Music
Press
Dale Watson's impending departure to Baltimore is about to leave a gaping hole in the local honky-tonk scene. His shows are models of economy and grace that navigate the depths of neon delight and despair without lapsing into cliché – in other words, big boots to fill. Watson himself helps ease the transition on Michael Shane Borden & the Diesel Kings' self-titled Gulftone effort, as he and Borden wax rhapsodic about Ginny's Little Longhorn on "Honky-Tonk Time Machine." The rest of the Diesel Kings' itinerary hits Fort Worth's legendary "Jacksboro Highway," Borden's childhood ("Daisy Red Ryder," for all you Christmas Story fans), and the tabloid rack for "Truckstop Confessions." Somewhere, Dave Dudley is smiling... Lucas Hudgins & the First Cousins take things indoors for Honky Tonk Illusion, which Hank and Lefty would recognize as the real thing straightaway. Besides a smoky baritone novices might mistake for Watson's, Hudgins likewise has a way with words: "You've got my heart in your glove box, and you're driving it all over town." Ouch... If you think he feels bad, get a load of the Shootin' Pains, the Dicks minus Gary Floyd and electricity but with punk nihilism to spare. "I don't care if you go to church when you still act like a jerk" won't win them many friends in the Bible Belt, but like the song says, "I Don't Care." The rest of Mean Old Moon is just as crotchety and critical, "An American/My God" especially, and closes with a fine bit of Celtic swagger on "Drink and Fight"... Stepping in with the hangover cure is former Firedog Bobby Earl Smith with the low-key, heartfelt Turn Row Blues. Smith's subdued South Plains twang suits the careful acoustic arrangements, thus TRB sounds like a bunch of friends getting together. It is: Lloyd Maines, John X Reed, Casper Rawls, Freddie Krc, former Elvis guitarist James Burton, and son of Champ Warren Hood, who shines on "Little Fiddle Lick"... Brandon Rhyder likes soldiers and back roads, and must love Reckless Kelly, but Conviction is too swamped with trite turns of phrase and musical detours to go much of anywhere. "Between Here and the Front Door" has potential in a Cross Canadian Ragweed sort of way, as does the swampy "Back Roads," but overall the album founders when it should forge ahead. What would Dale Watson do? - Austin Chronice 2006 by Christopher Grey
Discography
Honky Tonk Illusion (2005) blood chili records
Songs: Honky Tonk Illusion, Go Away, Spiral of this Mysery, Glovebox, and Go out and lose my mind all have had various play across the country, some Local Radio airplay on co-op radio as well as satellite Radio.
Lucas Hudgins- the songs of Chris Miller and Lucas Hudgins 2008
finished and is set to be released in Summer 2008
Photos
Bio
I dont like to call it classic country because that makes it sound like its gone, and it aint gone. We just need to give all of the people who still love this music, a voice in what country music REALLY is" -L. Hudgins*
Lucas Hudgins and his band The First Cousins, have been described as "Texas roots meets snakeskin boots" , which explains what makes this not your everyday traditional Country band. Originally Formed in 2002, current line-up in 06-07,the band is now looking to make a move in the Regional Music scene. Soon after the release of Hudgins Debut Honky Tonk Illusion (2005), which was well recieved by the Central TX roots country music fanatics, Chris Miller also of Dave Alvin and the guilty men, met Hudgins in Austin TX, and joined the band. The two moved in together and immediately began writing and arranging tunes, then recruited Austin Jazz and Country legend David Leroy Biller to play Pedal steel guitar, and Dave Wesselowski (bass) to join Hudgins band of Ben Massey and Matt Puryear. The collaborative efforts of Hudgins and Miller blossomed into a great writing team, while working on their next project and the Cousins began gaining recognition from not only their music, but these great songs. Guitarist Chris Miller also influenced the band with his deep roots in blues, funk, and soul. The Twin guitar parts and the arrangements of Biller and Miller, to go with the powerful vocals of Lucas Hudgins make the band sound classically authentic, but with a degree of originality from the extreme mixture of their influences. Charlie Pride, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Faron Young, George Jones, Wynn Stuart, and Johnny Paycheck comes through. Along with the surprising appearence of swing, blues, jazz, funk, and soul. Their sound changes from song to song giving the band a chance to show all of these, from Honky-tonk to Americana to hillbilly soul making them able to simultaneously please a traditional crowd of a TX dance Hall as well a more modern venue. As one of Austins best young vocalists Lucas Hudgins is the Key to the bands success, his vocal quality, classic style, and more importantly his gift of range from melodic crooning, to fevered raw hollers is what you must hear to believe is coming out of this truly talented Texan.
Links
