Beans and Rice

A few days ago as I was heading north up the caprock I came to realize that A new one had dropped that I let slip me by. Beans , Rice, and Jesus Christ, the latest single released by Travis Roberts.

On November 21, 2024 this one hit the airwaves. “This ones about the messier side of my life,” Roberts reported on his social media accounts. Travis Roberts has often shared his own journey from addiction to recovery to his followers and live at his shows, recently received his 2 year sobriety chip. He has personally told me some of those stories from the dark side and it does my heart good to see him turning those stories into something positive. His stories today come out in song and this first single released in some years should tell us all that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and in the power of others about you.

From a trembling, despairing, nervous wreck, had emerged a man brimming over with self-reliance and contentment.

Excerpt from chapter – Doctors Opinion- Alcoholics Anonymous

I have seen Travis Roberts evolve from his humble beginnings into a showman and a songwriter. It is a pleasure to watch from this side of the stage.

Beans, Rice , and Jesus Christ is just the start to what I believe will be a perfect album coming sooner than later.

I first heard the song when Travis played it acoustic at an almost empty Goldenlight cantina, in Travis’ hometown of Amarillo. This version hits so much harder. Song Credits include: composition by Travis Roberts , the Banjo on this release is being picked by Dalton Domino, Bass Player Kody Tosh, and Andrew Fox lets in a little bit of bluegrass on the Mandolin.

Yall give this man a listen and you are sure to love him. Travis Roberts is one of the ones to be watching and I am sure proud to share his music with you.

Pancho.

Damn Good Time

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.

Thanks brothers for a damn good time.

Pancho.

West Texas Exiles

The West Texas Exiles- a group of super talented Texas Country- and Rock. These men all originally began with their musical careers in West Texas, from places like Lubbock, El Paso, and Amarillo but for one reason or another have become “exiled” to the beautiful Texas Hill Country. What a horrific position to be in.

West Texas Exiles- Full band Show Goldenlight Amarillo

During the bands exile from West Texas each took their musical core and developed a blend of styles from the other demographic regions of this great state. Each of the bands members are multi instrumentalists and each one can sing and write their own songs. What you have now is a healthy and heavenly mix of sound that you can’t help but love.. one would want to tap a toe, sing along, or begin a full blown barefoot waltz as one couple at the venue last night did.

Last night was the Exiles first full band show together in the historical Goldenlight located along the old Route 66. The bands members are Marco Gutierrez , whom you May remember from the dirty river boys. Marco also is featured on the Mason and The Gin Line top track the Pipeliner. Eric Harrison slays the bass for this group and seemed to be the bands gopher as I saw him of last night, taking care of housekeeping like the Merch tables , sound checks and meet and greets with the public all at the same time Eric has some mad skill and not afraid to say no. Trinidad Leal played the drum kit , he has played with Marco before and as I watched him from side stage last night I could tell he truly enjoyed what he was doing. The “hometown” hero Daniel Davis, originally from this desolate and windswept plain of Amarillo played keys and electric guitar and lended many of his own lyrics to the set last night.

Mason and The Gin Line opened the show. Since starting this blog- and first meeting Mason and Blaze many of you know I have become a super fan of this group but it sure is hard not to be. Mason belted some of my old favorites last night but he also unveiled two song which I never have heard . The world needs this music.

Also opening for the Exiles was Travis Roberts. I have followed Travis since the Pandemic when he dropped his “Cabin Fever” and have spoke to him via messenger on Twitter but yesterday was my first time to actually meet him in person and to see one of his shows. The Goldenlight is Travis home field and he definitely brought a fan following to see his style. A style he humorously called e-moo. Travis is a rock star who deserves big venues. He and his band the Willing Few controlled the crowd and were so much fun to watch as they danced and played every inch of the old Goldenlight stage. Besides being a wonderfully talented musician, Travis as a person was so friendly and humble.

Tonight I will see the West Texas Exiles and Mason and the Gin Line again in Lubbock, Texas at the Bluelight- if you have a way to get down there, you should not miss this epic event.

Pancho.