By Richard Skanse

(LSM Sept/Oct 2011/vol. 4 – Issue 5)

After a long decade of playing the part of a major-label mainstream country artist, Pat Green is gearing up to reclaim his independent Texas roots. Green parted ways with RCA after the release of 2009’s What I’m For, ending a five-album run in major-label land that kicked off with 2001’s Three Days and peaked (sales wise) with 2003’s Wave on Wave. He is now signed to indie-label Sugar Hill Records and reportedly close to polishing off a sequel to his 2001 all-covers project with Cory Morrow, Songs We Wish We’d Written. He’s also writing a new album of original material. Release dates have yet to be set for either release, but the covers album should be out of the gate first. In the meantime, he’s already started collaborating with some of the younger regional artists who have sprung up on the scene since his “Carry On”-era heyday. He joined Houston kid Rich O’Toole on a cover of Wilco’s “Casino Queen” featured on O’Toole’s Kiss of a Liar album, and swaps verses with Josh Abbott on the latter’s new single, “My Texas.” Will the one-time people’s king of Texas country be able to reclaim his spot at the top of the crowded hill and finally win back the love of all those so-called diehard fans who still swear by George’s Bar but have hurled cries of “sellout!” ever since Green first dared to peek his head out of the dancehalls? Stay tuned …