“Well fix your hair up big as Heaven I’ll go down to the 7-11,” begins one of the Panhandlers newest creations, Midland Jamboree.
This evening , in the neighboring county of Midland, the Panhandlers performed live at the historic Ector Theater.
Keller Cox kicked off the show, opening for the Texas Country supergroup the Panhandlers. Accompanying Keller was Flatland Cavalry fiddle player, Wesley Hall.
Keller Cox announced during his set that he has been in Lubbock Texas just this week recording for an upcoming LP.
Keller T Cox With Wesley Hall Ector Theater Odessa Tx 11/19/22
The Panhandlers is made up of Cleto Cordero the front man for Flatland Cavalry, William Clark Green, Josh Abbott of the Josh Abbott band, and John Baumann. I always knew these people were some extraordinary songwriters in their own right, but when the four of these guys got together to write some songs what they came up with was magical.
I discovered the Panhandlers after an introduction to songwriter Charlie Stout at the BlueLight in Lubbock by Mason Server of Mason and The Gin Line. Stout had written a song called “West Texas in My Eye.” The song was covered by the Panhandlers band. The song appears as performed by the Panhandlers on the television series Yellowstone. I was proud to hear William Clark Green give a huge shoutout to Stout tonight from the stage for his songwriting ability and work on that song. Green also explained that it was Josh Abbott who pitched the song to the group. “We’ve got to do this song,” Abbott told the others. What a beautiful decision it was for all involved.
Baumann, Abbott, and Cordero
The Panhandlers original LP has become one of my favorite albums of all time. The song Cactus Flower, penned by Cordero for his wife Kaitlin Butts quickly became “our song,” for my girlfriend and I. We were both emotional after finally getting to hear the song live together this evening.
Cleto Cordero and William Clark Green
Currently the Panhandlers have 14 original songs. In tonight’s set the group of songwriters each performed one of their own original songs. They also covered a few more. During the encore, the group did a stellar performance of the Terry Allen tune Amarillo Highway.
I had a grand time seeing these guys play. If you get a chance to see them, it’s a show that you won’t want to miss. I’ll keep listening and looking forward to more songs about the culture and class of the West Texas Caprock.
The Pancho Music Awards were a grand success and a whole bunch of love.
Some of you might have watched some TV last week when the CMA Country Music Award show aired.. I didn’t. Who won anyway? Is that shit really even country music. In my humble opinion most of it Not. This is what the PMA awards were mostly about. Real Music . The kinda Honky Tonkin good times that I love. The kinda music that me and the homies live in and live for.I wish I would’ve included more categories and had more creativity so that more of the homies would have been included. Next year I’m going to work harder and start earlier to ensure more participation. My boy Hayden McCaleb has already asked me to let him be the host of the show.. Already looking forward. But enough for the rant- I can’t change the past and I don’t need to worry about the future. For now let’s get down to that task at hand! If you follow Pancho on Twitter, then you already have seen the results. But here goes nothing!
Voting for the PMAs was some of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make
Payton Matous
“Voting for the PMAs was some of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” exclaimed Dallas, Texas based singer songwriter Payton Matous. Believe meeee Payton, picking the nominees were just as hard. I am grateful for the herd of following that I have acquired these last couple of years on the Twit, that aided me in selecting the winners.
Let’s start with Podcast. The nominees for Best Podcast featuring Singer/ Songwriters were my buddy Aaron Lee Bentley, the host of ‘Off Mic Off The Record,” and TxRiver Tonk radio host , my good friend Blake Farrar.
Blake’s old school radio show, featuring many of my favorite artists took the win with 74% of the votes. TxRiver Tonk is always a good listen. He seems to get the fresh songs the freshest. Blake spends many nights on the road and in and out of the honky tonk scene he always finds his way into a live performance of someone somewhere. He’s usually got the best seat in the house for some of the best music in the business.
Early on, Farrar was already trying to concede to Bentley. He called Bentley not only a friend but also his mentor. I can’t even tell you how many thousand miles I have driven in my truck whilst listening to Off Mic Off The Record. Through listens of this laid back talk show, I have learned more about the music business and personal stories from behind the scenes of music than I have anywhere else.
Both of these nominees deserve cheers and beers and I can’t wait to hang again- until then, I’ll keep listening.
In my next category, I wanted to highlight a “single” of the year. In all fairness, there was so much great music that dropped this year. Hell one of the nominees in this category, Seth Jones dropped new music today. I would have had a hard time choosing the contestants, much less comparing them with each other. The music I listen to and choose to highlight on this blog is so very different, but it’s all the same in a sense that it hits me in places like my heart and soul. At the end of the day, this category became the best song about debauchery in the year 2022.
There is no wrong answer here and we all three love each other.
Seth Jones
Nominee Seth Jones had this to say about this event, “There is no wrong answer here and we all three love each other.” Seth is probably right and I definitely agree. I love these three guys as if they were my own family and in fact I interact with this band of brothers more often than I do most of my family. The songs I chose in this category are as follows: Seth Jones Sinnin’, South Texas Tweek’s Feelin’ Good, and the Zach Welch penned tune, The Dark Side of the Honky Tonk.
