COODER GRAWFormed in 1998, the fledgling group released their debut album HOME AT THE GOLDEN LIGHT, which credits Matthew McConaughey, a fraternity brother of Matt Martindale, as executive producer. In 2000 came their debut studio release simply titled COODER GRAW, co-produced by multiple GRAMMY Award-winner Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel and Hayden Nicholas, nine-time #1 country songwriter and guitarist for Clint Black. The album was well received at Americana radio and was on the national radio charts for thirteen consecutive weeks. By 2001 they had taken a stronghold in the heralded Texas music scene with their second live offering SEGUNDO garnering them their first Top 10 Texas hit with “Willie’s Guitar.” That same year they released SHIFTING GEARS scoring them their next two Top 10 Texas hits “New Dress” and “Better Days.” The next two album releases include 2004’s WAKE UP and the Texas music fraternal order that is LIVE AT BILLY BOB’S TEXAS, a by invitation only affair featuring their most well-known song “Llano Estacado” that was featured on a series of national Dodge truck commercials.
Cooder Graw has shared the stage with some of country music’s biggest stars including Willie Nelson, Alabama, Dwight Yoakum, Robert Earl Keen, Mark Chesnutt, Lee Ann Womack, Pat Green and Asleep at the Wheel. They have performed at many of the finest venues across the Southwest, have appeared on a slew of compilation albums and have enjoyed success with a pair of music videos that aired on major country music networks including Great American Country (GAC). Although front man Matt Martindale has gone on to perform with his individual outfit The Matt Martindale Band, he ultimately initiated the idea of this reunion after repeated requests from fans over the years, and he couldn’t be happier, “We spent a lot of time on the road back in the day doing 150 plus dates a year and we needed some time away from the road and more time with our families. It’s been a long time now and I just can’t wait! I’m excited to see the guys, hang out with our old friends and reignite that part of our lives.” (reunion website here)