Musicians step away from bands to stage 'Songs and Stories' tour

By Ben Scott

Published: June 20, 2008

Randy Rogers has found another performer he can trust. And if anyone accuses his "Songs and Stories” tour with Wade Bowen of getting stale — which hard-core fans probably won't — he will keep plucking with his musical doppelganger of seven years.

"We've always helped promote each other's music,” Rogers said of Bowen, a fellow Texas country troubadour. "This business is pretty cutthroat. We've always tried to be honest with each other and keep an open relationship when it comes to business.”

Rogers and Bowen are cruising through their fourth turn on the "Songs and Stories” tour. The 16-city tour comes to the Wormy Dog Saloon in downtown Oklahoma City on Monday.

Rogers and Bowen leave their tour bands behind and sit on stage with a pair of acoustic guitars, playing songs and telling their stories. Rogers said the organic setting allows him to unveil the true emotion and grit of a song.

"There's a lot of songs I play I wouldn't do with a full band,” Rogers said. "And we can tell the audience exactly what's behind the song.”

Rogers and Bowen occasionally take requests, but only if they're earnest.

"Some people yell at me,” Rogers said with a chuckle. "You always have the drunk guy who yells at you. But if someone yells out a song and is genuine, we try to do it.”

Rogers and Bowen also will entertain a question-and-answer session. Fans write their questions at the merchandise booth. One person's question will be drawn, and he or she will be entered to win a Hummingbird guitar given away by Gibson at the tour's end.

Rogers and his band, The Randy Rogers Band, will release their sixth studio album this fall. Rogers decided to self-title the disc but "not because of lack of creativity.” He felt the album encapsulates the band's vibe and sound. The album, produced by Nashville bigwig Radney Foster, will be their second with Mercury Records.

The band also is coming off a CMT Music Awards nomination for best video for "One More Goodbye.”

Should loyal fans see more pep in Rogers' performance, blame John Fogerty. The band shared the stage with the legendary front man of Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif. The Eagles also were on the bill. While Rogers was impressed with the Eagles and their melodies, Fogerty was the act who really impressed him.

"Fogerty was so great,” Rogers said. "After the show, I was so pumped when I went back to the bus. It was a cross between wanting to smash my guitar on the side of the road or just play it constantly.”

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