By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Newberry, SC (May 31st, 2019) – With a string of chart topping songs throughout the 90’s and fresh out of the studio recording new music country group Little Texas made a stop this evening in Newberry, SC as part of their 30th anniversary tour. As the venue filled in with long time fans of the group you could hear excitement throughout the lobby before people made way to their seats. Tonight’s show at the Newberry Opera House was like a step back in time for me having grown up listening to the group as well as other notable artists of the same time period. I actually seen the group for the first time when I was 8yrs old in Greenville, SC along with Suzy Bogguss, a story I was able to share with some of the band before they took to the stage.
After some small talk and fine tuning of instruments came the introduction as Porter Howell (Leas Vocals/Guitar), Duane Propes (Bass/Backing Vocals), Del Gray (Drums) and Dwayne O’Brien (Guitar/Backing Vocals) entered into the lights welcomed by a listening hall of cheering attendees. Having 6 albums to their credit Little Texas played an array of songs from their expansive career. Hit songs like “Kick A Little” and “God Blessed Texas” kept things upbeat along with a newer song “Bullet From A Gun.” The latter song featuring a moment where the band engaged the crowd into doing the wave across the room amongst some instrumental jamming.
The group did a great job blending in the slower, ballad like hits like “What Might’ve Been” and “First Time For Everything” which featured Porter Howell entering the crowd for some guitar solo work and also a few selfies with fans. The music took you on a journey up and down through out the hour and half set with the up tempo fun songs to the slower more emotion filled tunes, one of those being “Slow Ride Home“ from the 2015 album “Young For A Long Time.”
Leading in to the song Porter took a moment to thank the military and spoke about how the group had came upon a funeral procession in Hayes, Kansas for a fallen soldier. He mentioned the impact this had on the group seeing people line the streets with American Flags honoring this person which led to inspiration for writing this song. With the line “a Purple Heart on the chest of his black leather vest and a big salute” the band faded to silence and the room stood eerily quiet. Not a sound from anyone or anything sending chills up my arms before the band eased back into the chorus to finish the song.
As the night came to an end Little Texas was met with loud cheering and applause where they showed thanks with an encore performance before heading to the merchandise booth to meet with fans.
Do not alter photos
Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
Little Texas
• Website • Facebook • Instagram • ITunes • Spotify • YouTube • Twitter •
