Ever hear of the Red Dirt music movement? Popular in
Texas and Oklahoma, it now seems to be sweeping the nation, especially in
rural areas populated by folks who like country, rock, beer, and fishing.
Its origins are hazy, but generally it’s agreed that the epicenter is
Stillwater, Okla. Bands don’t necessarily come from or base their
operations there, but many do. Red Dirt is more of an attitude than anything, much
like a country/roots-music version of the indie-rock movement. The music
blends Southern rock, hard country, bluegrass/folk, Texas swing, and other
forms of Americana into a mix that appeals to people who like their country
rockin’ and their pop country — and feel disgusted and cheated
by Nashville-based new-country performers. Cross Canadian Ragweed, James
McMurtry, the Red Dirt Rangers, Charlie Robison, and Jason Boland are a few
of the more famous names associated with the movement, which claims as part
of its heritage such artists as Jerry Jeff Walker, Waylon Jennings, the
Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. If this sounds appealing, you should know that the
Randy Rogers Band, one of the up-and-coming flag-bearers for the Red Dirt
movement, is heading up a show at the Mechanicsburg Pond Party on Saturday,
June 3. The annual event, a fundraiser for the local fire department,
includes a couple of other Red Dirt acts: the Charlie Shafter Band and Kyle
Everett. Finding the concert grounds is simple enough — get off
Interstate 72 at the Mechanicsburg exit, head south, and follow the signs.
Doors open around 5 p.m., and the music starts about 6:30. The cover is $5.
No coolers are allowed, but reliable sources tell me that beer will cost
just $2 for a 16-ounce cup. What else do you need to know? Roll into the Track Shack (233 E. Laurel,
217-522-0444) around 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, for a happening night of
cool music. Locals Greta, Grits, and Gravy will play with the Monads, a
band from St. Louis whose members describe themselves on their MySpace spot
as “punk/bluegrass/rockabilly.”
Don’t forget about the Sojourner Music Festival
(a.k.a. the Sojo Fest) downtown this weekend, 4 p.m.-midnight Friday and
Saturday. The festival, now in its second year, features a variety of local
original music acts, including the Station, the Damwell Betters, the Micah
Walk Band, and Black Magic Johnson.
This article appears in Jun 1-7, 2006.
