Randy Rogers, Reckless Kelly on Texas vs. Nashville
When it comes to country music and the branching sub-genres, there seems to be a line drawn between the kind of country music coming from Texas and that from Nashville. Both are noteworthy in their own right, but the rowdier, edgier and raw Texas sounds rarely find the airtime of Nashville groups like Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and so on.
Recently, I had the chance to ask popular Texas country bands like the Randy Rogers Band and Reckless Kelly for their inside views. Here's what they had to say:
Randy Rogers: "I could write a book about that. There are many books written about it. We're from Texas. That's where we live. We play country music. There is kind of a stigma and some kind of Texas versus Nashville thing that exists. I think it exists maybe more here as it does there -- here meaning Nashville. ... You see Nashville touring acts with different members every time you see them. It's a different drummer. I think probably the biggest difference between Nashville and Texas would be that we're a band. We write our records. We play on our records. We play the live shows. I think that might set us apart or just make us different from your country act that is in Nashville that has a band that he doesn't really know that well."
Reckless Kelly's Willy Braun: "It's definitely more about live music down here. Nashville, I think, is a little bit more about industry, which is fine. You've got to have a little bit of both. I think the Texas guys are a little bit more of that outlaw mentality of "Screw-everybody-else-do-it-our-way" kind of thing. ... The Nashville mainstream fan these days isn't really our cup of tea. We've been waiting for that to change for about 10 years. Hopefully something will break and we can kind of get back to the traditional side of country a little more. I think would be the best thing."
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TJ says:
There aren’t very many good live shows in Nashville… I got lucky and saw Cross Canadian Ragweed a couple of weeks ago, but before that, I’ve had to travel back home to Texas to see good music. Here in Nashville we’re missing out on awesome music because the mainstream doesn’t realize what good music really is. They just listen to whatever 4 songs the radio stations here in Nashville decide to play this month..
YellowRose says:
WHOOHO! d*** straight y’all! i wouldn’t have it any other way! don’t ever change!!! y’all are our future! i’ve seen both of them live and love ‘em. All hail radio free texas and the work they do! I’d say to hel* with the industry, but that would take way from what they’re doing! everybody keep doing what youre doing, and keep texas in texas!
John in Kansas says:
Texas music has that soul, heart and energy that is forgotten by the Nashville artist. The bands down in Texas write, record and play their own music… If you miss that outlaw sound or traditional country from the past (Waylon, Cash, Merle) check out some of those bands in Texas…
Try out some Randy Rogers Band, Jason Boland, Wade Bowen, Stoney Larue, Cross Canadain Ragweed… I bet you will like them all!
Andrew says:
In Texas these guys play have gigs 3 nights a week, every week, where as the big Nashville guys do “tours” which only play about 40 dates a year AT MOST.
The Texas guys sell out every show, every time, where as Country Thunder had to cancel due to low ticket sales. That should tell you how wide open the market is for Texas bands.
YellowRose says:
yeah, and then they write songs about how grueling the road is.
also try south Texas destroyers, and whiskey myers. love whiskeys’ “lonley east texas nights”
Kim says:
Love radio free’s logo BTW. its not just the state of Texas, but the Republic of Texas.
Sweet Caroline says:
The Texas music scene is about community, a passion for music, and all the artists are genuine people who play music because they love it and want to connect with people…you don’t find this out of Nashville. We’ve been so blessed to be a part of such a special thing but it is nice to see these guys being loved outside of Texas…hopefully one day Nashville will figure out what a goldmine we have!
T-Bone says:
I have lived in middle Tennessee my entire life, and I have always loved country music. As a young girl, I can remember singing to the radio in the kitchen with my mom while she fixed dinner or washed dishes. When I grew up and went to college, I was still a country music fan. Then, I met someone who was privy to the Texas music scene and my appreciation for music in general has changed. The Texas music is raw and real. The live shows blows Nashville acts out of the water. The bands operate as families and they appreciate every single fan. The most important turn on about Texas music is that these bands let us into their minds, hearts, and souls because they write their own, real music and they sing it with feeling because they know the meaning behind each and every word. There is no other music like Texas Country Music. Rock on boys…
Travis in Iraq says:
With the majority of the Texas acts you can actually buy the guys a beer and ask them what their inspiration was for a certain song. The accessibility of the band members is what makes it more real. Most of the folks who commented said something about the live act making it more real. I couldnt agree more! When Jack Ingram (or any of the acts)talks to his audience you can feel the truth in his words. Makes it easier for me to get it.
Kate says:
I think there’s a place for both. I definitely can find something to agree and disagree with in both artists’ comments, but you raise a good point with this blog, Whitney! Definitely makes one think!
John says:
Texas artists write their own stuff and dont conform to the bubblgum pop crap that Nashville has let ruin the airwaves. Let Nashville sing their songs about Badonk a donks, we have our proud souls to sing about. Nashville Sucks!
Tom says:
If you have never heard Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Brandon Rhyder, Johnny Cooper or any of the great acts down here in Texas…you aint heard SH!T! This is real music, I promise you that! Pick any Wade Bowen song and tell me it won’t make your neck hair stand on end!
Reckless in TX says:
Texas Country (Red Dirt Music) is the only country music worth Listening to! I just get tired of hearing a song and thinking i really dont believe this guy went through this. You can’t feel the emotion in songs from nashville b/c generally they didn’t write the music! In Texas you feel the song and you see the emotion when you hear it played! If you like good ol’ country with attitude listen to texas country. Kyle Bennett Band is the newest up and comer! They are gonna take over like Randy Rogers has over the past year or two. Kyle Bennett Band is my favorite band down here in texas and i hear alot. so check them out everyone! They are sure to make it well worth your time!
Mike from Minnesota says:
In Minnesota we dont get Texas country, only the Nashville stuff. I didnt really like country until one day my buddy made me a mix of all texas country. now i am a huge country fan, yes even nashville, but i live for texas country and that is all i have on my ipod. Up here in the north we really miss out on the quality of the texas style country
Chuck in Minnesota says:
Texas/Red Dirt is the only way to go. Turned off FM/mainstream radio six years ago and haven’t looked back. The Nashville pop passed off as country is a joke. To Mike in Minnesota…Texas music does make its way up here. A couple of guys up here promote it under Texas2Minnesota. Have seen quite a few of their shows: RRB, Stoney, Micky and the Motorcars, No Justice, Jason Boland and a few others. Just last weekend they had Wade Bowen here and it was an awesome show. Too bad more people in Minnesota don’t understand what quality music is. They have Jason Boland and The Stragglers here on Halloween.
County Rd. 407 says:
Preach it my brothers and sisters. I love Texas Country. There is absolutely no comparison to Nashville. You can actually go to all their shows and meet all the artists. Everyone needs to give it a try. Love some Whiskey Myers and Ryan Bingham, as well as countless others. Long live Texas.