Published: February 22, 2007 11:39 pm      

Make tracks to witness 'The Derailers'

You might call them The Beatles with Stetsons or as lead vocalist Brian Hofeldt says, “Buck Owens meets the Beatles.”

But whatever you call them, you can fully expect The Derailers to jump the tracks from honky-tonk country to vintage rock 'n roll and back.

The five-man crossover band takes the stage of the Greenville Municipal Auditorium Saturday in the latest incarnation of the Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series. The show will also feature headliner Junior Brown and the ever-popular local 1950’s and 1960’s rock ‘n rollers, The Blandelles.

“We sort of came up in a honky-tonk tradition at dance halls, but took our love of a variety of music to make our own amalgam of sound,” Hofeldt said Tuesday.

“What you hear from The Derailers often depends on our whims.”

Those whims produced a feast for Texas music lovers in The Derailers latest CD, “Soldiers of Love.”

Yes, it is honky-tonk country, but with echoes of Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and yes, The Beatles.

“The guys that created that rockabilly sound back then were very special talents. We really respect that era and try to reflect it in much of our music,” Hofeldt said. “Not everyone remembers that Jerry Lee Lewis also bridged country and rock and roll.”

While The Derailers will be making their first appearance in Greenville, Hofeldt noted that the band’s drummer Scott Matthews is “the pride of Bonham.”

“Scott’s been a professional since he was 15 and is a tremendous talent who brings a lot of energy to our performance,” Hofeldt said.

He also had a few words about the concert series namesake Kenneth Threadgill, who was born in the Peniel area of Greenville and went on to be “the first patron of Texas music” in Austin.

“That’s a big legacy in Texas music, which has its roots in Bob Wills’ day. Threadgill took Texas Swing-era sounds and blended them with country and rock. Ever since, Texas is where the best music comes from — Willie and Waylon, Austin City Limits — you wonder how that ever would have started without Threadgill and the Armadillo World Headquarters.”

The Derailers definitely follow in the trendsetting tradition of Texas music. They deftly pay homage to a rich musical heritage while putting a hot branding iron of their own on “Buck Owens meets The Beatles.”

For a preview of The Derailers, visit their Web site at www.derailers.com

Tickets for the Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series are available at Cavender’s, 5201 Wesley Street in Greenville or through www.frontgatetickets.com or call 888-512-SHOW.

Premium seating is available in a limited number of rows. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday with the main show beginning at 7:30. Tickets are priced from $15 to $25 in advance or $20 to $30 the day of the show.

The Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series benefits the Greenville Friends of Main Street.



Babb is a member of Friends of Main Street.