Cooder Graw is a self-described "loud country" (

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

alternative country Alternative country (commonly abbreviated to alt-country; also known as alternative country rock, insurgent country, Americana, or y'allternative) is a loosely defined subgenre of country music and/or country rock that includes acts that diffe ...

) band from

Amarillo Amarillo, yellow or golden in Spanish, may refer to: Places * Amarillo, Texas, city in the US * Amarillo, Western Australia, former name for Keralup, Western Australia People * Amarillo Slim (1928–2012), American poker player * Eric Amarill ...

and

Lubbock Lubbock ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat of Lubbock County. With a population of 272,086 in 2024, Lubbock is the 10th-most populous city in Texas and the 84th-most populous in the United States. The city is in the ...

, Texas. It is also the title of their second album. The group formed in 1998. It is perhaps most well known for the song "Llano Estacado" that was featured on a series of

Dodge Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge vehicles have historically included performance cars, and for much of its existence, Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above P ...

commercials. Cooder Graw is somewhat of an anomaly in the music industry, in that its members' ages at its inception ranged from late-30s to early-50s. The band's singer, Matt Martindale, was the assistant

district attorney In the United States, a district attorney (DA), county attorney, county prosecutor, state attorney, state's attorney, prosecuting attorney, commonwealth's attorney, or solicitor is the chief prosecutor or chief law enforcement officer represen ...

Gray County, Texas Gray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 21,227. The county seat is Pampa. The county was created in 1876 and later organized in 1902. Gray County is named for Peter W. Gray, a C ...

, prior to devoting his full attention to the band. Guitarist Kelly Turner was the manager of a manufacturing plant in

Slaton, Texas Slaton is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, Lubbock County, Texas, United States. Founded by German immigrants, Slaton was the westernmost German settlement in Texas The population was 5,858 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Sla ...

. The band was originally called "Coup de Grâce," but another band was already using that name, so the name was changed to a "Texas-version" of the original name. The band's debut album, '' Home at the Golden Light'', consisted of mostly

cover Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of c ...

s and was self-produced by the band (though

executive producer Executive producer (EP) is one of the top positions in the production of media. Depending on the medium, the executive producer may be concerned with management accounting or associated with legal issues (like copyrights or royalties). In film ...

credit is given to

Matthew McConaughey Matthew David McConaughey ( ; born November 4, 1969) is an American actor. He achieved his breakthrough with a supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy '' Dazed and Confused'' (1993). After a number of supporting roles, his first su ...

, a

fraternity A fraternity (; whence, "wikt:brotherhood, brotherhood") or fraternal organization is an organization, society, club (organization), club or fraternal order traditionally of men but also women associated together for various religious or secular ...

brother of Matt Martindale). It was released in 1998. The band's first national release, ''

Cooder Graw Cooder Graw is a self-described "loud country" (country music / alternative country) band from Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas. It is also the title of their second album. The group formed in 1998. It is perhaps most well known for the song "Llan ...

'', was released in late 1999. Cooder Graw has toured extensively throughout

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

and the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, both headlining and opening for artists such as

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and activist. He was one of the main figures of the outlaw country subgenre that developed in the late 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restr ...

and

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

. The group also played at the premiere of the film ''

EDtv ''EDtv'' is a 1999 American satirical comedy film directed by Ron Howard. An adaptation of the Quebecois film '' Louis 19, King of the Airwaves (Louis 19, le roi des ondes)'' (1994), it stars Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrels ...

'', which starred McConaughey. In 2006, Cooder Graw announced that they would cease performing together after the end of the year. Their last show was on December 31, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas. Lead singer Matt Martindale is still performing occasionally with his new band, The Matt Martindale Band. While Martindale, Turner, and Baker returned to careers outside of music, February 27, 2012, Cooder Graw announced a reunion tour would kick off April 28, 2012, at the Larry Joe Taylor Music Fest with more dates to follow.

Current

*Matt Martindale - acoustic guitar, vocals *Paul Baker - bass guitar *Kelly Turner - lead guitar *Kelly Test - drums, backing vocals *Carmen Acciaioli - fiddle, mandolin *Danny Crelin - pedal steel guitar

Former members

*Joe Ammons - drums, vocals *Jim Whisenhunt - pedal steel guitar *Nick Worley - fiddle, mandolin *Jon "Fish" Hunt - drums, backing vocals

Discography

Albums

*''Home at the Golden Light'' (1998) *''Cooder Graw'' (1999) *''Segundo'' (2000) *''Shifting Gears'' (2001) *''Live at Billy Bob's Texas'' (2002) *''Wake Up'' (2004) *''Big Sign'' (2009) *''Love to Live By'' (2016)

Music videos

*"Junior's in the Yard" *"Better Days" *"Love to Live By"

Compilations

*''Texas Road Trip'' - "18 Wheels of Loving" (2001) *''Brewed in Texas'' - "Whiskey Bent And Hellbound" (2002) *''Cow Hear This'' - "Better Days" (2002) *''Compadre's Texas Lovers'' - "Ain't Livin' Long Like This" (2003) *''Red River Tribute'' (tribute to

Waylon Jennings Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Outlaw country, outlaw movement in country music. Jennings started playing ...

) - "Rainy Day Woman" (2003)

External links

{{Authority control Musical groups from Lubbock, Texas Country music groups from Texas Musicians from Amarillo, Texas