For more than a decade, Oklahoma-based Cross Canadian Ragweed has been touring the country practically nonstop with its blend of alternative country, smoking guitar licks and rowdy shows that would make any rock concert proud.
Despite a lack of mainstream radio airplay, the quartet has developed a strong following of die-hard fans who travel hundreds of miles to see their shows.
Last year, Ragweed marked its 15th anniversary as a band, all with the original lineup.
"We've been around longer than the Beatles," joked guitarist Grady Cross from his home in Oklahoma while talking to the Deseret News.
Cross Canadian Ragweed's name comes from a combination of the names of Cross, lead singer and guitarist Cody Canada and drummer Randy Ragsdale. Jeremy Plato, one of the best unknown bass players today, rounds out the lineup.
The latest release from Ragweed is "Happiness and All the Other Things." The album features typical high-octane songs, such as the driving "51 Pieces" and "Overtable." But the album also finds CCR using piano, steel guitar and experimenting with new arrangements.
"We kind of went out on a limb and tried something we felt was pretty different," Cross said.
Ragweed collaborated with singer/songwriter/keyboardist Stephanie Briggs for several songs. And while the band was celebrating 15 years of moving forward, they also take time on the album to pause and not forget their roots.
"Happiness and All the Other Things" is dedicated to Poodie Locke, Willie Nelson's road manager for more than three decades who died of a heart attack in 2009. Locke helped Ragweed break into the business by giving the band a slot on a Willie show as well as booking them at his own bar in Austin.
"We always said he worried about everybody but himself," Cross said. "He loved getting bands like us started. To get us on a Willie show, that helped us out. I can't even explain ... for him to go out on a limb and help us. He really was a great guy who wanted to see everyone do the best they could."
Just a couple of days after Poodie's death, Cross Canadian Ragweed performed Nelson's "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" at a show. That recording appears on the new album.
"It's a pretty big accomplishment," Cross said of the band's 15th anniversary. "We're still great buddies. We all have families now. Everyone has two (kids) apiece. It's nice to see our family build."
Opening for Cross Canadian Ragweed in Salt Lake City will be the The Randy Rogers Band from Texas. Rogers co-wrote with Canada "This Time Around," a song that appears on both Ragweed's "Garage" and Rogers' "Roller Coaster" albums.
If you go
What: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Randy Rogers Band
Where: The State Room, 638 S. State
When: Jan. 11, 8 p.m.
How much: $20-$25
Phone: 801-501-2885
e-mail: preavy@desnews.com