Reckless Kelly Wins in Nashville
Winning and losing isn't something that usually comes to mind when thinking about music, but the guys in Reckless Kelly say that sometimes at the end of a concert you get one feeling or the other from a crowd. They definitely won Thursday night (Nov. 19) at Nashville's Exit/In. Opened by Scott Miller, the show ran past midnight for an audience that only seemed to want more.
Finishing up a three week tour and heading back home to Austin, Tx., the roots rockers stopped in and played all the big songs like "Ragged as the Road," "Nobody's Girl," "I Still Do," "Wild Western Windblown Band" and "Wicked Twisted Road," only to be urged back to the stage by shouts, screams and some of the loudest, most persistent whistling I've ever heard. Their encore started with "Seven Nights in Eire" -- my favorite song about a trip to Ireland. I love the sway in the guitar and fiddle -- and moved through the up-swelling "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" before finishing with a flourish of drums on "Castanets."
It was a bit of a special night, though, since the band has a new album coming out in early February. Called Somewhere in Time, it's a tribute to Pinto Bennett of the Famous Motel Cowboys, an old friend of the Braun family and one of many influences on Reckless Kelly. Two of the members of the Motel Cowboys were in the crowd Thursday night, so lead singer Willie Braun gave a little preview of the new project by playing "Best Forever Yet." I won't give away how it sounds just yet, since it's more fun to catch a show and find out for yourself, but I'll bet the guys keep winning their nightly battles for quite some time.
Photo credit: Jon-Paul Bruno
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musiclover says:
Was there - amazing show and great band! “Best Forever Yet” is going to be a smash. Can’t wait until it’s available to hear outside of a show.
D Trotter says:
This is one great band. They blow away 90% of the music out there today, country or rock.
I just wish they take their music to more places in the country. Texas, Tennessee and Colorado aren’t the only states that would love something like “American Blood”.
Northcountry says:
I Love this band too.. the only way I get to hear them live is UTube.. not quite the same.. and their “Reckless is Here” CD’s/DVD
and D Trotter is correct .. they do blow away 90% of the music that is out there today…
Willy’s writing is amazing.. and each and every member of this band are incredible musicans..
The Brauns are an incredible musical family
Truthfully I am just tired of having Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood shoved down my throat .. that is how I discovered this band about a year ago…. looking for something better.
JD Johnson says:
They are a great band, and I hate to say 90% of the artist in Texas or the Red Dirt scene blow away Nashville artist. Now dont get me wrong I like a lot of the music coming out of Nashville, yet if I had a chose between say Wade Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, James Lann, or Jason Boland over Nashville scene I would take them any day. If they were up for awards like the CMA, or AMC their songs would blow away what has won in the last few years.
Linda C. says:
Reckless is my favorite band - bar none. They have a breadth and depth of talent that is hard to come by. I was at the Exit/In show too. I never miss an opportunity to see the guys live.
Pete C says:
RK is the best live band on the planet. hands down!
Tim F. says:
Reckless Kelly is one of the premier Country/Rock/Roots Music bands of the past decade.
solongsowrong says:
Agree…. with everyone.
Redmaz says:
I agree with everyone too, except for JD Johnsons part about hating to say 90% of the artists in Texas or the Red Dirt music scene blow away Nashville artists. Why would you “hate” to say that? I “love” saying that! However the cma’s and acm’s are Pop Country awards, so I don’t see them as a part of that scene at all. It’s just nice to see more people are finding their music and how very cool it is. Something their fans have known for many many years..
countryiscool says:
I was just going to say they most likely wouldn’t BE up for awards on the CMA’s or ACM’s because they are not mainstream pop-country, Although some of our former greats MS artists HAVE done their part there too; Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Alison Krauss, and others who had songs on mainstream Top 40 (Pop)country charts years back.
Redmaz says:
Well of cousre they have. There have been many of today’s Americana/Roots artists that were on the Pop Charts at one time. Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Emmmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea etc, I could go on all night, but Pop Country was much different then than what it is today. Pop Country is not so much a certain sound, but what sells at any given time in an era. I don’t ever see a Roots sound coming back to Pop Country. It has continually strayed farther and farther from it’s Roots especially the last 15, 20 years. That’s why Pop Country and today’s Roots Country continue to and should remain seperate. However there are some Pop acts recording Roots artists music, but after Nashville production gets through with it, you wouldn’t know it. The life is sucked out of it by then.
countryiscool says:
Can you tell me Red, WHY is Pop Country so different now in terms of what sells? If all these artists you listed (and I’m familiar with) were on Top 40 PC at one time and selling well, why are they not now? I can see the sound is different, and the instrumentation even, but obviously there is a distinction between Pop Country & Roots country. It reminds me though of the distinction PC fans like to use for PC and Pop like THEY are 2 different genres & I know they’re not.
I’ve been listening to Glen Campbell in my car CD and the sound is ALOT different than today’s country, even ballads. They both tell a story, but still different instruments & style/sound. “By the time I get to Phoenix” is still one of my absolute faves.
D Trotter says:
Sorry to pick on one of your faves, countryiscool, but I always felt “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was pop, and a little bit soap opera. Oh, well, everyone to their own poison. Guess I just get a better feeling from Reckless’ “Passing Though” ,or on the other side of the coin, from brokenhearted truck drivers like John Hiatt’s “Don’t Think About Her When You’re Trying to Drive” or Lowell George’s “Truck Stop Girl”.
countryiscool says:
That’s ok Trotter, it’s what I grew up with. To each his/her own, but I’m glad you enjoy your choices as well.
dagdajones says:
Best thing to come out of Idaho since the potato.
Hilary says:
I just want them to come to us in the UK! We love them here too.
countryiscool says:
Hey Red, are you going to answer me? I am not being facetious, I wanna know…
dalstar says:
I agree with JD above that the Red Dirt artists absolutely blow away the junk that Nashvegas is putting out. What I hate to see is the Red Dirt artists being “discovered” by Nashville. I hope they stay true to their roots and not get corrupted by the Nashvegas machine.
Pam Mayo says:
I have had the opportunity to see this band live at several venues and cities. I am forever amazed at their performances and the energy they put into each show. But I have to say, the show at Exit In in November was the best yet. They just keep getting better…and I didn’t think that was possible. And the bass guitar and drums are always together and never miss a beat!!! Chris Parton, you wrote a great review! It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to be able to see you again soon. Can’t wait for the release of the new album. I have a pre-release copy and have to tell you….IT IS FANTASTIC!!
Lindsay says:
All I have to say is WOW!!! This was the best, most fun concert I’ve ever been to. Each musician is incredibly talented, and hats off to those amazing Braun boys! Keep up the good work, and please come back to Nashville soon, maybe when the new album comes out! ;-)
fcmilan_news says:
I want to quote your post in my blog. It can?
And you et an account on Twitter?
joes bar says:
reckless kelly and there genre beat the heck outa they rest of the crap on the nashvile radio scene, enought with taylor swift already……..
Stratohacker says:
Reckless is truly one of my favorite however I do thing there are a lot of red dirt bands that are crap. A lack of musicianship and songcrafting. I appreciate the songrwiting and musicianship that I hear in PC a lot. I love Urban, Dierks and Paisley but it amazes me that a band like Reckless just can’t seem to break. If you like the then tho other Braun brothers are a must listen; Mickey and the Motorcars! They are sick. Also check out another Texas based group called Band Of Heathens. Amazing!
Libertyfreak says:
For their sake I hope they go national. If not, then at least here in Texas we have alternative radio like 92.5 The Outlaw! God bless Reckless Kelly! Saw them live@Floor Country Store last year.