Emporia has few live music venues such as Bourbon Cowboy and The Granada Theatre. This column consists of me having the venue’s schedules then listening to their music to inform readers of concert opportunities or hopefully expose people to a new sound.
I pick artists I like and will then listen to all of their albums in order of release and from beginning to end because it builds a connection to the music. It helps with learning the lyrics faster and relating to songs. Most of my life I have listened to multiple albums in release order and straight through by one musician because it builds a connection to the music. It helps with learning the lyrics faster and relating to songs.
I believe artists set up their albums the way they do for a reason. The benefits of playing an album straight through are being able to identify the songs you do and don’t like right off the bat or catching cool tricks like two songs merging as one.
My most recent artist was Kyle Killgore because Bourbon Cowboy will be hosting him at 10 p.m. this Saturday.
Bourbon is a local bar well-known for their Karaoke Fridays, free pool Wednesdays, being the only 18 and up bar in town and finally bull riding nights.
According to his website, kylekillgoremusic.com, Killgore is “texas/red dirt country.” This isn’t too surprising since the band is based out of Wichita. He’s been releasing music since 2018 and has performed with well-known country artists such as Granger Smith, the Turnpike Troubadours, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and Paramalee.
Killgore has two EPs out making a total of 11 songs. His first EP, “Jackson,” released in 2018, has five songs. “Something Good After Midnight” is the first, and my favorite, track. This is a love song about sneaking out with a girl. I also enjoyed “Shoulda Kissed You There” and the title track “Jackson.”
“Hit it in the Morning” is my least favorite. I didn’t care for the lyrics and the repetitive instrumentals were just not my cup of tea. Out of all of his songs it’s the only one that I would give a solid skip.
His second EP, “Livin’ on the Run,” released in 2021, has six songs including the single “Passenger Seat.” This song is about a breakup and it is my favorite. He sings about giving up on his dreams if it means he can be with the one he loves.
“How long will this dream last?” He sings. “Six string riding next to me, pretending this ol’ highway ain’t so lonely without you baby.”
He eventually decides the only dream he needs is in his Passenger Seat. This reminds me a lot of Brantley Gilbert’s “More Than Miles,” it’s just softer.
I found this EP overall better than his first, probably due to growth and gained experience. My top three here were “Passenger Seat,” “Livin’ on the Run” and “Fire and Flame.”
His country sound is undeniable. Linked to his profile at the bottom, Apple Music says he is similar to Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Riley Green and Logan Mize. Personally, I don’t see similarities between Johnson or Green, but I concur that he is Mize and McCollum combined into one.
Kyle Killgore Band, you were the perfect way to introduce this column. I like country music, I enjoy your sound, and the lyrics are good. This made me even more excited to continue.
