Johnny Cooper in Oklahoma....

Rodeo dances to feature top Texas music talent

WEATHERFORD — Not only will the 62nd annual Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo be entertaining for rodeo fans, music fans will get a special treat following each of the four performances, beginning Wednesday.

Instead of a single street dance to kick off the yearly event, the Posse is sponsoring four dances, each starting at about 10:15 p.m.

Johnny Cooper, a young, but nonetheless established musical commodity, will open the four shows Wednesday night, followed by local ensemble Scotch Mountain Band Thursday, the Josh Abbot Band Friday and Mickey and the Motorcars Saturday.

A Web site dedicated to Texas music, lsm.com, reports Cooper has seen much of the country as a performer.

“Johnny’s career has taken him to Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico and as far north as Steamboat Springs, Colo., and as far south as Mexico,” his bio states. “A career highlight has been his trip overseas on a six-day tour of Ireland in June 2007.”

Judd Jordan Jr. fronts the Scotch Mountain Band, a Parker County-based group. Fans on hand Thursday night can expect to hear Jordan originals like “I’m in Love,” “Locked and Loaded,” “Cinco de Mayo” or “Beer in my Hand.”

Jordan and the SMG show they are diverse, while sticking to their Texas roots. “Texas Bound” has a distinct Allman Brothers Band feel to the tune, while Locked and Loaded is definitely a song right at home in Lone Star State honky-tonks.

The Josh Abbott Band, like several Texas music icons, began performing in West Texas.

“Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Wade Bowen, Ryan James ... and now, the Josh Abbott Band. Some of the best artists in Texas country music have gotten there start in the West Texas town of Lubbock while attending Texas Tech University, and the next in line for greatness is no different,” the band’s online bio begins.

The band, founded by fraternity brothers Josh Abbott, Austin Davis, Drew Hurt and Neel Huey, was formed in 2006. After just a year of local shows, the musicians released a four-track, self-titled album and is set to record a new album.

Mickey and the Motorcars are making their second straight appearance at the Parker County rodeo.

Fronted by Micky Braun, the alt-country band performs on the Texas music circuit more than 200 days a year. Following the performance at the rodeo, Mickey and the Motorcars will take to the stage at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth for a June 26 concert, which will be the basis for a live album.