So I'm sitting here in Houston,Texas. I've played three nights in a row, got this one off. One more show tomorrow in Houston at the Habitat House Concert, then it's back home.

I've had a great time. I like Texas. I like Texans. They seem to think I'm OK, too and I appreciate that. Tennesseans and Texans have long shared a special bond. I'm proud to be carrying on that tradition although I must admit I'm relieved that it didn't climax in a fort against impossible odds.

I've only been to Texas twice now. Once was playing bass for Buck Jones back in August of 2005 during a 5 night stand at the Inn of the Hills in Kerrville. Me and Buck and Jon Byrd drove down and used a couple of local drummers and by the last two nights we were delivering the goods.

On the trip with Buck, we stopped in Stephenville and stayed the night with Buck's folks and drove the rest of the way to Kerrville the next day. They're such great folks, I had to repeat the experience. So I came down a day early and stopped in on Shayne Hollinger at Mandatory FM and hung out on the air for a bit, then went to the Jones place and had a great visit. Buck is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. The world is simply not a fair place or else he'd still be here.

My second trip to Texas is this one. August. Again. I'm I just crazy?

But the warmth of the people more than makes up for the oppressive heat and I hope to come back here as often as they can stand it. Since I moved out of Nashville to Muskogee, Oklahoma last November, there's hardly any excuse not to come down here regularly, and I look forward to it.

But there is one thing that I am officially ruined on: I don't think I can eat Tex-Mex outside of Texas ever again. I'm sorry to tell you this, America, but you ain't doing it right. It's all very subtle, but the difference is clear. This is where you eat Tex-Mex if you want it done right. It's all about the proper seasoning and correct ingredients. I'm slowly getting educated on this subject.

And more importantly, you need to go to the funky holes in the wall. I don't recall the name of the first place we went after the Under the Volcano show, but it was the proverbial bomb. I know I had some fine-ass huevos rancheros at Andy's,and another incredible experience at the Taco A Go Go down by the Continental Club. The one in Houston, mind you.

Galveston was great, too. A true pleasure finally meeting Wrecks Bell in person. What a great dude. And I had a smallish but very gracious crowd there of some of the best folks you could have asked for. Another good time.

So, if you were there at any of these shows, by all means, go out and tell your friends about me! Bring them back next time I'm here. Tell them, "you gotta see this guy... he ain't right."

Because I'm not. I'm just out here doing what I do with no regard for trend or convention. I refuse to wear the uniform or suppress outrageous thoughts or opinions. I'm just not corporate material. I'm older now, I can admit these things. Putting on the Stetson and hitting the road for a Wal-Mart tour because some 24 year old A&R guy thinks he's pretty sharp just ain't gonna happen. I'm out here meeting real folks, playing real music and I'm getting way richer than big money could ever make me. Although... still... bring your friends next time... and buy CDs... money's good, too.

Here's a review of the first show, complete with some totally glamorous and flattering pictures:

Aftermath: Jubal Lee Young at Under the Volcano

Yeah... I need a haircut, a shave, and some Jenny Craig. But, I have a good time and so will you, if you come see me next time I'm in your town. So we'll leave the perfectly straight white teeth and supermodel physique to the folks making that soulless corporate crap that they market as "Music" and we'll all have a real experience. One you won't soon forget.

Thank you, Texas. I really dig it here.

JLY