SALT LAKE CITY - The last time Cody Canada performed in Salt Lake City, it was for a sold out show at The State Room with his band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, in 2010.
For the celebrated Oklahoma-based country-rock band, it was a long way from their shows at the old Dead Goat Saloon. Canada remembers one show in which Ragweed was touring with 12 band, crew and support members, and the show that night at the Dead Goat had a total of 14 people in the crowd, including those that Ragweed brought with them.
Cross Canadian Ragweed released seven studio albums between 1994 and 2009, including a couple that hit the top 10 on the Billboard country album chart. Although outside of Texas and Oklahoma their radio airplay was limited, they developed a huge following that made them the kings of the Red Dirt music scene with songs like, "Alabama," "Anywhere But Here," "17, "Fightin' For" and "This Time Around."
Just a few months after the Salt Lake show, however, the band announced it was going on an extended hiatus so drummer Randy Ragsdale could spend more time with his family. The hard-touring Ragweed typically played between 200 to 250 shows a year.
On Wednesday, Canada brings his new group to The State Room, Cody Canada & The Departed. It will be The Departed's debut performance in Utah. But Canada cautions Ragweed fans that his new outfit is not Cross Canadian Ragweed II.
"It's not as chaotic as Ragweed was," he said during a recent tour stop in Wyoming. "Ragweed was just a four piece garage band blasting through songs. This is definitely more thought out, lyrically and musically. We take more time with it."
The result is a band that is full of insanely talented musicians including former Ragweed bassist Jeremy Plato, Seth James on guitar, Steve Littleton on the B3 organ and drummer Dave Bowen.
"With Steve back there on the keys it really changes the whole thing," Canada said.
While Canada is proud of what he accomplished with Ragweed, The Departed comes at the perfect time for him.
"It's a breath of fresh air," he said.
Musically, it reflects more of where Canada is today. He acknowledges the sound, especially the addition of keys, may be tough for some old school Ragweed fans. But what he has today is a musician's band.
"That's what I wanted forever. I'm not bagging (playing with Cross Canadian Ragweed). I had a great time," he said. "But I'm getting older. I don't want to sing stupid songs. Let's get real."
Many who have already seen The Departed have noted how Canada looks like he's enjoying himself on stage more than he has the past couple of years.
"That's another thing I can't get tired of hearing. I didn't realize I wasn't having fun. In hindsight, there was a few years it was almost a daily grind. Now it's fresh and new. The jokes are new again, the music is new again," he said.
The Departed's debut record, "This is Indian Land," is an album of cover songs that unless you grew up in Oklahoma, you may not have heard. But for Stillwater, OK. native, Canada, they all have special meaning.
"They were real personal to me. I've heard most of them since I was 15," he said.
This Is Indian Land was a project that Cross Canadian Ragweed had talked about doing for eight years but never got around to it, Canada said. With the new band, it was the perfect opportunity to record it if for no other reason to get the new band members playing together. The first single off the record, "The Ballad of Rosalie," was an instant hit with fans.
"What grabs me (when choosing a song to record) is the lyrics," said Canada who noted a good song will tell a story. "That's what songwriting is all about. It gets people sucked into it."
As for releasing an album of original material, Canada said he and James are "knee deep" in writing. As for what it will sound like...
"I'm kind of wondering the same thing," Canada said with a laugh. "It's going to be different than Indian Land. I'm kinda curious too. The ones we have finished we haven't even practiced yet. But it's going to be us for sure."
Cody Canada & The Departed play The State Room Wednesday. As a bonus, Reckless Kelly was a last minute addition to the show. Both bands head to Challis, Idaho after Utah for the annual three day Bruan Brothers Reunion festival which also this year includes the Randy Rogers Band, Robert Earl Keen and Micky and the Motorcars.
"That is perfect end to any tour. It's so laid back, it's in the middle of nowhere, there's no cell phone service, you have no choice but to enjoy yourself. If you're not having a good time up here, it's your fault," Canada said. "There's really two festivals that everybody's schedule revolves around, Steamboat (Music Festival) in January and Braun Brothers in August.
When The Departed played this year's Steamboat Music Festival, they had only had two performances under their belt.
"I really didn't expect it to go over as well as it did. I thought a lot of people would be screamming for Ragweed," he said, while admitting he was nervous going into the show. "There's always nerves. If you're still nervous, you're still passionate."