Panhandlers Supergroup Release 1st Song, Announce Debut Album
The only thing better than a badass Texas music songwriter from the Panhandle is four of them combining their powers in a country music supergroup. That’s what you have with The Pandlandlers, which sees William Clark Green, Josh Abbott, John Baumann, and Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry coming together to form one of the most buzzed about supergroups since The Flatlanders held forth from Lubbock in the early 70’s.
First hinted at in mid October, we now have all the details of what can be expected from this collaboration, including their first single “No Handle,” which is the first taste of the self-titled album that will be released on March 6th via Bruce Robison’s The Next Waltz project. Robison also produced the effort, which just like all of his Next Waltz projects, is recorded live and to tape in his analog studio outside of Lockhart, TX.
Approached at first as a covers songs project embodying the spirit of the Panhandle region that gave rise to artists like Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Terry Allen, and so many more, it morphed into an original record during a songwriting session the four artists assembled in Marfa, Texas. With songs like “West Texas In My Eye” written by fellow West Texas artist Charlie Stout, “Panhandle Slim,” and “Cactus Flower,” The Panhandlers aren’t presenting their West Texas roots simply in spirit. The landscape and people of this region are what directly inspired the songs of this project.
Plenty of pedal steel, fiddle, banjo, dobro, and guitar are featured on the album, and each song was cut live with all the players in the room. Cleto, William, Josh, and John all take turns singing lead on respective songs, while also taking opportunities to sing harmonies with each other.
The Panhandlers will make their live debut on Wednesday, January 8th at The Music Fest in Steamboat Springs, CO, with future tour dates expected to be announced soon.
The Panhandlers is now available for pre-order.
TRACK LIST:
- “West Texas In My Eye”
- “This Flatland Life”
- “No Handle”
- “Panhandle Slim”
- “West Texas Girl”
- “The Panhandler”
- “Lonesome Heart”
- “Cactus Flower”
- “This Is My Life”
- “Caprockin'”
January 6, 2020 @ 9:27 am
Sounds way cool. Here is to hoping the music matches the pedigrees of these four.
January 6, 2020 @ 9:38 am
Well, now I’m excited for this one. Nice song!
January 6, 2020 @ 10:42 am
I just wish the forth was someone other than Josh Abbott… his sissy whiny version of “Texas Country” is jsut blah.
January 6, 2020 @ 11:45 am
I’m pulling for a SCM best album of the year nominee.
January 6, 2020 @ 3:20 pm
Fucking love it.
Just an absurd collection of talent on this project, and the sound is organic as hell.
January 6, 2020 @ 3:21 pm
I don’t know, but before watching the video I could’ve sworn I heard horns in there. Maybe it’s just the layering of the steel and keys. Regardless, it’s a rocking good start!
January 6, 2020 @ 3:39 pm
the project has a Lakeshake Festival 2020 smell to it, although it might musically fit better at smokeout.
January 6, 2020 @ 7:38 pm
Like the tune a lot, looking forward to the album. Probably not commercial enough for LakeShake. Depending on when they’re touring hopefully it’ll be Joe’s or Windy City Smokeout as Josh Abbott & Flatland Cavalry have played Joe’s and done well. Of course I’d have no problem if they want to bring Kaitlin along to open.
January 6, 2020 @ 5:18 pm
The Texas Country version of The Traveling Wilburys! This should be awesome – can’t wait.
January 7, 2020 @ 6:41 am
Haha, ummm… not quite
January 6, 2020 @ 7:42 pm
Looking so forward to this project, I have roots in Lubbock having graduated from Tech in the early eighties and was music director at KTXT-FM, Tech’s radio station. My daughter just graduated three weeks ago and was back in Lubbock , actually stayed in a Airbnb, a block away from the Flatlanders house. Enough about that, but these guys are so talented and keeping the spirit of West Texas live and vibrant. Wreck’em Guys!
January 6, 2020 @ 8:43 pm
Man this has a groove to beat the band. Best thing I have heard in a while, actually, in a long time.
The less-than-polished voices add to the overall fee, and this has FEEL all over it.
January 7, 2020 @ 6:40 am
William’s hat was blown off in the wind.
January 7, 2020 @ 8:25 am
The single is not impressive at all.
January 7, 2020 @ 9:32 am
There seems to be quite a few people who enjoy it, but in my opinion, it might be the least impressive song on the album, and it would be the last song I would choose to release first from the project. My guess it was chosen because everyone sings on it as opposed to one person taking the primary lead like on the other songs. Don’t let it color your feelings on the entire project.
January 7, 2020 @ 5:39 pm
You’ve heard the full thing??‽
Honestly…if this is the worst song on it (a la Highwomen on the eponymous album), I’m even more excited!