Ray Wylie Hubbard: Tower Theatre
The Tower Theatre in OKC played host to Oklahoma-born, Texas troubadour legend, Ray Wylie Hubbard. The show was a seated event that turned the theatre into a large listening room. Hubbard was supported by former Uncle Lucius frontman, Kevin Galloway. Also, on stage with Galloway was cellist Mark Williams from Austin, Texas. The night was one kickass evening of stories, metaphors, and badass tunes.
Kevin Galloway
Kevin Galloway took the stage with Mark Williams on cello, seated to his right. Galloway released his debut solo album, The Change, on August 3, 2018. The album is a turning point in Galloway’s career. “It’s a love letter, and a promise to my newly formed family,” says Galloway. The set consisted of real-life stories from his time on the road with his former band, Uncle Lucius, his personal life, and songs that he has written because of those experiences. The set included “Hands On The Wheel,” “Miles and Miles,” and the title track from the album, “The Change.” Mark Williams brings an added element with his outstanding cello play, that elevated the set. Galloway is now a family man, but that doesn’t take away anything from his ability to captivate an audience with his stories and extraordinary lyrics. It just limits your opportunity to see him out on the road. Go catch Kevin Galloway whenever you can. It is an added bonus if he has Mark Williams by his side.
Ray Wylie Hubbard walked down the green room staircase situated next to the Tower Theatre stage. Alone. His bandmates soon followed as his son, Lucas Hubbard, walked on stage and began to tune up the guitars, his dad looking on from the side. Once everything was sounding right, Ray Wylie Hubbard and the rest of the band took the stage to a roaring applause from the packed house. “Snake Farm”, from his self-titled 2006 record was played early on in the set, along with another favorite, “Drunken Poets Dream,” cowritten with Hayes Carll. The tune was first featured on Carll’s 2007 album, Trouble In Mind. Hubbard also included the autobiographical tune, “Mother Blues.” The tune references RWH’s son Lucas, which makes the song extra special when you are able to see them play it side by side on stage. He also told the story about playing the song on David Letterman, his first appearance on the show at the age of sixty-six, and how he had to cut the song down to three minutes and thirty seconds. The set also included “Wanna Rock and Roll,” “Bad on Fords and Chevrolets,” “Dust of the Chase,” and “Tell the Devil I’m Getting There as Fast as I Can.” Hubbard also played the southern rock song, “Choctaw Bingo,” written by James McMurtry. RWH recorded the tune on his album, Delirium Tremelos, in 2005.
The Tower Theatre once again provided the perfect setting for an unforgettable evening of tremendously good storytelling, songwriting, and fellowship amongst music family. Whether you have seen Ray Wylie Hubbard a million times or you haven’t seen him at all, go to the show. The same goes for Kevin Galloway who is a tremendously talented songwriter. RWH stated during the show that some have called his music “an acquired taste.” Go acquire it.