Evan Felker of the Turnpike Troubadours Finds Sobriety
Evan Felker—the frontman of the Turnpike Troubadours—is sober, recovered, and thinking about music again. These are the revelations that came from an excerpt of the book Red Dirt: Roots Music, Born in Oklahoma, Raised in Texas, at Home Anywhere by Josh Crutchmer scheduled for release on September 19, 2020.
Portions of the book were published Thursday morning (8-13), detailing how the author had been approached by Evan Felker’s former wife, Staci Felker (who is now back with Evan), right before the book went to final press. Staci Felker suggested the author speak to Evan, and a final portion was added to the chapter of the book focusing on the Turnpike Troubadours.
“The past year has been some of the best moments and best parts of my life,” Evan Felker says. “First and foremost, I found sobriety and recovery. And I stepped away from the road and got a clearer view of the world. I got back to just being me. I could not have ever done that while we were touring like we were. I had initially blamed everything on being on the road. But it’s only when you take the road out of the equation that you see you’ve still got problems. I was able to start fixing those.”
This is the first time Evan Felker, or anyone involved with the Turnpike Troubadours has publicly acknowledged that many of the issues surrounding the band’s numerous show cancellations were tied to Evan Felker’s drinking. Though this was pretty obvious and well-rumored among the Turnpike Troubadours and Red Dirt fan base, many of the band’s cancellations ahead of their eventual announcement of an indefinite hiatus on May 31st, 2019 were cited simply as being personal issues not attributed to any specific member.
On January 8th, 2020—some eight months after the indefinite hiatus of the Turnpike Troubadours was announced—Evan Felker was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Harris County, Texas, near the Port of Houston. A $100 bond was paid for the misdemeanor charge, and Felker was released. Felker has a court date scheduled in the matter on September 2nd.
Though the arrest is not cited in the new interview as the reason for Evan Felker’s newfound sobriety, it corroborates that it took some time for Felker to find his footing after Turnpike’s hiatus, and that perhaps he reached a low point that now he has overcome, and moved on from. Saving Country Music was not notified about the arrest until late July.
In mid May of 2020, photographer Calvin Shofner posted numerous photos of Evan Felker working on the Canada Ranch in Oak Island, TX, which is across Trinity Bay from Houston. This was the first fans had seen of Felker since the band played their final show in the spring of 2019. In another positive sign, Evan Felker helped pick the set list that close friend, writing partner, and sometimes tour partner Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s performed on a live stream event in late July.
The new revelations from Evan Felker set at ease the worry of many Turnpike Troubadours fans about the condition and status of the Oklahoma-born singer and songwriter. Considered by many to be a generational voice and writer, Evan Felker is well-beloved, with the Turnpike Troubadours being arguably the most successful independent band ever launched out of the Texas/Red Dirt scene.
What remains an open question is if we will see a reunification of the Turnpike Troubadours in the future. The solo record from Turnpike fiddle player Kyle Nix called Lightning on the Mountain released on June 26th included all the other members of the band except for Evan, and a tour was rumored to be in the works before COVID-19. Guitar player Ryan Engleman has also been playing and touring with Reckless Kelly.
No matter what happens in the future, whether you’re a fan of the Turnpike Troubadours, or Evan Felker specifically, you can’t help but be heartened by the news that he appears to be sober, balanced, and pointing himself towards the task of writing and performing music once again.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:11 am
Anybody who says, “Great, his music will suck now that he’s sober,” I will personally come to your house and take a shit on your pillow.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:38 am
Or just hire Amber Heard to do it, Trig
August 13, 2020 @ 12:04 pm
I will shit on their pillow too. So add another shit to the pillow of anyone who says his music will suck now that he’s sober.
Congrats to Evan. Seriously.
August 13, 2020 @ 12:28 pm
keep it up with that foul mouth Trigg n I will come down and give ya a paddlin in front of all yur cool frends this is a family web site all rite
August 13, 2020 @ 12:45 pm
Am I the only one who doesn’t know where everyone else lives?
August 13, 2020 @ 8:28 pm
Nope
August 13, 2020 @ 4:08 pm
Anyone who says that isn’t a country fan. Or at least hasn’t heard American Aquarium or Jason Isbell. So if they are a country fan, it’s shit country.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:58 pm
Or Steve Earle!
I’ll take “I Feel Alright” and “Transcendental Blues” over “Guitar Town” and “Copperhead Road” 8 days a week.
August 15, 2020 @ 6:05 am
I almost always agree with your comments Cool Lester (I don’t believe I have ever responded to one of your posts, but that’s probably because I almost always agree with your comments and they are more typically articulate than mine would likely be). Not this time though. I will take Steve Earle’s first four over his later day output all day long. Although his first three post jail (especially Train a Coming and I Feel Alright) are all of at least equal stature. From there I think he went down hill with too little effort on the songs, a failing voice and a repetitiveness that grew boring. He was at the top of my list so it took a lot for me to get to the point that I actually just stopped buying his new stuff altogether. Though I should point out that I do not think the problem was his sobriety, I think he just got boring.
