Troubadour TX Trio Trek

Zane Williams, Matt Caldwell, Josh Grider

Troubadour:  “A poet who writes verse to music.” Webster.

Centuries ago, troubadours strolled from place to place, carrying their music to the people. During February, three Texas troubadours set out with the mission of sharing their music. But instead of strolling, they traveled by bus.

Troubadour, TX sent this trio out and about, criss-crossing the Lone Star State to showcase their unique styles of songwritings and to introduce more of the public to the television series. Songwriters Zane Williams, Matt Caldwell, and Josh Grider, were sometimes joined by Wade Bowen and sometimes joined by their bands.

Troubadour, TX: “An independent television series focusing on Texas musicians who are living the dream and on those still chasing the dream“ — TroubadourTx.com

Josh Grider

Williams, Caldwell, and Grider were featured in the first season, and Troubadour, TX had a videographer at each of their February shows. The shows filmed at the Texas Music Theater  and Dosey Doe are already scheduled to be aired.

The trio lived together on that bus, day after day, as it hit the highways and a few byways. They got to know one another fairly well along the way, and each are similar in many ways. For instance, Williams lived in Nashville for years before moving back to Texas, and continues to work as a Nashville songwriter. Caldwell and Grider are now living and songwriting in Nashville. All three are devoted husbands and fathers of young children, and those three hearts ached for their loved ones waiting for them back home. All three are charted artists. A Williams’ song, recorded by a Nashville musician, climbed the Billboard chart to a high spot; Grider has a song that has climbed to the No. 1 spot on the Texas charts, and they all have songs moving through the charts now.

One might think it natural that these three great songwriters, traveling together on a bus, would write together. But, as Caldwell put it, “Actually we didn’t. We were slammed from day one, so any (extra) time we did have we spent talking to our wives on the phone and getting sleep.”

Matt Caldwell

Williams added, “Most days we barely had a chance to grab a bite to eat while rushing from one radio station to the next. But we got to know each other well, so maybe we can write together when we’re not so busy on the road.” Grider added, “Matt and I have written in the past and I hope Zane and I can in the future.”

On stage, the trio didn’t show any of the fatigue they might have felt — or maybe those catnaps on their temporary rolling home worked. They seemed to hit bull’s-eyes on every sojourn stop.

Traditionally, at one combined on-the-air one-hour radio show in front of a live audience, the artist being featured stops at the end of the hour. This trio continued after they went off the air, and entertained well beyond their contracted time. Another crowd pleaser came when Williams kept his first-Tuesday regular gig in his hometown. Surprise-surprise, Caldwell and Grider joined him. Several people posted the next day on their Facebook pages what an incredible bonus it was to the otherwise-great Williams’ concert. “Triple treat” were the words used.

And it’s that sort of appreciation these artists exhibit that endears them to their fans. And it’s the fans, Williams said, that keeps them going. “Of all the things I love about this state, its music fans are my favorite,” he said.

Zane Williams

Now that the tour is over, the men talked about their experience with Troubadour, TX and how it has affected their lives. Williams started, saying, “(The show) strives to show what (a singer/songwriter’s) life is really like. It’s great because all I have to be is myself, and this show just introduces more people to who I am. I haven’t changed, I’m just better known, thanks to the show.”

Grider agreed, saying, “The biggest change so far has been exposure. As the show grows in popularity, I think the exposure it provides will be a great asset in growing my career.”

And Caldwell summed it up by saying, “Troubadour, TX has been a great launching pad for all of us. Me, personally I feel blessed to be a part of the show. The exposure we get is priceless and honest.”

And what did these men say about their recent whirlwind tour? As much as they missed their families and their homes, each saw the value in such a tour.

“I’ve learned that making the effort, spending the money, and putting on the miles to go see everybody in person and introduce them to your music is key,” Grider summed the experience up for all of them. “Staying home won’t grow a career no matter how good you are.” He had barely returned from a 4-day festival in Red River N.M. when he climbed aboard the bus.

Cohorts:  “A group of individuals who have shared a particular event together during a particular time span.” Webster.

They also said they grew personally, drawing on the qualities of one another. Caldwell said about his cohorts, “You know, Zane has really showed me that being a good dad is so important. He was able to bring his kids on the bus (at times) and watching him with them really hit home. I learned from Josh the brotherhood of the Texas scene is deep and a special thing.”

Grider’s comment was simple but sincere. “From Wade, I’ve been reminded the value of patience. 
From Zane, I’ve been reminded the value of humility. 
From Matt, I’ve been reminded the value of confidence.”

And what does Zane Williams say about the others? “Our strengths are the camaraderie and the combined experience we brought to the tour. Our differences are just that we each have a different personality and world view that comes across in our songwriting.”

Zane Williams, Josh Grider, and Matt Caldwell are definitely now cohorts. Or would that be co-hearts?

Category: *- Features