After a 25 year hiatus from formal education, I finally got one of them pieces of paper that said I could read and write and stuff. One of my 3 majors was religion. I have always been interested in it – from a distance. I harbor some, ummm, interesting ideas when it comes to religion — so I don’t talk a whole lot about it. One area I will interject my thoughts into from time to time Is music. The word “gospel” is defined as “good news”. So the gospel of Jesus is the good news of what he did for us. Many times musicians and songwriters express the good news and beauty of our Creator and his Creation – some possibly without knowing it. Although I am not a big fan of labeling music into genres, most people are. There is a genre (or subgenre depending on opinion) that began in Oklahoma and spread to Texas called ‘Red Dirt” of which I am a big fan. This song, written by a 17 yr old Johnny Cooper, possibly describes it best. Remember the “blood and sweat that turned this dirt red” line – it will be important later.
“You want something bad , you gotta bleed a little for it.” Turnpike Troubadours are one of the hottest current acts in Red Dirt.
Why the blood and the long ride and the red dirt? Although Jesus has already done the work for us, how strong is our faith? How much do we really believe? Would we bleed for it? How far would we follow – how long is the road?
Hebrews 9:22 “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
A tribute to one of the founders of the genre – Mr. Tom Skinner. From L-R (Johnny called each out by name in his song) Mike McClure, Stoney LaRue, Jason Boland, Cody Canada.
Last, but not least… What is the difference between red dirt and red clay? Red dirt is just that – dirt. Red clay comes from the dirt and tears. It is something our Creator (or Maker or Potter) can use in creation… We will never learn I suppose – but I will never give up hope. There will always be artists like these to defend, encourage, help, protect. They get it.