Well, discussions about Texas seem to have worn out their welcome in the current Southern Rock thread. Rightfully so, I think! I consider Texas musically distinct enough from the South to merit it’s own genres. If you argue that Texas Rock should be a sub-genre of Southern Rock, state your case. I say it’s a pretty big and distinct sub-genre, and should be considered separately. It’s located at a unique area of the country, and receives influences from all of the adjacent areas that either were assimilated, immigrated, or were just passing through. People from the western states, people that were originally from Mexico, Louisiana, the German settlers, and the bluegrass traditions from Kentucky and Tennessee all had a hand in the sounds that people from Texas make. If the area and population were smaller, it probably wouldn’t be as distinct, but it is what it is.
All that weirdness? I dunno, it’s either the sun or the fact that weed is extremely cheap and available. Either one is plausible.
So, how do you feel about Texas music? What’s your favorite, if any?
And, after a few beers, you forget Willie Nelson, no matter what state you’re from. I’m reporting myself to see if the poll can be adjusted. If not, I’m sure he’d understand.
And really, there’s dozens of others I’d like to add to the poll, but they’d all lose to sending us back to Mexico. Don’t be shy about eviscerating me if you have a favorite I missed.
As a native Californian now living outside New York City, it galls me to say this ;), but Texas is really its own separate thing in terms of culture and certainly music.
I would vote for T-Bone Walker and Freddie King, my two favorite blues players. T-Bone was the first electric blues guitarist, but played Uptown/Jump Blues with a full orchestra and great jazz chords. He killed.
And Freddie (or Freddy, depending on the album), was a huge man with a great sound. Listening to his instrumental stuff like Hideaway, San Ho Zay (sic) and The Stumble are great songs and guitar lessons, all in one.
Since only three people had voted, I added Willie Nelson – but if you really do have several others you want to add, you might want to start a new thread. One possibility: close the poll but leave this thread open for nominations.
I voted for Roy Orbison… but what is Joe Walsh doing on the list? He was born in Kansas, and grew up in Ohio and New York, and came to musical prominence in Cleveland.
As a native Texan, and as a guitarist, I appreciate the depth of your admission. Now, if I can just get a Chicagian and a resident of Mississippi with such credentials to admit we’re not just ripping them off, I’d be able to stop being so Texan about our style of music.
Freddie King and T-Bone Walker are both examples of guitar gods walking the earth, and the more subtle, sensitive side of Texas guitarists. It’s still a Texas flavored way of playing. For example, Freddie reserves where he plays a lead similarly to how B.B. King does it, but I wouldn’t confuse their riffs. Freddie is more explosive, there’s more energy behind those short leads. Billy Gibbons is probably a rock-styled Freddie King imitator when he is in standard tuning, but since he’s playing rock, there’s no need for reserving yourself. They both tend to get overshadowed by the more showy guitarists from Texas, thank you for mentioning them.
Twickster, thank you. As to closing the poll and leaving the thread for nominations: It’s a big state, with lots of people from it. For example, I left off my favorite guitarist, Blind Willie Johnson, because I doubt he’d get any votes besides mine. if it becomes obvious I’ve left out several other favorites, I’ll certainly consider closing it, and leaving nominations for the new thread open.
ETA: Wow, I don’t know where I got the idea Joe Walsh was from Texas. I’m totally wrong on that one.
I went with the Elevators, but Bob Wills is Still the King…
When Governor Rick was blathering about secession, John Nova Lomax wrote a series about the music of each region of the State–or the New Lone Star Republic. It was really just an excuse to brag–& to disrespect Governor Good Hair. Some of Texas is The South–but most isn’t…
And while they wouldn’t top my list (and are actually from Michigan), Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen deserved consideration as an honorary Texas band.
Voted for Willie, but there’s plenty of others. If you want bands, then either the Sir Douglas Quintet or the Texas Tornados to get Doug Sahm in there, and of course the Flatlanders.
As for individuals (deep breath) Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, George Jones, Don Williams, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Doug Sahm, Flaco Jiminez, Freddy Fender, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Bruce Robison, Charlie Robison, Tom Russell, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, Michael Martin Murphey, Billy Joe Shaver, Nanci Griffith…
Then you’ve got the Red Dirt scene that’s based in Oklahoma but is also popular in Texas and has plenty of Texans involved, probably most importantly Jimmy LaFave.
With the exception of ZZ Top, I don’t think I listen to much non-country music that’s notably Texan. Oh, and Meat Loaf…
Unfortunate for anyone in a list that includes ZZ Top for me because there is no comparison. I dug these guys from the get go and the bond has only cemented in the years since. My best friend’s older brother used to play with Billy in high school and did some work with the Moving Sidewalks. He’s provided some killer concert seats and passes over the years.
You combine Just Got Paid, Asleep in the Desert, Sheik, Mexican Blackbird and Fool for your Stockings with their unique style and it just don’t get no better.
I love everyone on the list above but my gawd, it’s ZZ TOP!
I can’t see the poll options because I’m on Tapatalk, but if Old 97s are in there then they get my vote. And if they’re not in there, they still get my vote!
Very nice article, ** WordMan**. Texas has a history of replacing the horns with stringed instruments, e.g. Bob Wills. I blame it on it being dry and hot here, I’ve never been able to play a horn well. It does bring up another band that would probably be popular in the poll, had I included it, Pantera (I see on preview that my omission has been noticed). I grew up going to school in Arlington, next to Dalworthington Gardens. Familiarity breeds contempt, I’m sorry.
Bridget Burke that’s a great set of articles. I cackled quite a bit, and they’re right about Dallas being an evil city, even if they do praise Houston a bit much. Ehh, it’s a Houston rag, what do you expect? If nothing else, they mention the loyal opposition to Good Hair, and Houston claims this gorgeous song, recorded at the Sons of Herman hall, in old evil Dallas.
“All them white boys”. Yes, I already admitted my omission of Blind Willie Johnson, yet another time Texas did him wrong. I’m sorry for anyone I missed in the list. I honestly am.
