Justin Frazell is Pickin’ a Great Cause Ya’ll

Every Sunday night on 99.5 The Wolf we are treated to the best established AND up and coming talent our state has to offer, thanks to Mr. Justin Frazell.  “Live from The Front Porch” has become a must-stop for artists as it is a must-listen for fans of this brand of tunes.  Frazell has another passion that is of greater importance than music - babies that are born prematurely.  This is close to his heart, along with millions of other Americans, because of his two precious children, both born prematurely and now enjoying healthy lives at home with Mom and Dad thanks to the care and love they received after birth from their parents and especially from the medical staff looking after them.  For the second year in a row Frazell will be hosting “Pickin’ for Preemies.”  This benefit, taking place Monday Sept. 3rd, will be featuring acoustic performances from the Texas/Red Dirt scenes greatest names: Fowler, Boland, Foster, Rhyder, Fritsch, Kozelsky, Grider, Hood (and that is the list of names that he is allowed to mention right now.  4 names from the Red Dirt Round-Up (you can figure it out) will be performing as well, just as they did last year).  Surprisingly, it isn’t sold out as of Monday night. I just got my ticket, so please, go HERE and get yours while you can for this rare and special night of music.

I recently chatted with Justin not about the cause, but about other things that he is passionate about, Music and The Texas Rangers…

    
Q. You host “Live from The Front Porch” on 99.5.  How do you go about
picking out the artists from week to week that’ll be invited to come out to
your show?   9 times out of 10, it rarely comes down to me having to ask
someone to come play.   We have been real fortunate as to how much success
the show has seen.  All of it due to the massive amount of fans that do not
have an outlet for this type of music on the radio in D/FW except for Sundays
on The Front Porch Show.  I usually hear from bands that would like to come
to the show or those that will be through town and would like to stop by.
Booking guest stends to be the easy part of the job.  Thanks to everyone that
listens and for making The Front Porch Show a stopping point on the radio and
the road.
   
Q. You have introduced the DFW area to many of the bigger names in
Texas/Red Dirt music.  Which artist or band do you feel has benefited the
most from exposure on your show?  You would have to ask them.  I would not
even begin to take any credit for the success that any artist or band has
had.  I will tell how I have benefited though.  I have got to know some of
the most talented and gifted people in the world through the Front Porch
Show.  Many that are now great friends and some that are almost extended
family.
   

Q. You get to see and hear music from many bands that the general
population may not be aware of.  What act is out there now that music fans
need to know about right now?  That is an excellent question and thank you so
much for asking.  One of the biggest problems facing Texas / Red Dirt Music
today is the lack of fans taking jaunts to see new bands.  Many, if not all
of us, have begun to rely strictly on our old faithfuls throughout the week,
almost forgetting that there are new bands and artist trying to light a fire
under their careers as well.  There is  some really great new stuff out there
right now that is not getting the attention it deserves.  If you are looking
for a jumping off point, here are 5 folks to see this week.   Adam Hood,
Jarrod Birmingham, Bonnie Bishop, Josh Daniels and Sam Baker.
  
 Q. With so many talented folks out there now that carry the label
“Texas/Red Dirt”, do you worry about the quality being diluted, or good acts
falling by the wayside? You bet.  It’s already happening.  I get so many CD’s
each week and you would not believe how many of them are so un-original.
It’s one thing to be influenced by someone, it another to try and sound just
like’em. 

     
Q. Who are your dream Front Porch Broadcast “in-studio” guests? Merle
Haggard, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson and Phil Mickelson.  I could use the tips
to cut a few strokes off my game.
   
Q. Of the current crop of artists signing deals and getting certain
amounts of radio spins (Wade Bowen RRB, Kevin Fowler, Sunny Sweeney, etc…),
who is the one that you see being the next Pat Green or Jack Ingram in terms
of “mainstream” success outside of Texas?  Well Randy is already getting
national spins and having some success, I love Kevin to death but I don’t
think the rest of the country is ready for his act.  Only true Texans can
appreciate it.  Sunny’s got big label help right now and could certainly make a
run at it.  Wade Bowen, though, that is my pick.  That guy has got it.  His
band has got it.  Through and through I continue to be impressed with his
songwriting.  I would bet my life that Wade and his band would do well if
mainstream radio grew enough balls to play it. 
    
Q. When will the Texas Rangers have both the pitching AND hitting needed
to get a ring?  As soon as Merle Haggard, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson and Phil
Mickelson make their Front Porch Appearance.  NO NOT REALLY.  I am a Ranger
fan, full on.  Jaded you bet, but I love’em.  I think it is closer than we all are aware of.  World Series Ring by 2010. 

Josh Grider and Adam Hood will be at “Pickin’ for Preemies II”

Josh Grider – South o’ the Border

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