Showdown – “Welcome to the Rodeo”

The Sleeve:

The Liner/Sleeve Notes:
 “WELL IT’S 40 BELOW
 AND I DON’T GIVE A beep
 GOTTA HEATER IN MY TRUCK
 AND WE’RE OFF TO THE RODEO”

Personal Review:
 I decided since I liked Showdown’s other record, I might as well follow up with their 1980 album, “Welcome to the Rodeo” – this album in particular features so many amazing bluegrass songs, which is good, because I love bluegrass.

 The album opens with the track “Banjo Symphony” – which right there is great, because I love banjos. This band has everything you’d want in a country bluegrass band, banjos, fiddles, harmonicas and cowboys. The only thing missing is a steel guitar, however, this song is rather good and it’s definitely a good bluegrass jam session. After that we continue onto the song “Tennessee Stud” and Garry Lee’s vocals are once more, great as always. This album is so great. We continue on with the song “There Goes Another Love Song” – and once more, we have banjos playing greatly, and Garry Lee’s vocals continue to impress me, I’m really glad that I found out about this band. We then go onto a cover of one of my personal favorites, “Rocky Top Tennessee” and although it isn’t the original version, this version is just as great. The vocals don’t quite match the original either, but the fiddling and banjo playing are so great. So, not gonna complain. After that comes “Cosmic Cowboy” which is a traditional country track, and a great way to close the A-Side. “Bullshit disco bars.” – that line there says all that needs to be said, I’m definitely a cowboy at heart, and music like this really makes me realize that. The musicianship rocks.

 The B-Side opens with a cover of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and well, musicianship – great. Vocals – even better. Seriously though, how did this band not go further than they did? They are so amazing. I really wish I could play a fiddle or banjo like these guys could. “Redneck Disco” comes next, and well Garry Lee continues to surprise me with his amazing vocals, I really love how these guys don’t care and just openly take shots at other bands (Donna Summer & the Bee Gees) even to the point where they sample the music and lyrics. We continue on with the track “Lonesome 7-7203” and I don’t really know what that title means, but we’re back to that basic country sound, and it’s not a bad thing at all! These guys deliver every song with such a distinct sound, and it’s absolutely great. Then after we go onto one of my favorite banjo tracks, “Dueling Banjos” (which it is still a dream of mine to do with Tom Petty, *hint* Tom Petty if you’re reading this.) anyways, we all know this song from the movie “Deliverance” – if not, well you should watch it. Anyways, everything in it from the build-up to the actual ‘duel’ is absolutely fantastic, even the fact they throw in other instruments makes it all the more worth listening to. These guys are fantastic. The album ends with their ‘famous’ track, “The Rodeo Song” (which this version is A LOT better than the one on their 1982 album, sung by the ‘Canadian Beavers’) – it’s a country song, filled with vulgar slurs, but hey, it’s not all that bad! Great album overall!

Interesting Facts:
None.

Track Listing:
A1 – Banjo Symphony
A2 – Tennessee Stud
A3 – There Goes Another Love Song
A4 – Rocky Top
A5 – Cosmic Cowboy

B1 – The Devil Went Down to Georgia
B2 – Redneck Disco
B3 – Lonesome 7-7203
B4 – Dueling Banjos
B5 – The Rodeo Song

Label:
Damon

Catalog Number:
D-1002

Studio Musicians & Other Album Credits:
Electric Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, 5 String Banjo, Bass & Vocals – Charles Holley
Electric Fiddle, Bass, Rhythm Guitars & Vocals – Garry Lee Berthold
Drums, Percussion & Vocals – Paul McLellan
Electric Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, 5 String Banjo & Vocals – Kelly LaRocque
Honda Mini Bikies by the Knodel Boys & Little Jay Lattery
Hats & Chaps by Daines Western Wear – Medicine Hat, Alberta & T-Bones Western Wear – Millet, Alberta
Cover Locations – Dirks Rodeo School, Medicine Hat, Alberta & The J Bar V Ranch, Millet, Alberta
Produced by Garry Lee Berthold
Executive Producer – Garry McDonall
Engineers – Garry McDonall & Rick Erickson
Studio – Damon Sound – Edmonton, Alberta
Photos – Wendy Drinkwater

Other Albums I Own by Showdown:
“Wanted! Garry Lee and Showdown: Loaded Loose and Rowdy”

Released:
1980

Related Vinyls:

The Bobby Lalonde Band – “Forty Shades of Blue” Garry Lee and Showdown – “Wanted! Garry Lee and Showdown: Loaded Loose and Rowdy” Dwight Yoakam – “Hillbilly deLuxe” Stringband – “The Maple Leaf Dog”