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.
In my opinion two of the greatest songwriters to have blessed the Texas dirt in my lifetime are Hayes Carll and Vincent Neil Emerson. I got to see both of them perform their brands of not so main stream music tonight at the historic Ector Theater in Odessa, Tx.
I first heard Vincent Neil Emerson a couple of years ago after coming across his song, Willie Nelson’s Wall. From then on I was hooked.If I remember correctly, it was the South Texas Tweek who first shared Emersons music by posting him on his own Twitter account. Emerson and Tweek have written songs together, and also with Charley Crockett.
Not long after I first heard him and began watching some of his you tube videos, Vincent cut his first record. The self titled album, that was produced by Rodney Crowell is one of my very favorite records to date. On several occasions I have tried to see a live show by Emerson, but something always got in the way.
I had plans for a birthday trip a few years ago to a concert where VNE and the Tweek were to open for Charley Crockett in Austin. Due to my commitment to live life on life’s terms I ended up canceling those plans. I was going through a divorce, had started a new job, I had to move back in with Mom and Dad and well to put it quite frankly, I just wasn’t very spiritually fit for all of that. Don’t get me wrong these guys and their music got me through some pretty dark times. Another time, VNE was to open for Crockett and I got tickets to the show, well the show was postponed. I can’t really blame them, I mean they got to play Willie’s 4th of July picnic instead of dirty old Odessa. Anyway, enough of my rambling.
Tonight was the night that i finally got to see him play. Tonight Vincent Neil Emerson opened the show for Hayes Carll. Emerson played many new songs during his set, in preparation he said for another album later on this year.
Vincent Neil Emerson Ector Theater 3/9/23
Hayes Carll as a songwriter is one of the best in the business. His ways of turning real life situations into song is amazing. Hayes has co written songs with some of the best in the business. The whole audience tonight sang along to Drunken Poet’s dream. A song he wrote with Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Hayes newest album, You Get It All, has become a collection of some of my all time favorite songs. Many of these songs he played tonight as well as his old fan favorites.
He also did several cover songs including Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt or if you would rather The Rolling Stones. When Hayes played Dead Flowers he invited Vincent Neil Emerson back up on the stage. The two of them together nailed that classic tune.
Hayes Carll with Vincent Neil Emerson
The entire night was more than I ever could have imagined. The music, the venue, and my company was just what the doctor ordered.
My girlfriend and her daughter and son in law got to attend the show as well. I told them that I wanted Dead Flowers to be played at my funeral. I meant it.
Play Dead Flowers at my funeral and I won’t forget to put roses on your grave.
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.
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.
The Wagner Noel in Midland, Tx hosted Texas Country, and Blues Man Charley Crockett last night. The show had been rescheduled from it’s original date of July 3rd. In the beginning I was kinda bummed because when I had purchased the tickets, Vincent Neil Emerson was set to play with Charley.
Since VNE didn’t make curtain call last night in Midland, due to the changes in the date, the opening act last night was instead Emily Nenni.
It took a few songs before Nenni warmed up the crowd. She threw a blend of Honky Tonkin and fast paced lyrics out there to be heard. I had never heard her nor did I even know she existed, but she was worth the listen.
Charley Crockett and his band soon took the stage and livened up the Sunday evening crowd with horns, keys , the steel guitar and an old fashioned stand up Bass guitar.
“I’m from San Benito, Texas,” Sang Charley.
Crockett comes from the same place in South Texas as Freddy Fender. Although, His music began at a young age and evolved in places like Deep Ellum in Dallas and on the Streets of New Orleans. It still has many of the sounds and vibes of his south Texas roots. The mariachi type tones can be heard through accordion and keys and in many of Charley’s ballads. A lot of the music that Charley pens sounds like the old west, these are like the gunfighter and cattle driving songs from a time long forgotten.
Charley often helps other independent musicians find their own beginnings in music. The first time I saw Charley Crockett live, Jesse Daniel was on the bill. More recently, Jesse has become a force to reckon with on the music scene.
Often times Charley can be found on cowrites with other aspiring musicians. One of my personal favorites by this artist is “Lily My Dear.” I was super excited when Charley wielded his banjo last night and began strumming out the song.
Lily My Dear was co-written with South Texas Tweek and Vincent Neil Emerson. After I posted a video clip of the song on Twitter from last nights performance Tweek reported how much the song has evolved since they wrote it so many years ago.
