Texas Country Music Association releases Best Texas Country Picks Vol 8
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
The Texas Country Music Association has released, The Best Texas Country Picks Volume 8 Compilation CD that includes 21 songs from TCMA Member independent artists. The album is chock full of great performances and a wide variety of songs by artists such as Katie Beth Mihm, Matt Damon, Grady Keenan, CJ Hooper, Payton Makenna, James Maltese, Scott Southworth and Leona Williams, Randy Burghardt, Leavin’ Page Town, Brooke Graham, Steve Anthony, Greg Strawn, Dave Edwards and Aaron Boultinghouse. Here’s the highlights:
Damn Dallas – Hutcheson Brothers
This mid-tempo country rock, red dirt anthem has all the earmarks of a radio ready tune with big hooks, a great vocal and strong production. Jon and Brandon Hutcheson grew up in Ridgley Tennessee. The brothers have put in the time opening shows for legendary country music artists such as Parker McCollum, Shenandoah, Gene Watson, Confederate Railroad, Buddy Jewell, T. Graham Brown, Ronnie McDowell, Casey Chesnutt, and more. While Jon plays guitar, Brandon leans into the sweltering vocal chorus with,
Damn Dallas
Why you’d do me like that
She gave me things that I never had
Then left me alone here in Tennessee
Jessica Loobey – Back To Her Roots
Jessica Loobey was born and raised on a cattle ranch in Western South Dakota, just outside of Sturgis. Jessica released her first record in April of 2022, Three Chords and the Truth that features multiple self-written songs. Jessica’s most recent accomplishments include signing a developmental deal with SSM Records and playing her first paid gigs on Broadway in Nashville at Kids Rock’s Honky Tonk, Rippy’s Bar, and the world famous Tootsies. Back To Her Roots is a feel-good country song sure to get Jessica some additional attention.
Butch Baker – Salad Crackers and Beer
Butch Baker recorded for Mercury Records in the late 1980s, releasing multiple singles between 1984 and 1990, as well as the album We Will. His highest-peaking single, That’s What Her Memory Is For, reached No. 41 on the US country charts in 1986. Salad Crackers and Beer is a fond look back at a father and son relationship that examines the two talking about gardening, hard work and eating crackers and drinking beer in the hot summer sun. Written by Lynda Elvington, the mid-tempo ballad reminisces about their relationship now that he is gone, “Somewhere up in heaven there’s a nail daddy drove, where he can hang his shirt and work some garden rows.
Cali Tucker – Last Name
Carrying on the legendary Tucker name, Cali delivers a pop infused country song that implores you to give your dreams the attention they deserve, no matter what gets thrown your way. As Illustrate Magazine reported, ”Tucker could easily rest on her family’s laurels, but instead, she uses the song to flip the script. Drawing inspiration from Cinderella, the track and its cinematic video, reframe the fairytale as one of self-made success that tears off the ones from her side who once tore her down.”
Todd Weatherill – Still
“These are the only times I think of you” spells out the connection between two lovers who hope to keep the diminished bond alive. The singer recounts all the ways he loves his partner and along way discovers how deep as he sings, “Can you remember babe, I love you still.” A lonesome sound propelled by single kick drum and acoustic guitar, lay down the bed for Weatherill to capably carry the song and plead for compassion for the past mistakes he’s made.
Anderson / Rose – That Crazy Place Called Texas
Shades of a slow Texas swing with its double stop intro, harken back to days gone by as Anderson / Rose recount what happened to the Texas they remember, once upon a time. A musical collaboration by John Anderson and Ron Rose, the duo create music that blends pop, rock, jazz and country, releasing singles in 2024-25. The lyric begins with,
Well, my friends, it might sound strange
But I’m a praying on a hurricane
Bring some cool summer rain
To this hot and dusty Texas
Steel guitar shimmers above a solid rhythm section while they sing about “that crazy place called Texas.”
Justin Heskett – Willow Tree
Willow Tree is a ballad about a father /son relationship that narrates the “love, strength and wisdom and the limb of a willow tree.” Justin gets inside the acoustic guitar driven song and describes, “the first thing I remember my daddy gave to me, a pair of handed down old boots and a ride on his knee,” as Heskett details the memory of the hard life lessons learned from the limb of the willow tree.