I’m often asked what I look for when I interview talented recording artists. And while I am a vocal recording artist, I don’t pretend to be a songwriter or singer. But I’ll tell you a secret. While I do these interviews with remarkably talented people, I am always looking for common ground. When I interviewed Gary Pratt, he had just released a remarkable new album “Something Worth Remembering”. Knowing the folks at his record label (MTS), I’m certain there are people all over the country wanting to interview him. And between record producers and studio talent, ones nerves can get a little frayed, and while all this was his reality, he stopped his world as if we had the luxury of being old friends.
It’s easy to find common ground when he openly talks about his family ties and when he seems genuinely appreciative of the people around him who are working to help his career. His music production is spot on and fun to listen to. And he told me it is always important to relate to the crowd as if he enjoyed seeing their faces and wanted them to have as much fun as he was performing.
Episode 67 of our Free Range Texan Podcast brings a slice of Gary Pratt’s life, career and music … and a guy like Gary is exactly what enables us to have good music and worthwhile content that we can introduce our listeners to. He is our new friend here on the Free Range Texan, and we suggest that you enjoy our visit with this singer, songwriter, recording artist, and entertainer that will be worth your time. Honestly, I’ve got a grin on my face just thinking about the time spent making a new friend. Enjoy!
Savannah has a quality about her that can only be described as “the camera is her friend.” Not only that, but the microphone and her various and sundry audiences all go together to create a fun recording artist with some great songs. Just below is one of her recent video releases “Soft Place to Land,” and when you watch this, it’s clear to everyone that she enjoys performing in front of the camera as well.
Thanks again, Chris, for donating your time and reminding us that the men and women behind the wheel in those patrol vehicles are more often deserving of our appreciation and respect.
She is at least a second generation jazz professional and one of the nicest ladies I have ever met. But the thing that drew us to her was her remarkable music. I don’t know why we have waited so long to bring real jazz to our Free Range Talent File, but the seal has been broken and our eyes are open. Louise Cappi caused us to remember that we have overlooked a uniquely American brand of music. And she is a perfect ambassador for our Free Range Texan audience.
All of the usual stuff is in place, post-COVid she has begun to work again. Her web site (
If you don’t believe in miracles you’ll probably figure that we made this whole thing up. If you do believe in miracles, get ready to hear one that is only a few days old and happened right before our eyes in the life of my life-long friend, Stan Troy.
Podcast producers are always looking for content, but rarely is a real life miracle laid in our lap. This story is not true because our Free Range Texan Podcast says so, or because Stan Troy says so. It’s true because some of the finest doctors and research scientist that Houston, Texas has to offer say so. So, believe it or not, here is just what happened to our good friend, Stan. Free Range Texan Episode 63 is the first of its kind, and hopefully not the last.
Canadian born, he is one of those songwriter, recording artists who creates his own niche and is remarkably fun to listen to. Every song I have heard Ed Roman do always carries a deeper and profound meaning once you begin to listen to his music. I kid you not … in the half dozen recordings that landed at our studio, I heard a perfect blend of folk, rock, funk, and jazz … all in a blend of toe tapping fun. He is amazing. No two songs were alike, and I enjoyed every one of them.
Honestly, I spent more time in research for Episode 61 and finally for the first time we decided to play three of his tunes on our Podcast because sharing the Ed Roman experience with just one or two recordings does not even begin to relate to our listeners what we discovered in his press kit.
But here’s the thing. Not only does his music press all the right buttons, but I found him to have a charming personality and a deep understanding of the human condition and its special needs in this day and time. After spending time with him in the interview, I found myself disarmed as a podcast producer and instead just wanting to ask him if we could be friends. He’s that kind of guy.
In short, I think he is our new favorite Canadian, and after the final edit of our Free Range Texan Episode 61, I have been anxious to share my new friend with the world. My advice is listen to this very special edition of our Podcast and enjoy.
On our Podcast it is always our goal to find the parts of an artist’s story that glitter above and beyond the everyday norms. Sometimes you work harder and sometimes the person’s personality gives you a more comfortable run. Shimmer Johnson gave us the type of interview that we walked away from thinking that we had a new and enjoyable friend in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Shimmer is a pro with a work ethic that commands respect from anyone in the business who learns the daily steps of her music career. If she opens up with you, you find out that very little has ever been handed to her on a silver platter. And she has an amazing grasp of today’s music industry. Oh yes, she has developed a good production team with which she writes and records music with a voice reminiscent of Judy Collins or Alison Krauss.
Shimmer Johnson is unique, and we here at the Free Range Texan are glad to have met her. The people at our studio asked me, “What did you think of Shimmer Johnson?” I just smiled and said, “I like her.” Her video 
There is often a degree of aloofness in so many of our regional entertainment favorites. There are those singers and recording artists in our area who remain lost in their own little world of periodic recordings and Facebook posts, while a genuine artist like Kenny Maines maintains a constant level of humble appreciation for his media contacts and fans through the years. He is a gentleman of remarkable character.
Here’s the thing, while we have not been close friends, we have been acquainted for a large part of our lives. This article would be incomplete if I did not include one more thing that is clearly noticeable about spending any time around Kenny Maines. He is simply the type of person that will very gently leave you wanting to be a better person yourself. His talents are remarkable. And his lifestyle remains one that commands enormous respect. We are proud to have him as our guest on Episode 59 of the Free Range Texan Podcast.
To anyone who has grown up in or around the State of Texas, you know that the Marfa Lights are a part of the lore of our land. What has always intrigued me is that they are in fact a real phenomena. Every few years or so there are scientists or university study groups that announce that they have cracked the case of the Marfa Lights. But when they apply their theories to the actual phenomena, like so many others before them they are quickly proven to not be able to exactly explain what the lights are doing or what causes them.
One of my favorite stories is when the government decided that they would get to the bottom of the Marfa Lights. They took a battalion of Comanche Black Hawk helicopters to the popular viewing sight and waited to chase them down. Our government’s finest flying machines were not capable of so much as even coming up with a theory. In short, the lights play games. In our Free Range Texan Podcast Episode 58 we tell a story of one such event. There are hundreds of stories and hundreds of sightings, and they are always unique.