Deep Ellum wasn’t even ready for what hit them tonight. In a little spot down on Main Street called the Wounded Ostrich Payton Matous unveiled his full band at the release party for his new album The House Husband’s Guide to Keeping it Between the Lines.
The band included Jimmy Heath on bass, Clayton Smith on lead guitar and Ethan Whitaker on drums.
Clayton Smith
Clayton Smith who plays in multiple projects as well as his own band the Rye Boys was more than willing to play for Payton. He is one of Payton’s biggest fans. I believe the feeling is mutual as Payton revers Clayton as one of his mentors.
Ethan Whitaker also plays drums in the Zach Welch band but he stated he’d play for Payton anytime. “The music is a different vibe, than I’m used to playing.. and that makes it more interesting “ he says. Ethan also produced the latest album and promotes the band.
The night began with some of Payton’s best friends who opened the show with their own songs and many kind words for the new album. Zach Welch , JR Tully , and Tristyn Sanchez all accomplished songwriters themselves.
Zach WelchJR Tully Tristyn Sanchez
These guys are some of the best in my book. And I always have fun whenever I am with them. It was a pleasure to be able to attend such an important event for Payton Matous. I feel like I am seeing history in the making.. I know one day I’m going to look back and be able to say I was there when…
Payton Matous as an instrumentalist and as a singer and a songwriter has developed a style that just keeps evolving and right now he is stronger than ever. Hearing him tonight with the full band behind him brought new life to even his oldest songs. His commentary and storytelling with each song such as the “space wanker” makes his shows even more exciting to see.. you never know what is going to happen next and you hang on to every single line.
If you haven’t already checked out the new album you better do it. When you do, take a deep breath and keep on going down the rabbit hole that is Payton Matous.
Beyonce and The Rye Boys are ruining country music
Clayton Ray Smith
“Beyonce and the Rye Boys are ruining country music,” remarked Clayton Smith in light of his new single, Cosmic Cloud of Dust, released earlier today.
I honestly don’t know where it fits in the order of genre but either way I am a die hard Rye Boys follower. Not to mention a huge supporter of Clayton Smith as a person and as a musician. Not only is Clayton the lead of the Rye Boys band , he also plays lead guitar for The Band Laredo and sometimes moonlights in the Zach Welch band. Clayton recently toured with the Vandoliers in order to maintain all of that band’s equipment.
Clayton Smith is one of the best musicians in the business in my humble opinion. If you don’t believe me, I encourage you to catch one of his shows or stream his music. You won’t be disappointed and you just might become a fan and not care who is ruining country music either.
PS what is Cow Punk in case this question ever comes up on Jeopardy.
Yesterday I made the trek up through the cotton fields and farms of the Panhandle. My mission, Amarillo by sundown.. I was heading to one of my favorite little haunts along Route 66, The Goldenlight Cantina.
Zach Welch was playing along with the Rye Boys and Tristyn Sanchez. The Rye Boys , Clayton Smith and Nick Harper , performed sort of a double duty last night as they also filled in for Zach’s band. Zach’s usual guitarist , Colton Mathis was doing big things on his own this weekend as he was asked to perform in Austin during South x Southwest. Zach and Ethan Whitaker of the Zach Welch band didn’t miss a beat and the Rye boys were filling the Cantina with Rock n Roll!
I always enjoy this group of guys. We got to talk a little outside before and after the show and had lots of laughs.. conversation arose about all the usual guy stuff.. women and whether or not beans belong in chili. To which Nick reacted, “ I don’t care, why does everyone have to call something it’s not?, why does anyone even care? Just do what makes you happy.”
Zach Welch announced that he’s recording a new album. We shall have new content in his blend of the Forney Texas blues..
The boys sure looked happy to be doing what they loved on that drizzly Saturday night at the Top of Texas.
Clayton Smith and Nick Harper- Rye Boys Tristyn SanchezZach WelchClayton Smith
The newest single from Jason Harrell released today. Jason says of this new song it’s his favorite one yet.. but then again he added it is always the last one I’ve written that’s my favorite.
Digging Up Sone Dirt is a reflection of life from the outside looking in.. The last words and rights are generally always good but there’s some things that people never forget. For me, when I go, I hope that the good memories will outweigh the bad in the end.. I strive and struggle each day to become a better man than I was yesterday.
I first met Jason over a year ago he was playing at a gig at Cheatham Street in San Marcos Tx. that night he ripped it on the fiddle in Zach Welch’s first full band show. I will never forget my first impression of Jason. Here was a guy who was playing Texas Country music in a Megadeath band T shirt and putting the vibe down with his bow as well if not better than Charlie Daniels himself if he were dueling with the devil. I have since seen Jason Harrell several other places and not only does he play fiddle for guys like Zach, Clayton Smith of the Rye Boys, South Texas Tweek and Jaret Ray Reddick, he writes and performs his own music as well.
I would encourage you to throw on a mix of his on any of the music streaming sites. Like and Follow him on social media. He is one of the nicest and truest people out in the scene.. I am proud to call him my friend.
What is Sad by Southwest you might ask? It was over 8 hours of live music. It was an event full of super talented artists, it was those artists fans and family. More importantly it was a bunch of friends getting together to enjoy a commonality. A love for live music, and the musicians who make it possible.
Matt Moran Lola’s 4/22/23
Matt Moran created the entire event. He began planning and promoting months ago and he was there for the whole time on the front row to cheer on each and every band and those acoustic song swaps that were included in the lineup.
