The sun had just set in the backyard of Anne and Steve Stodghill in Dallas’ Preston Hollow neighborhood on Monday, September 9, when the neo-traditional country band Midland took the stage.
Best known for their five-times-platinum hit, “Drinkin’ Problem,” the Dripping Springs-based trio were outfitted in their trademark retro/Laurel Canyon/cowboy duds, and bantering like the guys from TV’s “Entourage.”
“Bear with us,” one of them told the crowd of 250. “We didn’t do a sound check tonight.” Cracked another: “It really wouldn’t have made any difference.” With that, lead singer Mark Wystrach, guitarist Jess Carson and bass player Cameron Duddy hit the first licks of “Out of Sight,” a tune off their 2017 debut album, “On the Rocks.”
Having a band as cool as Midland at their manse was quite a coup even for the star-friendly Stodghills, who were serving as honorary chairs of the second-ever All for the Hall Dallas, presented by Winston & Strawn LLP.
A two-day benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s educational programs, one of which is provided in the Dallas Independent School District, All for the Hall Dallas consisted of the Stodghills’ patron party with Midland, followed by a “guitar pull” the next night featuring C&W stars Clint Black, Robert Earl Keen, Scotty McCreery and Carly Pearce at Gilley’s Dallas.
The patron partygoers, like Alison and Harry Hunsicker and Amy and Corey Prestidge, were revved up to see Midland, who it turned out would be appearing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” two nights later.
Joyce Goss said she was attending her first All for the Hall Dallas, adding that she’s a fan of Midland and country music in general, since she grew up on a ranch in South Texas. Joyce is friends with Lisa Arpey, who co-chaired the Hall event along with Vikram Agrawal. Vik’s pal Trammell S. Crow also attended the patron party with his daughter, Isabella Crow.
Other faces in the crowd were Edwin Cabaniss—he owns Dallas’ Longhorn Ballroom—Brendon Anthony of music label Big Loud Texas, Richard Barron, Sunie and Steve Solomon and Cam and Scott Hall.
As for the hosts, they said they were just back from a whirlwind tour of L.A. and London. Their first stop had been to cash in on their win at last year’s Farrah Fawcett Tex-Mex Fiesta! that included a makeover, complete with José Eber taking scissors to Anne’s long red hair. But not to worry. She loved the new layered look that fluffed up with ease. However, the new do required a curling iron that she found on Amazon for less than $15. The new gadget was put to the test when she plugged in at their London hotel sans adapter and was surprised that she didn’t blow out the entire hotel.
While in L.A., Anne and The Stodg took advantage of the other part of their prize by having lunch with actor Henry Winkler, who was unexpectedly joined by his old friend Alana Stewart (aka, Rod Stewart‘s ex-). The lunch wound up lasting three hours.
But, back to the couple’s backyard in Dallas. What had compelled Midland to get involved in All for the Hall?
“When our long-time friend Lisa Purcell from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum asked us to help support their efforts to bring music education to school children in Texas, it was an easy ‘yes’ for us,” the group’s Cameron Duddy told MySweetCharity. “Jess [Carson] and I both have kids in Texas public schools, and we want them to have the chance to benefit from school music programs just like we did growing up.”
From the stage, Mark said that this year marks Midland’s 10th anniversary, and that their fifth album, called “Barely Blue,” would be released soon.
Then, performing without their usual seven-piece-band setup, the trio worked through a selection of what they called their “old classics and brand new” songs, including “Fourteen Gears,” “Old Fashioned Feeling,” “Burn Out” and “Lucky Sometimes.”
They saved the iconic “Drinkin’ Problem” for last, introducing it as a “pretty good gateway drug into becoming a Midland fan.” Suddenly, the lights from multiple cellphones illuminated the Stodghills’ backyard, as fans swayed side-to-side and sang along.
“Thank you so much, y’all,” Mark told the crowd when the song was over. “We’ll see you at the bar.”
* Photo credit: Celeste Smith for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum