(Submitted Article )
If you spent any time at Concan’s Hippie Chics River Shack in the summer of 2021, it’s likely you’re familiar with the music of 15 year old Garrett Talamantes. His mix of Outlaw Country, Southern Rock, Pop and Spanish Music isn’t typical of what most kids his age, or even adults, play these days. In fact, with very little exception, most of his cover songs haven’t been on regular radio rotation for decades.
No stranger to crowds or cameras, Garrett has been entertaining with skits and impersonations from a very young age. Through his online G1 Rodeo Show he began showcasing the sport of youth rodeo and interviewing everyone from his rodeo buddies to “The King of the Cowboys”, Trevor Brazile. However, the discovery of his singing voice sidetracked his plans for the show. He soon began performing the National Anthem at rodeos and civic events around the state. Quickly after, he took to sharpening his newly found skills at the famed “Pickers Circle” in Luckenbach, at his Region VIII Rodeo Cowboy Church and community events around South Texas.
In 2021, it was a once shot chance at his first real paying gig that turned into a whole summer of music for the rodeo cowboy turned musician from Carrizo Springs. Hippie Chics owners Rayann Shudde and Terri Archer wasted no time re-booking Garrett, before he even finished his first show. From that day he went on to play a total of 11 shows at Hippie Chics, between June and August alone. Pretty impressive considering he competed in two separate rodeo series, the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals, some one day rodeos and began performing shows at other venues all during the same time period.
Now, as summer 2022 quickly approaches, his already fast paced schedule is only building momentum. He has a full time “residency” at The Gruene Grove, just a few steps from his bucket list stage at Gruene Hall in the town of Gruene, TX. He continues to rodeo, play football, run track, serve as president of his sophomore class and vice president of the Texas High School Rodeo Association. All among various other hobbies and activities. He does all this while taking advanced courses, dual credit courses and maintaining a “Straight A” high school average. His mom, Tammy, will tell you, “school and good grades come first.”
So what does he do to relax and unwind? Well, write songs and play guitar, of course. Though he has no formal training in voice, guitar or song writing, that hasn’t stopped him from jumping on stage and bearing his soul to the world. Naturally, his love for the land, his horses and rodeo shines through in his original music. His self-written debut single is no different. Slated for release in March of 2022, “Southern Land” pays homage to his family ranch, his favorite giant mesquite tree and the great-grandfather he never met.
To celebrate his first single, Garrett is taking it “home” to Hippie Chics. He has become a part of the Hippie Chics family, so a big hug and “Welcome Home” is how Rayann and Terri always greet him. “The minute the idea of a debut party came up I knew exactly where we had to have it,” says Garrett. “There really was no other choice, but the place that gave me my first shot. It was only natural,” he added.
Garrett’s debut party is scheduled for Friday March 18, 2022 at Hippie Chics in Concan Texas. Music will begin at 5:30pm and is open to the public. Garrett will also be playing at Hippie Chics throughout the summer. For more information and his summer schedule please visit his website at www.G1RodeoShow.com.
The single “Southern Land” was produced by Hondo’s own Weston Ripps and distributed by Smith Music, Fort Worth, TX. It will be available online March 18, 2022.
