Review – Turnpike Troubadours Play 3-Night Run at Historic Gruene Hall
Time was when the Turnpike Troubadours were just hoping to garner enough of a following so they could play historic venues like Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, or Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX. Now they’re facing the reality that they may just be too big to play these historic spaces anymore except as a nostalgic anomaly. Sometimes Gruene Hall will carve out a couple of consecutive nights to feature an artist or band if their following is too big for only one. But for the Turnpike Troubadours, they required a three-night residency at the “Oldest Dance Hall in Texas” to accommodate all the comers, and crowds sold out all three nights in relatively short order for the November 20th thru 22nd stint.
For a chance to see the Turnpike Troubadours and Gruene, some passed up opportunities to see them closer to home, while others bought tickets for all three nights and decided to make a weekend of it. After the energetic Mike and the Moonpies warmed up the stage on Thursday night the 20th, the Turnpike Troubadours came out and captured the crowd in the crook of their hands by playing arguably all their biggest songs right off the bat and in consecutive order—“Every Girl,” “7&7,” “Gin, Smoke, Lies,” and then launching into a strong set of their originals, all led by frontman and songwriter Evan Felker.
Like many of the biggest country bands in the Texas music scene, the Troubadours put on a country show with a rock and roll attitude. It was up tempo, energetic, and loud, but all Turnpike Troubadour material builds from the words out, and when Felker sang, “I had no clue I’d be the boy who your momma warned you about,” or “Good Lord Lorrie I love you could it go more wrong,” the crowd was in full throat singing along, stomping their boots on the old wood floor and filling the ancient rafters with a youthful country energy.
Midway through the show guitarist Ryan Engleman stepped behind the steel guitar and they slowed the songs down to allow folks to really listen. Another highlight was when Evan Felkerman announced a new song co-written by fellow Oklahoman and former Turnpike Troubadour turned decorated songwriter John Fullbright. “A new album is on the way, as soon as we get all the songs written and in the studio,” Felker said.
Questions of when new music will be on the way are common for the Tahlequah-based group. They’re known for taking their sweet time between releases, and that patience has resulted in some of the best country music you can find from the region. The Turnpike Troubadours remain the ideal bridge if you’re looking to convert your mainstream country-listening friends over to the independent side of the world. But with growing crowds and interest in the band, it makes one wonder how long they can hold out doing it mostly DIY. Their next album promises to be a monster if it simply holds par with their previous releases, and could be one to solidify their place in the national country music consciousness.
For the encore, Evan Felker came out and sang a few just with his acoustic guitar, and bass player RC Edwards even took a turn on the mic. The band said since they were playing three shows in a row, each one would have something different, and something special for the folks who booked all three nights. And after three nights of testing the capacity of both the walls and floors of the historic dance hall, the Turnpike Troubadours brought the run to a close with a seven-minute version of “Long Hot Summer Day” (see video below)—a song that once made it all the way to the World Series. Led by fiddler Kyle Nix, Gruene Hall erupted, stomping out the beat as the entire crowd sang along.
It’s easy to get despondent about the direction of country music when listening to the radio or paying attention to the mainstream of country music day in and day out. But while watching the Turnpike Troubadours at Gruene Hall, it’s easy to forget all of that when you see the younger faces and feel the freshness of the music while still be surrounded by such history.
The Turnpike Troubadours play Cain’s Ballroom for a two night stay December 26th and 27th, and then Billy Bob’s in Ft. Worth on New Years Eve.
BrettS
November 26, 2014 @ 1:09 pm
Definitely one of my top bucket list bands to see. Such an awesome band. Every time I try to turn somebody on to the tex/ red dirt brand of country music they are always somebody I recommend to new listeners.
Kimberly A.
November 26, 2014 @ 1:35 pm
I saw them over the summer in Silver Spring, Maryland. If the place wasn’t sold out for that show it was still very close. This band definitely puts on a terrific show. I am sure that the Gruene Hall shows were fantastic as well!
CAH
November 26, 2014 @ 1:42 pm
Stop – you’re killing me.
I am crazy about these guys.
I hope that their popularity continues to grow and grow.
I can’t wait to see them myself one day.
JSW
November 26, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
Ahhhh this review killed me too… I wanted to go to one these shows but couldn’t swing it. The shows didn’t sell out quite as fast as you mentioned – Thursday night wasn’t sold out until the day of the show – but it’s still a huge rise. Saw them a little over 2 years ago at Gruene for the album release of GNS and it didn’t sell out in advance..they didn’t even sell advanced tickets to it! It will be interesting to see where it goes from here and I agree with you, they are the bridge…
Thanks for the review!
