Legendary country singer-songwriter Dale Watson will be making his return to Odessa next week, only this time, it’s not for a private gig.
In the past, the Texas-based guitarist has performed in the Permian Basin but usually at closed events.
However, next week, he will be performing at a fundraiser for the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang.
The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Ector County Coliseum in Barn A.
The fundraiser will support the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang going to Quantico, Va. to represent Odessa and feed the Hostage Rescue Team Association’s annual fundraiser and banquet.
Those who wish to purchase a table can do so at tinyurl.com/37mzypkv.
“I always love Odessa, Texas,” Watson said in a phone interview. “But it’s the first time that I’ll be coming out for a festival thing like this.”
As a child, Watson knew he wanted to be a country musician.
Over the years, he’s become a favorite of critics and alternative-country fans.
He may have been born in Birmingham, Ala. but he was raised in Texas.
Watson, who currently resides in Marshall, came from a family of musicians.
“My dad was a musician,” Watson said. “My mother had a band so it’s always been there. It’s basically a family business. I was exposed to music then. At first, I wanted to be a career, military guy. But I ended up going into music.”
He grew up in Houston (specifically, Pasadena) where the music scene was strong.
“Honky-tonks were at all the beer joints,” Watson said. “You couldn’t escape it, really. It was a good way to make some money and have fun.”
He was performing by the time he was a teenager.
“By the time I graduated from high school, I was in a band and it just went on from there. But I soon realized that Pasadena wasn’t a way to go higher up the ladder.”
After trying his luck in Nashville, Tenn., Watson soon went to Los Angeles where he said he had some success and got a record deal. However, it wasn’t long before he returned to the Lone Star State.
“I’ve been here since then,” Watson said. “I’ve been doing record deals and keep touring so it’s been really great. I’m pretty happy with my career.”
His latest album “Call Me Insane” was recorded in Austin with veteran producer Lloyd Maines. He carries on in the tradition of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson with his “Ameripolitan” brand of American roots music.
Some of his guest appearances have included being in Jimmy Kimmel’s house band on ABC’s “ Jimmy Kimmel Live” from SXSW in 2015.
He also emceed the first ever SXSW “Ameripolitan” Showcase which featured the best of “outlaw country” and Texas swing music.
His list of performances have included being at the famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville but his favorite is still being on “Austin City Limits.”
“For me, it’s kind of the new Grand Ole Opry, plus it’s a Texas thing,” Watson said. “Growing up with, I’ve watched Willie Nelson on ‘Austin City Limits’ so it’s just ingrained in the roots. It makes me appreciate everything. It also meant I arrived in my home state. That made it very special. It’s not something everyone gets to do.”
He’s performed on “Austin City Limits” twice with the last one coming in 2015.
His other recent albums include “Dale Watson Presents The Memphians,” “Call Me Lucky” and “Blackjack.”
One of the things Watson loves is to write songs about real people.
“I’ve written about George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and people who aren’t famous like my friend in Lubbock and a guy named Roy Cross,” Watson said. “There’s a lot of people that I write about. I like that about country music. It’s something that’s tangible and something that people can find these places and these people and meet them.”
For more information about next week’s fundraiser, go to tinyurl.com/5jwj2285.
If you go
What: Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang fundraiser, featuring Dale Watson.
When: 5:30 p.m. March 31.
Where: Ector County Coliseum (Barn A).
Where to purchas tickets: tinyurl.com/5jwj2285
