When given the opportunity, I enjoy getting off the interstate and using the old highways that often run parallel to them. Doing this in south Louisiana and southeastern Texas will put you on Hwy 90 or Hwy 190 in places. The route will roll you through sleepy towns with massive oak trees and towering pines. Life in these towns moves at a slower more comfortable place and the people are friendly and welcoming. Old motels dot the highways as symbols of the high powered commerce of a bygone era before the interstate came through. It was the nighttime view of an old sign for one such place that inspired the new recording Tejas Motel by Ole Lonesome.
Ole Lonesome is a Texas band from the same Golden Triangle in southeastern Texas that gave rise to the legendary Johnny Winters, his brother Edgar, and Janis Joplin. Equal parts swamp and huge stands of pine, the area is dominated by oil facilities and paper mills and populated by fiercely independent and hard working blue collar people that have an over sized love of outdoor life. Lead by Zach Feemster, lead vocalist and guitar player, Tejas Motel captures some superlative vignettes of the lives and loves of these people. As Zach stated in an interview, “I wouldn’t necessarily call it a concept album, but I can definitely say that if each song was a character, they would be well acquainted with each other. The energy between the songs strengthens the vision and brings to life the story of Tejas Motel.”
In terms of the music, I place Ole Lonesome squarely among some of my other favorite contemporary blues infused artists; Blackberry Smoke, Marcus King, and Robert Jon & the Wreck. You can also hear whispers of the Allman Brothers, Johnny Winter, & Lynyrd Skynyrd in the music (which is never a bad thing). The other members of the band are Wesley Hardin (Bass), Gregory Mosley (Keys), Jimmy Devers (Drums & Percussion), and Greg Achord (Guitar). Together this group has produced an engaging album full of songs and musical imagery that should make a lasting impression on you.
All 10 songs on the album are originals. My favorite on this album is very hard to pick given the quality of all the songs but it would have to be Ain’t No Wrong, a straight up badass bluzin’ tune. A close second is the title cut with its vivid imagery of a place I am pretty sure I have stayed at a time or two during my travels. Natural Fact is an awesome song and Mama’s Worry, Easy Street, Yvette, Golden Chevy, Steady Mistreater, and The Fool have all made it onto my Blues Music Fan Radio show playlists since the release of the album in July.
Tejas Motel is the label debut for Ole Lonesome on Gulf Coast Records which is co-owned by Mike Zito. Mike and Zach worked together a decade ago when they toured for Mike’s Greyhound album. And Mike sits in for an awesome tune on the new recording entitled Lo Key.
Ole Lonesome have been referred to as a swamp rock band, southern rockers, and a blues rockin’ group. I say they are one badass Roadhouse bluzin’ assembly of Texas musicians steeped in the blues and kickin’ out contemporary jams that audiences will love!!
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Ben Vee started out spinning songs on terrestrial radio and at nightclubs back in the 1970’s in his home state of Louisiana. After a career in the construction business, he returned to DJing in 2011. He now hosts two shows each week on http://www.bluesmusicfan.com and writes about the blues at http://www.benveeblues.com from his home in Connecticut. He also has a personal 24 hour stream devoted to the Roadhouse Blues… WRHB as well as a Youtube channel.
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