#SundayShoutOut Who doesn't wanna get Rowdy with Randall King Band

    It's another Sunday Shout out kind of day. Today's spotlight rest on the Randall King Band. A Red Dirt band out of Lubbock, TX. Randall and his crew believe in telling stories and Randall can find inspiration in  a variety of subjects and you can bet it makes for a great song no less. Randall's lead guitar player Ben is passionate about what he is doing and his part in the band. The stories and the music is a forefront to this band. So much that they believe in keeping it country western by having Dillon play a steel guitar!
       Last night at Bostock's bar in Stephensville, Tx they shot out of the gate with their hit Don't ask her tonight. This was the first song I had ever heard from the band and some of the lines have been very true in my life. However, they are known to  throw  it back with country classics from Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley among the bands original hits. Keeping the dance floor plenty full of two-steppers.
           After asking for an encore, Randall plugged back in to play his song Into Me. It is no secret that this is perhaps my ultimate Randall King Band song (for now). The opening chords come with such a force that you instantly are swept away. With lines such as " As you run away, a 400 horsepower getaway." and "The highways in my blood." it is easy to see how a gypsy would connect with such lines.
    After the set I got to talk to Ben, Dillion and Randall. They are by far the sweetest guys you will ever meet. Down to Earth, even though they all can boast about their incredible musical talent. The Randall King Band is on the fast track to greatness and you don't want to miss your opportunity to ride down the Randall King Band highway. Check them out on Youtube, Twitter, and get yourself the album MOMENTS LIKE THIS. You won't be disappointment in your investment.


Until the music hits the blog again, thank you for tuning into and reading about my passions, ideas, and Journeys. From this gypsy to you...Thank You so much!

Never Partied with Jake Ward? You'll want to!

I know it's not music Monday but I am going to call this a shout out Sunday. Many of you have seen the evolution of my musical preferences and the journey I have taken. Prior to traveling to Texas I knew a select few Texas Red Dirt artist. My list increases daily and I was lucky about 3 months ago of adding Jake Ward to that list.
   An Artist out of Corpus Christi, TX, Jake elevates the singer/songwriter persona. From his soft ballads to his high energy songs that makes one want to two step and stomp their boots.
     I have seen both sides of Jake Ward. The first time at Red's roadhouse. An acoustic set with a flair that is all his own to a full band appearance at the iconic Gruene Hall, one of the oldest dance halls in Texas. Jake like other TX artist see the stories clearly and sings them with power packed emotions and a full band that not only includes a fiddle player (Because in Texas you gotta have one of those in the band) but a great group of guys who harmonize perfectly and bring the same energy level as Jake does to every song.
     One song off his new album that surprised me in complexity is his song called One More Night. The line " if I told you that I loved you, would you say it back to me." followed closely by "One more night of being lonely." The human experience wrapped up in 3 minutes and 52 seconds.
      As I continue to trek to see Texas concerts I feel that it not only the artist that blow me away but the venues. As Jake and his boys were playing feeling the iconic wood of Gruene Hall underneath my boots and feeling the vibrations for their set elevated the full musical experience.

 Jake's Album Love Don't Live Here, is a new release as of a week ago and should be a part of YOUR Playlist. The song variety, the catchy tunes that keep your wanting more for Mr. Ward and the genuine quiet confidence that drips off every lyric.

If you ever get the chance Party with the Texas version of Jay Gatsby: Jake Ward!

#ShoutoutSunday #LoveDontLiveHere #JakeWard

Sail away with Callahan Divide

     Probably, about time to dust this blog off. It has been quite some time in my life since my last post. I relocated to Texas for a job, have letters behind my name...I am now a Physical Therapist Assistant. However, no matter how many hats I wear, I will always be a writer and a music lover. It is funny lookin' at the latest title of Callahan Divide's EP: Come about. In the nautical sense of the word it means change directions. In essence from the last time I left you with a post I was deep in the seas of hope, faith, and reality. Now a lot of my life revolves around sailing along the lyrical melodies and uptempo beats of this emerging Texas band.
    The members: Colton, Garrett, Justin and Travis come together in perfect harmony. Writing songs that rival the storytellings' of any great author. With lyrics that pay homage to growing up in the Lonestar state to the usual heart break, nights that you'll never forget, and hope for what is to come down the great road of life. If you ever come to Texas make a stop in Callahan County. Nestled in the middle is Abilene, where the band hails from. It is easy to see that the county not only led rise to their name but is a place where lots of magical musical happenings occur.
    Take in an Acoustic show or go full band and get the true: Callahan Divide experience. I've hung out with the band a few times and on my last round, Colton said something that I couldn't let go of, "One day when we play Billy Bob's, I'll remember this night playing a little club in San Angelo so close to the Motel 6." I smiled and referred to, "A night no one at Billy Bob's will know about but a night that will forever keep them humble."
    I got the idea to write this post because one older lady at the bar  that night in San Angelo came up to Travis and asked if they would be playing any George Strait or Garth brooks songs. It took everythin' I had not to take matters into my own hands but Travis handled her with Kindness. I am a fan of George and Garth but the beauty of discovering artist such as these 4 is the true talent that is songwriting. I have tried it a time or two and without any skills with a guitar or singing for that matter I found it difficult and unsuccessful. They have a way of finding lines that stick with you. That make you think. They have a way of painting pictures that if you listen close enough is vivid enough to imagine. Such as their song Pirate: A homeless man is lookin' for an escape for his true reality and wishes he could  be sailing across the seas and become a pirate. Or to the real life reality of realizing what you had in front of you was good enough in their song Gone.  The best part is that their music is 100 percent authentically them, no fabrication. They may throw a cover in now and then but every line they play gives listeners the unique Callahan Divide sound.
        Established 5 years ago: 2 albums, an EP, and a new album in the works I do not see an end to this  musical journey quite yet. I actually see a breakthrough and continued success to come for these guys. They are the singers for the lost souls, the gypsies and the dreamers. For the rock n roll rebels and for those in love with the fact that Texas Music doesn't give a fuck about rules.
   I dare you to dive deeply into this band. I dare you to break out of societies comfort zone and fall deeply in love with walking outside the radio waves to find a band that has soul, 4 incredible instrumentalist, songs from the heart and minds and that is leavin' their mark in the Texas red dirt.

So, Don't be shy, hop aboard, and let's all set sail with Callahan Divide.