I WAS IN THAT BAND!

This week on I Was In That Band!, we welcome drummer Linda Waring, whose remarkable career takes us deep into the Texas blues and rock scene.

Linda came up through DFW's legendary blues music scene, cutting her teeth at the infamous Cellar alongside contemporaries Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan. From there, she went on to play with Texas guitar great Bugs Henderson, country-rock outfit Calico, and hard-rock powerhouse Nitzinger.

Linda shares stories about her early days behind the drums, the wild atmosphere of The Cellar, and recording at Capitol Records in Los Angeles. It's a firsthand look at a fascinating chapter in Texas music history, told by someone who was right in the middle of it.

Guitarist, producer, and songwriter Brad Allen Williams joins Grady to trace his musical path from Memphis to Denton, New York, and Los Angeles. They talk about Brad's years at UNT and in the Denton music scene, touring and recording, building community instead of "networking," the art of being a great supporting musician, and his evolution from guitarist-for-hire to producer and recording artist.

Brad's albums Light Rivers and Economy are available wherever you stream music.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with Nashville singer-songwriter and former David Allan Coe pedal steel guitarist Dale Emerson Seigfreid.

Dale had a front-row seat to one of the wildest eras in country music, hitting the road with Coe as the outlaw country movement was taking shape. He shares stories from those days, gives his version of a few legendary tall tales, and even has a few George Jones tales to share along the way. Dale recalls what it was really like to be right in the middle of a scene that would become country music history.

From life on the road with David Allan Coe to the characters, chaos, music, and mythology surrounding the outlaw movement, Dale offers a firsthand look at an era that has only grown more legendary with time.

Today, Dale continues to write and perform as a singer-songwriter in Nashville, carrying with him a lifetime of songs—and some pretty incredible stories.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady visits with Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and Bella Union.

Simon is a fantastic conversationalist and storyteller, and while we didn't dive as deeply into Cocteau Twins as I might have liked, we found plenty to talk about — particularly his life running the acclaimed indie label Bella Union.

We talk about Bella Union's early connection to the music coming out of Denton, Texas, how artists and independent labels can survive in today's musical climate, and the label's upcoming 30th anniversary.

Simon also published his memoir, In One Ear: Cocteau Twins, Ivor and Me, in 2024. I'm reading it now, and we talked about reconnecting once I've finished — so hopefully this won't be our last conversation.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with one of his oldest friends, Dallas musician Jeff Gruber, for a conversation that feels a little more like two old friends swapping stories than a traditional interview.

Jeff has been a familiar face in the North Texas music world for decades, playing guitar, singing, writing and making music with a long list of bands and projects including Local 63, Sherman, Sunday Drive, The Slow Burners, Hess/Doosu, Bar Band, Squirrel + the Girl, Descender, and Bandolero.

Grady and Jeff go back to the early days and retrace how it all came together — the bands, the people, the friendships and the twists and turns that have kept Jeff making music through the years. They talk about his history in the Dallas scene, the different projects that have shaped him as a musician, and what he's up to today.

The conversation also turns to Bandolero, Jeff's current Grateful Dead-inspired project, who will be part of the lineup at the Dallas Dead Summit this Saturday, August 15, at the Longhorn Ballroom.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with legendary drummer Bob Bert, whose remarkable career has taken him through some of the most influential bands in underground rock.

Best known for his time with Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Chrome Cranks, and Knoxville Girls, Bob shares firsthand stories from New York City's explosive art and music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He talks about how he unexpectedly landed the drummer's chair in Sonic Youth, the creative energy that defined the era, and the friendships and connections that shaped his career.

The conversation also explores Bob's acclaimed new solo album, Beach Bongo Bloodbath, his approach to making music today, and the unique perspective he's gained after decades in one of rock's most adventurous corners.

This week on I Was in That Band!, I sit down with my drummer buddy Kris Killingsworth—better known to his friends and bandmates as "Tugboat."

Kris shares the story of his musical journey, from being the standout drummer in his hometown school band to getting a humbling reality check at the University of North Texas. We talk about finding your place among incredible musicians, the lessons that come with starting over, and how those experiences helped shape his career.

From there, Kris takes us through his years with the influential Texas Americana band Thrift Store Cowboys, his longtime musical relationship with Amanda Shires, his move to Tennessee, and his parallel passion for recording engineering. We also discuss life as a freelance musician, working with artists like Kyle Nix & The 38's, and what it's like to build a career behind the scenes while helping others bring their music to life.

Most recently, Kris made the decision to relocate back to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, striking out on his own as a freelance drummer and recording engineer. After years of supporting other artists' journeys, he's charting his own path—one built on the relationships, experience, and reputation he's earned along the way.

Whether you're a drummer, a recording enthusiast, or simply love hearing honest stories from working musicians, this conversation offers an inside look at the twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities that come with a life in music.

This week on I Was in That Band!, I'm joined by Chris Stamey. Chris has had an incredible career, from co-founding The dB's to performing with Big Star, as well as building an impressive body of solo work.

We spend some time talking about his new album, Modernism, a fascinating collection that reimagines classic songs alongside new takes on some of his own material. We also discuss his work as a producer and studio owner, and what it's like helping other artists bring their music to life.

I've admired Chris's music for years, so it was a real treat to finally get the chance to visit with him. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, touching on songwriting, recording, collaboration, and the creative process that has kept him making great music for decades.

This week on I WAS IN THAT BAND!, I sit down with my old friend, Danny Balis.

You may know Danny from his years in Dallas radio, but at heart he's always been a musician and songwriter. We talk about his current projects, Sir Daniel Esquire and Silver Skylarks, his love for the Denton music scene, and the community that helped shape him.

Danny shares stories about growing up in West Texas, finding his way to Dallas, and how music became a lifelong pursuit. We also discuss the creative drive that keeps him writing and recording after all these years.

As always, there are plenty of laughs, stories, and reflections from a life spent making music with friends.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with guitarist, producer, songwriter, and longtime friend Don Cento. Don has spent decades following his own creative path, whether that meant jazz, rock, Americana, instrumental music, or whatever else happened to catch his imagination.

The two share stories from years in the DFW music scene, memories of gigs and mutual experiences, and talk about Don's refusal to chase expectations in favor of following his muse wherever it leads. It's a fun and wide-ranging conversation between old friends about creativity, curiosity, and making the music you want to make.

Don Cento is a musician, producer, songwriter, and recording engineer whose work has included the bands Shibboleth and Chomsky, along with collaborations with Sarah Jaffe, Bonnie Whitmore, Jerry David DeCicca, and many others. His newest project, Cento Threeo, features Phil Spencer on bass and Norm Bergeron on drums. Their debut album, Halfway to Mellowtown, is out June 19, 2026.