Rich O'Toole on Taking Texas Country to the Nation

Rich O'Toole

Rich O'Toole

If you don’t know who Texas music recording artist Rich O’Toole is, let me fill you in. He’s an Aggie who grew up in west Houston who is a rapidly rising star in the Texas music scene. If it matters, he went to the same high school that ESPN host Craig James did. James led Stratford High to two state football championships in the late 1970s. If you’re a Red Raider Mike Leach fan, you probably know who Craig James is today. But I digress.

I met Rich in December 2007. He was one year into his career, touring 200 shows a year, and trying to “take Texas country to the nation,” in Rich O’Toole’s own words.

Two albums later, in 2011, Rich released his best project to date, “Kiss of a Liar.” More experienced record reviewers have given the record excellent reviews, and say it “proves that Rich is maturing in his musicianship.” Whatever that means.

Let me just put it in my own words. I rarely purchase albums because I’m usually listening to Rush Limbaugh or Mark Levin podcasts on my iPhone. My listening time is valuable.

I downloaded “Kiss of a Liar” off Amazon (it’s only $8 there) last week, and I’ve taken the time to listen to it five times. The songs are excellent, and worth every minute in enjoyment.

The record has his number one hit “The Cricket Song” and his standard live show favorite “Marijuana and Jalapenos.” And nested between are nine more excellent songs, some of which I am sure will be charting over the next year as singles. My favorite, “Banks of the Mississippi” exhibits what I believe is Rich’s best voice performance ever, and the song has that sentimental vibe without pandering.

In this podcast, we revisit some of the topics we discussed way back in 2007, and talk about his career today, to include fishing with Roger Creager, whether or not he’s still writing songs about crazy girls, and knocking down doors.

Enjoy!

More Listening: 

Purchase the entire record via download for only $7.99 at Amazon. Click here.