….and hell yeah! I hope this is the beginning of a return by Evan, preferably with TT. …but even Evan solo would be better than no Evan. How anyone posting on this site would say anything other than that blows my mind. Go back to Facebook and post your gossip there.
August 15, 2020 @ 1:05 pm
Hah! Appreciate it, man!
I don’t think Steve has much left to say, at this point…but I will die on the hill that I Feel Alright is his best album, haha!
Admittedly, that may be because it was the first country album I fell in love with.
August 13, 2020 @ 4:23 pm
I know others have mentioned it, but Jason Isbell’s unquestionable greatest work, Southeastern, came from the creative renaissance he experienced after getting sober.
For most people with substance issues, it is hindering them creatively, not helping.
August 13, 2020 @ 5:02 pm
Everybody knows Florida Georgia Line is the truest of all country music. Their raw talent, original lyrics, and cutting edge shows serve as the poster board for what all dieing country music artists such as TPT aspire to be. I’m glad Evan put up a poster Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley on his apartment wall and started drinking the FGL Kool-aid while jamming out to eye of the tiger.
Welcome Back Evan and a special thanks to FGL!!!
August 13, 2020 @ 11:13 am
SCM Post about Evan #423
August 13, 2020 @ 11:17 am
Country Music Site Writes Article About Leading Country Artist
August 13, 2020 @ 11:18 am
I’m sorry should he not post about Evan’s first public statements in over a year? Some of y’all are just weird man.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:18 am
He’s a prominent figure being interviewed for a book about Red Dirt, of course it’s going to be covered here.
Unless you’re being sarcastic and it’s lost on me.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:31 am
You might be playfully ribbing, or you might be accusatory. But I’m going to address this issue once again, for anyone who needs to read it.
Turnpike Troubadours fans are the most gossipy of gossipy of gossipy fans in all of country music. They put Carrie Underwood Stans to shame. What has happened with this band has helped feed that over the years. But it’s their natural disposition anyway. These fans LOVE to stick their nose right square in any and all drama and talk about it incessantly on a private level. But you mention ANYTHING about Turnpike in a public forum, and all of a sudden YOU’RE the the person “obsessed” with this band, posting click bait, gossiping, a piece of shit, etc. etc. The reason for this is because these certain gossipy fans what to believe they’re the one “in the know,” and when you make that information public, it erodes their social capital, or so they worry.
The Turnpike Troubadours is the most important band in independent country music in the last 10 years, and maybe ever. You’re damn right if I have news that their front man has found sobriety it will be reported here—and by the way, with some important original reporting to offer important context as well. I started Saving Country Music 13 years ago because I was so frustrated music outlets weren’t reporting on bands like the Turnpike Troubadours. And sure, there has been a lot of reporting on this band due to all the cancellations and issues they faced over the last few years. But this news—and all the news on Turnpike has been worthy of bringing to the public—has interest and importance among music fans.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:54 am
Trigger,
You are correct. I was a member of a TT Facebook group. Great taste in music but, Good Lord Lorrie, did they love drama. They repeatedly accused SCM of hating the band and milking the story. As someone who discovered TT because of SCM, I couldn’t understand how their venom. You, out of all country music journalists, have done more to promote TT than anyone. Their Wikipedia page is a stub. They were called a “neo-folk” group by a major publication. But SCM is the problem for writing articles on publicized incidents.
August 13, 2020 @ 6:41 pm
I’m sure I was in the same fb group and it was a pack of vultures. Anybody with a differing opinion would get attacked by the mob.
August 13, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
So, leading up to the band’s hiatus, what was the consensus of this FB group? Something like “Leave Evan alone! There’s nothing wrong with him!”? Because I remember a couple of “fans” posting stuff like that on here…
August 14, 2020 @ 5:55 am
I’m in the exact same boat. I found TT because of this site. I was also in the Facebook group and didn’t understand the hate.
August 13, 2020 @ 2:11 pm
Trigger, isn’t this your site to do with as you please?
August 13, 2020 @ 11:45 am
Just don’t click on the articles you aren’t interested in, it’s that simple lol
August 14, 2020 @ 6:02 am
Well, this aged well!
Anyway, I was merely pointing out Trigger’s obession with TT. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:13 am
Best news of 2020 so far, I’m happy for him and hope it sticks. Addiction is a hard battle.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:18 am
Man this is great news.
August 14, 2020 @ 6:31 am
I’m so happy for Evan. Such a waste of music if he doesn’t use it. This guy is great. I love their music. I’ve seen them in concert. The atmosphere was great. People loved them. I sure hope they come back to us!
August 13, 2020 @ 11:24 am
Just saw a similar report on RS, checked here, no article. Read the RS piece, checked here, this article.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:26 am
Man, this brings tears to my eyes. This is great news for Evan, and I am thrilled that the mystery man who has been making Staci so happy is indeed her husband. Incredible!
