I recently, as in earlier this week, exchanged a few emails with a friend of mine who loves a good Texas talent as much as just about anyone. The reason for our electronic conversation was so I could get his help and direction in discovering some musical gems from our state that I may not be familiar with. And, the reason I was even asking him for such guidance was due to my exasperation at what I have recently been hearing on so-called “Texas/Red Dirt” radio stations, and more specifically, the Sunday night “Red Dirt” shows that run on many of the state’s larger signals.

The playlists on those shows seems to be more short-sighted and limited than the Nashville machine that these shows and artists claim to be the alternative to.

How many times do we have to hear “Dancehall Dreamer” from Pat Green or “The Everclear Song” from Roger Creager before we get to the new stuff that should be providing glimpses into the future of Texas country?

Even the alleged newer and fresher material from certain younger artists like Rich O’Toole, Josh Abbott, and Johnny Cooper strike me as little more than rehashed Randy Rogers, or in some cases, REO Speedwagon. We get it. You’re from Texas and you really like to rock out while you wear jeans with fancy pockets with even fancier embroidery on them. Now, start making music that doesn’t suck (I’m really looking at you, Johnny Cooper and Kyle Park).

Truth be told, I haven’t felt great about the scene that has provided us with some of our top, practically iconic, talents. Recently released songs from the likes of Kevin Fowler, Creager and Wade Bowen have left me uninspired, or worse, annoyed (this time, I’m looking directly at you, Fowler).

Until, that is, a new song from the Randy Rogers Band popped up and took hold of my ears.

The new cut, “Too Late for Goodbye”, is off of the bands upcoming record Burning the Day. The cool part, really, is the fact that Rogers seems to be heading in a similar sonic direction he has headed in the past with his other, excellent releases. Simple, stright-forward country with a bit of rock flourish. 

To make things even better, Ryan Bingham has also leaked some new tracks from an upcoming record. The T-Bone Burnett produced disc, entitled, Junky Star, will be out in a couple of months also. As with Rogers, Bingham hasn’t changed direction drastically and still is inspires. While the Academy Award winner isnt a Texan anymore, living with his wife in Los Angeles, he is still revered here and will always be an honorary Texan.

So, Texas artists, so-called “red dirt rockers”, be warned: people might be listening now, but if you can’t keep it up and consistently perform at a very high level like Rogers and Bingham, certain people are going to stop caring. Even though you may be from Texas and love Shiner and think you provide the listener an alternative to cheesy Nashville pop, that isn’t enough to trick people into caring over the long-run…just a warning.

Kelly Dearmore is a freelance writer, mean pot of chili maker and opinionated music lover. To read more about what Kelly is listening to, visit him here on The Squawker weekly or daily on his personal music blog, The Gobblers Knob