Below is just a little information about some of my favorite Country & Western performers. I like a great many types of music, and within each type is a variety. I enjoy listening to everything from the bluesy tunes of Lee Roy to the Texas swing of Asleep at the Wheel.

I was introduced to the music of Lee Roy Parnell by my friend Kate. She is rather the Lee Roy fanatic. Every time she picked me up to go dancing , I would have to listen to Lee Roy on the car stereo. After umpteen listens, I learned the words to all the songs and sang along. Soon enough, I became a fan by osmosis. I will probably never reach the heights of fandom that Kate has, but I think he's pretty dynamite. I have only seen Lee Roy in concert once, but he is the only country artist I have seen live (I don't get out much :)) Kate and I traveled down to Blackie's (then known as Blackie's House of Beef - ohh la la!) in Springfield. We feasted on beef and did a little line dancing before the show. I must say I was extremely impressed! Lee Roy has amazing finesse on the guitar, and he played a set of blues music that had me in a swoon! It didn't hurt that he had Radney Foster as an opening act either (see more on him below). I do enjoy all of Lee Roy's music, and have all his recordings. But...I am eagerly looking forward to the blues album he has been wanting to record!

All photos taken at Blackie's, October 1996. In this photo, Lee Roy is jamming with fellow Texan Radney Foster. Kate and I were lucky enough to be standing right up against the stage. Well, we were in the very first row, but some cows pushed their way in front of us. We did manage to get some great pictures though.

I had heard Radney Foster's "Just Call Me Lonesome" on the radio countless times, plus Four By Four would play it on occasion. I liked the song, so decided to buy the album, "Del Rio TX 1959". I don't have cable, so I miss out on all the country video shows and such. I had no idea what ol Radney looked like. Then I took a look at the cover of the CD and said..."yowza!". Ok..y'all know I am shallow already, so I don't want to hear it ;) Radney is cute in a geek-boy kinda way. And I have always had a weakness for geeks. Did I mention that his music is good too??

His opening for Lee Roy was an added bonus. And Kate and I got a great picture of him too. *cheeky grin* Radney has been keeping a low profile of late. Disclaimer: No! I did not grab him after the concert...although the thought did come to mind!! It's been a while since he's recorded anything or made any appearances, at least, not on the East Coast. So I am eagerly awaiting his reappearance. Whaddya mean, he's probably scared?!

Ok, I know it seems like I blame my friends for everything...but when the shoe fits... I have always had a vague appreciation for Texas swing, just never had that much exposure to it. My buddy Bob, with his mega-fabulous stereo system, would play Asleep at the Wheel while he was on the phone with me. And that stereo system has some pretty heavy-duty speakers. So I could clearly hear the music. It didn't hurt that he sang along to the music while I was doing my usual babbling. I expressed an appreciation for the music, so Bob made a tape for me. The tape soon wasn't enough, and I had to purchase some CDs. The band is celebrating their 28th year in existance. When they began, in 1970, they wanted to help revive American roots music like Western swing, hillbilly, boogie woogie and jump swing. As modern country & western music continued to evolve, these styles were nearing extinction. Asleep at the Wheel keeps those styles alive for young'uns like me to be able to appreciate a part of American music history.. They are currently touring with the big George Strait festival thingy...but no dates in MD/PA yet.

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