August 13, 2020 @ 11:27 am
Glad to hear he’s getting the help he needs – the guy’s a tremendous talent, but I’ve heard he was completely out of control for a couple years before the hiatus.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:29 am
I’m so happy to read this. I know Staci had moved to Houston some time ago and had hinted at reconciliation. Excellent news about Evan. I look forward to his future musical endeavors. Thanks Trig for the update.
August 13, 2020 @ 2:57 pm
I’m really surprised Staci took him back. I hope there was a huge amount of groveling and apologizing….
August 13, 2020 @ 5:11 pm
Doesn’t say much for the poor girl, after the public humiliation her husband caused her. Low self-esteem, maybe? Either that, or she’s a fucking saint. Most women would have told the jag-off to kick stones.
And before anyone gets their panties in a knot, I like the guy’s music (although I don’t think he’s the second coming like a lot fo folks here, but he’s definitely talented). What he did to his wife is unacceptable (except to her, I guess.)
August 13, 2020 @ 5:24 pm
I agree, on top of getting cheated on and dumped, the psycho contingent of Miranda stans trolled her in a big way plus her life ended up in tabloids. To me, those are deal breakers…
August 13, 2020 @ 6:13 pm
I’m not going to pretend to know the whole story enough to judge them like you two are doing. But from the looks of it, at an admittedly brief and superficial glance, it seems possible that she might have compassion and forgiveness in heart. I’m not exactly Christian, but I can still appreciate those qualities in people. Certainly more than I can appreciate gossipy, holier-than-thou busybodies.
August 13, 2020 @ 7:05 pm
Jake, several of my Gwen stan friends were defending Staci on social media so I know how shitty Miranda stans were being. (And disclaimer, I really like Miranda’s music so this is on her obsessive fans, not her).
It’s about self respect and recognizing when your beloved is a douche. If your significant other dumped you for a celebrity and caused a tabloid and social media avalanche to come down on your head, how forgiving would you be? A year after you got married?
August 13, 2020 @ 7:47 pm
I have no idea what I’d do. I’ve never been in that situation so it’s hard for me to judge. It’s an open forum and all opinions are welcome, but since you asked: What I do KNOW I would never do, is call myself a Stan, inject politics into non-political articles, constantly pass gossipy moral high ground judgement on other people, only make comments about Cardi B on an article about Cody Jinks, only make comments like these or about Dolly Parton on an article about a beloved artist finding sobriety and reconciling with this wife….and in general I wouldn’t hang out on a country music forum that mostly champions independent and traditional country artists, if I was a self-proclaimed Stan for Blake Shelton and the other pop stars you like to bring up. That’s just me, and what I would and wouldn’t do. You do you.
August 13, 2020 @ 7:56 pm
Hey, Sparky, SOMEONE ELSE made a Dolly Parton comment, I was just replying cause she is amazing and shouldn’t be dragged. Also someone else brought up Cardi. And someone else brought up Blake.
And, it is an open forum and you are not the forum police. ????????????????????
August 14, 2020 @ 7:32 am
Dee, “Gwen stans” give little less than crap, zero care about her. Just admit you’re a Blake stan still obsessed with Miranda.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:33 am
Tig, I have said repeatedly that I really like Miranda’s music, I have no issue with her. But a contingent of her fans are horrible people. It’s one thing to troll celebrities, but civilian relatives should be out of bounds. Miranda stans have trolled Blake’s mom, Gwen’s 14 year old son, and Staci. I think they should be called out for that.
August 14, 2020 @ 10:24 am
Dee – i am calling out you for blaming “Gwen stans”. Own who you are as a Blake stan. You are trying to provoke a fight between female fan bases, basically because you don’t want to show how toxic Blake’s fan base is towards ML.
August 14, 2020 @ 10:29 am
Dee, it is hard to take you seriously when you are posting what “Gwen stans” say and they really don’t care. Own that it’s Blake stans and that you are still obsessed with ML fans.
August 14, 2020 @ 10:40 am
Tig, I am a Gwen stan. In fact, I was not into country music at all except for Johnny Cash (who was idolized by 90s metalheads, the audirnce for the NYC concert I saw was a sea of Slayer t-shirts). But when she started dating Blake I checked out his music, liked it, and have gone on to love and appreciate a lot of artists.
And I’m not “obsessed” by any of this, please stop ascribing motives to me. It’s 2020, the world is going to shit, there are way more important things to be obsessed by.
August 14, 2020 @ 11:02 am
Dee = thank you for proving my point about being you trying to deflect from your and Blake’s toxic fan base. Funny that you are hanging out here of all places.. You have established who your really are. Perhaps you should listen to the Chick’s Gaslighter.
August 14, 2020 @ 11:12 am
Oh FFS.
I’m here cause I have gotten into country and thought it would be fun to find out about indie artists. And I really appreciate finding out about Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson, among others, way better than most of the mainstream guys.
