Top 9 memories at LJT

I am filled with severe anticipation, nostalgic of the past 8 years of greatness and fueled with rhythmic desire, as the hourly countdown begins until the the most wonderful time of the year.

I know what you're thinking ... "Wow, Nat. You're only 23 years old and this will be your ninth consecutive year to attend this glorious week." Meaning, I've been going to Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival since I was a teenager. THAT'S right. I was 15 years of age at my first LJT! Imagine the kind of shit I pulled these past eight years.

Let's take a trip down memory lane. No worries, I called the Free Ride Van for a sober driver. Here are my top nine favorite memories of the past eight years at Larry Joe Taylor:

Memory No. 9: No, my parents weren't cool with me going out to LJT as a 15 year old. I did the same thing you would have done to get out there. I lied. My girlfriends and I did the whole I'll tell my mom I'm staying with Caity, Andi tell your mom you're staying with Rachel, Caity tell your mom you're staying with me and we will take my car out there together. That shit never works out as planned. The four of us 15-year-old girls are woken up to a livid voicemail from Caity's mom. And Caity's mom has called my mom and dad.


It's 6:30 a.m. We wind through the hungover maze of tents and campers, over the drunk river, and across the sea of beer cans to our getaway car. Caity and I make it back to my parents house ... waiting our inevitable fate. Grounded! For life. To be 15.


Memory No. 8: My high school boyfriend and Paige's high school boyfriend bought an old rundown big yellow school bus that they painted blue and named the "Cool Bus." Located way back in the heart of the primitive campsites, the Cool Bus had the seats taken out and was converted into a makeshift camper. It had two bedrooms at the back and two couches in the front. It was the coolest bus I've ever been on.



Memory No. 7:The guy that no one knew that passed out in our friends camper. We were all relaxing and winding down in the early morning when we realized that there was a guy asleep on the couch that no one could identify. We woke him up to question him. He was disoriented, confused and couldn't name any one he knew that was staying at the camper. After about 15 minutes of questioning and kicking him out the door, he finally remembers that he knows our friends brother. He belonged the whole time, that poor drunk guy. I wonder where he would have wondered off to.

Memory No. 6: My last LJT as a college girl, I put in my two weeks, two weeks before Larry Joe Taylor so I could enjoy my last weeks of school as an unemployed college girl before heading to real world train station. Dana was such a wonderful and understanding boss. I love her!

Memory No. 5: The year of 2009 I took a brief nap in my car after quite a bit of day drinking (just an average Larry Joe day). I woke up feeling like a brand new woman, ready to take on the rest of the day's lineup. I checked my phone only to find 50 frantic text messages and phone call from my parents. I call my dad back and he orders me to head home. At this very moment I am stepping out of my car to see, behind squinted eyes, not too many people around and a sudden darkness overcoming the area. Dad: "Get home now! There are tornadoes." I look up to the sky and there are low, dark clouds in every single direction. The only tornado survival skills I know, I learned on the movie "Twister." And they chase tornadoes. It was definitely too late to make it home before anything hit, but a chance I took to make it to shelter. The weather was exactly like "The Day After Tomorrow" and I drove 10 miles home in it. I couldn't see anything the whole drive home. A tornado probably lifted up my car and it placed safely on my parents driveway.

Memory No. 4: Josh Abbott singing "We Are Young" in 2012. It's pretty fuzzy for a lot of us because that was very late in the evening. Michelle swore it was Johnny Cooper or Pat Green that sang it. WRONG. Not that I remembered it. Here's a refresher.

Memory No. 3: Peace Walk 2011. It started with three ... Michelle, me, Clay and the sweet sweet sounds of his guitar. Beer, walking shoes and a smooth tune. This evolved into an all out peace walk. We must have had 30 random people just following us. Just walking through campsites for miles. We carbed up with those corndogs before.

Memory No. 2: Having the most memorable slumber party in Miller's pop-up camper. Giving black eyes with my stellar jump squats.



Memory No. 1: The bittersweet memory of my last LJT as a college girl. I cried every night with my best friend and roommate at the time. We cried to "Who I Am" by Wade Bowen every time it played. I love you Michelle! Thank you for making that such a special time for me.


