The Texas Strangers
Ac. Guitars and Lead Vocals: Leighan Cortes
Drums: Randy Turner
Upright and Electric Bass: Harlan Kubos
Piano: Julie Turner
Steel: Guitar: Robin Mims
Fiddle: Paul Bennett, Richard Helsley
Influences
TONY BOOTH!!!, Bobby Flores who produced my first album and a FREEKING ROCKIN' musician and singer!!!, Jake Hooker who can make a hardwood floor honky tonk outta the dirt floor of a livestock arena!!!!!!!, Connie Smith, Faron Young, Marty Robbins's passion!!, Johnnie Bush, Dottie West, Patsy Cline, did I say Bobby Flores FREEKING ROCKS already?, Dugg Collins, Johnny Bush, Justin Trevino, Curtis Potter and sooooo many more!!
I am not influenced by Nashville right now (sorryguys!) because I am a Texas girl. I prefer traditional hardwood floor honky tonk, beer drinkin' country! I'm a sucker for twin fiddles and a steel guitar!! I consider them the "feel" section of the band!
I also love hard core RockNRoll. Lit, Nickelback are two of the more modern groups I like but I really love the old heavy metal from the 80s. I am aware that makes me a total dork but I don't care!! :)
Woodstock had a huge influence on me even though I wasn't alive in the 60s. I watched the movie they made from actual footage for the first time Aug 19, 2005 and I found myself incredibly inspired by the passionate performances of the artists!! I feel it changed my life as a performer forever.
Sounds Like
Honky tonk! I'd like to think I have a unique sound and voice but I am very careful not compromise that classic sound of traditional country/western swing. I want every song I sing to capture the essence of artists like Dotty West, Ray Price, Faron Young, Darrell McCall, Johnny Bush, Ray Charles, Tony Booth, Connie Smith, Curtis Potter, Dugg Collins, Leona Williams and so many more.
I am a native Texan, born in San Antonio, Texas. Since I was a child, music and the stage have been part of my life. I just completed my first album, "Strange", available for purchase JANUARY 28, 2007, produced by Bobby Flores at his Yellow Rose Studio. When not on the road playing a show somewhere with my own band The Texas Strangers, I normally sing back-up for the Alvin Opry where I have been doing two shows a week since 2000. The Alvin Opry band features some very accomplished musicians such as Norm Cass and Larry Booth who played with Gene Watson. The Alvin Opry also features on bass legendary Tony Booth. It's truly an honor to have been able to stand on the same stage with someone like Tony for all these years because he's truly the real deal! He is my role model and my hero.
I'm used to playing two to three shows a week, every week. Lately, in addition to my live performances, I have had the opportunity to provide harmony vocals for other album projects with a couple of different recording studios.
I have been very fortunate in that my executive producer allowed me the freedom to express myself on this record with no limitation. I know what true artistic freedom feels like and that is groovy feeling.
I grew up on rock and roll and grew to love traditional country and western swing because of how it made me feel!
My main influences have been all those people for all those years who have come across the stage beside me inspiring and energizing me week after week with all the new-to-me traditional country material. My intense love grew from watching the songs performed LIVE. I'd hear a "new" song and rush home to research who wrote it and who performed it and even see what else they've recorded. It's the main reason I started listening to the recordings of Tony Booth, Johnny Bush, Billy Mata, Gene Watson, Patsy Cline, Dottie West, Bobby Flores, Jake Hooker, Justin Trevino, Marty Robbins, Jody Nix, Amber Digby, Dugg Collins, Ray Price, Curtis Potter, Willie Nelson, Earnest Tubb, Darrell McCall and I hear more everyday!! The first time I ever stepped foot in a Honky Tonk, I was honored to get to play with Bobby Flores and his band. The second time, I was honored to get to play with Jake Hooker and the Outsiders. These performances changed my life forever because I knew instantly I wanted to play the music that makes people dance for the rest of my life. My band, The Texas Strangers, are some of the finest musicians this state has to offer and it is an honor and a privilege to live out my dream with them.
For booking please contact Joan Stevens: (832)385-8629.
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
I really appreciate your friendship and ALL your awesome support! We've been very fortunate to have just passed 38,000 MySpace friends, over 473,000 page views, over 404,000 song plays and YOU'VE HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE. I'd be ever so grateful if you could bulletin your friends and ask them to add us too. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!!!!
hello Leighan, hope you are having a fantastic day.i hope being a mom is everything you expected it tobe. just wanted to say hello.i as per useral wish you all the best. Mike.
hello Leighan, hope you are having a fantastic day.i hope being a mom is everything you expected it tobe. just wanted to say hello.i as per useral wish you all the best. Mike.
I think you get a amazing future in front of you with your music, because you have a amazing, beautiful and wonderful song voice and you have real good and amazing songs:):)
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