Blogger Rita Ballou took the Texas/Red Dirt Music Scene by storm in February 2010 with her controversial website rawhideandvelvet.com. Rita has been described as the "Perez Hilton of Texas Country music" and love her or hate her, she is always entertaining. Rita delivers a snarky, but fresh look on country music, celebrities, reality television and all things pop culture. The rawhideandvelvet website is now not only considered a guilty pleasure must-read for over 60,000 music fans a month, but one of the most respected sources for Texas/Red Dirt information in the genre. Rita is still new to radio, but her satirical essays can be found in Lone Star Music Magazine and her “Rita Rendezvous” columns are featured each month in Best in Texas Magazine. Rita’s “All the Dirt in Red Dirt” news reports can be hear on all the Townsquare Media radio stations throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Rita's popular recaps of the television shows CMT's Texas Women, Troubadour, Tx and Ray Benson's Texas Music Scene have allowed her to parlay her writing into on-camera work covering such red carpet events as the Country Music Awards and the CMA Fest in Nashville, the Music Fest in Steamboat Springs and the American Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Rita is very active in The Boot Campaign, an organization that helps raise awareness of the challenges that the military faces when they transition home for war. Rita lives with her husband Wes and two weenie dogs Dolly Parton and Dewey Cox in her hometown of Gatesville, Texas. You can follow Rita on Twitter @rawhidevelvet and on Facebook at Facebook.com/ritaballou
Rita Ballou
Aaron Einhouse Performs Live In The US 105 Studios (VIDEO)
Singer/songwriter/cutie patootie Aaron Einhouse popped into the US 105 studios this afternoon to hang out a short visit and share a few songs.
Here is Aaron with a brand new song he co-wrote with legendary Texas artist, Walt Wilkins titled "Blue Collar Troubadour":
You can pick up Aaron's latest album, Hello Road on iTunes or at Lonestar Music and catch Aaron and his band live June 15th
Rita’s Review: Keith Urban’s New Song, “Little Bit Of Everything”
When I was in the 7th grade, Santa brought me a Casio mini keyboard. I loved that little thing, especially the pre-programmed songs. Remember these? If you are old like me, I know you had one too! It was the 80's...we all had one!
Momma Ballou sold it in a garage sale and I never really gave it a second thought...
Rita Ballou’s Texas Two Step: Exclusive New Song From Six Market Blvd’s Clayton Landua (VIDEO)
Clayton Landua, front man for the band Six Market Blvd, stopped by the US 105 studio last week during the Texas Two Step to chit chat about all the things Six Market and played a brand new, never recorded song.
Here is Clayton with the new tune, "Saved By The Bells"...
Brian Gowan Kicks Off The Bloomin’ Temple Festival Music [PICS]
Temple's very own Brian Gowan and his band kicked off a stellar night of country music with a Texas flair downtown Saturday night at the Bloomin' Temple Festival. Brian entertained the crowd with all his Billboard charting singles, his 4 Texas Music Chart Top 30 singles and songs written with, recorded and charted by hit maker Rodney Atkins...
The Kirk Baxley Band Wins The US 105 Texaco Country Showdown
The 32nd Annual Texaco Country Showdown is America's largest Country music talent show. It's designed to find the most promising country music talent in the nation and to give these performers a chance to launch their professional music careers...
The Pistol Annies Keep New “Hush Hush” Video All In The Family
I have a huge girl crush on the Pistol Annies. I have always been a big Miranda fan, more so before she became part of the "Shelbert" power couple, but I am absolutely in love with the group's new album, Annie Up.
Rita Ballou Has A Super Sad Face
Womp, womp, womp...it has happened once again.
Brandon Rhyder Live At Schoepf’s This Thursday Night
Brandon Rhyder released his latest single today on iTunes!
Miranda Lambert’s Kentucky Derby Fashion Fail (Photo)
The Kentucky Derby celebrated their 139th year over the weekend in Louisville and of course all of the "chosen people" put on their Derby best and headed to town to enjoy all of the tradition...including Miranda Lambert.
I love a good pastel animal print as much as the next girl, but why why why why does Miranda always pick the most UN-figure flattering things to wear to these shindigs..
Tonight’s Schoepf’s Texas Music Series Concert Has Been Rescheduled
Womp, womp, womp. I have some sad news to report.