hayes carll

Trying to rank Red Dirt and Texas songs is something I've always wanted to do, but could never (in good conscience) take on. I honestly wouldn't want to deal with the hardcore blowback from all y'all ravenous fans. Luckily, Kelly Dearmore from the Dallas Observer wasn't quite as worried about that as me.

Even though you may not know his name, Brian Keane has definitely made an impact in the Texas Music scene. Keane was a founding member of the Band Of Heathens, and more recently, he was a member of the Randy Rogers Band. In between he co-wrote the 2009 Americana Song of the Year and saw his own debut single, "I'll Sing About Mine," go all the way to No. 2 on the Texas charts last year. R

This week on The RTX New Music Challenge it's a Red Dirt/Americana showdown as Cody Canada and his new band The Departed take on Americana powerhouse Hayes Carll. This will not be easy and there will be casualties, but it's called music business not music friends -- now, let's do this!

The Houston Press took the time to make the list, the least I could do is share it. My only problem with it (besides I haven't heard of all five) is Hayes Carll is on it. Hayes Carll is 36, that's not old.

It so happens that the album is one of my favorites as well.  You may recognize the cover of Hayes Carll's latest album from it's starring role on the 2011 iTunes television commercial, it's there from about :16 to :18, he's the awkward looking fellow in the red, white and blue sweater.

Will the latest compilation of the biggest songs in Texas see Stoney LaRue hold on to the number 1 spot or will Josh Abbott or Jason Cassidy take over the number one position this week? I'll tell you this much, we saw big spin increases this week for Brandon Rhyder, Reckless Kelly and Robert Earl Keen. Find out who comes in at number 1, check out the rest of the Top 10 according to Texas Music Ch

Reckless Kelly step up to the plate to host their Celebrity Softball Jam for the third year in a row -- and this year, Wade Bowen and Hayes Carll will suit up to join the team. Get the scoop at Taste of Country.