Sean Chaffin
Roswell Tribune
Red dirt country fans will flock to the Liberty Sunday night when Stoney LaRue takes the stage. The 49-year-old guitarist and singer has built a following throughout New Mexico drawing fans from across the reigon.
LaRue previously performed in Ruidoso and Rio Rancho. He said he loves connecting with fans in the Land of Enchantment.
“New Mexico has always been an inspiring place to play with ancient history and culture that would rival most places,” LaRue said. “I appreciate the fans and venues of New Mexico and specifically Roswell for having us and look forward to spreading the dirt.”
Born in Taft, Texas, and raised in Oklahoma, LarUe got his start in the early 2000s playing in bars around Stillwater, Oklahoma. His albums have been popular on Texas and Oklahoma country radio with songs like “Oklahoma Breakdown” and “Feet Don’t Touch the Ground” resonating with fans.
In 2011, LaRue’s album Velvet debuted at No. 15 on the U.S. country charts and No. 5 on the U.S. indie charts. He followed that up in 2014 with Aviator, which debuted at No. 17 on the U.S. country charts.
The “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” recording also proved popular with fans and features a show in one of country music’s best-known venues. LaRue and his band now tour throughout Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and other parts of the country.
LaRue brings a mélange of country and red dirt Texas sounds mixed with Americana, rock and blues. He’s earned respect for his realistic, personal songwriting reflecting the human experience.
“Any fan who has seen our show knows that they are to hear authentic original music with thought and value from my perspective,” LaRue said. He added that his songwriting process involves “reflection and progressive knowledge only time can teach.”
Some other artists that have served as inspiration on his own work through the years include Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Woody Guthrie and Bob Childers. The outlaw country movement of the 1970s and ‘80s made famous by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, David Allan Coe, Johnny Paycheck and Jerry Jeff Walker also had a major impact on the musician.
“Not for the outlaw, but for the freedom in writing,” he says.
While Roswell may not have an “outlaw” atmosphere, the city is known to hosts UFOs and aliens on occasion. When asked about the famous alleged Roswell UFO landing in 1947, LaRue said it was clear something “unexplained” occurred.
“I don’t think it’s an issue of if there was a UFO crash, more some very unexplained happenings with advanced technology that couldn’t be explained at the time,” he says.
Those heading to The Liberty may not be in store for advanced technology or anything UFO related but can expect some big sounds and songwriting that packs a punch, he said.
The concert is set for Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit stoneylarue.com.