BONUS Memory: The Dong-Bong Radio Show, brought to you by KRTL, the made up radio show with five in-your-face drunk girls interviewing you on ALL THINGS LJT. Yes, our microphone is at the end of this beer bong. Yes, you have to bong a beer after your interview! Who's ready this year?!

Top 9 things to look forward to at LJT

'Tis the season, friends. It's that time of year we all love. Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival 2013. I know I am not alone when i say I look forward to this event more than my birthday and most holidays.

But it's completely acceptable and accurate to refer to Larry Joe as a season ...

It's when the cheap beer flows like a fine wine. The wind and dirt blow through my hair and across my body and I am overcome with wonder and joy. The music soothes my soul and mends my heart. The sweet aromas of country and corn dogs fill the air. All my senses are fully ignited. I have my daisy dukes pressed, my cowboy boots shined and five outfits that are inappropriate during any other season. It's like wearing white after Labor Day. You just can't dress like you do during Larry Joe season at any other time ... unless you're just that drunk all the time. And that's fine.

This will be my ninth consecutive year to attend this incredible event. So here are the top nine things I am looking forward to the most this year:

9. The rekindling of my blog flame. BOOM. Music blog is back up and running.

8. Rainboots when it's not raining. But a protective necessity by mid-afternoon

7. Corndogs and patty melts

6. Luke Wade at the small stage on Wednesday




5. Beer bongs of all shapes and sizes

4. A cold beer with your breakfast

3. Quality time with old and great friends

2. Beautiful music all. day. long.

1. Letting that freak flag fly freely

See y'all there! Stay tuned!

Josh Weathers and The True Endeavors

So it's been a couple of weeks since I have seen Josh Weathers & The True Endeavors, and I must say, I am ready to see them again.

Let me set the mood of the evening here for you ...

The Basement Bar ... a quaint underground hole in the wall ... Entering this bar made me feel like I was in a Ke$ha music video. You stumble down into this basement bar that has just the right amount of dirt, dark corners and a hint of skank to set up the evening. I loved it. I felt like I should have been tossing glitter up in the air and spinning around underneath it in drunk whiskey circles.

A sweet tea vodka/water in hand, a few familiar faces ... sexy, red, velvet curtains lining the back of the stage, scented with the intoxicating aroma of old smoke ... Smoke swirls rising and flowing throughout the bar ... A mixed crowd of many types of people. And an everlasting sound check that built much anticipation.


The band began to play and their blaring tunes instantly filled the bar to the rim with soul and energy. Josh Weathers and The True Endeavors are natural performers and have great chemistry together on stage. It was hard sitting still. Their music makes you want to move, shimmy and shake all over dance floor. People of all ages (including myself) where bumping and (literally) grinding on the dance floor like they were in the opening credits of Dirty Dancing.

Josh Weathers & The True Endeavors claim the genre R&B. With a splash of soul and a dash of rock, you have the funkiest band in town. Now get out there and have you a taste!

They also recently released their new album, Big Night In The City. Check it out it's full of spunk and feeling! My personal favorites: Feel It All Over and Mind, Body and Soul.

I'm sure you're sad you missed this glittery evening with him, so no worries ... he plays all over. Click here to see when he has a show near you.

Next post: A short story on The Rusty Brothers I just know y'all will appreciate.

Where Ya Been?

Well ... It's been a busy couple of weeks just jam-packed full of phenomenal local music. Where have I been you ask? Doing the same shit y'all were doing ... dressing up in ridiculous costumes (yes that is me as Amy Winehouse and YES that is me as a toddler in a tiara), dropping in at random bars, drinking excessive amounts of beer, and sitting back and watching many political opinions, debates and jokes unfold before my eyes. I'm back though! BOOM!



A few gnarly posts to follow soon about Josh Weathers and The True Endeavors at The Basement Bar (Yes, it is underground), A short story about The Rusty Brothers I just know y'all will appreciate, and a fantastic night at Qui Lounge with 57 Sauce ... which was more than a Qui (pronounced like we) bit effing legit.

Confessions of a Soberish Blogger

It happened ...

I drank too much. I like to pretend this is how I looked all night.

I took notes for about 5 minutes of Josh Weathers & The True Endeavors and then became distracted.

I will see him this week in Fort Worth!!! Who wants to join me?

I guess this is expected when you hang out with old college buddies, right?

