BA’AR

Smoking a cigarette, South by the lake waitin on a West Texas sun

Matt Moran:House Fire

The long anticipated release by Matt Moran and the Palominos , The BA’AR has finally came to fruition. it might just be Moran’s finest work to date.

As I sit here this morning giving it another listen, I happen to be wearing a T shirt that depicts an American Alligator and The adage ‘Swampy Tonk.’ A Tee gifted me by Will Payne Harrison who served as the Mastering Engineer for this album. We as fans of Matt have also been able to follow the progression and transition of this creation through multiple videos and posts on social media due to the efforts of Harrison.

Matt Moran and Will Payne Harrison have been touring throughout Texas and Louisiana in the previous months to promote the BA’AR , have some fun and plain just enjoying life..

I first met Matt through other singer songwriters Zach Welch and Jason Harrell. Zach and Matt would soon team up and begin their own festival Sad by Southwest.

“We didn’t get invited to South By Southwest in Austin,” Moran said.

“But Fuckem” Welch added.

And together they started their own damn festival in the Ft Worth area. Sad by includes multiple Americana , alt country and Punk bands that still believe “Sad Songs Make me Happy.” I am honored to have been there at the very first. Sad by Southwest just finished out their 3rd season.

Jason Harrell can be heard on several tracks on the BA’AR. He plays a sad fiddle and plays it well. Harrell is a multi instrumental singer and songwriter and performer. He plays regularly with some of the best alt country bands in Texas.

Other Band Members include Matt’s brother, Daniel Moran, who plays bass, keys, and harmonica on the album.

Jonas Walker keeps the heart beating in the band with his hard licks and hard rocking style of percussion.

Guitarist Nate Walker’s grit and rhythm can be heard throughout the album.

Comanchero is just a small sample of what this album contains. It was the first single released from the album. The first time I heard it , I knew that Moran was going places. Watching him grow up in public has been a highlight for me.

The entire album, the BA’AR , is spectacular. Whether you are rock in roll junkie or a country bumpkin their is something in here for you. I encourage you to listen and then listen again.

Buy the merch and then stream the hell out of it

Seth Jones

Seth Jones advice is some of the best. These guys are making a living on the road and they depend on us. The streaming services aren’t paying the bills. Support live music, support the community and the venues who host them. Buy the record! Mine arrives this afternoon.

Pancho.

The Last Cowboy

I’d like to think Matt Moran has outdone himself with this one, but I know Matthew Wayne. If this song is his best work yet, there’s surely another one coming that’s going to blow my socks off.

The Last Cowboy written by Matthew Wayne Moran features his band the Palaminos along with our favorite fiddler Jason Harrell.

“Jason is responsible for that sweet banjo and lead guitar as well!”- Matt Moran

God I love this one though.. it’s a dedication to a father or grandfather. Maybe my best friend..

I can’t get this one off of repeat.

Long live the cowboy and the good old boys to come.

“Wish I’d stole your ashes for that last ride around town“ n

Pancho.

No Longer My Home

I have heard it said before, I wish I could go back to my youth and still know the things I know now.. Looking back over my life I can sure see how much that I have changed, how much I have grown. Funny thing how small circumstances make such big impacts on my belief system. Maybe it’s all part of aging. I just really don’t care about what so and so thinks. What is important to you is not necessarily so much for me. On the other hand I see old friends and some of my family that are still just doing it the same way they were doing it 30 years ago. I suppose that’s okay too, I mean who am I to judge?

Insanity- doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Jason Harrell‘s single No Longer My Home released at Midnight. I believe it’s a cry to the past and how he doesn’t have to continue to live in the insanity. Things will change and people can to.

I first met up with my friend Jason a few years ago when he was playing his fiddle in Zach Welch’s band. He has sense shared his own songs with many of us via social media. I have seen him play in live venues and have heard his stories and his songs pour straight from his heart.

No Longer My Home Is the beginning of the best and I will continue to follow him as his evolution continues.

Pancho.

Digging Up Some Dirt

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.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/digging-up-some-dirt/1684292325?i=1684292626

Pancho.

Sad by Southwest

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 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

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!

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.

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.

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!

Can’t wait to do this all again! What’s next?

Pancho.

Drunkin’ Ramblins

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.

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.

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.

Pancho.