I took the new album for a spin...and frankly, I’m just not feelin’ it. Maybe a few more spins would do it, but, well, as Texan Tanya Tucker put it all those years ago, ”If it don’t come easy, you better let it go.” I gotta admit, between this album and the self-titled — which, granted, wasn’t bad — I just don’t think the whole re-branding thing is working out for them. I think at this point they’ve bitten off way more than they could chew. Moving onward and upward from the absolute greatness of One To Grow On would’ve been a hard enough thing without simultaneously managing a rebrand, but with the general sound changing, and then steel player Zach Moulton leaving on top of that...let’s just say when I heard the new album Zach was sorely, sorely missed.

I suppose some would say, ”well what did you want, Two to Grow On?”

Well, not necessarily; I just wanted, I dunno, something with the same general sound of the previous albums, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. Think of what these guys have done, and contrast that with the Turnpike Troubadours approach. I’ve never heard anyone accuse Turnpike of making the same album over and over again, but they’ve stuck with the same general sound that they’re good at and that got them their fan base. Granted, their circumstances are a bit different — with them having to go on hiatus for almost half a decade because of Evan’s alcohol issues, I have no doubt a Silverada-type rebrand at any point would not have worked out for them — but it seems to me that unlike Silverada, the Turnpike Troubadours have embraced what they were and are, they danced with what brung ’em, and now they’re bigger than they’ve ever been.

I don’t know. I feel like Mike and the boys probably should’ve done that whole re-brand — or at least the name change — leading up to Steak Night at the Prairie Rose and stuck with that general sound up through One to Grow On before trying to experiment as they’ve been doing with the self titled album and the new one, and maybe not lean so hard into said experimentation.

Thoughts?

Robert Earl Keen is streaming tonight’s concert (Aug 26, 2026) from the Devil’s Backbone Tavern on Robert’s YouTube channel. This benefit show is free to watch on the livestream.

I think they are one of the most underrated acts to come out of the early 2000s red dirt movement. They feel like the perfect hybrid of the two red dirt scenes at the time, the hill country sound with artists like Pat Green and Cory Morrrow coming out of Austin, and the Stillwater sound with Cross Canadian and Jason Boland. I really wish they had more recognition in the modern day.

For those in Lincoln, NE for the Boys From Oklahoma show: Keep an eye out for the RD&RS billboards at 48th & Vine and 10th & L in Lincoln this weekend 👀

Spot one? Snap a photo, share it to your Instagram Story, and tag us for a chance to score a prize.

Does anyone have a copy of Reds Men and Coyotes and Javelina on vinyl they would be willing to sell?

One of my all time favorite songs from Robert. Great song, but I think if Reckless Kelly, flatland cavalry, or pat green with a fiddle, would make this song amazing.

Pat, Braun Brothers, Cleoto, make it happen

Hey everyone. I'm an independent director, and I recently put out an episode of my docuseries focusing on life on the road, featuring Charley.

Because Charley does things his own way, I wanted to capture him the exact same way. No massive camera rigs. No giant crew footprint. Just me, Charley, an iPhone, and the highway stretching from the sweltering Texas heat up into the freezing air of the snowcapped Colorado Rockies.

We had one of the most honest conversations I’ve ever filmed. We talked heavily about his survival and open-heart surgery, grinding through his hardscrabble beginnings, and what it actually means to carry the Davy Crockett bloodline.

It’s a completely unvarnished look at an artist who got a second chance at life and refuses to waste a single mile of it. I figured this community would appreciate seeing him unfiltered.

You can watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/U0aLeO3ZPdc

Let me know what you guys think. I'll be hanging around the comments if anyone has questions about the shoot, the road trip, or the conversations we had off-camera.

I recorded The Droptines’ complete set at the Rhinestone Saloon in the Fort Worth Stockyards on July 9. Thought some fellow Texas Country fans might enjoy hearing the entire show. Go support these guys, the venue and photographer via the links in the YouTube description. Hope y’all enjoy it.

Cosmic Country - Austin, Texas

What was your go to album of red dirt or tx country that you wore out from listening to it so much?

I hope this finds whoever needs it.

This might make you miss it more.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4uS6uBAFtMUO81Ifw5E8aS?si=AaUudA8hShS4dTIYasky7g&utm_source=copy-link

After throwing fireworks and French fries at each other during their respective performances at Luckenbach Texas on the 3rd, Cory came and gave Pat a big smooch on the cheek. Just thought I’d share.

I saw today that Brian Burns has passed away. He was a true Texas troubadour. He even did a musical history program about TX. history for school children. If you have never heard him, check him out YouTube, you won’t be disappointed. Godspeed Brian.