It's NOT Goodbye, But See You At The Next Show

Band of the Week:  Cody Canada and The Departed

Sorry, for it being so long, but I am just tired of the half-truth rumors about Cross Canadian Ragweed’s temporary break.  So, if you want the whole story about CCR’s hiatus and the form of their new band, Cody Canada and The Departed, READ THIS whole thing or I highlighted things, kind of in a Q&A style, so you can read what you want.  Though, I highly encourage you to read the whole thing!   I will probably NEVER write another blog this long, but I just wanted to give this band justice and dispel the rumors.  So, Enjoy and let me know what you think!!!

•  What’s The Deal?:  Fifteen years of traveling down a twisted Red Dirt road and sweating under the neon’s, performing hard hitting rock and roll came to an abrupt stop on October 24, 2010.  Cross Canadian Ragweed’s, temporary hiatus that they announced in May 2010 became something more permanent, as they performed their last scheduled show at Joe’s Sports Bar on Weed Street in Chicago.  
• Why Are They Taking a BREAK?:  Cross Canadian Ragweed decided to take time off from the road after drummer, Randy Ragsdale, confronted the band that he needed a break from road life to spend more time with his autistic son.  Randy wanted to be home with his son, because he felt his son wasn’t developing at the rate he should be with his autism.  Randy urged the rest of the band to move on, but the rest of the guys said, “We are not Ragweed unless we all play together”.  That was the deciding factor for Ragweed to dispatch. (For NOW) 
• A New Band.  What?!:  Cross Canadian Ragweed’s frontman, Cody Canada, urged Randy to stick around for one more album, but Randy felt like he really needed to go home, ASAP.  However, Cody Canada and Jeremy Plato (Ragweed’s bassist) felt like they still had more to give and that they are “lifers” when it comes to music stuff.  So, together they formed a new band with Seth James (a former Texas solo artist), David Bowen, and Steve Littleton.  
• The Departed:  After what some may call the death of Cross Canadian Ragweed, came the birth of a new band…Cody Canada and The Departed.  Soon to be known as just “The Departed”, because Cody said he is a band guy and he doesn’t want his name attached, but after coming off 15 years of Ragweed, the band thought it would be best to add Cody Canada’s name for the first album release.
  Behind the Name:  Seth James says that, “The whole point behind the band is that it’s a departure for all of us.  You know, we’ve all left other situations to be in this band, it’s just a good place for all of us”. 
• First Album:  The Departed’s first album is called “This is Indian Land” and it’s likely to be released around the first of April 2011.  It’s a tribute CD that Cody Canada wanted to do as Ragweed’s last album, but is now doing it as The Departed’s first album.  The CD is a collection of cover songs wrote by the best Oklahoma songwriters that influenced Cross Canadian Ragweed’s vibe.  (Since all the guys in Cross Canadian Ragweed are from Oklahoma). 
• First Show:  The Departed practiced hard for 6 months straight to put on their first gig at Texas’s oldest dancehall, Gruene Hall, on December 29, 2010. The gig was videotaped and will be sold as a CD/DVD package in the future.
  Other gigs:  Billy Bob’s Texas and on Saturday, February 5, 2011,  Lexington, KY, Buster’s Billiards and Backroom.  (YEAH!!!!!!) 
• Ragweed Will Never Die:  Don’t try googling, Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Home website, because it’s gone.  Instead you’ll get links to The Departed website.  Though Ragweed’s website is no more, this is only farewell for NOW!  One day they’ll reemerge and do a reunion tour at least.  We ALL HOPE!!!  Though if Cross Canadian Ragweed is dead, which they’re NOT, but if they were Cody Canada once said that Ragweed’s epitaph would say, “We did it our way”. 

 Here’s to Peace, Happiness, and RAGWEED!!!  Thanks for the Music Boys!!! 

Links to vid's.  Check it OUT!!!

CCR -Encore Finale @ Joe's Bar 10/24/10

The Departed's first gig at Gruene Hall