But pssssssst I’m not the toxic one here sweetie.
And I’ve heard Gaslighter. Pretty good, but I like Kacey Musgraves, Miranda, Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini better.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:56 pm
I’m assuming the sobriety played a damn big role in her taking him back.
August 14, 2020 @ 5:59 am
Let’s not forget Staci’s friend, if not Staci herself, was the source of a whole lot of tabloid stories. Felker was in the wrong, she wasn’t an innocent party in the end between the tabloids and airing all their dirty laundry on social media.
August 14, 2020 @ 8:19 am
Staci had every right to say whatever she wanted. Everyone was trying to cover up the fact that her still married husband left her for ML. Her fans constantly harassed her. Why was she the only one in the wrong? What’ about Evan and Miranda?
August 12, 2022 @ 4:33 pm
The reasoning was obvious. Evan cleaned up his life and he was the best that she was ever going to pull down.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:29 am
Trigger, I’ll come piss on any pillows you have to shit on if people are so ignorant. Look at BJ Barham, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle, Justin Townes Earle and even Eminem. All sober, all same great talent or begged than they were. In November, I have 3 years and it’s finally a real life!
August 13, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
Actually, those are the people that are the bad examples.
Correlation or causation, there is anecdotal evidence.
Quitting (or getting a drug habit) changes people. Sometimes it puts their music in an unwanted direction. Hopefully this doesn’t happen to Evan, or hopefully the new direction is just as good.
Credit to you for stopping though.
Incidentally, I’ve noticed similar changes in dome artists when they get married or have kids. Reviewers say things like “matured” and “personal” and i keep looking for trippy artists who are busy killing thrmselves.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:34 am
Damn this is a lot of stuff to have kept under wraps and to come out the old-school way…in a book. I’m no social media stalker, but I’m surprised I didn’t know he was back with his wife.
Good news all around, hope it sticks.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:41 am
Glad to hear he is on the mend!
Of course I’d be happy if he got back into the music biz, but he needs to keep his priorities straight, and keeping his fans happy should not be #1 (or #2 or 3, for that matter). He needs to figure out where his boundaries need to be. And I say that because it may not include touring as before. I can pretty much guarantee you that there are still some dipshits out there that will think it’s cute to offer him drinks.
August 13, 2020 @ 12:54 pm
He has only been sober a few months. After years of drug and alcohol abuse with numerous stints in rehab and episodes of sobriety, this announcement is premature. There is so much drama between the band and Evan exacerbated by the attention seeking Staci. Wouldn’t you reach out to your ex-band members before doing photo shoots and interviews?!
August 13, 2020 @ 1:10 pm
How do you know he hasn’t reached out? And why say “ex-band members?”
August 13, 2020 @ 1:27 pm
Seriously? You’re blaming Staci on this? Weird hill to die on but at least you’re dead
August 13, 2020 @ 1:46 pm
OH boy here we go — the sharks from the “in the know” group. (i) I doubt very seriously that she made that call without his prior knowledge and consent; and (ii) why on earth would he need to contact TT members before giving an interview that discussed his personal life and/or allowing an amateur photographer take a few photos of him working on a ranch. Good Lord Lorrie again. Sobriety is hard and all any of us seeking the road to recovery is “one day at a time”. I know that if I can get sober – anyone can and I celebrated 20 years in January. Great news to hear about Evan and Evan and Staci back together (that attention seeking wench!)….
August 13, 2020 @ 2:56 pm
See, this is the type of stuff I was talking about above. So high school.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:06 am
Get it now completely – pretty toxic individuals posting on here.
August 13, 2020 @ 1:52 pm
“Ex-band mates” says the person claiming to know so much. As per the title of this article, and no other official word to the contrary, the band is not broken up. Oops
August 13, 2020 @ 4:20 pm
Hey cas.
Fuck off.
Sincerely.
August 13, 2020 @ 4:42 pm
…and then fuck off again.
August 13, 2020 @ 4:43 pm
Ive been wondering where the band stands. So far I’ve only seen shade from one of their wives. I mean, can’t say I don’t understand why.
August 13, 2020 @ 5:16 pm
Where is this shade you’ve seen
August 13, 2020 @ 7:52 pm
Erin’s story. Haven’t seen any of the guys acknowledge it either. Just curious since some have been on today and not liked any turnpike mentions that I had seen yet. It’s also maybe not their style business (but it kinda is?) so I get it. But Kyle’s wife did make me raise an eyebrow.
August 14, 2020 @ 6:06 am
I think it’s pretty telling. It seems there’s a concerted effort to rebuild Felker’s image, driven primarily by him and/or his wife. I don’t think the kiss and make up with the other band members will be so easy.
Side note – RC did like a snarky wonder how Felker is doing comment on Twitter.
August 13, 2020 @ 9:19 pm
This is great news. I hope he maintains his sobriety! Not getting picky, but he is in recovery, not recovered. No one with an addiction is ever recovered. Thanks for great article.
