Happy Horse Band

"I often feel like a female Gene Autry with Keith Richards as my sidekick," laughs Hollis Wayne, lead singer for Happy Horse Band. The sidekick being guitar player and fellow singer-songwriter, DB Rouse. DB's catchy riffs and rhythms pull the listener into the stories on the band's second CD, Rockin' & Ridin'.

"When we threw long-time friend Phoebe Hunt into the studio mix as guest artist on fiddle and vocals, the result morphed into some kind of wild ride with the cowgirl valkyries!"

Singing and songwriting are recent developments in Hollis's long career as an artist. Arriving in Austin, TX in the '70s, she sold her airbrushed clothing and tile treasure chests on The Drag, later adding street shows and renaissance faires.

DB Rouse started busking around the country in a minivan after college, going wherever the road pulled him. When he reached Austin in 2009, Hollis had already traded in her paintbrush for a song writing pen.

Hollis was writing songs and playing them by the weekend campfires at the Happy Horse Hotel, a campground she and husband Beaux Graham built in 2001 near McKinney Roughs Nature Park in Bastrop county.

"The music changed in unexpected ways when the tall busker showed up," says Hollis. "DB became our camp foreman. The band got another singer-songwriter and a great rhythm guitar player!"

With the addition of John Dunn on bass and Pete Langhans on drums, the quartet has a rich, driving sound blending campfire sing-along and folksy country western with the energy of rock and roll. Strong lyrics and vocals of the two balladeers tell tales of risk, reward and adventure. Fans say the music is happy, humorous, and danceable.

Happy Horse Band emerged from Parrot Tracks Studios in July 2013 with Rockin' & Ridin', a 10-track collection of original tunes produced by Darrell "Dr. D" Vernum. The opening track, "Looking For A Pearl", is a full-blown anthem of searching for companionship. The record then travels through quick-witted gallops like "Breadcrumb Trail" and "Let's Go Dashing", the alt-country groove of "Rained Out On Friday", the forlorn folk of "Night Herder", and the homespun fun of "Camp Song". We are asked in the opener: "Would you like to sing a song with me, maybe take a little trip?" Sure. "Strap on your spurs, tie on your hat!"

Guest artist Phoebe Hunt's lead vocals soar on "Baby Divine". Her tasty fiddle playing and vocal harmonies are sprinkled generously throughout the disc. Dominick Leslie throws down hot mandolin licks on "Scout, the Mighty Paint Horse." George Coyne's searing lap steel on "Mischief On My Mind" will make you want to rob a bank (just be mindful of the trouble when the sheriff arrives). "Won't Rain On Texas" is an epic piece inspired by the Bastrop County Complex Fire and the ongoing drought. Other guest artists featured on the CD are Beaux Graham (bass), Bob Landgraff (harmonica and vocals), Colin Guerra (guitar) and Dr. D (guitar and keyboards).

With Rockin' & Ridin', the Happy Horse Band has created a lush sonic oasis that pushes the envelope of Americana.