Cooder Graw
Encyclopedia
Cooder Graw was a self-described "loud country" (country music
/ alternative country
) band from Amarillo
and Lubbock
, Texas. It is also the title of their second album
.
The group formed in 1998. It is perhaps most well-known for the song "Llano Estacado" that was featured on a series of Dodge
commercials.
Cooder Graw is somewhat of an anomaly in the music industry, in that its members' ages at its inception ranged from late-30s to early-50s. The band's singer, Matt Martindale, was the assistant district attorney
of Gray County, Texas prior to devoting his full attention to the band. Guitarist Kelly Turner was the manager of a manufacturing plant in Slaton, Texas
.
The band was originally called "Coup de Grâce," but another band was already using that name, so the name was changed to a "Texas-version" of the original name. The band's debut album, Home at the Golden Light
, consisted of mostly cover
s and was self-produced by the band (though executive producer
credit is given to Matthew McConaughey
, a fraternity
brother of Matt Martindale). It was released in 1998. The band's first national release, Cooder Graw
was released in late 1999.
Cooder Graw has toured extensively throughout Texas
and the United States
, both headlining and opening for artists such as Willie Nelson
and Alabama
. The group also played at the premiere of the film EDtv
, which starred McConaughey.
In 2006, Cooder Graw announced that they would cease performing together after the end of the year. Their last show was on December 31, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas. Lead singer Matt Martindale is still performing with his new band, The Matt Martindale Band.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
/ alternative country
Alternative country
Alternative country is a loosely defined sub-genre of country music, which includes acts that differ significantly in style from mainstream or pop country music...
) band from Amarillo
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo is the 14th-largest city, by population, in the state of Texas, the largest in the Texas Panhandle, and the seat of Potter County. A portion of the city extends into Randall County. The population was 190,695 at the 2010 census...
and Lubbock
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, Texas. It is also the title of their second album
Cooder Graw (album)
Cooder Graw is the self-titled second album by self-described "loud country" band Cooder Graw. It was released in November 1999 on Three-to-One Records...
.
The group formed in 1998. It is perhaps most well-known for the song "Llano Estacado" that was featured on a series of Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
commercials.
Cooder Graw is somewhat of an anomaly in the music industry, in that its members' ages at its inception ranged from late-30s to early-50s. The band's singer, Matt Martindale, was the assistant district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Gray County, Texas prior to devoting his full attention to the band. Guitarist Kelly Turner was the manager of a manufacturing plant in Slaton, Texas
Slaton, Texas
Slaton is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,109 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.Slaton is named for Lubbock rancher and banker O.L. Slaton, Sr...
.
The band was originally called "Coup de Grâce," but another band was already using that name, so the name was changed to a "Texas-version" of the original name. The band's debut album, Home at the Golden Light
Home at the Golden Light
Home at the Golden Light is the first album by self-described "loud country" band Cooder Graw. It was released in 1998 on Three-to-One Records. Matthew McConaughey, a fraternity brother of Matt Martindale served as executive producer.The album consists primarily of a live recording of a concert...
, consisted of mostly cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s and was self-produced by the band (though executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
credit is given to Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew David McConaughey is an American actor.After a series of minor roles in the early 1990s, McConaughey gained notice for his breakout role in Dazed and Confused . He then appeared in films such as A Time to Kill, Contact, U-571, Tiptoes, Sahara, and We Are Marshall...
, a fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
brother of Matt Martindale). It was released in 1998. The band's first national release, Cooder Graw
Cooder Graw (album)
Cooder Graw is the self-titled second album by self-described "loud country" band Cooder Graw. It was released in November 1999 on Three-to-One Records...
was released in late 1999.
Cooder Graw has toured extensively throughout Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, both headlining and opening for artists such as Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
and Alabama
Alabama (band)
Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
. The group also played at the premiere of the film EDtv
EdTV
EDtv is a 1999 American comedy film directed by Ron Howard. An adaptation of the Quebec film Louis 19, le roi des ondes , it stars Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson, Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Landau, Rob Reiner, Sally Kirkland, Elizabeth Hurley, Clint Howard, and Dennis Hopper.The...
, which starred McConaughey.
In 2006, Cooder Graw announced that they would cease performing together after the end of the year. Their last show was on December 31, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas. Lead singer Matt Martindale is still performing with his new band, The Matt Martindale Band.
Former members
- Joe Ammons - drums, vocals
- Paul Baker - bass guitar
- Matt Martindale - acoustic guitar, vocals
- Kelly Turner - lead guitar
- Jim Whisenhunt - pedal steel guitar
- Nick Worley - fiddle, mandolin
- Kelly Test - drums, backing vocals
- Jon "Fish" Hunt - drums, backing vocals
Albums
- Home at the Golden LightHome at the Golden LightHome at the Golden Light is the first album by self-described "loud country" band Cooder Graw. It was released in 1998 on Three-to-One Records. Matthew McConaughey, a fraternity brother of Matt Martindale served as executive producer.The album consists primarily of a live recording of a concert...
(1998) - Cooder GrawCooder Graw (album)Cooder Graw is the self-titled second album by self-described "loud country" band Cooder Graw. It was released in November 1999 on Three-to-One Records...
(1999) - Segundo (2000)
- Shifting Gears (2001)
- Live at Billy Bob's Texas (2002)
- Wake Up (2004)
Compilations
- Texas Road Trip - "18 Wheels of Loving" (2001)
- Brewed in Texas - "Whiskey Bent And Hellbound" (2002)
- Cow Hear This - "Better Days" (2002)
- Compadre's Texas Lovers - "Ain't Livin' Long Like This" (2003)
- Red River Tribute (tribute to Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
) - "Rainy Day Woman" (2003)