Richard Cabesa’s Music Blog

A lot of people probably remember Cooder Graw for the DodgeCommercials that featured their hit song, Llano Estacado.  But for Texas music fans, the group was far more than that.  But as they say in show business, all great things must end.  And with the conclusion of 2006, the curtains came down on Cooder Graw played at the Horseman Club in Ft. Worth, Texas. Cooder Graw, originally called “Coup de Grace” when they first formed in 1998, released its debut album that year – Home at the Golden Light, named because it was filmed live at the Golden Light Cantina in their hometown of Amarillo, Texas.  The album was self-produced by the band, although executive producer credit is given to Matthew McConaughey a fraternity brother of Matt Martindale.   The name change had already been made to Cooder Graw because there was already another band using the name “Coup de Grace”  Their first album featured mostly cover tunes such as Gary P. Nunn’s London Homesick Blues and Robert Earl Keen’s The Road Goes on Forever, but it was a sign to the masses that these guys could become stars.The original band consisted of Matt Martindale, Kelly Turner, Paul Baker, and Joe Ammons.   Martindale, the lead singer, Turner, and Baker lasted throughout the ride, while being joined along the way by Jimmy Whisenhunt, Nick Worley, Kelly Test, and John Hunt.   Cooder Graw was a diverse group, coming from all backgrounds.  Lead singer Matt Martindale, was the assistant district attorney of Gray County, Texas before becoming a full time artist.  Guitarist Kelly Turner was the manager of a manufacturing plant in Slaton, Texas.The band’s first “national release”, self-titled Cooder Graw was released in late 1999, and featured what would become their signature song Llano Estacado.   When Dodge featured the song in their TV commercials, the band found themselves thrust into the limelight in the state of Texas. With their self-professed loud and proud rocking country, they quickly became one of the hardest-working, most popular bands in Texas for the next several years.   In 2001, Segundo was released.  This album was primarily a combination remake of Home at the Golden Light and Cooder Graw.Also released in 2001, was Shifting Gears.  This album featured several hits including the title track, the humorous Willie’s Guitar, and my personal favorite, Better Days.   In Willie’s Guitar, the person doesn’t want to be famous.  All he wants his name on the legendary guitar. And he’ll do anything he can think up to get there -  like being caught sleeping in the car, not paying rent, stop getting haircuts, getting caught up in IRS affairs, and drinking whiskey every night.   This song showed the creative writing of Martindale.  Anybody that has gone through a breakup or divorce can relate to Better Days, when you see a happy couple kissing.   But the song inspires that one will eventually have “better days”.

When you are asked to record in the Live at Billy Bob’s series, then you know you have arrived.  And Cooder Graw achieved that status with the 2002 release of Live at Billy Bob’s.   The band’s final release was 2004’s Wake Up.    This CD featured the title track that rose quickly on the Texas Music Charts, as well as hits Clarksdale and That Girl Crystal.   Clarksdale is a rocking song that talks about temptation and the search for salvation, while That Girl Crystal sings about the dark side of drug abuse.The bands last show from the Horseman will be available on DVD soon, and it’s recommended that everybody buy it when it comes out.  It was great that the show was sold out and it was a very emotional setting.   There were several fans – men and women – that were in tears when Cooder Graw played Better Days for the last time.    As the guys go their separate ways, they will be forever linked together by their Better Days as Cooder Graw.  And rest assured that they have earned their spot on Willie’s Guitar, and they have made a Lifetime Stand in the hearts of Texas music fans. “I’ve had better days, in airports with rain delays.   Flat tires in traffic jams, and anytime I’ve been damned.  I’ve had better days, when the pain wouldn’t go away, and tears watering down my pride.  Yea, I’ve had better days.”