141: The Panhandlers

Episode 141 is with The Panhandlers--the West Texas collaboration between songwriters Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, John Baumann, and Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry--who released their debut self-titled last Spring. As their namesake alludes, these songs are about the Panhandle of Texas and the greater West Texas area in general. As sons of The Panhandle and Far West Texas, their solo catalogs have often echoed the howling winds that drive Heaven and earth across the South Plains, the unrelenting sun that dries out cattle pastures and iron orchards of the rugged oil fields, and most importantly, the resilient folks who claim the Land of Big Sky home. The quartet understands them more than most due to their time working and living in the Hub City of Lubbock for long stretches of time. With The Panhandlers, they've written and recorded an album's worth of richly detailed vignettes and organic dust-blown ballads that celebrate their West Texas roots and heritage. 

During this interview, we talk about those West Texas roots, talk about the Blue Light songwriting culture, the works of Jerry Jeff Walker and Billy Joe Shaver, and hear a handful of stories about life in Lubbock.

This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol. In addition, this episode is sponsored by The Blue Light Live and Hot Damn Coffee.

Interview Transcript

Note: Transcripts aren’t always accurate since they are computer automated and haven’t been edited for spelling, grammar, etc.