A 5-Song Introduction To Red Dirt Legends, Cross Canadian Ragweed

In case you haven't heard the news, Cross Canadian Ragweed updated their social media yesterday for the first time since 2011 and people are fired up for the potential of new music or a reunion tour. And who knows, maybe there's something as simple as a re-release coming, but either way, it's exciting. The country/rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is a cornerstone of the Red Dirt scene and inspired most of our current favorite Texas/Oklahoma artists, such as Koe Wetzel, Tanner Usrey, and Wyatt Flores... the list goes on and on. The group formed in 1994 and released their debut album, Carney , in 1998. They would go on to release 7 studio and 3 live albums before disbanding in 2010. They performed their final show at Joe's Bar in Chicago (where Whiskey Riff was founded). The cause of the breakup was a need for drummer Randy Ragsdale to step away and be with his family, especially his son, who has autism. Ragsdale said: “For many years my band has been my top priority. Being in a touring band you have to give it your all, give it 100 percent. Right now, I need to be at home for my family, particularly my son JC, who has autism. He’s 10 years old now and still struggling in his development. I feel the only way I can help him is to be more hands-on and close to home.” While he encouraged the rest of the band members to find a new drummer and keep touring, frontman Cody Canada refused, saying that they wouldn't continue without all the original members. Cody and bass player Jeremy Plato went on to have a successful career with Cody Canada and the Departed. Although fans have long been clamoring for a reunion, a statement by Cody in an interview with Rolling Stone from earlier this year cast doubt that it would ever happen: “The offers I get for Ragweed are really hard to overlook sometimes. But people don’t realize the hard feelings that are still there. It’s like asking somebody who is divorced if they’ll get remarried. The answer is ‘F*** no,’ right? Well, what if somebody offers you three million dollars to get remarried? I’d love to be able to say yes, but I wouldn’t feel right about it. And I wish people would remember what we actually sounded like. The best nights of their lives were some of the worst performances of my life.” While we don't have any confirmation or details beyond their website being reinstated and social media profile pictures being updated, it looks like there just may be a reunion in the near future... Now, many of you are absolutely ECSTATIC over the slightest mention of anything related to Cross Canadian Ragweed, but many of you young bucks may be like me, and completely missed out on Ragweed the first time around. I was only in 8th grade when they broke up so it's safe to say I had and still have a lot of catching up to do. I won't ever claim to be as big a fan as those who got to see them on the come up (like some annoying fans do with Zach Bryan when the first song they heard was "Oklahoma Smokeshow") but I do believe I'm in a good position to lay down an on-ramp of sorts for those who are unfamiliar to discover their greatness. So for those of you who don't quite understand why this is such a big deal, here's a 5-song introduction to the Red Dirt icons: "Constantly" - Cross Canadian Ragweed (2002) This a great jumping off point for the uninitiated. Easily accessible, catchy, well written, not too edgy, but still gives a good feel of their sonic style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgN1pwmuRyU "17" - Cross Canadian Ragweed (2002) Sure to strike a chord in every person who grew up in a small town. This is one of their most popular songs, a karaoke night staple, and an absolute Ragweed staple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR6pkU-_MK4 "Look At Me" - Highway 377 (2001) The first track on their sophomore album, "Look At Me" is one of those songs I find myself singing randomly throughout the day. I love this line from the first chorus: "I like pissing in the wind and on my dreams
Look at me" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnDIHHpQglo "Fightin' For" - Garage (2005) This was one of the first songs that really clicked for me. It's an anthem of sorts for those couples that seem to always be fighting for one reason or another and features another lyric that I just love: “You may have won this battle baby, don’t mean I wanted the war” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esX4ESbdYgc "Boys From Oklahoma" - Live & loud At The Wormy Dog Saloon (2001) Warning, this one contains some choice words, but there's no song that's more Ragweed to its core. There's nothing better than having a few cold ones and cranking this tune up, you'll be belting it out in no time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdjpolowQ9E Honorable Mentions: "Alabama" - Highway 377 (2001) It is their biggest song, after all... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYeEBEL0_4I "Dimebag" - Garage (2005) This one is more of a deep cut than others on this list but it features a lot of the grungy tones that Koe really picked up and ran with. It may just be my favorite song of theirs... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxYbChe8Ks