August 15, 2020 @ 5:48 am
I liked cas’s comment because I agreed with the first two sentences. The “announcement” of his sobriety does seem premature. As a veteran of recovery myself (34 years and counting) I think giving Felker support is great but his going public so early in sobriety, which is a common temptation, is not recommended. You need to keep your head down and your mouth shut and stay focused — if he’s truly an alcoholic, he’s got a long way to go. When I hit the thumbs-up button I hadn’t read the other shit in cas’s comment about what Felker’s ex did or whether he’s been in touch with his bandmates, etc. My thumbs-up was premature.
August 13, 2020 @ 12:54 pm
What I’d like to see happen is for a re-unification of the band with Felker and Nix sharing vocal and primary songwriting duties (a la Drive By Truckers’ Hood and Cooley). That could serve to give both of them their voices, allow Nix to continue to shine, as his album was stellar, and possibly even reduce some of the strain from Evan and maybe help with retaining his newfound sobriety (if the stress of it all was a contributing factor).
Either way, it’s great to see him doing well. Can’t wait for that full book to come out!
August 13, 2020 @ 1:28 pm
How bout shows with half Felker vocals and half RC-led Hank Jr. covers. Hell yeah, brother.
August 13, 2020 @ 8:23 pm
Wait you’re comparing that Kyle Nix album to Felker’s songwriting? Did you listen to it?
August 14, 2020 @ 5:00 am
I did listen to it. Did you?
August 14, 2020 @ 8:54 pm
If Erin will let them
August 13, 2020 @ 1:03 pm
Just keep Miranda away! Yes this article was first reported on Rolling Stones, but it relevant here as well.
August 13, 2020 @ 4:35 pm
It’s pretty hilarious how many turnpike fans can’t keep Miranda’s name out of their mouths two whole years later when she was one of dozens of women. Does it bother you all that much that she’s the most famous thing he’ll ever do?
August 13, 2020 @ 6:44 pm
Preach it!!!! I hope he is doing well. I really do. However. He is a grown ass man in charge of his own decisions regarding where he and his anatomy travels to and thru. So, I, too am quite sick of the shame being put on the one that was without the commitment. No need for people to respond, I’m just calling a spade a spade here.
August 13, 2020 @ 8:25 pm
Maybe the most famous but not the most talented thing he’s ever done. Probably accomplished surpassing that talent in the womb.
August 13, 2020 @ 9:11 pm
Hm idk, after three days of knowing her he seemed to think she was pretty fuckin talented.
August 14, 2020 @ 6:25 am
YES!! Can the TT fan base stop talking about Miranda? I think we can all agree at this point there were significant issues both personally and professionally, and the outcome would’ve been the same with or without the little Miranda blip. Unfortunately for Felker, his private struggles had to play out on a national stage.
August 13, 2020 @ 1:24 pm
It’s great to hear that Evan is well right now. Hopefully he will be given the time and space that he clearly needs to continue his recovery.
August 13, 2020 @ 1:34 pm
Wow. This is great news. Really really great news
August 13, 2020 @ 1:45 pm
Last thing I heard about Evan Felker was about him elk hunting with Corb Lund — which sounded like a good sign. Apparently, it was. For the sake of the music, but most of all for the sake of him, I’m glad to hear he’s doing well. I always figured that if Steve Earle could beat teh Devil, Felker could, too.
Hopefully we’ll see them back together down the road.
August 13, 2020 @ 2:04 pm
Good for Evan. “Diamonds and Gasoline” is one of the best country rock albums of the last ten years. There isn’t a track on it that isn’t brilliant. Hope to hear more from him and the gents very soon.
August 13, 2020 @ 2:10 pm
Thank God! This great news and new Arlo tomorrow.
Helluva 24 hours heading into the weekend.
August 13, 2020 @ 2:11 pm
Well you’ve been a long time gone good to see you my old friend
August 13, 2020 @ 2:23 pm
Whether or not you like his music you should congratulate him on his sobriety. There are things bigger than music. You know….like life.
August 14, 2020 @ 12:38 am
Not really. We remember Hank Williams because he basically gave up his life for music. If he would have done something healthier, the world would be a worse place.
Sorry Evan, as a random guy on the other side of the world, your life only affects if you can put it in a song that helps me/people I know to be happier.
Yes, I’m a heartless bastard, but aren’t we all?
August 13, 2020 @ 2:26 pm
Great news for Evan, but terrible news for Dolly. She is all over the headlines. She has ruined her legacy by talking about things she swore she never would.
August 13, 2020 @ 3:16 pm
I absolutely love Dolly for speaking out.
August 13, 2020 @ 3:44 pm
Dolly realizes that treating all people like humans is not actually a political topic. Sadly, it appears that you don’t. And Dolly’s legacy is secured through her amazing musical catalog, but even more so by all of the people that she has helped lift up along the way. She does more in one week for country music, and people who live in the country then you will do in your lifetime.
