Supergroup The Panhandlers Announce 2nd Album “Tough Country”

Well it wasn’t just a lark apparently, and competing egos ended up not getting in the way, because the Texas supergroup epicentered around Lubbock called The Panhandlers have announced they’re ready to release their second official album. Called Tough Country, it will be released on March 3rd.
Comprised of Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry, William Clark Green, Josh Abbott of The Josh Abbott Band, and songwriter John Baumann, The Panhandlers are an uncanny amount of talent in one place that was able to meld together through a mutual appreciation of West Texas and great songwriting. The results were a very quality, and very country self-titled debut album in 2020 that was favored by many.
Approached at first as a cover 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, The Panhandlers morphed into an original recording and performing project during a songwriting session in Marfa, Texas.
The new album will include four songs released on the late 2022 EP West Texas is the Best Texas. But with a 14-song track list, you’re not getting short changed. Just like their debut, West Texas songwriter Charlie Stout also contributes to the writing, making him a de facto fifth member. Songwriter Erik Dylan also appears a couple of times in the track list.

Just like their first album, geography will play a major role in Tough Country. You can hear this in the album’s debut single “Valentine, for Valentines” featuring Kaitlin Butts. Being released to coincide with Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14th, don’t forget gentlemen), it makes reference to a speck on the West Texas map between Van Horn and Marfa on Highway 90, not far from the wild Prada Marfa art installation.
Tough Country is being released by The Next Waltz. It is now available for pre-save.
TRACK LIST:
1. Flat Land – (Charlie Stout)
2. Where Cotton Is King – (Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, Cleto Cordero and John Baumann)
3. West Texas Is The Best Texas – (Josh Abbott, Charlie Stout, Cleto Cordero and John Baumann)
4. Midland Jamboree – (Josh Abbott, William Clark Green and Erik Dylan)
5. Tough Country – (Cleto Cordero and William Clark Green)
6. Moonlight in Marfa – (Cleto Cordero)
7. Lajitas – (John Baumann and Erik Dylan)
8. Valentine, For Valentines – (John Baumann)
9. Santa Fe – (Guy Clark and Erik Dylan)
10. The Chilton Song – (Josh Abbott, John Baumann, Cleto Cordero and William Clark Green:
11. The Last Gentleman in Southwest Texas – (John Baumann)
12. Last Hangover – (William Clark Green and Kyle Hutton)
13. The Corner Comedian – (Josh Abbott)
14. I-Got-Your-Back-Dog – (Cleto Cordero)
February 3, 2023 @ 12:01 pm
Nice. Can we please get a tour? Going to see Mike and Moonpies tonight for the first time. Hope I haven’t oversold the live show to my friends.
February 3, 2023 @ 12:15 pm
I don’t think you could oversell them. Mike and the Moonpies live is one of the highlights of last year for me.
Let us know what you think after the show!
February 9, 2023 @ 4:52 am
I am sorry for the delayed response. Y’all didn’t not oversell Mike and the Moonpies. We saw them last Friday night at the Pearl in DC – capacity 300. For years I’ve been reading here that the Moonnpies were one of the best live shows. However, their recorded music is fine but doesn’t scream out as best live material. So I took it on faith that it was going to be a great It was. Folks shouldn’t miss the chance to see them on this tour and in smaller venues. BTW, the opener Rob Leines has a tight three piece group that rocked the crowd on a very cold night out.
February 9, 2023 @ 11:44 am
Rob Leines is solid!
February 3, 2023 @ 12:41 pm
You have not oversold.
February 4, 2023 @ 7:51 am
If they aren’t impressed, you need new friends! Haha!, enjoy the show!
February 3, 2023 @ 12:02 pm
This is one of those bands who, on paper at least, I feel like I should like. But neither this song nor their original album grabbed me. Not sure why.
February 3, 2023 @ 12:11 pm
I feel a bit the same. The first song on the album is great, but after that it just seems to have no hook.
Hopefully this one has that little bit extra. I WANT to like it.
February 3, 2023 @ 1:57 pm
I really liked their first album, and “West Texas in My Eye” is a really great track. That said, I think choosing to release this Valentines song first to coincide with the holiday may have not been putting their best foot forward. It’s a fine song, but better for an album in context than a lead off. But they’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to the record.
February 4, 2023 @ 7:17 am
I would prefer Charlie Stout to write the entire album. There would be a whole lot less about love and nostalgia.
February 3, 2023 @ 1:09 pm
This better represents their ability
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9jW81VmoEw
February 3, 2023 @ 9:57 pm
Hard pass.
I like them all as individual musicians, but together I find their music mostly annoying.
February 3, 2023 @ 4:29 pm
Love their first album and most of their solo work. Looking forward to this release. Hope to find it when I am in TX in late March.
February 3, 2023 @ 5:23 pm
Maybe you’ve done this before, Trigger, but a fun list might be a ranking of the best ‘country supergroups’ of all time. Seems like the ‘supergroup’ phenomenon is much more of a rock thing, but might be interesting nonetheless.
February 3, 2023 @ 5:30 pm
Not sure I’d want to rank them because there are so many good ones. But maybe a rundown of them would be fun.
February 4, 2023 @ 12:41 am
I am sure this album will be solid, but I feel like a full album with the super couple of Cleto and Kaitlin would be amazing.
February 13, 2023 @ 7:25 pm
I had the privilege to see the Panhandlers live at Billy Bob’s – if you ever get to see them – get there! What a great live show! Way sound better than there recordings.