Gary P. Nunn
It’s timeless and changeless, yet Gary P. Nunn’s music continues to grow with every one of his concerts and CDs Again timeless and changeless, after years of observations and just ‘hanging out’ with The Jeepster, it’s clear he remains unjaded and unaffected by his continued success. But what would one expect from an Okie transplant turned Texan. A genuinely nice guy who loves taking moments (and sometimes in his schedule that’s all he can muster, but still…) with all his fans who want a handshake and a hug.
Gary P. and his Sons of the Bunkhouse Band knocked it out of the courtyard Friday night when he took the Hank’s Texas Grill stage in McKinney. Joining him as the S.O.B.s was Lars Albrecht on lead guitar, Evan Chistian on bass, and newcomer to the group, actually playing his second gig with the band, was Jim Adair on drums. Together, they took fans and dancers through many of the classics that began Gary P.’s near-40-year career through those he’s released on his latest CD, “Taking Texas To The Country.”
It’s no wonder that Gary P.’s 1970s music was a major factor in the Progressive Country music movement that began Texas’ break from traditional Nashville music in the mid-1970s. His song, “London Homesick Blues,” recorded originally on Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Viva Terlingua,” became the theme song for “Austin City Limits.” It’s continued since, and has been a great source of mailbox money for the Austin-based Nunn.
A personal favorite has and always will be “The Last Thing I Needed,” which Willie Nelson took to the top. More than his version, this reporter is especially partial to the former El Paso band, “Applejack,” with Cleo Bell singing the lead on it. Their project “First Swig” is a hard one to find nowadays, but worth the search
Hank’s Texas Grill has moved its tables back a few feet from the stage, and that makes for more room for dancers. They took advantage of the space and the music to keep a steady stream of two-steppers moving, skate-rink style, around the friendly floor.
In a refreshing deviation from so many bands who take a 15-minute break, only to return almost 30 minutes later, The Jeepster and the S.O.B.s were back on stage within 12 minutes of taking their break, just in time for serious Texas boot lovers to get an up-close look at his red boots “some people call many footwear.” (From”London Homesick blues.”)
Nate Kipp
Opening up and warming up the show was our own Nate Kipp, with Ryan Littrell on lead guitar with him, in an acoustic set showing Nate’s big talent, and Gary P. said Nate has been sharing the stages with him quite often lately. And when he wasn’t on stage, Nate was on the dance floo.
Hank’s Texas Grill hosts open mic, with Ronnie Scott at the helm, every Wednesday, and has live bands every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. It’s on the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 75 and White Avenue in Mckinney.
For more on Gary P. Nunn, click here to connect with his Web site.