I have driven umpteen times down US 87 and looked down from the overpass to see the neons glow at Cooks . Until last night I had never stopped in to see what this place was all about. The inside was just as if not cooler and retro than the parking lot and the staff was super friendly and the food was good and the beer was cold… errr in my case an ice cold Topo Chico was just what I needed to rinse that West Texas Dust off my throat.
Hayden McCalib reminded me of that intro on Robert Earl Keens live album, ‘I hadn’t had a Schlitz beer since the 3rd grade’
I had seen a post on Twitter that Zach Welch was playing last night at Cook’s in Lubbock.. his guitarist Colton Mathis had also made his Lubbock Debut earlier in the day as the garage was serving the lunch crowd.
Zach had the dinner spot and brought out the full band. They played that special brand of Forney Texas Music the Zach Welch penned music where a love song might include a Wrastling Ring, songs sad Enough to make your mama cry music that I love.
His show last night also included an array of Cover songs he played Hank Williams Sr , Bob Dylan, the Stones , Willie, Waylon, and the Boys and even threw in some 90s rock into the mix.. Just for me he played his version of the Lost Dog Street Bands “September Dove” I love that cover by Zach but then again it’s the only one he’s actually recorded so it’s the one I have heard him do the most. He was pitch perfect last night on everything he tackled.. I enjoyed the mix of songs he chose for his setlist.. he really played into the crowds tastes and I could tell him and the boys were Having a Damn Good Time.
It was great seeing all the homies and looking forward for the next one. They plan to be in Amarillo this next October and I hope they get a West Texas Welcome that they deserve.
Catch y’all down the road..
Grateful for the music. I was going into withdrawal it’s been a day or two since I caught a live show.
Is it country or rock? you ask.. Ain’t nobody knows , it’s just Colton doing his thang.
Colton Mathis is an up and coming talent in and outside of Texas. He’s one of the greatest guitarists I’ve ever personally met. When I have been around him it’s been a great pleasure. One of the nicest guys you will ever know, and so humble where is talent is concerned. But you don’t have to listen to me, The proof is is in the pudding.
Main Street Down, Colton’s most recent masterpiece is Live now! Happy Friday, Let the Fireworks begin.
The whole album is available anywhere you stream music. Catch ya down the road.
When I first learned of Colton Mathis, Seth Jones told me he was the one to watch.
It seems like just yesterday, I first got to see him play at Cheatham in San Marcos, Texas. From the first song he played, I knew I was gonna be a life long fan. It wasn’t long after that, He released his first single, ‘Fight’.
Colton Mathis is the guitarist for the Zach Welch band. From the Podcast Texas History Lessons, Host Michael Sparkman points out that Colton’s guitar can be heard on most anything that comes from 301Productions studios. His sound his heard on many of Zach Welch’s tracks , and can be found all the way throughout Payton Matous Heathens EP.
Mathis and the 301Productions latest release is The Frying Pan Acoustic EP. This EP features original Mathis songs and was produced by 301’s Ethan Whitaker.
I think so far my favorite from this new album is the Colton Mathis penned, Friends and Snakes.
I know Y’all will enjoy the new tunes. Give this one a spin anywhere you stream your music. And Just in Time for Christmas. Colton becomes the Kaufman County Santa Claus.
The wait is over- “Fight” the first in an acoustic series by 301Productions has arrived on all of your favorite streaming services.
Y’all won’t know the extent of his greatness for a few years, therefore enjoy the journey
Seth Jones
I was able to witness Colton’s greatness in person last Saturday, and hear him Play several songs live. “Fight” is only a small taste of what Colton Mathis has to offer.
Colton Mathis at Cheatham Street in San Marcos, Tx
It is my thoughts that this up and coming singer/ songwriter from Forney Texas is going to go places in Texas and then tackle the World.
I have always been a huge fan of all sorts of music. A favorite part of my life is to see the music that I love in a live setting. This past weekend I did just that. Seeing Zach Welch perform “Drunkin’ Ramblins’” from the Cheatham Street stage is a moment I will not soon or probably never forget. Fellow Texas Music fan and the Curator of the best Spotify playlist I have ever heard, “The Greatest Playlist in Texas and Hence the World,” Bruce Newman, told me early on that Zach Welch should be selling out theaters maybe even stadiums. I think that his song Drunkin Ramblins is the modern day version of Garth’s Friends in Low Places. I think Zach Welch should be selling out arenas.
“This is my life, these are my friends” as Josh Abbot so simply penned in a Panhandlers song.
My girlfriend and I left the desert scape of Midland, Texas for the weekend and made the trip to a lush and green oasis of San Marcos, Texas. We took this trip entirely for the purpose of seeing Zach Welch and his Fulk Band play their brand of music. When we arrived at the venue, Cheatham Street Warehouse we almost immediately realized we had made this trip to see our friends. The group of guys that were there to play welcomed us and made us feel at home. Everyone from the musicians to the other fans attending the event showed us how appreciative they were that we’d come together in that moment in time. We had a great night met a great group of folks and made memories that we will share from now on. She and I are still relatively new on our own journey together, this weekend we conquered many firsts. Our first concert together, our first dance- which was to Jacob Ryan Marshall’s cover of a King George song- “UnWound.”
Welch’s music, A brand I have come to love this last few years. This ain’t quite country but it’s damn sure not rock. It is music that makes sense through the lyrics that make sense to me. Some of Zach’s lyrics are so relatable and parallel to my own life.
Zach Welch- Cheatham Street Warehouse 4/30/22
Opening the show that night were Jacob Ryan Marshall and Colton Mathis. Prior to the event , singer/songwriter Seth Jones had informed me that Colton was the one to watch. His music was so clear and crisp and his lyrics so tried and true. My buddy known on Twitter by his handle as TxRiverTonk of KZSM radio in San Marcos remarked how well the duo of Marshall and Mathis complimented each other during their song swap. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Mathis will be releasing his newest music, “fight” on May 4th of this year.
Jacob Ryan Marshall and Colton Mathis Cheatham Street 4/30/22
Besides seeing Zach, Jacob, and Colton, I also got to meet in person Kade Anson, and Payton Matous who are both great songwriters and members of the Texas music scene. One of the highlights of the night was when Zach Welch invited them both onto the stage to perform some of their own music. Kade who now resides in the Hill country has some West Texas sounds in his guitar from his days as a Red Raider on the Cap-Rock in Lubbock.
Peyton Matous Cheatham Street 4/30/22Kade Anson Cheatham Street 4/30/22
Another great part of the evening was meeting the newest addition to Zach Welch’s band. Fiddler, Jason Harrell made phenomenal sounds come out of his strings. Harrell is A Texas country musician who is confident enough to show up to play countrified music in a Megadeath Shirt. Harrell also has some events lined up later this summer to play his fiddle for South Texas Tweek.
We came as strangers, although many of us have followed each other on social media for some time, the introduction seemed as if we had known each other forever, and we left as friends even more solid in our bonds as lovers of Texas music.
Me and Jacob Ryan Marshall
We didn’t have to say goodbye we just said I’ll see ya down the road. I’ll be listening for ya on the radio.
