Emmylou Harris Archives - Pancho's Picks

I have a couple of Yeti coolers that have become a collage of colors , to me they are beautiful pieces of art, all sorts and shapes of stickers that represent the bands I love to hear and talk about. At the moment I think there are about 4 there that proudly display the ‘Golden Roses’ logo. In my closet hangs one of my favorite tee shirts. A depiction of an Armadillo and a broken heart which also represents the Golden Roses band. On my bookcase surrounded by all sorts of musical memorabilia rests a hand written letter, thanking me for the love and support and signed with love by John Mutchler, lead singer of the band. In reality, I should be thanking him. If they didn’t make such great music I wouldn’t be such a huge fan.

At midnight last night the Golden Roses released a brand new EP, Coverage From Signal Hill. The EP features the Golden Roses twist on songs by Texas Greats, Terry Allen, Little Feat, Townes Van Zandt and Emmylou Harris. Songs the band says most influenced their own original music into what it is today.

If you ask me it doesn’t get much more Texas than that. These Guys and Gal have kept the couples on the dance floors across this great state for a long time now. The new EP shows off just a little of what they can be.

I don’t wear no Stetson but I’m willin’ to bet son that the Golden Roses are big Texans with big sounds!

Pancho.

In the beginning of 2021, just after the world began to awaken after a yearlong slumber, I first heard Graycie York. She had released her single “Texas Rain.” To be quite honest, I only listened to the song that very first time, because I thought it was some sort of Townes Van Zandt tribute. In 2001, a collection of recordings was released on an album of various artists including Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Freddy Fender. The track listing of the album were songs that had been written by Townes. That album was titled, “Texas Rain.”

Graycie York’s Texas Rain wasn’t about Townes at all, it hit different. At the same time those seemingly sad lyrics and sad guitar notes were very similar to that deep cutting dark sounding music that only Townes Van Zandt could make.

Texas Rain now has over 2 million streams on Spotify alone and has placed Graycie York high up the ladder in the Texas Music charts.

York’s latest release her EP Sad Birds gives me indication that she will do it all again this year. She named the EP and her title track song after one of her favorite quotes, “Sad Birds Still Sing.”

Sad birds still Sing

This compilation of sad allows me to reflect upon my past and present. A sad ballad also reminds me that I am the master of my own destiny and that I don’t have to stay stuck in that dark hole. I have been able to find the tools and ask for the assistance necessary to climb out of those holes and begin to see the light of day.

The Graycie Lyn York penned, “Just Another Night.” Is a perfect example of how I used to live my life, and how love changed everything.

Sad birds may still sing, but they also have the ability to fly,

Pancho.