While they’re roots are in Texas, the Josh Abbott Band is no stranger to the road as they’re eager to see their fans who are spread out all across the country, while collecting new fans along the way. And the Northeast is no stranger to the Josh Abbott band, having played here just last fall, but opening for the one and only Pat Green at Boston’s House of Blues in March was just the tip of the iceberg.
Having formed a bond with Pat Green over the years, even getting him to play on one of their songs, ‘My Texas,’ being on stage with one of Josh’s heroes never gets old. The night before playing Boston, Pat joined the band on stage for a song, and hung around backstage with his kids to watch the band finish their performance. Not bad company to keep in the country music world as Pat Green and Willie Nelson are among Abbott’s heroes.
Of course, Abbott made it very clear, that while he’s living the dream being able to share the stage with said heroes, “You can’t think you’re equal to your heroes – they’re above me and I’ll never be as good and that’s the way it should be with your heroes.” Now that’s respect.
Josh Abbott at the WKLB Street Party in May.
Climbing that list of artists Josh looks up to: the Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley- all top acts that the Josh Abbott Band would love the opportunity to hit the road with, “they fit what we do and can bring a crowd that fits with them.”
And speaking of respect, Abbott has put together his own Spotify playlist to show some love for his friends in the business; Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, and William Clark Green, which you can check out here.
Don’t put Josh Abbott in a country box just yet, as he also has his own playlist, which he calls ‘Discovering the Alternative,’ in hopes it will encourage people to expand their horizons with music he considers to be “great music both lyrically and sonically, it’s an alternative playlist.” Featuring the likes of Hozier, Artic Monkeys, and alt-J, it’s not one to disappoint any music fan.
For those of you who were unable to see the band at Country 102.5’s Street Party on May 31st, have no fear, as the road is just as much family to Josh Abbott as Texas is, “We’ve always made the effort to grow outside of Texas, we need to be ambitious, and build ourselves outside of Texas.” This also allows for the band to take in all the sights along the way, taking in all the unique foods, beer, and wine to where they’re going, “Obviously you get a Sam Adams beer while you’re here in Boston” and you can’t head to Lansdowne Street without stopping into the storied Cask ‘N Flagon, “we get this opportunity to see tons of stuff that most people have to plan for.”
Be sure to check out their National Tour schedule here, as well as their Twitter page and Facebook page.