Zach Welch took the prize in this category… barely. This was the closest event in the whole PMA awards. I love this guy and all he does. I once drove 10 hours round trip just to hear him play. Zach really does love the other two and so many more musicians. His wish is for everyone to succeed and if they don’t he will love them anyway.
I love Seth and Tweeks songs in this category so much as well , and they all mean so much to me. These songs hit me where it hurts and they remind me every day why I strive to be a better man. If you get a chance to see these guys you better not miss the opportunity. I am ready for some big burly man hugs from all three of these big dogs and I hope one day to catch them all on the same stage on the same night.
Both relatively new and unheard of artists were chosen in my next category. The PMA album of the year nominees were Will Payne Harrison with Tioga Titan, and Matt Moran with Heartache Kid. Both of these albums truly hit my sweet spot. I have watched both of these artists this last year and they are some of the hardest working ones in the biz. I personally own each of these guys T Shirts and it’s an honor when I wear them, I know I am representing a brand that I can stand behind.
The winner for PMA album of the year goes to Matt Moran With Heartache Kid.
If you were to ask Will he’d tell you he voted for Matt. He might even say it was a good thing that Matt won or else he’d spend all of next year whining because he lost. If you ask me, both of these albums are equally great and you should listen to them until the needle wears out the vinyl.., good thing they are available digitally and you can just stream the dog snot out of them without even scratching the record.
In the final category I chose 4 bands that I love and that I have fun when I get to see them perform live. I consider this music country, I guess where I am from that’s what I would call the genre, but the times they are a changing… ask most of them and they would consider themselves Rock. Honest to goodness- when I see any of these guys live it really is a fuccin ROCK SHOW.
The choices for the PMA entertainer of the year award were the Vandoliers, American Aquarium, Lucas Jagneaux and The Roadshow, and Mason and the Gin Line. Like I said before fuccin ROCK SHOW.
The winner of this top honor was the Vandoliers. These guys deserve the applause and they do have the support of the other nominees. I believe they would be just as good with seeing the other band win than themselves.. They could open for any of the others and Vice Versa. They would most likely take their shirts off and they all have about the same amount of tattoos so there is that.
I have so much fun seeing live music , thanks guys for getting out there and putting it all out there for me to enjoy. That goes to all of you.
A special thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every one of you I mentioned for being such good sports in this affair. Life wouldn’t be the same for me without my music. The stuff you guys keep singing night after night after night.. I’m just glad you guys let me be a fan.
Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? This is a question I’ve asked myself about a billion times in my life. That battle between good and evil still remains a constant in my brain. I often hear that one line in a song that takes me back to some other life. Some other place where I was a whole other person. I’m not the man I used to be but some days I still do the same dumb thing and it’s like putting my hands on the hot stove just knowing I’m gonna get burned.
“Cause I make really really really good friend and a terrible lover.” Sings Mason Server, in his newest single.
I’ve known Mason for a few years now. He’s seen me in and out of relationships. He’s seen me at some of my lows caused by a bad breakup and he’s seen me happy, since I’ve found the right gal. I’ve seen him happy too. And making the kinds of music he makes and the miles he’s traveled with his band has kept a smile on his face.
Terrible Lover is the first single release for a complete Mason and the Gin Line album. I’m on pins and needles already awaiting the next new release. I have never heard a bad song come out of these guys. They always bring their self proclaimed, “Cap- Rock.” Every where they go.
If you aren’t a fan Yet. Catch these guys live at any place or any time and you too will be hooked.
Is this song is about the need to settle down or the freedom you want to keep? Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? Keep spinning and supporting my friends, Mason and the Gin Line. And keep that smile bright as that West Texas night.
The blue light is a wierd little place but it’s our place we like it
Blaze Butler
“The BlueLight is a weird little place but it’s our place we like it, “ Blaze Butler, bass player for Lubbock’s own Mason and the Gin Line, once told me. He was describing the iconic and historic venue nestled in Lubbock’s depot district. The BlueLight gave many a singer songwriter their first chance to play the songs that they had scribed on paper and picked over so many times a place to bounce off of fans and other musicians alike. Many success stories began in that little place. In the Texas country scene many names that we all know and love have performed on that little stage and keep that flame shining bright on Buddy Holly avenue.
Jason Boland started there. Cleto Cordero took his little band from Midland and grew it into the brand now known as Flatland Cavalry in that weird little place. William Clark Green, John Baumann, Josh Abbott have all been there. There were plenty others. Brandon Adams calls the place home so does Charlie Stout.
If you happen to be near Lubbock, Texas on any night of the week and you want something to do, the BlueLight is the place.
Bill Whitbeck, Robert Earl Keen’s longtime bass player, recently wrote a song named for this Texas Icon. The lyrics tell a story about one musician getting her start under that flame. Blue Light is a new single performed by Whitbeck and the Singer/Songwriter Robert Earl Keen.
