Quality Americana

Western swing, the soundtrack for the generation of two-steppers that settled the great Southwest, is getting some new life thanks to Kyle Park, Jason Roberts, and John Michael Whitby.

The Texas Trio brings decades of experience from the historic dance halls, theaters and honky tonks to their debut album, which is being released next week. Roberts serves as the director of Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys and is the perfect conductor to carry the legacy of these forgotten stars.

“Concho Valley Ride,” co-written by Roberts and Park, shows a beautiful Hill Country landscape in the background as we hear a soothing melody and saloon-style piano. The group often starts their live performances with the song and have released it as their first single. “It feels like The Texas Trio,” Park said, “it really does.”

Forming the Texas Trio

Park said the trio gave their first performance at a birthday party in 2018, and the idea of working together started to take form.

“After the show we thought ‘man we should do that again sometime,’” Park said. “It kind of organically happened. It took a while, but here we are.”

Whitby was introduced to the group at Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch while Asleep at the Wheel was filming “Christmas in Jail.” 

“Between Kyle and Jason Roberts, they know like every freaking country song ever written,” Whitby said, “and when I mean country, I mean like good country.”

Recording at Dale Watson’s Studio

The Texas Trio recorded their debut album at legendary honky-tonk star Dale Watson’s studio. 

“That was on Jason’s suggestion,” Whitby said. “They had a nice piano there. I liked it a lot.”

Park’s acoustic guitar produced a wonderful natural sound that really gave this album something memorable. Some of the tracking was done at home in Fredericksburg due to family obligations, but there’s a desire to find this sound that only comes from a uniquely talented artist. Park said that the stripped down line-up really helped the guitar stand out sonically compared to larger Texas swing groups.

Keeping Texas Swing Alive

Although the group has other commitments with family and touring with other artists, the drive to breathe some new life into Texas swing and have a stripped down line-up has opened up a lot of doors for the fans of this traditional art form. To see artists with this level of experience and talent come back into smaller listening rooms and the scratched wooden floors of the historic landmarks still operating today has put the music back where it all started.  

Though Park, Roberts, and Whitby have already lived a music career many would dream of, they still consider themselves the new kids on the block in a genre filled with pickers like Ray Benson, Michael Martin Murphey and Lyle Lovett. “I’m hoping to follow in their footsteps with this project,” Whitby said. “I do want to carry on the tradition because it’s what I love. Somebody’s got to carry the torch for sure.”

Whitby said they want to focus on performing for listening rooms and audiences that want to preserve the music. “I think this is going to be a special project,” Whitby said. “I think we’ll follow in those footsteps with those that appreciate this type of music.”

More information on the Texas Trio can be found here.

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