The Randy Rogers Band will make its Country Thunder debut next week, and of all the acts on the lineup, it might be the biggest unknown.
"We haven't had any success at Top 40 country radio," laments frontman Rogers, whose Texas-born-and-bred band hit the national stage about five years ago. "Nationally, we haven't gained much attention."
But that could change soon. In August, the band will release its third major-label disc, "Burning the Day," which was produced by über-Nashville music man Paul Worley. Worley is the genius behind the platinum success of acts including Lady Antebellum.
We caught up with Rogers by phone from Austin, Texas, and discovered a few things you'll want to know before you see him live.
Kickin' it old school live.
"We have lots of energy. We've probably played 1,500 shows together. We've focused on that live show for so long that I think we're all comfortable with each other and being on stage."
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Their music is real life, real country.
"I'm a songwriter, and I was raised with Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. We kind of tend to lean on that traditional country influence."
Texas country versus Nashville.
"I think people are hungry for something that isn't just beautiful and smoke and mirrors and lights. . . . Our music is very honest and very relatable and very simple and very real. It's about your everyday ins and outs of life, and I write what I feel and try to convey that on stage."
They're up for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Group award.
"With the year that Lady Antebellum had and the year Zac Brown Band had and everybody in our category, I don't think we have a chance in hell to win. But I will say that I'm throwing a huge party Saturday night (April 17). They will remember me by the party we throw."
