JASON BOLAND AND THE STRAGGLERS' hard-hitting new live set HIGH IN THE ROCKIES: A LIVE ALBUM is an unconstrained collection of appealingly inventive Red Dirt country.
We just got back from another crazy weekend. The TMR was in Commerce Texas to hang out with the Bourbon Legend, Jason Boland. On our way to Commerce Brother Josh and I listened to his "summer CD" which basically should be called "Songs of the TMR" because it's just a compilation of songs like "Caveman Times" and "Satellite Radio", which if you have been listening since the beginning, you would know have both been artist picks. Usually, I like to listen to the artist we are going to record on the way down but brother Josh was just so proud of his summer CD that I had to let him listen to it. If you have been reading the previous journals I probably don't have to tell you what Jess was doing on the car ride, but if this is your first time reading, she was sleeping in the back as usual. She requires between 12 and 15 hours of sleep a day and if she doesn't get that the day is a little bit tougher on us all, so we try not to disturb her. We had to finally wake her when we got into Commerce. See Jess is in charge of printing out directions to the places we go each week. You would think it would be a pretty simple task, just go to the venue website copy the address and put it into Mapquest. But no, she decides to print us out directions to Commerce Texas so we end up in downtown Commerce, looking everywhere for a Drunken Mule Saloon. I really don't get it, I mean if someone asked me for directions to my house I wouldn't just tell them how to get to Dallas. Oh well, I never try to spend too much time trying to figure out why Jess does some of the things she does.
The TMR and friends got an early start in Commerce; as soon as we got there the beers were flowing. Even before we started setting up our gear we thought it was necessary to order some cold friendlies and take a few shot. After we set up our equipment we headed down stairs to play a little pool. We played a couple of games before some Texas A&M Commerce boys challenged us to a game. They played well but I think you all can pretty easily guess who won the game. The TMR doesn't lose in pool, or anything for that matter.
After pool we were all hungry so we went down the road to a little hole in the wall called BlackJack BBQ. The place was recommended to us by the Drunken Mules manager, and boy was it a good recommendation. The chopped beef sandwiches were amazing. Brother Josh had two along with a rack of ribs as one of his sides. Most people go with the normal sides such as green beans or mashed potatoes, but sure a rack of ribs makes sense. By the way, the Angry Sound Guy tore up three chopped beef sandwiches (he was out of control). After eating and downing a couple more beers we headed back to the Drunken Mule for the show.
By the time we arrived, there was already a pretty good crowd. I went and tracked down Jason off his new badass bus, so we could do an interview. Trust me when I tell you, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS INTERVIEW! After the interview Jason and the Stragglers took stage and put on an awesome show!
We had a great trip; Jason put on a great show, we got to visit a cool venue and I think we drank almost all the beer in Commerce, Texas. Make sure you listen this week to hear Jason Boland and the Stragglers. It's a show you don't want to miss!
