I watched Charley Crockett and his gal drive their vintage Cadillac convertible out of the Rodeo Austin arena this week. I couldn’t help but wonder if he actually cruised directly home. That would be super cool.

I’ve never seen anyone have their car parked next to an indoor stage and drive straight out of the arena. (See video below.)

It was bad ass.

On this night, Charley was Tom Jones meets Johnny Cash animated.

So entertaining…

It was quite a far cry from his June 2024 debut at The Capitol Theater. Read that story here. During that performance, it took him the whole first set to warm up and shake the understandable jitters.

Charley combines many of my favorite genres of music. The Allman Brothers-like “Juke Box Mama” is great example of his diversity and shake.

Thank you to my Texan friends Lee and Angela for hanging! I miss you guys.

(Here is a my take at what Charley’s day was like. A first-person narrative of sorts…)

Although last night’s concert at Rodeo Houston was a ball, I am really excited for the Rodeo Austin tonight. My band has been really hot lately. I can’t wait to share our latest shake and roll with them.

Being able to drive straight to and out of the arena from home is fuckin’ cool.

I am really feeling it today!

Someone sent me a video of me driving out last night… that was phun.

Working with Shooter Jennings on my last album has given me such a new swagger to my songs. I can’t thank him enough. I always thought it was amazing when Bob Dylan had Daniel Lanois help him on “Time Out of Mind”. I am so glad I gave a whirl.

Who would have thought that working the trumpet into our act would have transformed the music so much? I envisioned that sound in my head but could never quite pinpoint how to make it happen.

I always loved the way Jason Molina’s Magnolia Electric Company used the trumpet to set the tone for his stuff.

My guy, Kullen Fox, is killer. I am lucky to have him in the band! When we play “Jamestown Ferry” live he really shines.

https://videopress.com/v/iDoeeCIg?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

How about that crazy dude from NY that saw me walking out of Tecovas today on Congress Ave?

He asked me if I learned to play guitar watching Lindsay Buckingham. How about that! The answer is no, but I see it now.

When I get a break from the tour, I ought to check out some of his stuff. I am sure I will pick up something new. That guy is a legend. Totally underrated.

I am really looking forward to my upcoming tour with bud Leon Bridges. It’s a bummer. Our gig at Forest Hills Tennis Center in NYC was shut down due to the noise level. We are looking for a new venue… hopefully we land it soon.

We hit Austin together in September. I can’t wait.

Man, I’m one lucky dude.