I’m feelin’ really good tonight because I woke up on the right side of the dirt again this morning and after asking my God to keep my shit together for me again today, I got to hear my brother from another mother’s newest release.
I first began following this man on Twitter shortly after his very first single, Count on Me was cut . Not long after that he released his 50 dollars a week. A song I loved not only because Tweek gave his whole heart to his music, but also because two of my favorites in the Texas scene are listed as co- writers, Charley Crockett and Vincent Neil Emerson. What sealed the deal for me on the Tweek Train was the night I stayed up till midnight to hear New Tattoos. I believe and will always be proud that I could have been the first one to stream that song. Seth Jones and Samantha and the Mason and The Gin Line boys jumped onto the Tweet to discuss the experience and how fantastic this foo was. I began reppin’ Tweek Merch and still wear his T-shirts often. You should too!
Find it on Southtexastweek.com
I have met the Tweek and talked to him and messaged him and sometimes I feel like an older version of him as we’ve shared the same life experiences. My favorite things about him is that he is real, that he’s a family guy first, that he’s a friend, and that he never gives up. He follows his dreams and he is on the path to something beautiful.
I can’t wait to see my compadre and I have a pretty good idea I will see him soon.
He’s in Austin this weekend, if you are close come by and say hello, and hear some damn good sounds.
Last night I witnessed perhaps one of the greatest moments in Mason Server’s career. Mason and the Gin Line put on perhaps their greatest performance to date. Texas Singer/ Songwriter and artist Charlie Stout and I had a short conversation after the event and in a description of the show, Charlie in his slow drawl simply stated, “Well… That Just Happened.”
The musical Gods were shining in the old Bluelight in the Depot District of Lubbock, Texas last night. I saw 3 bands and none of them were a disappointment. Besides just the bands I saw some good friends and made some new ones. Everyone seemed to be feeling the buzz in the room. The crowd was visibly entertained from start to finish. Blaze Butler, Mason and The Gin Lines bass player once told me, “The Blue Light is a wierd little place but it’s our place we like it.” All 3 bands that played there last night had the hometown advantage as they all had some beginnings in that little place that feels like home.
Eric Harrison, Marco Gutierrez with Blaze Butler
During the set, lead singer of the Gin Line Mason Server shared his heart and gave thanks to those who had helped him when no one else would to be able to get his start. During his song “Pipeliner” Mason called his producer, Eric Harrison and Marco Gutierrez of Dirty River Boys, now the lead of West Texas Exiles to the stage to sing the song with him. On the Mason and Gin Line album, Caprock Composition, it is Marcos voice that can be heard in the harmonies.
Cale and the 45s kicked things off last night, Cale has super talent. Cale is another Texas artist who plays country rock and plays it from the soul. At one point during Cale’s set I jokingly told Mason, “they are pretty good for an opening band.”Masons response was, “They are the bomb.”
The West Texas Exiles were next. They are a phenomenal mix of talent. The vibe seemed to flow more naturally for them than it had the night before at the Goldenlight and they found their sounds together on the ol’ Bluelight stage. Last night was only the bands second show together as the West Texas Exiles. A namesake that comes from one of the bands songs. The group played together as if they had been touring together for years.
Marco Gutierrez of West Texas Exiles Dan Davis West Texas Exiles
The night was one of the best days I have had in a long time. There’s something about live music that sets me free. I can’t wait to get to do it all again, see ya down the road.
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.
Waltz Goldenlight Amarillo
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.
Mason Server -Goldenlight Amarillo
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.
Travis Roberts
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.
When the original outlaw songsmith Terry Allen wrote and recorded his hit “Amarillo Highway,” I believe he set the tone for what the future of Texas Music was to become. At the same time he was only doing music the way that it had been done in those rolling plains of the panhandle for so many years before.
Amarillo highway has been covered by many of my personal favorite musicians including Robert Earl Keen and Sturgill Simpson.
So much great music has come out of the Panhandle in my lifetime. Before me, there was so many I can think of, just off the top of my head I’d pick Buddy Holly, Waylon, Delbert McClinton, and the Maines brothers.
Without the panhandle influence, I doubt that Flatland Cavalry would have the sound it does today. I mean Cleto was pretty good when he made his start in Midland, but playing places like the famed Blue Light in Lubbock honed his skill as a performing musician. The same went for Boland and William Clark Green. There’s a new breed now like Mason Server, Dave Martinez, and Travis Roberts who are still playing that little stage at the Blue Light and keeping up with that Hard Amarillo Highway on their way to pick into places like Hoots Pub or The Golden Light, Amarillo.
Before those guys were there there was an artist playing in those same pubs named Brandon Adams. He and his Sad Bastards had been there before and are still doing that same style of panhandle music today.
I saw a Mason Server and Brandon Adams show once in the Blue Light. Mason told me then that he simply called this style of music – “Cap-Rock”
I believed it then and still do today, that Cap-Rock should be it’s own musical genre.
I’m a panhandlin man handlin post holin high rollin daddy.
I don’t wear no Stetson but I’m willin to bet son…
