Cross Canadian Ragweed formed in the mid-90s in Oklahoma. The band originally consisted of Grady Cross (guitar), Cody Canada (lead guitar/vocals), Randy Ragsdale (drums), and Choya Partridge (bass). However, shortly after the band formed, Partridge departed and Jeremy Plato took his spot on the low end. The four-piece would go on to release a total of ten albums—three live albums and seven studio albums—and help to establish the Red Dirt sound for which Oklahoma and Texas are known today.
The band’s influences included Southern rock greats like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Marshall Tucker Band as well as acts like AC/DC, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. Additionally, they looked to country legends like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Robert Earl Keen for inspiration. The result was a sound that fans across the country loved. However, it made them a little too rock for country radio and a little too country for rock radio. As a result, their singles didn’t see much chart success despite releasing four consecutive Top 10 country albums.
[RELATED: Cross Canadian Ragweed Purge Social Media, Reactivate Website Hinting That Something Is Coming in 2025]
The band had a great run. However, all good things must come to an end. The group parted ways in 2010 after nearly 15 years together. However, fans across the country still crank up their music and hope that the country-rock quartet will someday put aside their differences and launch a reunion.
For more than a decade, former members of Cross Canadian Ragweed publicly shot down calls for a reunion. However, recent events have fans wondering if they’ve changed their minds about getting the band back on the road. With that in mind, here are a few songs to refresh longtime fans’ memories or get new listeners ready for whatever the band has in store for the future.
“Boys from Oklahoma”—Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Humor on Full Display
“Boys from Oklahoma” didn’t appear on any of Cross Canadian Ragweed’s studio albums. However, it was a staple of the live shows. Listeners can find two versions of it. The first appeared on the 2001 album Live & Loud at the Wormy Dog Saloon. The other version is on the 2002 release, Live & Loud at Billy Bob’s Texas.
For the uninitiated, “Boys from Oklahoma” isn’t a song about how proud they are to be from the Sooner State. Instead, it’s a humorous track about how poorly Okies roll joints.
“Alabama”—A Song So Good They Released It Twice
Cross Canadian Ragweed first released “Alabama” on their 2001 sophomore album Highway 377. Even with its mellower sound, the track puts the band’s grunge influences on full display. They recorded it again for their classic 2004 album Soul Gravy. This version had a heavier sound but was no less catchy.
The band released the re-tooled version of the second and final single from “Soul Gravy.” It reached No. 46 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
“Sick and Tired”—Cross Canadian Ragweed Teams Up with Lee Ann Womack
Played back-to-back with tracks like “Alabama,” “Sick and Tired” highlights the musical range of Cross Canadian Ragweed. The track, which landed at No. 46 on the country chart features Lee Ann Womack providing backing vocals. Driven by acoustic guitar and Womack and Canada’s vocal harmonies, this track is Red Dirt gold.
“Fightin’ For”—The Band’s Most Successful Single
“Fightin’ For” puts Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Southern Rock influences on full display. It also shows just how well the band blends their disparate influences. They released the track as the lead single from their 2005 album Garage and it peaked at No. 39 on the country chart, giving the band their sole top 40 single.
Featured Image by Daniel DeSlover/ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock
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