ENGL 40233

Writing for Publication
Fall 2008


Red Dirt Roundup Music Festival Becomes Texas Tradition

August 31st marked the third annual “Red Dirt Roundup” in the Fort Worth Stockyards, hosted by country band Cross Canadian Ragweed.  The day-long concert started at noon and lasted past midnight, complete with free give-aways at booths, loud country music playing non-stop, deep fried food, endless bathroom and beer lines, and a Texas sized crowd representing every walk of life.

The crowd was an entertaining mix of rockabillies, yuppies, bikers, rockers, hippies, cowboys, and rednecks that only a Texan could truly appreciate.  With a bevy of country music bands and both superb and sub par performances, the festival was an easy-going and uncomplicated way to spend the long weekend.  The lineup, including Gary Allen, Mickey and the Motorcars (a local favorite), and Robert Earl Keen, provided a plethora of bands to suit any country music fan’s taste. 

Stoney LaRue, wearing his trademark red bandana and aviator sunglasses, strummed his way through a flawless set of his best songs, his voice as authentic as his CD sound. The crowd danced and sang along to “Oklahoma Breakdown” and  LaRue experimented with a cover of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” that put a smoother, downbeat tempo and acoustic, country feel to the classic rock song.  This relaxing and melodic surprise was just what the rowdy and not-so-sober audience needed - a chance to catch their breath.  Although a relatively new face in the country music world, LaRue's eagerness to please his fans and take artistic risks makes him a must-see act.

As dusk edged closer, the day began to cool down and the crowd anticipated the bigger acts.  Robert Earl Keen took the stage to an immediate eruption of applause — and then for the first time all day, there was perfect silence.  Robert Earl Keen, like Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, has mastered the true art of country western song writing.  With blue spot lights all around him, he owned the stage and commanded the emotion of the audience.  As expected, he began with some of his ballads like “Corpus Christi Bay” and “I’m Comin’ Home.”  He finished his set with the hilarious party anthem song “The Road Goes on Forever,” and in return the audience exploded with a built up energy that could no longer be suppressed.  The brash and noisy fans screamed along word for word, raised their beer bottles, and cheered wildly when the song finished.

The two lack luster performances resulted from Gary Allen and, ironically, the hosts of the venue, Cross Canadian Ragweed.  Gary Allen’s voice was shaky during the entire performance.  He quickly belted out his top six songs and abruptly left the stage.  Compared to the other musicians who played earlier on, Allen seemed boring.  Additionally, Allen was unresponsive towards the audience and played only forty five minutes of his hour time slot.

Cross Canadian Ragweed was highly anticipated as the show's host and final act.  They were recording their concert for a live record.  As a result, the band only played songs from their latest album.  People who were sober enough to hear the music were unfamiliar with the songs and haughty guitar solos.  Ironically, the nadir of the performance was lead singer Cody Canada’s outlandish performance.  He looked like Fabio as he made out with the microphone and flicked his highlighted wavy hair around.  Cody Canada over-acted the music, and even got down on his knees Jimi Hendrix style to do a drawn out guitar solo.

Although the last concert of the day was a small let down, it did not detract from the previous performers of the day, and the event was altogether enjoyable. I encourage all country fans to check it out next year.  It’s a great way to see some big acts and hear some new, unfamiliar bands that just might take the audience by surprise.

 

ALEX BURDICK is a senior Communication Studies major at Texas Christian University.  She is from Mansfield, Texas and is the only child of Greg and Debra Burdick.  After graduating from TCU, Alex plans to be a commissioned officer in the United States Navy.  She loves to spend time with her family, go to concerts, and be outdoors.

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Stoney LaRue performing in his trademark red bandana and aviator sunglasses at the third annual Red Dirt Roundup in the Stockyards.