Country Mike Blog

Texas Thursdays: Brandon Rhyder

Mike Sudhalter  |  September 1, 2011

Brandon Rhyder is one of the more interesting artists in the Texas Music/Red Dirt Scene.

He doesn't sound too much like a country singer. His sound is more alternative, but many of the songs are thematically country.

Brandon Rhyder recorded a double-live album (with two DVDs) from Billy Bob's Texas

Recording a live album at Billy Bob's Texas, in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, is a sign that a Texas artist has truly arrived, much the way that a country music artist plays their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

And Rhyder - one of the few East Texas natives in the Texas Music scene, makes a splash with his live album - a 21-song (plus three studio bonus tracks) and two DVDs.

This is Rhyder's second live album, but definitely his most comprehensive.

It's fun to listen to Rhyder's live album since he's the only artist I've ever seen live from Billy Bob's. And I had to opportunity to interview him Last Summer

The live album is a nice mix of old and new songs, as well as a couple of cover tunes.

It was good to see that he got some veteran artists to record with him on the album, such as Radney Foster on "Before I Knew Your Name" and on the Don Williams' cover, "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good, Walt Wilkins on "You Can't Outdrink The Truth and "Shine" with Matt Powell.

"In The Country" is one of the more relaxing songs on an album full of them, as is "Let The Good Times Roll" - one of Rhyder's oldest hits.

Rhyder was very appreciative of the fans and the people who helped him begin his career. He spends quite a bit of time at the end of "Have I Waited Too Long" thanking those people.

He's also appreciative of the troops, as he included a poignant song called, "Mr. Soldier," with the lyrics: "I don't know who you are, I don't even know your name. but just the same, Mr. Soldier, I have a prayer for you."

Battery, a song about relaxing and re-charging your "Battery" is another highlight.

The most unique thing about the album is Rhyder's cover of Hank Williams Jr.'s "A Country Boy Can Survive."

It's a soulful country cover of the song, and about 180 degrees different than the Hank Jr. mega-hit, but extraordinary, still.