August 14, 2020 @ 4:44 am
Except BLM made it a political topic by requesting political demands and being led by trained Marxists.
Darn those pesky facts.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:07 am
1) Black Lives Matter is a saying/slogan. BLM is an organization. You can support the first without supporting the latter. 2) Primarily white suburbs spend drastically less on policing then primarily Black spaces. So yes in the sense that funding resources are allocated by politicians, saying spend less on police is political. However, most areas that are run by Republicans spend less on policing, so you’d think support for the idea would cross party lines 3) they aren’t Marxist, and trained Marxist isn’t even a thing.
#facts
August 14, 2020 @ 9:34 am
the cofounder of BLM described herself as a “Trained Marxist” so you need to let her know. #facts
– answering as a huge Dolly fan and supporter of the movement
August 14, 2020 @ 10:16 am
https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/jul/21/black-lives-matter-marxist-movement/
to;dr 1) one of the three co-founders said in 2015 interview that she & another founder were trained organizers, and trained Marxists (the other founders have never identified themselves as marxists though, nor defined trained Marxist) 2) there are no Marxist/explicitly anti-capitalist planks in the BLM platform
August 14, 2020 @ 10:31 am
1. Yes, but the organization has taken over. Now it is not enough to just say the former. You have to embrace the latter or suffer cancel culture.
2. Probably because those places require less police presence because of the crime rate. Maybe if those city neighborhoods weren’t crime ridden and burned out, they wouldn’t require a heavy police presence. Regardless, it is a political organization. Your donations to the group can go to the Democratic Party. That is political.
3. Except many of their demands are Marxist in nature and considering their co-founder calls herself a trained Marxist means they are a thing. I mean, why would the co-founder call herself something that doesn’t exist? Duh. Use your brain.
I know reality is hard for you to grasp but learn to live in it.
August 14, 2020 @ 11:20 am
I’m happy to have a conversation about BLM, Marxism, policing vs decreasing crime etc, outside of this forum, but we’ve now wandered far off topic.
To your first point though CK, Black Lives Matter, has now by far outpaced & outgrown BLM. Which is why Dolly, and anyone else, can support Black Lives Matter, without it being an endorsement of BLM. And in fact that reality is true of many many people who support the Black Lives Matter movement.
August 15, 2020 @ 7:34 am
The use of facts and the insistence on applying rational empirical logic is a construct of white supremacy, and a tool of Western oppression.
Seak, please stop oppressing the comments section.
August 12, 2022 @ 4:36 pm
And once again, time has proven me right.
Looking back from 2022, people finally realized what a scam the BLM organization was.
August 13, 2020 @ 4:07 pm
I think most people don’t care whether Dolly supports the BLM movement or not. Why make it so political?
August 14, 2020 @ 6:16 am
Dolly says she’s not racists, what a bitch
August 13, 2020 @ 2:41 pm
What’s funny is the last two weeks I’ve been revisiting TT albums. I’ve been OUT since a terrible concert in 2017 in Knoxville… it ruined their music for me (except for Bird Hunters … Sam Hunt could sing Bird Hunters and I’d like it). So maybe time heals all wounds,
August 13, 2020 @ 4:24 pm
Glad to see he’s working on it! Everyone has a rough year or two that reminds us the difference between living wrong and living right. Unfortunately for Evan, everyone was watching and talking about his, which must just make it so much harder. Good to see someone putting in the work to keep moving forward.
August 13, 2020 @ 4:59 pm
Are we all overlooking that this is the only source I’ve seen online about the DWI? That’s some good journalism in following his trail of recovery. Maybe I’m missing something obvious out there.. but I’m impressed it hasn’t surfaced.
Really exciting news to hear he’s finding some traction towards getting back to what he’s meant to do. I’m still floored repeatedly at his phrasing and songwriting.
Here’s to a better 2020 and killing demons.
August 13, 2020 @ 6:13 pm
What’s not to celebrate? Good for Evan, Staci, Corb, and all those who lent a hand. I hope Evan writes better than ever and has a good long life ahead of him.
August 13, 2020 @ 6:44 pm
Good for him! Here’s hoping that he maintains his sobriety and finds true happiness!
August 13, 2020 @ 7:16 pm
This is honestly the best news I’ve read in months.
August 13, 2020 @ 7:58 pm
Dude Trigger did u even read the Rolling Stone article? It says his wife (remarried), and you said ex. Then you said she called the guy who wrote it and he literally said he reached out. Why would you go out of your way to make a woman look any other way than what’s the truth? That’s irresponsible journalism and just plain nasty.
August 13, 2020 @ 8:11 pm
This is incorrect.
It says in the Rolling Stone article, QUOTE:
My phone rang, and I kicked it to voicemail. A minute or two later, I gave it a listen:
“Hi, Josh. This is Staci Felker. We have not met, but I just heard about your book and that you might be sending it to press soon. I just need to say that a lot has happened since 2019, and I’m hoping you get this in time to talk. Give me a call back.”
