Born & Raised Artist Interviews - William Clark Green
William Clark Green was just a teenager when decided to embrace his passion and do the work required to become a Texas Country music star. Willis Allan Ramsey was his hero, a legend in the Americana and Texas Country world, him and his guitar playing father was the inspiration that fueled a young WCG. After high School, Green headed off to Texas Tech University. There he would play for anyone that would listen. It wasn't long however before word got around Lubbock that William Clark Green was someone you needed to go see! He calls the Blue Light in Lubbock his unofficial home. It was there where he spent many nights honing his craft and gained a loyal following. Now, six studio albums and two live records later, WCG has indeed established himself as one of Texas's Country's biggest stars!
I had the opportunity to speak with WCG again at this years Born & Raised Festival. We talked about one Patrick Mahomes, and how he represents Texas Tech, the festival itself, his latest music, and the possibility of him returning to Springfield and The Ozarks.
https://youtu.be/OBjs77C1mOU?si=3cr4W44E7XFZnpy4
Born & Raised Artist Interviews - Kin Faux
One of the best shows at the Born & Raised Festival was put on by a bunch of guys from San Antonio, Texas...Kin Faux! Their cover/tribute to Charlie Daniels and their performance of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" was one of festival highlights! Their skills are clearly evident as each member over deliveries on the fiddle, harmonies, guitar, bass, and in their rhythm section. Recently, the guys received some over-due recognition. At the 2023 Texas Country Music Awards, held at Billy Bob’s Texas, the band was nominated for 6 awards and took home the top prize of Entertainer of the Year and Drummer of the Year!
In the interview, we talk about how the band name came about, their Rocklahoma band buddies Giovannie & The Hired Guns, winning those Texas Country Music Awards, and of course their new music.
https://youtu.be/9Bw5uUn7Yuc?si=DIuXHdu58wr-1Fng
Born & Raised Artist Interviews - Cody Canada
It all started in Yukon, Oklahoma back in 1994 when Cody Canada and his buddies Matt Weidemann, Grady Cross, and Randy Ragsdale started Cross Canadian Ragweed. The band would move to Stillwater, the birthplace of Red Dirt music, and continued through 2010. Over those years the band toured relentlessly, releasing seven studio albums and three live records along the way. Now as Cody Canada & The Departed the tradition of amazing music continues, just with a different name. The Departed released their first album in June 2011 titled "This Is Indian Land", filled with killer covers of local Oklahoma songwriters. In August of 2012, the band released their first original album "Adventus." Since then, they have been one the very best bands in the biz.
I had the opportunity to get a few minutes with Cody the minute I rolled up at the festival grounds. We talked a bit about the Cross Canadian Ragweed days, him and his wife's School of Rock venture, and the latest music from Cody Canada & The Departed. Take a few minutes and get to know one of the best to ever do it, Cody Canada.
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Randall King Rocked The House Thursday Night At The Midnight Rodeo!
Can an artist ask for any bigger endorsement than Garth Brooks saying "This kid is what country music is all about"? I don't think so. And not just Garth, it seems the entire country world can't say enough good things about this west Texas native. Randall King has amassed over 300 Million streams of songs “You In A Honky Tonk,” “Hey Cowgirl” and “Mirror, Mirror,” and others! It was pretty cool to hear the entire Midnight Rodeo singing along with "Mirror, Mirror"! Everyone knew every word.
I don't know what it is about the Texas panhandle but some amazing music has been coming out of that part of the country! Flatland Calvary, The Josh Abbot Band, who will be at The Midnight Rodeo on February 22ed, Willman Clark Green, and others, are all from that part of the country and have solidified themselves as some of the best Texas Country there is.
Another cool thing about most of these guys too, is most are Kansas City Chiefs fans! It's the Patrick Mahomes-Texas Tech connection. Most of these guys were going to school there or hanging around when Mahomes was slingin' it for the Red Raiders. Randall Kind noticed my cap right away and proceeded to tell me about his trip to the AFC Championship game! That's right, he was there when The Chiefs knocked off the #1 seed Baltimore Ravens to advance to the Super Bowl!
Crews and I got to hang out with Randall before the show and talked football among other things. Cool dude! Up next at The Midnight Rodeo is Red Dirt Country star Corey Kent! That show's on Saturday night February 17th! Get those tickets and more info by clicking HERE!
Wade Bowen Rocked The House Friday Night!
It was a cold evening in The Ozarks but that didn't keep the fans away from the Midnight Rodeo Friday night! Springfield's own Hunter Hathcoat opened the show. Oklahoma native Cam Allen Music was up next. These five guys put on a great show! If you're not familiar with their music, be sure and click the link and check'em out! Of course, reigning Texas Country "Male Vocalist Of The Year" Wade Bowen was his usual awesome self!
The crowd was on their feet and singing along to every song. If you love Wade Bowen and that Texas Country music, don't miss Radio Texas, LIVE every Sunday evening from 7PM to midnight on 105.1 The Bull! Wade Bowen was just the first of several great shows coming to The Midnight Rodeo! They're the sponsors of Radio Texas, LIVE and "The Kings of The Red Dirt and Texas Country concerts!" Up next, it's Jackson Dean! Saturday, January 27th and many more to come! Don't forget to sign up to win your way on the 105.1 The Bull guest list and get more info and your tickets by clicking HERE!