More to come later this week. Promise.

Luke Wade & No Civilians

Anticipation was overwhelming all day Saturday. It had been far too long since I had seen Luke Wade & No Civilians. And believe me when I say, you cannot get enough of this man's voice and the musical talents of the band as a whole ... complete with saxophone.

I walked up on the sound check at 11 p.m. at NOS Bar. The bar was hosting the "Official Ranch Bash After Party" so the crowd was soon to follow. For now, it was just me, Stella Artois and several others anxiously waiting.

The outdoor concert was on the verge of becoming a wet t-shirt contest, with the storms blowing in, so before their first set they moved all the equipment into the smoky hole in the wall, where Ashley and I took our seats at the closest table.

I love NOS Bar. It's look's like it should be pictured in the pages of an adult I Spy book. I spy a urinal. I spy a bra. Real talk though: There are bras hanging from the ceiling. Word on the street is if you throw your bra in the rafters and it gets stuck, you get a free shot ... the thought crossed my mind. Hmmmm ... Not enough booze in me for that one.

The band began to play and the drunken crowd softens in unison ... except the really drunk guy front stage cheering them on and blocking my view. I turned to tell Ashley how annoyed I was at the wasted guy, when I realized I know that drunk ass hole!

The bar began to dance and move when Luke Wade introduced a song he claimed, "gets the white girls dancing." Man knows his shit. About 10 chicks swarmed the stage and several tipsy stragglers, including myself, follow not long after.

My favorite thing about this band is their sound. Each member brings something great to the table. The way the drummer moves with the beat he's creating, it's like he is having a dance with his drums. The way the sax player plays with his eyes closed, it's like you can see him loving the music he is making. And Luke Wade's voice ... captivating and seductive.

Luke Wade & No Civilians claim the genre folk rock/pop/soul. By claim, I mean rule that genre. Some personal favorites: Ghost on a Wire, Eyes on the Horizon and Doctor, Please.

Do yourself a favor, listen to his music and attend a show. Luke Wade, who I have a hard time calling just Luke, is a jokester at heart. You will crack up all evening.

Do you already love Luke Wade & No Civilians? Tell me your favorite songs or a great night you had at a show with this brilliant group of artists.

This weekend, I head home to Stephenville, Texas, where I will be in cowboy boots and purple attire all weekend long for TSU's Homecoming.

Next week's post(s): City Limits featuring — Josh Weathers & the True Endeavors tonight and The Turnpike Troubadours on Saturday.

I'm so PUMPED UP!

I might get two out of this, if I don't drink too much ...

School of Rock

This past weekend was Arts Goggle, the twice-yearly celebration of art, artists and music in Fort Worth, Texas' Near Southside. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, music was in the air and people were everywhere (see what i did there with that rhyme? BOOM. Rap skillz).

It was a well-dressed day near Southside and my first stop for the day was Brandt Fitness and Self Defense, where the artistic beats of Johnny & The Delinquents were to take the stage at 5:30 p.m., sharp. I was running a few minutes late, so I figured I would walk up mid-set. I guess I didn't take into account that kid bands are timely because their parents are; bands of age are probably buying shots for chicks (like me) at the bar before they go on stage, which can cause delays.

As I approached the doors, I was taken back by the sweet, sweet (double sweet) sounds of insane face-melting guitar. My heart instantly began racing, and I swore I was about to walk into a muscly moshpit of crossfitters. Which sounds awesome.

Johnny & The Delinquents, with the Creative Soul School of Music, had their very first show that night and were absolutely excellent performers. The band consists of John Pence, 11, keyboard and vocals, Ben Wilson, 12, guitar, Thomas Crye, 10, on bass, and Kielee Dowell, 8, on the drums.

Shout out to Thomas Crye, the bass player. He rocked the house. There is certain spunk that a bass player has and Crye already has it!

J & The D had three band practices prior to their debut. They learned 4-5 songs to play for a lively crowd of 40+ people. My personal favorites they covered: Viva la Vida by Cold Play and Joy to the World by Three Dog Night.

Roscoe Justice, the student band director, commented on his talented students: "They're pretty amazing!" Well Roscoe, I couldn't agree more. What a great group of kids.

My next post: You get to hear about my wonderful evening with Luke Wade & No Civilians. Stay tuned friends!