Staci Felker called the author, Josh Crutchmer.
As for the marital status, the article says, QUOTE:
“An advance copy had made its way to Staci, and Evan said he was up for a chat (To answer the question that raises, yes, Staci and Evan are together and happy).”
That in no way says or even implies that they are remarried. Maybe they are remarried, I really have no idea. All I said was they had been divorced, and now they’re back together. I was very careful on this specific point to leave it nebulous because I personally do not know their legal status.
Not sure who is feeding you a line a bull or if you came to it yourself. And even then, I’m not sure how that would imply something negative towards Staci Felker.
Folks really need to be careful with their information and accusations here with the way the rumor mill is roiling.
August 13, 2020 @ 8:32 pm
I got excited at the married part and went to read that RS article when BrandiLynn said that! It just says “back together”. But I see what she meant about you making it look like she was attention seeking. Looks like the book was already done and has TT stuff?
August 13, 2020 @ 8:59 pm
I don’t think I made it look like Staci Felker was attention seeking at all. I just told the story. Staci Felker reached out to Josh Crutchmer. That was the chain of events. Period. That’s what the Rolling Stone article says. But I can tell by the tone of BrandiLyn’s comment that somewhere on dumbass Facebook right now, there is a thread with people tearing me apart for making it look like Staci Felker was attention seeking, and using false information to do it, or tearing apart Staci Felker, and others are blaming me for it based on false assumptions. Because that’s the kind of high school bullshit that comes when even bringing up the name of the Turnpike Troubadours.
I reached out to the author Josh Crutchmer just to triple check there is no need for me to clarify anything in my article, and am waiting to hear back. But I don’t see ANYTHING wrong or misleading from what I posted in this article. People need to stop with the bullshit gossip, or at least leave my name out of it.
August 13, 2020 @ 9:35 pm
Did she not try to solicit you with the story about the affair the night of the Childers show and then go comment on bl*ke sh*lton’s socials page saying “we should talk”? Yes totally wanting to be invisible while liking every shady tweet about ML she must just randomly “stumble” upon. Best of luck to them. Hope Evan truly has his head in the game after that incident in January.
August 13, 2020 @ 10:37 pm
“Did she not try to solicit you with the story about the affair the night of the Childers show…”
Total 100% verifiable bullshit. I have never spoken or heard from to Staci Felker ever, and if I was in cahoots with her and Evan, I probably don’t report that he was arrested. Have you seen that reported anywhere else?
As far as what happened on the night of the Tyler Childers / Turnpike show in Floore’s, I have told this story in print multiple times. This is how I told it on April 30th, 2018, and you can verify that here:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/this-miranda-lambert-and-evan-felker-business/
“Saving Country Music was accused of both being horrifically uninformed, and for fulling knowing of the relationship and trolling on April 9th when a story was posted on how Miranda Lambert had shown up to Floore’s Country Store in central Texas to take in a show featuring Tyler Childers and the Turnpike Troubadours. Tyler Childers is the artist Miranda Lambert posted about on Instagram, so that’s where the focus of the story went. Also important to note, Saving Country Music was supposed to be at that event to cover it. Because that’s what Saving Country Music does—it covers events for the Turnpike Troubadours. But credentials got 86’d last minute.
Despite the accusations that swirled, yours truly was completely in the dark about any relationship between Miranda Lambert and Evan Felker at that time. But that sure changed quickly as within an hour, links to public notices of divorces in Oklahoma, and even private text messages from Even Felker’s (soon to be) ex-wife’s phone landed in my inbox completely unsolicited.
And yet I sat on that info, as others did. Because fuck that shit.
And no, it wasn’t Staci sending me those links and text messages. It was gossipy Turnpike Troubadours fans.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:36 am
Jesus H. Christ.
“Did she not try to solicit you with the story about the affair the night of the Childers show and then go comment on bl*ke sh*lton’s socials page saying “we should talk”? Yes totally wanting to be invisible while liking every shady tweet about ML she must just randomly “stumble” upon.”
How fucking old are you? I half expect you to discuss passing notes in study hall. Grow the fuck up. Who fucking cares about this shit?
August 13, 2020 @ 9:07 pm
Brandi & Mandi,
Why are you trying to bust Trig’s balls?
False accusations aren’t cute.
Stupid, to be sure
August 13, 2020 @ 9:37 pm
Di with another truth bomb.
The fuck are they even talking about.
August 14, 2020 @ 6:22 am
C’mon — “private text messages” from Staci Felker’s phone only came from one of two places. She may not have sent them to you, but she probably sent them to someone. Staci was vindictive and attention seeking when all that went down, and honestly, I don’t blame her. However, I don’t think the attention seeking behaviors were limited to just that incident — it’s been going on for years. I hope they’re both happy and well, but I can’t help but be a bit skeptical.
