NYC (thankfully) sees it's fair share of Texas artists, but March has been one for the books, with particularly heavy traffic. Roger Creager, Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Casey Donahew Band and Pat Green already passed through the city with Cory Morrow rounding things out on the 19th.

Add to that list, William Clark Green who rolled into town this past Friday for a return visit as part of an east coast run that included Philly, Boston and Washington D.C. Before a crowd of about one hundred, Green played songs from all four of the albums in his catalog kicking things off with "Next Big Thing" from his critically lauded 2015 release Ringling Road (an album where Green's gift for storytelling with wit, depth, frankness and utterly perceptive observations has never been stronger). A little "I Won't Back Down" cushioned in "Hangin' Around" as well as some Beatles ("With A Little Help From My Friends) and the Stones ("Start Me Up") prior to "She Likes The Beatles" were well received by the crowd who were on their feet dancing in between the tables to "Creek Don't Rise" and air drumming to "Sticks and Stones." 

The energy kept up throughout the little over an hour set until Green's weighty solo acoustic performance which showcased a more serious side. As his band left the stage, Green told the story of his best friend's one-night stand that resulted in pregnancy - and how proud he was of his friend for deciding to take responsibility for the child - before launching into Chris Knight's tale of the same, "Enough Rope." 

Things lightened back up again when his band of brothers (Cameron Moreland, Josh Serrato, Sawyer McGee, Steven Marcus) returned for a few more before closing out the night (to the delight of the guy requesting it early on) with "Ringling Road."

Next Big Thing
It's About Time
Dead or In Jail
Hangin' Around 
Creek Don't Rise 
Sticks and Stones
Fool Me Once
Caroline
She Likes The Beatles
Rose Queen
Enough Rope 
Tonight
Wishing Well
Sympathy
Ringling Road

Green's latest project, a live album recorded at Gruene Hall, will be released May 13th.

“There’s a lot of displaced Texans in New York.” Pat Green got that right as Texas exes, music lovers and locals seeing four of Texas’ best for the first time piled into Terminal 5 for the largest crowd yet at the 8th Annual Salute to Texas Independence show.

“Thanks for coming out early” said Wade Bowen as he charged through a short set of songs including “Trouble,” “Songs About Trucks,” “Sun Shines On A Dreamer,” and “When I Woke Up Today” before closing (appropriately enough) with “Saturday Night,” which he reminded the crowd was his only charting single at #39. Incredibly animated, it was undeniable that Bowen was having a blast on stage with an energy that seeped into the crowd and could be felt in the air.

Casey Donahew Band was up next and as always, delivered a fun, high-energy set. Donahew reaffirmed his love of country, the military, and 2A with the best statement of the night, “Guns don’t kill people, pencils don’t misspell words and trucks don’t drive drunk” before launching into “12 Gauge.” He and his band of five (immensely talented like Bowen’s) played over half an hour set which included “Fallen,” “Crazy”, and a tune from their upcoming EP that was just quintessential CDB: fun, up-tempo and nailing country life. Donahew closed out with fan favorite “Stockyards” which had the crowd singing along.

“Happy Texas Independence Day” shouted Randy Rogers said as he proceeded to roll call Texas universities to which the crowd responded with hoots and hollers (Aggies and Longhorns shouted the loudest in case you were wondering). Incredibly chatty, funny and in all around great spirits, he and his band simply brought it, bringing the crowd into a frenzy with chants of “Randy F--- Rogers.” Old favorites, as well as songs from their terrific January album, Nothing Shines Like Neon, made an approximately fifteen song playlist that included “Flash Flood,” “Fuzzy,” “Trouble,” and “Neon Blues.” While notes of “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” (“With TWO F-- fiddles”) fired the crowd up, Bowen returned to sing “Standards” with buddy Rogers while Pat Green pelted the band with ice chips from above. Songs for the lonely, single women and couples found the theme of love (old and new) pulsing through Rogers set with him telling the crowd that “Better than any dating app, or dating website…..is a concert” (he’s probably right). “Speak of the Devil,” “Buy Myself A Chance,” and “This Time Around” rounded out a set that left everyone wanting more.

Without any fanfare (even the typically dimmed lights), Pat Green walked onto the stage to chants of “Pat F-- Green” (causing him to comment that he thinks Bowen should also have the expletive as his middle name) from an audience who was enthusiastic and more than ready. Fan favorite Green, who also headlined last year, entertained the crowd from the first minute of the first song to the last second of the final. Besides the music, Green is quite a funny entertainer whose gestures and mannerisms kept your eyes glued to him. Like Rogers, he too had love on the mind telling the crowd he wants “10-15 Texas babies made in NYC tonight.” Green’s dynamic set included “Carry On” “Galleywinter”, “Girls From Texas”, “All Just To Get To You,” “Three Days” and “While I Was Away” before concluding well after 11pm (the show began at 7pm) with “Wave on Wave.”

“It was a Saturday night”…..filled with incredibly memorable music from four artists whose great tunes, terrific musicianship, and good time attitude were embraced by everyone in the room; we hope they felt the love.

​God Bless Texas!

Premiering songs from his universally praised February release, Meridian Rising, Paul Burch graced the stage at Sid Gold's Request Room in NYC this past Thursday evening for a brief show of tunes showcasing the life of musical pioneer Jimmie Rodgers. 

The overall feel of the room - a throwback to a lounge from earlier times - from the small stage and the baby grand to the booths and lighting, transported you back to the 1930's for an intimate performance for the forty or so people in attendance. As he played, it was easy to imagine Burch as Jimmie, taking us through his short life via song; from his hometown ("Meridian") to his time in the TB ward ("Rte 49") and along life's highway ("Cadillacin'"). After a few minutes, Burch's friend, singer Laura Cantrell (joined on piano by Franklin Bruno), came to the stage to sing a few - including "Prairie Lullaby" and "Waiting For A Train" - while also relaying additional background on Rodgers. Burch then closed out the hour with additional songs, including "Gunter Hotel," "To Paris (with regrets)" and "Back to the Honky Tonks" giving end to an evening of great music and insight. Rodgers may not have been there in person, but his presence was most definitely felt.