famous for his role on the television series The Brady Bunch, on which he played the role of Peter Brady... Reckless Kelly Hopefully fate, and perhaps good sense, will provide a more prosperous road for Reckless Kelly than Ned Kelly, the 19th century Australian bank robber from whom the band takes its name. ... Cross Canadian Ragweed is an alternative country band of the Red Dirt scene, formed in Yukon, Oklahoma, in 1994, comprising of frontman/guitarist Cody Canada, drummer Randy Ragsdale, rhythm guitarist Grady Cross, and bassist Jeremy Plato. ... Jimmy LaFave is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician born in Wills Point, Texas. ... Jesse Brand Train is a country music band of the Red Dirt music scene that can be seen in the Ft. ... Randy Rogers Band is a country music band that released their debut album Like It Used to Be in 2002. ... Kevin Fowler at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo 2007 as spokesman for the The Texas water safety campaign, Nobodys Waterproof. ... Reckless Kelly Hopefully fate, and perhaps good sense, will provide a more prosperous road for Reckless Kelly than Ned Kelly, the 19th century Australian bank robber from whom the band takes its name. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... Charlie Robison (born September 1, 1964) is an American singer/songwriter born in Houston, Texas and raised in Bandera, Texas. ... Bruce Robison is a country music singer-songwriter. ... Kelly Willis from the insert to her début album, Well Travelled Love (1990). ... Image:TheGourds. ... For the actor, see Jack Ingram (actor). ... Johnathon Johnny Cooper was a fictional character in the Australian television series Home and Away. ...

Further reading

• Abernethy, Francis E. "Texas Folk and Modern Country Music." Texas Country: The Changing Rural Scene. Ed. Lich, Glene. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 1986.
• Barr, Gregory. "Randy Rogers Band: Just A Matter of Time." Best In Texas Music Magazine. <http://www.randyrogersband.com/bit_rrb.pdf> November 2006.
• Carr, Joe and Allan Munde. Prairie Nights to Neon Lights. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press, 1995.
• Dawidoff, Nicholas. In the Country of Country: People and Places in American Music. New York: Random House, 1997.
• Fox, Aaron A. Real Country: Music and Language in Working-Class Culture. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2004.
• Harrington, AnnMarie. Roger Creager-Long Way To Mexico. <http://www.takecountryback.com/reviews/rcrev0903.htm> November 9, 2006.
• Jennings, Waylon and Lenny Kaye. Waylon: An Autobiography. New York: Warner Books, 1976.
• Malone, Bill C. "Growing Up With Texas Country Music." What’s Going On? (In Modern Texas Folklore). Ed. Abernethy, Francis E. Austin, TX: The Encino Press, 1976.
• Middleton, Richard. Studying Popular Music. Philadelphia: Open University Press, 2002.
• Specht, Joe W. "Put a Nickel in the Jukebox." The Roots of Texas Music. Ed. Clayton Lawrence. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2003.