Crockett’s catalog continues to evolve. He is a true showman. After the concert last night, my girlfriend who had never seen him perform was in awe. She said “He’s got the moves!”
I will gladly continue to follow his music and see him every chance I can.
Yesterday my girl and I left the dusty plains of West Texas for the Texas Hill country. Last night we went to the Sagebrush in Austin to catch some Houston Honky Tonk.
South Texas Tweek of Brazoria county near Houston was up in the capitol city keeping dance halls dancing.
The first time I saw him play live was at the Bluelight in Lubbock. At that time it was only him and his guitar. Last night I ffinally got to catch a full band show featuring him and his Beer Run Bandits.
Austin Starkey on Steel Guitar
South Texas Tweek and the Beer Run bandits play traditional Honky Tonk music. They have many covers of those two steps and waltzes we all know and love but they also have a few originals stuffed in the set list.
Last night at the Sagebrush there wasn’t a song that kept people off their feet. There were people dancing and having fun all night .
South Texas Tweek was definitely worth the drive. He has a ton of dates lined up at the moment. Next month he is heading north to places beyond Austin. Places like , Turkey Texas, Amarillo and even has a few shows scheduled up into Colorado.
If you like that Honky Tonk Scene. Then you need to go see these guys. They are the real deal and they have what it takes.
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.
As the Vandoliers prepare for their first European tour they have officially released the news of their upcoming album simply titled The Vandoliers. The first release off the new album is a song called, “Before The Fall.”
I feel that the song is jam packed with horns and guitars. The sound sort of reminds me of those old westerns when the US Cavalry officer blows his bugle before riding into some heroic act to save the damsel in distress. Yet, the lyrics may lead to that Cavalry officer riding off the end of the Earth. Hey at least he gave his all. No one can’t never say he didn’t give his best. To be quite frank it’s the kind of song I fuccin love.
Blood sweat and tears were poured into this by Fleming and his band. As they call it, it is Amerikinda. The sounds come from various regions of the great state of Texas, the land they are from, the land they love. The Dallas/ Ft Worth based Vandoliers is the group to watch as they charge across this globe with a unique sound and personal brand of mayhem and mischief.
“Before the Fall’ slaps harder than Rick James slapped Charlie Murphy”
South Texas Tweek
According to the bands Twitter page another up and coming Texas legend, South Texas Tweek had this to say about the new single, “‘Before the Fall’ slaps harder than Rick James slapped Charlie Murphy.” Other reviewers including one from Chandler, a school aged nephew of one of the Vandos members appropriately states, “Rock on Dude.”
If you don’t follow the Vandoliers then you better start. The Vandoliers are the biggest act in Texas at the moment. Check their website Vandoliers.com/ shows for a night to remember coming soon, near you.
I originally discovered the music of Texas singer songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson after Charley Crockett released his song, “Lily my Dear.” Along with Crockett, co-writers listed on the song are Vincent Neil Emerson and Tyler Heiser. When South Texas Tweek released his song “50 Dollars A Week,” Vincent Neil Emerson also had a had a hand in that sound. At the time I began listening to VNE he had very little of his own discography. His song, “Willie Nelson’s Wall,” caught my attention. It wasn’t very long after that that Emerson released his self-titled album. That first album that was produced by the legendary Rodney Crowell is definitely one of my go to records, the entire composition is perfection in my opinion. Many of those songs tell a sad story of Emerson’s upbringing and many songs are so much in tune with my own life. I don’t know about you, but a sad song makes me happy. Vincent Neil Emerson is the newest king of the “Sad Bastard Song.”
Emerson’s sounds are much like his favorite songwriters. People like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Steve Earle. Many a VNE song leaves me with a haunt or a chill in the air. It is as if VNE were a TVZ re incarnate. Emerson’s newest release, “Son of A Bitch,” just might be the most haunting yet.
Vincent Neil Emerson was born in East Texas and raised by a single mother. As a child, his guitar was his only friend and writing songs was the way he found he could cope with his emotions. Vincent began playing the bar scene around Ft Worth at the age of 19. He began sharing pieces of his life through the stories in his song. His career has flown high and continues to grow. I am expecting that he will one day be listed as one of the greatest songwriters ever and will represent Texas just like that long list of writers who came before him.