Trigger
November 26, 2014 @ 2:51 pm
Yeah Thursday has some open slots until the end but Friday and Saturday sold out pretty quickly.
Kross
November 26, 2014 @ 1:55 pm
I saw these guys about a year ago, at the old Peachree Tavern in Atlanta. Easily one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, and the place was sold out. That’s saying something when most of the country music that rolls through Atlanta leans more toward the commercial side of the fence.
Hank
November 26, 2014 @ 2:31 pm
I saw them when they rolled through Philly earlier this year with American Aquarium. Damn good show. My legs and feet never hurt as much as they did that next day from all the boot stomping. If you get a chance to see them, don’t screw it up.
tx music jim
November 26, 2014 @ 2:31 pm
Very cool. It would be cool to see them get big enough to play sheds/arena’s nationwide. They have sold out BBT’s in Ft. Worth that is 6k three nights at gruene is approaching the 6k number so that is great !
Taylor
November 26, 2014 @ 3:26 pm
That would be a good show to see, but honestly seeing anyone from Texas/Oklahoma scene at Gruene is on my bucket list!
Trainwreck92
November 26, 2014 @ 10:49 pm
Damn it! I’m living in Austin and had no clue they were down in New Braunfels for three days. Being a big fan, I’m kicking myself for missing them.
Troy Turner
November 27, 2014 @ 2:36 pm
“The Turnpike Troubadours remain the ideal bridge if you”™re looking to convert your mainstream country-listening friends over to the independent side of the world.”
Truer words have never been spoken, Trigger. That’s how I got into independent country music as well. I still listen to “Diamonds & Gasoline” to this day.
Travis
November 28, 2014 @ 10:00 am
I love this band. I cant wait for a new CD. I saw them at The Shelter in Detroit back in July. Lets just say they dont really have that big of a following in the Detroit area, but that didnt stop them from putting on an awesome show! The venue was small and I’d have to say they it was about 75% full. They really gave it their all and really made for an awesome experience to see them at such a small venue with a small crowd. I sure hope they come back.
Brian
November 28, 2014 @ 2:10 pm
Gruene Hall is one of my favorite haunts, followed by the Broken Spoke.
Smalley
November 29, 2014 @ 7:44 am
Being from Tahlequah, I can say these guys are the real deal. They have not forgotten where they came from, headlining a three day music festival each September on the river called Medicine Stone, along with the likes of Jason Boland, Cody Canada and a strong line-up of Red Dirt artists.
Ya’ll come down and see us next year.
Austin
November 30, 2014 @ 10:38 pm
Saw red dirt rangers at diamond head on labor day, bad ass place!
Austin
November 30, 2014 @ 10:38 pm
I’ve seen them three times and the 3rd time was at calf fry in stillwater, they did a similar rendition of long hot summer day but the real killer was at the end of the night they got on stage with American Aquarium and played ‘this land is your land’ and goodness it was kick ass. All 3 times were amazing but that took the cake foresure.
Clark Crumpacker
December 1, 2014 @ 11:52 am
Great article but just so you Evan’s last name is Felker not Felkerman.
Trigger
December 1, 2014 @ 11:59 am
That was done in homage to his nickname/Twitter handle of “Evan Felkerman”
https://twitter.com/evfelkerman
Maybe it was short sighted to think others would get the reference but since I spelled his name correctly in other places, hopefully folks believe I know the real spelling.
Clark Crumpacker
December 1, 2014 @ 4:19 pm
Na it was short sighted of me. I realized that right as I left the comment.
TonyC
December 1, 2014 @ 11:53 am
It’s great to see a professionally written article offer high praise these exceptional artists. However, after seeing them live myself only one time, I can attest that the quality and energy of the show cannot be conveyed in words or even a video. It has to be heard, seen, and felt with one’s personal senses to fully appreciate it. Strongly recommend that everyone who likes music of any kind to see these guys.
David Brandow
December 1, 2014 @ 5:11 pm
My wife an our 2 friends drove 12 hours from Nebraska to see them Saturday night it was an amazing show cant wait for these guys to release new material! !
J. Gloor
December 1, 2014 @ 5:59 pm
I made the Thursday night show and was GLAD I did. Huge fan of their music but this was the first time I’ve been able to catch em. And glad I got to at my favorite venue.
Luke
December 2, 2014 @ 10:55 pm
I was visiting from Melbourne, Australia in June and July and spent two nights in Madison WI before heading up to Farmageddon Records Music Fest in Necedah. Took a walk through town and these guys were playing at the MAjestic Theatre, a venue within stumbling distance from my hostel…. shame I had conflicting plans that night! I love the records of theirs I have. Very underrated and criminal that they are not as well known in my country! One of these days I *WILL* see them play!