Jason Boland

After leaving Oklahoma for the bountiful honky-tonks in Texas, Jason Boland and the Stragglers -- including guitarist Roger Ray, drummer Brad Rice and bassist Grant Tracy -- earnestly set out playing music throughout the Lone Star State. The band's adherence to traditional country in the vein of outlaw heroes Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard quickly made them a popular attraction. Bolan and Co. released three albums on their own before signing with Bruce Robison's Sustain label, which released The Bourbon Legend in late 2006. That album was followed by Comal County Blue in 2008. Shortly before Comal County was to be released, Boland damaged his vocal chords so severely he was ordered to rest. He eventually recovered, and the title track received airplay throughout Texas and a few bordering states, making it the band's most successful release to date. In 2010, High in the Rockies: A Live Album was released, proving these red-dirt road warriors have certainly made an impact on fans.