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.
People get hurt and blame love for it, when love is actually still there.
Seth Jones
“People get hurt and blame love for it, when love is actually still there.” Said Seth Jones of the concept of his newesr single Hatin’ on Love.
Hatin’ on Love is Seth’s comeback to country it’s his first country music release since dropping ‘Say When’ in March of 23. He has spent the last year focusing on his Americarnage brand which has focused more on a pop and punk based genre.
I am personally very pleased that Jones has brought back his country roots. This style of his is what made so many of us fall into becoming his fans. However, the Amercarnage really shows how Seth Stands out above others with his crossover styles. I believe he can write a song on any subject in any style and he can make you feel it.
Check out the new release here.
I have said it before and I will continue to repeat it, Seth Jones is one to watch.
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 Lola’s 4/22/23
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 Jason Harrell
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!
James Gedda
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.
James Gedda And Seth Jones
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.
Zach Welch Clayton Smith
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!
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.
Something I heard early on in my journey to sobriety was a statement that simply said, “We shall not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.” I am now 13 years into the journey and I still sometimes think about that part of my life. There were the days before the booze and the drugs controlled my mind body and soul. I’m perfectly okay with those that can drink like a gentleman and quit, I just know I can’t. At least not anymore. Some of that past is what has made me the person that I am today. Some of my biggest sins are now my best tools that I might use to help someone else who is struggling today.
Seth Jones latest release, Sinnin’, takes me back to some good times and bad. Songs about general debauchery are some of my favorites.
Seth Jones is one of the best at turning real life stories into a song. Songs that I can relate with.
We all are battling one demon or another. Seth has bouts of depression and he isn’t afraid to share the truth about his feelings. For him, music is an outlet. He is still growing and finding his way in his sounds. He has gained many followers and he is constantly following and supporting other musicians in the scene. In my book, He is one of the best out there right now and he deserves the best fans. I hope you will one day take a deep dive into his catalog or catch up with him at one of his shows. That whiskey attitude might get you down, but it will bring you back too. Happy and Whole hearted.
I have been in love and I’ve been heart broken more than once in my life. If I have learned nothing else in the last 47 years, I have learned that well written music fits in both occasions.
The new EP by Lucas Jagneaux and the Roadshow released this week. The album is plumb full of she’s packed her suitcase and she’s leaving songs. Ain’t it funny how sometimes a sad song can make you cry and other times it can bring light to all those dark places that you have carried around in your heart.
The Roadshow still makes music that sounds like country music. The twang of a guitar and sounds of the steel guitar that I grew up in. This Louisiana bunch is one of my favorite groups these days . I am forever grateful for another of my personal favorite artists, Seth Jones , who turned me onto this sound.
This album features 4 original songs. Recording took place at Rosewood studios . There is definitely something in that part of the bayou that those Jagneaux boys grew up in. Lucas and Tobin are both amazingly talented, not to mention Waylon who plays the steel sets, and then there is that boy from next door, Derrick Mclendon , a wonderful song writer and performer on his own. His voice can be heard in the harmonies and backing vocals.
Lucas Jagneaux and the Roadshow are moving into stardom in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. I have no doubt they will soon be popular throughout the World. I encourage everyone to keep spinning these sounds and then one day you can look back and join me in saying…”Remember When.”
Last night I was blessed to spend some time with everyone’s favorite Uncle, Tio Bruce and his better half , miss Lorraine.
I began following Bruce Newman @TioBruce on Twitter a few years ago on Twitter. Since those first encounters we have become real life friends. The first time I met him off of the bird, we were in Cheatham Street to see Zach Welch, Payton Matous, Kade Anson, Colton Mathis , and Jacob Ryan Marshall.
Bruce, who has lived all across the country now resides near San Antonio, Tx. He moved to Texas for it’s music. Bruce is the curator of The Greatest Playlist in Texas and Hence the World on Spotify. I have watched this list grow to hours of the kind of music that I love to listen to. He is a huge supporter of the music scene. He’s always wearing a band Tee of the newest or hottest bands from Texas and beyond. His quaint home was decorated with band posters from across the country.
Bruce told me last night he has seen his favorite band American Aquarium at least 5 times. He shared about seeing Shane Smith and the Saints in a tent at a PBR event in Las Vegas, a show he called one of his all time favorites. His favorite bright yellow tee? The one adorned with the Vandoliers scorpion.
Bruce is always out to support the little guys and their sounds he spent the last Galleywinter fest with Seth Jones and his lovely wife Samantha. He loves guys like South Texas Tweek, Zach Welch, Matt Moran and Will Payne Harrison. If it’s not a band from Texas, OK or Louisiana, than it’s gotta be Nashvilles own Shelby Lowe or Kurt Fortmeyer. All of these guys music can be found on Bruce’s playlist and more.
Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker- are Bruce’s all time favorite songwriters and he loves everyone between.
We have all made mistakes. The key for me today is to learn from them. I don’t have to keep making the same one over and over either. Is it still a mistake if you can get a positive outcome?
My Mistake is also the newest creation from singer/ songwriter Seth Jones. My Mistake with its upbeat vibe that is a little bit different than many of Seth’s previous works released today. Could this be his breakthrough to the pop charts?
Seth Jones has been known to write a song about almost any subject and mixes up brilliant words into his song. My Mistake is a perfect example, who else can use things like Bramble Bushes in a song? He is a true poet.
If you know anything about A well composed song then you ought to know something about Seth Jones. I originally found his music being played due to his self promotion in the Texas Country scene on social media. If Country isn’t your thing, or maybe you just don’t follow or want to associate with that scene then maybe you like punk. Well guess what country or the kinda country I like is totally interchangeable with punk. The Vandoliers would call this Amerikinda. Because its Kind of like Americana, but isn’t. Seth Jones has another word for it. He calls this phenomenon Americarnage.
Americarnage is a band and a brand I encourage you to take a look at. Seth Jones sings his soul out on well written and well worded tunes. The instrumental compilations will boost any music lovers heart rate. It’s like that drug that your body has been craving. Sethamphetamines will make anyones collection complete. Also check out Pho Queue and Pho Queue Too if you are looking to take a deep dive into the dark side of Seth like I do.
If you want something to get hooked on then follow Seth Jones and Americarnage.
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.
