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I first heard Rodney playing in a packed coffee shop on Bell Street, Dantes (it’s not there anymore), but the impression he made on me and the rest of the audience that night has stuck around. That was almost six years ago, and Rodney Branigan is still wowing crowds — not just here in Amarillo or just around the country. He is now wowing crowds around the world.

I have had the opportunity to open for Rodney in a couple of other states. The response I have seen and the die-hard fan base he has built is amazing. The turnout — no matter the size of the bar — is impressive. And the energy of both the show and the crowd is intense. But you can also tell there are new fans being made in that very show.

This showman has been traveling the country for years now. He, with his lovely wife Erin, have been on the road since 1998, performing his one-man show in California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and many other states. In the past year, Rodney was fortunate enough to bring his musical style to Europe, primarily playing festivals in the London area. He has been asked back and will be going there for most of the month of December. He also has several other bookings in England and throughout Europe.

I caught Rodney right as he was leaving from Nashville for the 14-hour drive to Amarillo for his 8th Annual Day-Afte-Turkey-Day Show and interviewed him by email.

THE INTERVIEW-

What is your first musical memory?
My Dad’s band practicing when I was 3 and 4.

What was your first experience playing in public?
My Dad made me play lead guitar for him at family gatherings from the early days. The truth is that I never really put the guitar down much. I would play whether anyone was listening or not.

When was your first gig and where?
I think my first paid gig was with a blues trio I was in with Cody Downes in ’97 at Ribs and Blues. I have been making my living at music since the fall of 1998.

You’ve been on the road for a while. What was the first time out like?
My first time on the road was entertaining. We had this 20 –year-old RV, a full tank of gas, some CDs to sell, and these ridiculous expectations. I played at the Pig and Whistle pub in Fort Worth to 5 people — one of them being my sister.

How is it compared to now when you go out?
I’m an old hand at this now and have figured out how to work it. I rarely play for less than 100 people from coast to coast. I have fans now and not just an audience, which is a very interesting thing.

You have played in Amarillo for years, and you still do. But how is it different playing in major cities?
Every city and response is different for me. With the hometown crowd, I am the same old Rodney people have known for years. Many other cities I am in, I have become something more than what I probably really am. It’s a very overwhelming feeling for people to call you a genius or legendary.

You’ve been doing quite a few awesome events, playing in London, etc. What are some of the coolest things you’ve done in the past few years?
Performing is a very fulfilling thing in any instance, whether I am playing for 2,000 people or 200. I have had the opportunity to share the stage with Jack Johnson and G Love and the Special Sauce and those experiences were amazing, but the most fulfilling part of what I do is the people and life stories that I have had the opportunity to be a part of. I have made friends with some very diverse and interesting people; those are the experiences that give me fuel for my songwriting.

You have the 8th Annual Day-After-Turkey-Day Show this year. Why do you do this show? Is it good to come home?
I started playing this show in ’98 to help pay for the trip home so I could be home with my family for Thanksgiving. The show became a time for old friends who were also home for the holidays to meet. It grew and grew, and now it has become a show for me to do my thing for the hometown fans.

You’ve been one of the guys who has gone out on your own, put on very memorable shows all over the country and now in Europe. You had a band with you then. Now is this a new venture for you?
I have been in Nashville writing and recording for a new album. Having a band has always been a goal. Mostly for the polish that it adds to my songwriting but also because it is makes me reach beyond my comfort level that I have enjoyed as a solo artist. My three -piece band places my songwriting skills in the forefront so I can be more than just a spectacle. The songs can take on a life of their own.

You’ll be playing with a band for this Thanksgiving show. Who are they and what is the instrumentation, and what is some of their experience?
My drummer, Dan Walzer, moved to Nashville around the same time I did. He works as a session player in other studios when he is not my drummer. His bachelor’s degree is in jazz performance from Bowling Green University. His master’s degree comes from the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, also in Jazz studies. Matt Parmenter is playing bass for me. Matt’s background comes mostly from the Chicago Rock scene. He actually resides in Cincinnati now.

Why this departure from the one-man show you’ve been doing for years?
I am not totally departing from the one-man show. The band is the commercial polish that I have had to step up to recently. Solo singer-songwriters rarely sell a million albums

I gotta ask, man: Where’s the Studio Album? You have had a live album out for a while and a DVD. When is the new one coming out?
I am hoping to have my new studio album finished by April. My skills on the guitar have given me the opportunity to present my next studio album to the world. I want to win the Grammy and the work that goes into that kind of goal can’t be taken lightly, so I am not taking it lightly.

Rodney’s guitar style and unique approach to his instrumentation is a show stopper. Over the years, Rodney’s style has changed considerably, his lyrics intensifying in meaning and bringing his songs much more depth. I don’t want to say that he’s gone mainstream, because I don’t think that is something that could happen. Unless mainstream someday comes to Rodney.

Rodney left Amarillo with a big dream, and he has not forgotten it. He is reaching out further and further. Rodney definitely has found success in what he does. With the new studio album on the horizon. I feel we will hear of many more milestones he has crossed.

He has achieved many things as a musician and has achieved them through hard work and perseverance. With this being the way he conducts himself in music and in business, Rodney has a great music career ahead of him. The best is yet to come.

If you were not able to check out the “Day After Turkey Day Show,” you can catch him Dec 26th at the Golden Light Cantina.
I’ll be opening.-with Family& Friends.

To check out his music :
Go To: rodneybranigan. com
Myspace.com/rodneybraniganmusic