Jaded Reviews

Shotgun Dixie

**Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnostic classification system used in the United States, as “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.” [1]The narcissist is described as turning inward for gratification rather than depending on others, and as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige.[2] Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness. It is also colloquially referred to as “the God complex.”**

Before you go off on me, you must understand one thing. I am a music lover and the only types of music that I don’t love include a) Jonas Brothers b) Off key singers c) Shotgun Dixie. Why such a strong reaction to this particular band?

I don’t even know where to start.

Let’s start with their sound. It’s country. I love country, when it’s done well. Just like anything else. This band couldn’t carry a tune if it had a handle.

Now, the lead singer, Steve Towery, could sing. Why he would surround himself with such tone deaf boneheads is beyond me.

They kept touting and referring to certain “bragging rights” such as opening for the likes of Dierks Bentley adding in comments to the tune of “look where he landed because we opened for him!”

Bah. The only thing I could think when that was said was “narcissistic idiots, if you launched his career what the hell happened to yours?”

Which brings me to the second reason I couldn’t stand this band. Their God complex. They thought they were all that and some chips when really they were not made of win. They weren’t good looking. You had Larry the Cable Guy in the lead with some goofy lookin’ dudes backing him up. Larry, aka Steve Towery, being the only member who could actually sing. Then you had this guy:

He was the epitome of narcissism. I wanted to gag. I am not real sure what he did or what he was. He just sorta stood there, looking foolish with a beer in one hand, the mic stand in the other hand acting like he was something special. He didn’t really sing. He kind of threw in a two or three word back up vocal from time to time, off key mind you, but that’s about it. He was obnoxious to the max, totally distracting from the band, and didn’t do a damn thing to enhance the performance or even help carry to carry it. Upon further researching this band, I found that they are the “official house band for WFYR-FM 97.3 River Country – A winning combination!” I beg to differ on the “winning combination” statement.

I found all the explanation I needed on this idiot they put out in front of the band on their own Band Bios web site:

“Randy Williams is the newest member of SHOTGUN DIXIE. Since all of the other members of the band have many, many years of experience, it was decided what the band needed was some new blood with no experience at all! Actually, Randy has run sound for the band, been a head roadie, and has sung hundreds of hours of karaoke. Randy helps out on background vocals, announcing, percussion (occasionally), and is the band’s version of the class clown. Randy’s role is to help get the crowd involved with the performances and to add some versitility to the band’s music with some well-placed background and harmony vocals. In addition, Randy helps out with promotion and bookings. By the way, Randy is the youngest (non-musician) member of the group and the ONLY single (unmarried) member.”

Ahem.

I think that was a bad decision on the band’s part. Makes me wonder if Randy has some blackmail on the band since he’s been “head roadie” and all. Hours of karaoke does not make one a band worthy singer/addition.

Band clown? Really? Hmm….

It is not surprising to me that this band has not made it big nor is it surprising that this Randy clown is unmarried and single.

100% FAIL.