So, we played a show last night, opening for Texas Honky Tonker Dale Watson - and it was a barn-burner of an evening.

We’ve opened for Dale in the past, but last night was different. Maybe it was the weather. It was, without a doubt, the nicest weather I’ve ever seen in Bakersfield. 72, gentle breeze, perfect.

The show started at 8pm…and the place was packed before we even took the stage. We did our bit, and the crowd was warm and fun. But the REAL fun started once we were done playing.

When I was a teenage someone told me, “Learn to play an instrument and you’ll never buy another drink.” - and so it isn’t uncommon to have kind fans buy you a drink. It seems rude to me to turn away such a gift, but if you’re not careful 5 enthusiastic fans can mean 5 Jagermeister shots, on top of the 3 beers you had during the set. the road to ruin, for sure.

But, what the hell!, right? You’re done for the night. Folks want to share their good wishes. It’s time to kick back and enjoy yourself. Last night was one of those nights. We were done by 9:30, and by 10:30 I had accepted several shots of Patron Tequlia from the kind-hearted fans at Fishlips. I remember looking at my blurry watch at 10:45 and thinking, “Man, I’m glad I don’t have to sing anymore tonight.”

Which is why it is fairly terrifying to hear Dale say from the stage, “Grant, come on up here and let’s sing something.”

Tony took the stage to sit in on drums, and as I stumbled towards the stage I heard Dale say, “Looks like Grant is drunk already.” and he was RIGHT.

I can spare you the details…i made an ass out of myself. He asked me if I knew any Merle, or Wille, or Hank, and I couldn’t remember my name. We did Silver Wings, I couldn’t remember the words and just mumbled through the song, like a jerk. I then suggested, Misery and Gin, which offered me a bit of redemption. We sang some harmony and I did remember some of those words,  but lordy, I’ve never wanted to get off a stage so bad.

Click HERE to see more photos from the night.

Tags: Americana, Bakersfield, Country Music, Dale Watson, Fishlips, Grant Langston