Russell Dickerson Rocks The New Wilson Logistics Arena!
It was a fun night inside the new Wilson Logistics Arena at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Thursday evening. Russell Dickerson had the crowd dancing and singing all night! Several thousands came out to check out the new arena and take in the show. You never know for sure how things are going to go when it come to a new venue. They are a lot of unknowns. How's the audio going to sound? Will the stage and lighting be adequate for the room? The good news is that everything looked, and more importantly, sounded great Thursday night!
Russell Dickerson, a Tennessee native received his BA degree from Belmont University in 2010. He's signed with the LA based talent agency Creative Artists Agency and released his first EP "Die To Live Again" in 2011. Things really took off with his release of his album "Yours" in 2015. That record produced hits "Blue Tacoma", "Every Little Thing" and the title track "Yours." He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in June of 2016 and has been on a roll every since.
There are several events already on the schedule for the new arena including the O'Reilly Auto Parts Outlaw National Monster Truck Show January 26th and 27th. More events and concerts will be announced soon. It's great to have a new arena in town and keep it on 105.1 "The Bull" for more info and your chance to win your way to the shows!
New Year's Eve Done Right!
It was a "Happy New Year" indeed for our 417 Party Bus-Midnight Rodeo-Whiskey Tango Grand Prize winner, Missy Duff! Her and seven of her closest friends enjoyed a very special New Year's Eve celebration Sunday evening. The party started when I rolled up to her place in the 417 Party Bus! We rolled across town to Whiskey Tango where everyone enjoyed their choice of steak or fish with all the sides!
After dinner and drinks Missy and her friends enjoyed the holiday lights in downtown Springfield and were delivered to the front door of The Midnight Rodeo. Inside they enjoyed their VIP experience, a champagne toast at midnight, DJ Tommy T, and the balloon drop at midnight! A few riders won some cool prizes just for hanging out at The Midnight Rodeo!
After successfully ringing the New Year, everyone hopped back on the bus and were delivered safely back home. Congrats again to Missy and her friends! If this any indication, it looks like she's going to have an excellent 2024! If you're planning a company outing, birthday celebration, heading to a concert, or just want to enjoy a fun night with friends, contact the 417 Party Bus by clicking HERE! "Happy 2024" to everyone from all of us at "The Ozarks Best Country" 105.1 The Bull!
The Champion's Tour Visits Springfield
The Kansas City Chiefs Champions Tour made it's way to Springfield Friday! For those of us old enough to remember when the Kansas Chiefs won the Super Bowl in January of 1970, it was a very long 50 years before The Chiefs won their second. I was just a kid, but I recall all the family huddled around my Grandma's TV screaming and hollering when the game ended with Kansas City winning the last AFL-NFL Championship as it was called at the time. It was a huge upset! The Chiefs were 13 1/2 point underdogs to the Minnesota Vikings. It's only been two years since The Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49th in south Florida in early February of 2020. Of course, on February 12th of this year The Chiefs rallied once again to knock off the Philadelphia Eagles to win their second championship in two years.
On Friday, the Lombardi Trophy, along with Danan Hughes, Neil Smith, a few Chiefs Cheerleaders, and team mascot KC Wolf, rolled, quite literally, into Springfield as a part of "The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival" parade in downtown Springfield. The former players hopped off the float and marched the trophy to the stage to the excitement of area fans.
There was talk of The Chiefs repeating as NFL Champions. A feat not pulled off since the New England Patriot's in 04 & 05. Not only are teams much more evenly matched in today's NFL, the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs have the toughest schedule in the league. Half the opponents made the playoffs last year and the AFC is the much stronger conference. If KC makes it back, they will have indeed earned it! The regular season gets started in about three weeks! Catch all the action on Springfield's Home For the Kansas City Chiefs, our sister station 104.7 The Cave!
Blackberry Smoke At The Black Oak Amphitheater
It was the 2022 season finale at the Black Oak Amphitheater! The Comancheros and Blackberry Smoke rocked the stage Saturday evening October 1st. It was a beautiful night down at Table Rock Lake. The perfect setting for one of the best live bands out there, Blackberry Smoke! This band from Atlanta, Georgia holds the honor of being the first independently-released band to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history! Their debut album, "Bad Luck Ain't No Crime", was released in 2003 and followed that up with "Little Piece of Dixie" the following year. They've been on the road and growing their fan-base ever since. The opening act, The Comancheros from Mexico, Missouri call their music "heavy western" and indeed it was! Great stuff!
Keep it locked on 105.1 The Bull for news and information about next years line-up and 2023 shows! If you've not been to the Black Oak Amphitheater in awhile, you've not been! Ownership has made several upgrades and updates to the venue and we can't wait till next season!
Check Out These Amazing Shots From The Koe Wetzel Show!
The Great Southern Bank Arena was rockn' Thursday evening! If you were there, you know! Aaron Lewis worked in a couple of his biggest hits from his days with Stained. The country versions of "It's Been Awhile" and "Right Here" sounded great! Koe brought down the house with a killer mix of some of his biggest hits and some newer tracks! The lights and pyro rivaled anything you'd see from some of rock's biggest touring bands! Check out these killer shots of the show!
