CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED has just released their new album, Happiness and All the Other Things, and has been spreading their intoxicating blend of rock and Americana on the road. Hailing from Yukon, Oklahoma, the quartet has been a staple of the live circuit since their start in the late 1990s. Although not a household name in the mainstream rock world yet, Cross Canadian Ragweed have already built a huge and loyal fanbase through their gritty live shows. They’ve also long-been celebrated by the music press with USA Today gushing, “This ferociously rocking band is one of the better-kept secrets around…As usual, their best stuff is so good you wonder why more people aren’t noticing…”
Happiness and All the Other Things is Cross Canadian Ragweed’s 7th album and was produced by the band’s longtime compatriot and artist in his own right Mike McClure. And, yes, being from a small town in Oklahoma and two of them now residing in the Lone Star State (where they are kings of the thriving Red Dirt/Texas music scene), Cross Canadian Ragweed also qualify as country, and have even played The Grand Ole Opry. It’s only natural, part of the musical heritage that the members of the band grew up on.
Ragweed’s utterly natural Southwestern rock style abounds on Happiness and All The Other Things. The 12-track opus opens with a one/two punch/kiss combo that sets the band’s wide parameters: The fiercely rocking road tale “51 Pieces” followed by a sweet taste of the Texas Hill Country springtime on “Blue Bonnets,” whose sparse and lovely arrangement features harmonium by Joe Hardy (the star recording engineer who mixed the album) and dobro by noted musician and producer Lloyd Maines (also the father of Dixie Chick Natalie Maines). The band will be out throughout the rest of the year and well into 2010 promoting the record.
DATE VENUE CITY/STATE
Sep 11 2009 – Crossroads Kansas City, Missouri
Sep 12 2009 – Arkansas Music Pavillion Fayetteville, Arkansas
Sep 15 2009 – Newby’s Memphis, Tennessee
Sep 16 2009 – 40 Watt Club Athens, Georgia
Sep 17 2009 – Cannery Ballroom Nashville, Tennessee
Sep 18 2009 – Washington County Fair Brenham, Texas
Sep 26 2009 – Zoo Amphitheatre Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oct 1 2009 – Dos Amigos Cantina Odessa, Texas
Oct 2 2009 – Graham Central Station San Angelo, Texas
Oct 3 2009 – Buda City Park Buda, Texas
Oct 6 2009 – The Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Oct 7 2009 – Fire Jackson, Mississippi
Oct 8 2009 – Rabb’s Steakhouse Ruston, Louisiana
Oct 9 2009 – Rabb’s Steakhouse Ruston, Louisiana
Oct 10 2009 – Brazoria Co Fair Angelton, Texas
Oct 16 2009 – Cowboys Stadium Arlington, Texas
Oct 22 2009 – Brewster Street Ice House Corpus Christi, Texas
Oct 23 2009 – Floores Country Store Helotes, Texas
Oct 24 2009 – Sam Houston Race Park Houston, Texas
Nov 3 2009 – Jupiter Bar and Grill Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nov 4 2009 – Buffalo’s Statesboro, Georgia
Nov 5 2009 – The Sky Bar Cafe Auburn, Alabama
Nov 6 2009 – Hard Rock Biloxi Hotel and Casino Biloxi, Mississippi
Nov 7 2009 – Center Stage Gadsden, Alabama
Nov 8 2009 – The Valarium Knoxville, Tennessee
Nov 11 2009 – The State Theatre Starkville, Mississippi
Nov 18 2009 – Copper Dragon Brewing Company Carbondale, Illinois
Nov 19 2009 – Canopy Club Urbana, Illinois
Nov 20 2009 – Shank Hall Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nov 21 2009 – Joe’s Sports Bar Chicago, Illinois
Nov 28 2009 – The Vogue Indianapolis, Indiana
Nov 29 2009 – The Intersection Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dec 4 2009 – Water Street Music Hall Rochester, New York
Dec 6 2009 – 9:30 Club Washington, Washington DC
Dec 8 2009 – House of Blues Cleveland, Ohio
Dec 9 2009 – Majestic Theatre Madison, Wisconsin
Dec 10 2009 – The Picador Iowa City, Iowa
Dec 11 2009 – Val Air Ballroom West Des Moines, Iowa
Dec 18 2009 – Riverwind Casino Norman, Oklahoma
Dec 19 2009 – Billy Bob’s Texas Fort Worth, Texas
