The band was first formed in 2000 by Randy Rogers, who had grown up playing music since the age of 6. In 2000 the band released their debut album entitled “Live At The Cheatham Street Warehouse” which was recorded at the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas. By 2002 the band signed with independent record label, Downtime, and released “Like It Used To Be.” The band started to tour more of Texas outside of San Marcos.
Two year after the release of “Like It Used To Be” Randy Rogers Band released their second album entitled “Rollercoaster” which produced two minor entries on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in early 2005. The band then signed with Mercury Nashville Records and released “Just A Matter of Time,” an album that peaked at number 8 on the US Country Charts. Led off by the single “In My Arms Instead,” the band released their self-titled album on 23 September 2008.
The band’s fifth album, “Burning The Day,” was released in 2010 and the lead off single, “Too Late For Goodbye,” debuted at number 55 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The following album, “Trouble,” which was released on 30 April 2013, contained the band’s first single to enter the Billboard Top 40 Chart.
LaRue was born in Taft, Texas, US, but spent the majority of his childhood in Southeastern Oklahoma. He developed an interest in country music at a very young age and when he became older he moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma to pursue a career in music. He and his brother Bo Phillips were both musically inclined and wasted no time touring around a variety of bars primarily located in the neighboring college town. Along the way LaRue developed a friendship with fellow aspiring musicians Jason Boland and Cody Canada. The three became roommates, occupying a place they called the “Yellow House”. In their new home they would often participate in late night jam sessions that attracted the attention of other local musicians like Mike McClure and Brandon Jenkins. Jenkins would eventually collaborate with LaRue on his 2005 LP co-writing a large portion of the songs.
La Rue’s first album “Downtown” was released under the alias Stoney Rue and the Organic Boogie Band in 2002. La Rue’s next full length “The Red Dirt Album” was released three years later through the record label Smith Music Group. The wait seemed to pay off as this was the first time LaRue entered in the Top Billboard Albums chart, debuting at No. 70 in the country category. This album also gave his audience a taste of his influences as he closed the record with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”.
The next two releases LaRue put out where live recordings. This included 2007’s “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” and 2009’s “Live Acoustic (EP)”. Both entered the Billboard Country Charts at No. 65 and No. 66 respectively. These releases were followed up by his anticipated LP “Velvet”. This release saw a 6 year gap between it and his previous feature length. The album was commercially viable peaking at No.15 on the US Country Charts, No. 53 on the US Charts and No. 5 on the US Indie Charts. 3 years later LaRue put out the album “Aviator” through eOne Music. It also did reasonably well on the charts entering the US Country charts at No. 17, the US Charts at No. 72, and the US Indie Charts at No. 15. The album’s title track was also turned into a music video directed by Coleman Saunders. In between “Velvet” and “Aviator” LaRue appeared as a backing vocalist on Miranda Lambert’s 2013 single “All Kinds of Kinds”.
Country music is a genre often known for having standalone performers however the Randy Rogers Band are ready to break this convention. Although the operation does focus around lead vocalist Texas born Randy Rogers, each member is equally revered and considered when it comes to the operation and are not simply backup performers.
As you would imagine, these guys have a great rapport onstage and clearly enjoy playing live together. They really thrive on the energy given by the crowd too and as they cheer and jump, the band reciprocates with equal enthusiasm and vigour. They really are skilled as musicians and run through their discography with ease, stopping upon the hits including 'Kiss Me in the Dark' and 'Down and Out' so the audience has chance to clap and stomp along with the twanging country beats. They thank the gathered fans sincerely and do the band introductions before closing on the lively 'Trouble Knows My Name' which is met with approving roars from below.
Stoney LaRue plays a brand of bluesy Texas country that is a riveting listen. Rolling country guitar licks, grooving bass lines and twangy vocals all feature. his performance at Medicine Stone, Tahlequah in 2013 was a really joyful listen, their songs played with this effortless charm that enthralled the audience. Stoney LaRue has enjoyed great success since releasing his first album in 2002, with five further records following on from this release. He has also gained significant chart success, with three of his albums breaking in to the Billboard Country Chart top 100. With a twin guitar attack, bass, hammond organ and drums, the band sounded tight and energetic yet still maintaining a laid-back groove, sauntering through their songs with real authority, captivating the audience with their authoritative stage presence. Country blues has never sounded so good and in the hands of Stoney LaRue and his band, it is a riotously good affair. It makes you want to don your favourite stetson, put on your boots and head down to your local hoedown, stomping away late into the night to his romping blues. They are talented musicians, capable of blowing your mind with tasty guitar licks that seem to hit every sweet spot before rocking back into a rolling groove that permeates throughout their set. A great band definitely worth seeing.