Payton and Matous and Mando Salas (Rosmand) just doing their thang Jason Harrell
Oh and did I mention what a lineup? 9 bands were represented as well as 5 acts that featured solo artists. There was country and rock and folk and punk and soul screamo and the blues all packed into one show. I am pleased that I got to be right in the middle of the whole damn thing.
Moran tweeted after the event, and it sums up my thoughts “it’s a community I’m proud to be a part of.”
Some of these artists I already knew and some I got to meet. I’m also pleased about how many fans came out to support the event. I got to mingle with some of the finest and funnest folks around. Many of us had interacted on social media but had never been in the same county at the same time or I could say even state! I personally met people from 5 different states while at the event. Songwriter and folk musician , James Gedda, flew in from Chicago just to be there!
James Gedda
Gedda and Seth Jones shared the stage late in the day and the sounds of those two poets putting their thoughts to music was truly something amazing.
James Gedda And Seth Jones
Blake Farrar of Texas River Tonk a podcast based out of San Marcos Texas was in the house that night. He talked to anyone and everyone who wanted to talk. He talked and shared about his love of music and the life that this music has given us.
Many of these artists, Jason Harrell, for one performed double duty. Not only did Jason pick and sing his own songs, he kept the sounds going all night by playing fiddle in most all the other bands sets. Same way with Clayton Smith. Clayton is the lead of his band the Rye Boys. He also plays guitar for The Band Laredo who headlined the event. That night he played his guitar with Zach Welch Band, Crystal Meth Cowboys and Howard and his Happy Boys.
Zach Welch Clayton Smith
Moran says he is planning to do the event again. I believe he will. I’m believing that it’s gonna just keep getting bigger and better. Sad Songs make me happy and Sad By Southwest was definitely an event I shall not forget!
Before I forget It was also a night to celebrate my gals birthday sweet Tammy!! Spent her birthday right there by my side. She says she’s just happy when I am happy and this night of live sounds certainly made me happy!
I have been waiting for some time for last night to happen. I think it was like 3 or 4 months ago when I first saw the show announcement. I casually posted on the Twitter once that it would be so cool to see Mason and The Gin Line open for the Vandoliers. There must’ve been some kind of prophecy in my word, because someone actually made it happen.. but better. Better because they added The Band Laredo to the Lineup.
Sort of a mini tour occurred this weekend where Mason and The Gin Line, The Band Laredo, and the Vandoliers played at Laredo’s home court – Magnolia Motor Lounge in Ft Worth and again at The Bluelight in Lubbock. I was super blessed to have caught the Lubbock show. All these bands are great- And so much fun to watch live.
I was talking to my little brother and several friends and we are all in agreement that this may have been one of the last times that we would ever see some these guys in such an intimate venue again. They are all capable of selling out much larger ones and have all shown ability of being the Headliner. Getting to just bask in their presence, the laid back atmosphere and hearing the best music in the world were definitely some of the highlights of this year. I also enjoyed that the same show with the same lineup and makeup held in two cities across the state from each other meant more folks could enjoy it. It was almost as if the homies in DFW were present in Lubbock, because they had just done the same things I was doing and hearing only hours before. Of course the homies that were there last night made everything just right!
Blake Farrar the TxRiverTonk and I
I began to get to know Blake on Twitter and I got to meet him in person a year or so ago in San Marcos. Since then we have kept in contact. We have lots of similarities about our lives and the biggest is our love of music. Anything and Everything to support these guys that are making the sounds that we love to hear. He made the trip from Austin to Lubbock – he is actually originally from the area- so this homecoming from him was an extra treat when he got to see this lineup of musicians.
Last night I met Clayton Smith live in person. Clayton is another guy who until now I have only followed on social media. Smith is the guitar for the Band Laredo, an independent musician and songwriter himself and is also part of the Rye Boys Band as well as multiple other projects. Our conversations last night were enlightening. We too love and respect the same guys and gals of this musical industry and the same styles of music.
The Band Laredo opened the night at the Bluelight
The Band Laredo opened last nights show and jump started the Bluelights flame with their hard hitting songs like Gasoline and Kerosene.
With their blends of countrified rock, us in the audience were already enjoying a journey that was just beginning.
Mason and The Gin Line took the stage next and with their home court advantage they got the crowd primed and pumped up for the next level. Their set included many tried and true favorites about their lives on the Cap- Rock with their lyrics which include the local blue collar work and the surrounding towns. They also mixed in several of the songs from the new album Sangre. Mason has begun developing a sound all of its own- a mariachi blend that ends in heavy metal and blues rifts. I have been watching these guys from the very beginning and they never disappoint.
Mason and the Gin Line BandMason Server lead singer- Drummer Matt and Blue Light regular can be in the back drop. Blaze Butler- Blaze is the Bass player and keeps the Gin Line Running on the bidness side of things.
Headlining the show last night was the Vandoliers . The first time I ever saw these guys was during Covid and so I got to see them perform as a trio . Joshua Fleming, Travis Curry the fiddler and Corey Graves who plays horns and keys and anything else he can get ahold of. I was able to catch them a few months ago in Dallas as they released their most recent album, as a full band and they rocked the house and sold me as a life long fan. Last nights show was no different. These guys can go hard for the entire set and the energy that can be felt throughout the audience is something that cannot be matched.
The Vandoliers Joshua Fleming puts his heart and soul into every single song he’s ever sungWhen at a Vandos concert do as the Vandos do and take your shirt off and dance like there’s no tomorrow
Other highlights of last night was the great conversation with many old friends. Making new ones and I got to spend a little time with my baby brother and introduce him to reasons why I love following this Texas Music Scene.
Me and brother Luke Watson
If you want to have some fun then go catch a show- I haven’t seen many bad ones- but this show last night was definitely one for the books.
