The Cody Wayne Band, which consists of several local musicians, recently hit an extreme milestone in their career: That of bring their brand of “Red Dirt” music to President Donald J. Trump’s November 26 Homecoming Rally at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.
“It was all kind of a whirlwind,” said bassist Trent Procell, who, along with lead guitarist Zach Early sat down with the Index for an interview following their return home. “But your Zwolle boy played music for the President of the United States.”
However, despite the rush of them having a meager week between learning of their booking and performing for the President, their road to such a high-profile gig started years before.
Both were born into musical families. Zach notes that family members played bluegrass on his father’s side of the family and cousins often played together during man opportunities. Trent was also exposed to music at a very young age through his parents.
Zach has been playing guitar for around 15 years seriously, which is a sizable chunk of his life, and at one point was employed in Los Angeles where he’d build boutique-level guitar pedals for some fairly famous clientele, including Aerosmith. Eventually, he’d make his way back home to Louisiana and begin playing in the local scene.
Trent received an acoustic guitar when he was 13 as a gift from his father. He played for several years and began playing in a band. When the bassist didn’t show for practice, he picked up the instrument and has concentrated his playing on it since.
Their music tended to sway toward heavier styles of rock, as many teenage musicians seem to do.
Trent’s shift to Red Dirt came about quickly, and due to another local musician, Justin Merritt.
He had been a champion of the sound for some time, and quickly got Trent hooked, and before long the two were performing together in The Justin Merritt Band.
For the uninitiated, the sound of Red Dirt music is as wide-open as the state of Texas itself, taking bits of musical history and combining it into one loose “genre” that cannot truly be constrained.
The style began in Stillwater in the bars surrounding Oklahoma State University before moving south into Texas. Although having a solid country base, one can easily hear tinges of the music’s stylistic origins in pure honky-tonk country, classic and modern rock, bluegrass, western swing, blues, indie rock, and Americana…with a little extra southern sass and attitude thrown in. In short, the raw and rocking Red Dirt is long way from the inauthentic and pandering variety of popular country that has permeated the airwaves in the United States for several decades now.
Its fans feel a dedication to its music much like fans of bluegrass and jam bands do, oftentimes traveling hundreds of miles on the weekend to hear their favorite artists live, much like fans of bluegrass and jam band genres often do. Needless to say, Trent was hooked.
It was in his seeking out weekend live shows that he first met Cody Wayne.
“I first met Cody around ten years ago when while watching Whiskey Myers at Banita Creek Hall (in Nacogdoches),” Trent said.
Cody was there just hanging out without the band. Trent was selling Justin Merritt Band CDs and introduced himself. They kept in contact over the years while Trent was performing with Justin and a few other bands.
Several years ago, the band namesake slowed down a bit as priorities in his life changed more toward family and having children. Trent and Zach were both playing in different bands in the area when, around two years ago, Trent received the call from Cody about playing bass full time.
“I felt kinda guilty about leaving these other projects,” Trent said. “But when a call comes in like that you’ve got to take it.”
Zach was proud of his friend, as they had been playing in the Roadhouse Rebels together. He simply told him that if Cody ever needed a guitar player to call him. That call came a year later, and at just the right time.
“I was getting a little burnt out on what I was doing here,” Zach admits.
This was his breath of fresh air.
Although both had regional success in music, this was a step beyond what they ever expected.
Now, they were opening for Tracy Lawrence and John Michael Montgomery for United Service Organizations (USO), which provides live entertainment for members of the U.S. armed forces. They’ve also built big reputations by playing in support of names like Rodney Atkins and Koe Wetzel.
“Koe’s show was almost as big as the rally,” Trent said. “His name alone sold 61,000 tickets.”
Although their high energy, arena-like show has made a name in the business, they can easily name a few of their favorite shows.
Recently, Cody Wayne Band was invited to perform at the San Jacinto monument in Texas, which is where the to-be nation won its independence from Mexico.
“It was a beautiful moment to play in front of that monument and know what happened on that site back then,” Trent says.
They also feel strongly about performing in support of the troops at the USO shows, as each member of the band has some strong patriotic leanings, which bleeds through to their music. In addition, both noted that it’s a special event when you can play a show solely for members of the military and their family.
“I realized my ancestors had to fight hard to maintain their freedoms and feel I’m speaking for them,” Trent said. “Everything I do is for them. I love where I came from and my people.
Cody himself is a United States Marine Corps. Veteran and the third single “Remember the Lost Ones” from their newest album, “Bad Influence” was released on Veterans Day with 100 percent of its proceeds going to the Boot Campaign, which was organized as a way for five women to show their support for our armed forces and has now raised over $12 million in financial assistance for veterans with housing needs, career and education costs, PTSD treatment, and other health and wellness programs.
The Trump rally booking came about after playing at the Firehouse Saloon in Houston. The owner loved their performance and asked if they’d be interested in such a gig, as some may turn down a political rally.
“We had to say yes,” said Trent. “Cody is one who loves his country but doesn’t stray into politics. We don’t want to mix music and politics, but this was a no-brainer.”
No brainer, because their high-energy, arena-rock like show featuring their brand of rowdy and star-spangled lyrics, riled up the crowd and had them more than ready for Vice President Mike Pence and President Trump’s impending speeches.
They played two sets to an electric crowd, and then stuck around to catch the rally itself. It was an exhausting, but worthwhile experience.
“During the rally I looked around and started seeing these people like governors and congressional representatives,” said Trent. “All I could think is that music got us here.”
They did duck out slightly early to beat the traffic, which makes sense given they were in a tour bus and were running on fumes after the short notice, 24 hours on the road there, three hours of sleep, then an early setup before a Secret Service sweep before the show itself and then the rally.
That’s a lot for an independent artist to deal with, as those signed to labels get some sort o support. It’s not that they couldn’t attain the support of a label, it’s that in a modern world of YouTube and Instagram promotion, their model is becoming outdated.
“We have a very strong system,” Trent said. “We had a showcase in Nashville and killed it there and got offers to sign, but there’s no real need.”
Zack points to one more thing that helps them keep that independent spirit.
“We’re a sober band,” he says. “We’re doing work. There’s no room for it when we drive ourselves, serve as our road crew, perform as in-house management, and everything else.”
They’re also quick to point out the immense level of support received from their families and fans.
“There’s so many people who are a part of this,” Trent says. “Most of all I think we’d like to thank our wives for being patient with us.”
Trent also mentions others as being paramount, including his father, Pat Procell; mother, Jeanie Procell; brother, sister, and numerous members of his family.
Speaking of family, him and his wife, Jessica, are expecting their first child, Cash Elliott Procell, and he couldn’t be more in love already.
“I’d like to thank the random people who have touched through this music and those who have touched us,” Zach says. “I’d also like to thank my friends and family, as they have always been so supportive.
He also points to a few more people who make his playing music possible such as Pam and Terry Tedder, who own Fisherman’s Galley, where he is also employed. He explains how they have been incredibly supportive through letting him off work to make his dream possible. Trent made similar sentiments toward Bobby Brittner and the Early Bird Lawn Service, where he also works during the week. Zach wants to thank his bandmates for grinding with him, as well. Not least of all is his thanks to his wife, Kathryn; daughter, Marissa; parents, Kenny and Sue Early; and in-laws D.P. and Gracie Lewing.
Both note that they can’t think Cody Wayne himself and his wife, Tamra, for all they have done for them and their families.