Shad Blair & the Hill Country Hustlers

Texas singer/songwriter Shad Blair was born and raised on a cattle ranch southeast of Post, Texas, learning to play guitar and sing from his dad and older brothers. He wore out his parents’ old country vinyl, spending the long Texas summers soaking up the music of Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Johnny Cash, Bobby Helms, and Hank Williams. At age 14, Shad’s father taught him to play “Fraulein” and soon after he began playing gigs, later working in the oilfields to put himself through college. Over the years, Shad has created a sound hardened by life experience and steeped in his influences including Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle, to name a few.
Sunday Blues, released in Fall 2008, was produced by Mark Sarisky, a professor of Recording Technology at the University of Texas at Austin. Brannen Temple (drums), Mitch Watkins (guitar), Red Young (B3 organ), John Fremgen (bass), Carter Arrington (guitar), and Danny Levin (fiddle) helped create a textured and soulful sound in twelve songs that tell stories of betrayal, heartache, and revenge.