Jason Boland & The Stragglers—acclaimed for their distinctive, hard-charging and rootsy brew of country and rock—achieve a new artistic peak with HIGH IN THE ROCKIES: A LIVE ALBUM. The 80-minute, proudly overdub-free disc was recorded during four consecutive shows in Colorado and Wyoming in January 2010, and captures the energy and dexterity of a band who average over 200 shows a year and who have sold over 200,000 albums in their decade-long career. HIGH IN THE ROCKIES marks the fiercely independent and acclaimed Texas Red Dirt band’s second live album and singersongwriter-guitarist Boland’s second release on his own label, Proud Souls Entertainment, in conjunction with the Apex Nashville label and Thirty Tigers distribution.
Crackling with the raw outlaw voltage that has made them one of the fastest-rising forces in contemporary country, the quintet’s execution and delivery is uniformly impressive, and with material divided between
Stragglers standards and fan favorites, the album rises to a profound new elevation that is reflected in a most fitting choice of title. Whether reveling in the Okie kickback groove of “and video—or re-defining the epic despair of Boland’s classic “ by ebullient musicianship and passionate vocals, links country music’s past to its future with admirable expertise. Illuminated by luxurious employ of dobro, fiddle and mandolin, HIGH IN THE ROCKIES is a perfect mix of the progressive and the traditional.
Every song here by Boland and his bandmates—Roger Ray on steel, lead guitar and dobro; fiddler Noah Jeffries; bassist Grant Tracy; and drummer Brad Rice—is delivered with an invigorated emphasis.
Loaded with banging drama, wry observations and soul-deep expression, HIGH IN THE ROCKIES documents an extraordinary transformative period for the band and continues the fulfillment of Jason Boland and The Stragglers’ extraordinary promise. “We got over being young and the entrapment of limitations on your instrument, vocals, writing–and the entrapments of life, love, chemicals.” Boland said. “I’ve reached the point where I don’t over-think it and simply do the music honestly. I don’t care about fame or the pop culture
machine–you’ll never see us on ‘Nashville Star’ or ‘American Idol.’ We look to the populist grassroots, we’re not in it for fame and cash. Seriously, it’s all about living free.”

Jason Boland & the Stragglers 8:00 pm Saturday, November 27 with special guests Turnpike Troubadours.
Doors open at 7:00 pm. Advance tickets are $15.00 at Select-a-Seat, House of Sight & Sound (Salina), The Cotillion and the employee clubs. Tickets on the day of the show will be $18.00. For further information and to charge tickets by phone call 316-722-4201 or logon to thecotillion.com.

photos > courtesy of the cotillion

What is it about Willie Nelson that everyone on this planet finds so damned endearing? Well — hell, people! What’s not to like about him? He smokes grass, plays golf, does yoga, rescues horses and has created some of the most memorable tunes that the American musical canon has to offer.

He strums a nice 6-string too.

Yet Willie Nelson, the man, remains an enigma. He’s been married four times, fathered nine children and produced sounds that have spanned a half-century of music. He’s been abused by the stinking underbelly of the music business — not to mention the IRS — and has risen above it all to make significant contributions to the cultural landscape of our lifetime.

With a face as crisscrossed and weathered as the blacktops and highways that he’s been driving since the 1950’s, his soul is as pure and untethered as anyone you’ll ever come across. This monklike millionaire in a tattered cowboy hat puts on no frills, instead preferring the uniform of the common man he represents: black T-shirt, black pants and gray New Balance sneakers.

What’s truly amazing is the drawing power that this highway troubadour possesses. From the geriatric on down to the PBR hipster, everyone flocks to a Willie show howling to the lyrics of Whiskey River, only to flaunt the tale in raspy whispers the next day.

Now imagine Willie Nelson’s bus, the Honeysuckle Rose IV, a beautiful piece of touring machinery fueled solely on Willie’s own biodiesel produced at his refinery/honky-tonk outside of Dallas, Texas, rolling across the intercoastal backbone of the United States. The bus stops to let Willie play at every civic center, coliseum and casino with a booking agent savvy enough to understand the significance of real American music.

Perhaps you, like myself, have cried and held yourself — ever so gently — while listening to an old recording of My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys. And if you haven’t had this experience, there’s more in store for you, my friend. Besides, just listening to the Ambassador of Weedville is not enough; every red-blooded American should have at least one Willie concert under their proverbial belt. It adds to the street cred.

Truly kind, gentle folk of Doodah: This ain’t no Taylor Swift. This is a real human with real stories being brought to our fair hamlet. And this ain’t no Brad Paisley rockin’ out in our version of the Love Boat that’s lodged in our downtown terra firma, either — ohhh, no. It’s Willie Freakin’ Nelson playing in a music hall that has showcased more famous musicians than a backstage groupie. And if that doesn’t make you wanna go, here are a few random facts to entice you:

He named his guitar Trigger, and he says that when Trigger doesn’t play anymore, neither will he.

He’s 76 years old and plays more than 200 shows a year.

He logs more than 2 million miles a year on the Honeysuckle
Rose IV.

He has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.

He is heavily involved with The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

He owns a music studio/golf course in the hill country outside of Austin, Texas.

When asked if he plans to retire, he invariably replies with a smile, “All I do is play music and golf — which one do you want me to give up?”

Bottom line, people: Don’t miss Willie at the Cotillion on February 23. It’s your loss if you do.