August 14, 2020 @ 7:44 am
I can’t help but be a little skeptical of you NOT being a sophomore in high school.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:21 am
However she does make a good point about private text message from Staci’s phone regardless what conclusion that brings her about the person
August 14, 2020 @ 9:41 am
I might have heard from her half cousin’s brother’s babysitter that, like OMG, she might have liked a post on Twitter criticizing the New Jersey Turnpike. But………IDGAF about this sophomoric drama. I have a sneaking suspicion that was the point of my comment.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:41 am
Who the fuck cares? I’m happy that it appears the lead singer and principal songwriter of one of my favorite bands is on the road back to being a healthier person and making music again. Full stop. End of story.
August 14, 2020 @ 10:03 am
It’s kinda like a drama king calling someone else a drama queen like OMG
August 14, 2020 @ 10:06 am
@Kaite. Who gives a giant flying fuck?!?! For goodness sakes, do you have so little in your life that you have to have a pretend relationship with a celebrity? I’m sure Lambert, or whoever the hell you are trying to defend, can defend themselves. Get out of HS and join the rest of us adults in the real world.
All I care about in all of this is that a guy who writes music I like and plays in a band I like seems to have at least temporarily overcome some things he has been wrestling with and may soon be writing and playing music again. All the rest of it is just bullshit.
August 14, 2020 @ 5:52 am
Great news
August 14, 2020 @ 6:29 am
Been there, done that. And any self respecting addict knows Evan’s biggest test will be when he’s off probation. Hopefully he can use this time as a solid foundation to stay sober.
August 14, 2020 @ 8:10 am
Nothing like a TT article to bring out the nutjobs.
August 14, 2020 @ 9:22 am
Some of you must have sad lives.
Evan Felker is getting sober and starting to focus on music again. He has reconciled with his wife.
For most emotionally well adjusted and normal functioning adults, the only appropriate response to this is “Great news. Can’t wait to see him back. Glad he is getting healthy.”
Period.
August 14, 2020 @ 10:26 am
Hear hear!
August 14, 2020 @ 11:22 am
It is great news, especially getting back with his wife. I have a friend who went off the rails a few weeks before his wedding, but he and his wife figured it out. Now, they’ve been married for 15 years and have three kids. Its much better than the alternative scenario.
August 14, 2020 @ 12:43 pm
Yep. My sentiments exactly. But I used a lot more cussin’.
August 14, 2020 @ 8:29 pm
I like several TT songs. I also like Tool. But, seeing these gossipy, douchey comments, I couldn’t stand to be in a room with either of their fans.
August 15, 2020 @ 1:48 am
Sober a few months? After how many years of addiction? I think it’s a bit premature to ring the bell. If anything all this coverage will likely make it even more difficult for him to seek help when he inevitably goes back to his old ways due to the shame and not wanting to disappoint people. It’s the nature of addiction . You fucked up your brain and it takes a long, long time to get it back to normal . If you ever can. He may feel fantastic now but that rush of being clean fades away and that old boredom sets in and you’ll face more and more triggers. Of course I’d hope for him to stay clean but realistically the odds are against him.
So Mr. Felker if/when you fall again don’t take it too bad you can always pick up the pieces again and again and again until you finally get it right. Once a junkie always a junkie unfortunately. The only thing that changes is if you are active in your addiction or not. Don’t be so hard on yourself if you fall again. I’ve been at this nearly 13 years and despite my efforts have yet to put the final nail in the coffin. I’d like to think I could one day but temptation is everywhere and I’m easily persuaded. Despite this I’ve had a fantastic life and im sure you have too. Just try not to miss any shows next time .
Hmm I wonder what the odds are of Trig letting this post through or not…maybe check out some statistics regarding addiction and relapse if you think im not being positive enough.
August 15, 2020 @ 8:40 am
Blockman, Don’t worry about your comments going to moderation.
Some of us, are in permanent moderation.
And uh, probably rightly so. Trig IS benevolent dictator of his site.
As long as he doesn’t try to stand me in a corner.
I HATE that. Have since 2 yrs old.
Trig try to stand me in a corner, we’re going to hit the dirt
Peace, Bro
August 15, 2020 @ 9:06 am
Im a bit hurt . I offered financial contributions to the site years ago when it was still possible . Now I’m a leper for being the biggest liberal on the site and believing in love. It hurts .
August 15, 2020 @ 9:45 am
Hey,
It’s OK.
Don’t ever apologize for being in love.
Love is the greatest.
You are not the biggest leper on this site. No one is. Stop.
Trig has a LOT to deal with.
Daily.
Think i am feeling some real pain here.
It’s OK. Everything is going to be OK.
: D Don’t freak out.
Am putting you in prayer.
Going to thank God for helping you along your journey.
Proud of you for the sobriety you are able to achieve, because Blockman, you decided on those days to be sober
????
August 12, 2023 @ 1:39 am
Saw TT recently for the first time, and they are excellent !!! Sad, when they had to go on to their next venue. What songwriters and musicians they are !