Randy Rogers Band fans have been waiting for a much-anticipated new album from the hardworking Texas country band, but tonight local fans get Rogers and crew in person.
Tonight at Scottie's Grill, the local venue celebrates its fourth anniversary with fireworks and a whole lot of live music.
For Rogers, who's performed at Music City Texas Theater in Linden and for Texarkana's Songwriters on the Edge of Texas benefit for CASA, these are busy times as they tour and the band puts the finishing touches on that new album.
"We're finishing up this month in the studio with Dave Cobb," Rogers said earlier this week. He anticipates a new single coming out in the fall and the album release in the spring.
An award-winning producer, Cobb has worked with the likes of Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson, a few of the most acclaimed county acts around. This next album will be a follow-up to the Randy Rogers Bands' "Nothing Shines Like Neon."
They're not all wrapped up with it yet, but Rogers says fans will hear a better, more mature version of the band. "There shouldn't be any big surprises," he said, noting for about the past 15 years they've had the same bandmates all together. That's a remarkable run. And they're celebrating 18 years out on the road together, too.
The way they respect each other in this brotherhood is what makes it work, Rogers believes, where they "kind of all fit together," he said. He describes it as a democracy within the band.
"I just think we know what each other's doing on stage before it happens and we can anticipate changes. If mistakes are made, we can cover each other pretty easy. It's just a well-oiled unit," Rogers said, remarking that what you see live is what's on the record and vice versa.
"What you see is what you get," Rogers said.
This past year has been a busy one with Rogers on the road, including concerts with fellow Texan Wade Bowen, and heading into the studio. About a year ago, Texas felt hurricane devastation, and Rogers and crew joined with many in the Texas music family to raise funds and help in the wake of such storms.
"The entire Texas music community came together for the Gulf Coast," Rogers said, noting there's still work to be done there. He was impressed with the unity that sprang up at the time.
But tonight the Randy Rogers Band looks forward to being in town to help Scottie's celebrate four years.
"Come drink beer with us," Rogers said.
(Tickets: $40 day of show for reserved, $30 day of show for general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 9 p.m. Get tickets at OuthouseTickets.com. More info: 903-838-4745.)