In the "dim lights, thick smoke" atmosphere of the club, three original songs by Moreland are performed, along
with some classics written by Merle Haggard and Charlie Pride to inspire the audience's beer-drinking and dancing.
"We're building a crowd right now," Moreland explained of their performance. "It's hard splitting the money eight
ways because we're not making that much financially, but maybe someday we can make up for these
poverty-stricken days."
Most of the members agreed that their greatest hardships had been financially oriented. They estimate a present
investment of around $8,000 to $9,000 in musical equipment.
Robinson stated that "finding time to get everybody together" witih everyone involved in different occupations to
support themselves, was the only other problem they had encountered as a band.
Although each member had individual comments as to their future aspirations, all were success-oriented as might
be expected of musicians trying to make it financially as well as professionally.
"I'd like to play in front of 30,000 people," Robinson commented. Connell added he would like to "play at the
Grand Ole Opry."
"We want to cut a record of some of this original stuff," Moreland remarked. "If we could just become a
household name," he said of his dreams.
Meanwhile, the band wants to continue working on their stage act and reworking new versions of old tunes.
The burly Manning, in one of his descriptions of the band's music, simply called it "good Texas music."
His statement, along with the most often repeated comment of "they're good ole boys" among their listeners, makes
for a good summation of "The Bois d'Arc Bottom Band."
They're just "good old boys" who do a heck of a job playing "good Texas music."
(By Max Pierce, Entertainment Editor, THE EAST TEXAN)
Area Band Finds Hardships, Hopes in Performing
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