History
Eleven Hundred Springs
Eleven Hundred Springs is a prominent country rock band hailing from Texas, recognized for their distinctive "long-haired, tattooed hippie freak" image and a sound deeply influenced by legends such as Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, and Doug Sahm. They are widely regarded as one of the few remaining bands carrying the torch of outlaw country music.
Band Origins and Lineup
Formed in 1998 from the ashes of the Dallas rockabilly group Lone Star Trio, Eleven Hundred Springs features founding members Matt Hillyer on lead vocals, guitar, and as the primary songwriter, alongside Steve Berg on upright bass and harmony vocals. The current lineup is rounded out by Danny Crelin on pedal steel, Jordan Hendrix on fiddle, and former Toadies drummer Mark Reznicek. Their music is firmly rooted in Texas music traditions, drawing heavily from classic, old-school country sounds.
Discography and Notable Releases
The band's latest release, "Bandwagon," showcases a collection of new and re-recorded songs, predominantly penned by the band members themselves. Matt Hillyer is a prolific songwriter, contributing tracks like "Thunderbird Will Do Just Fine" and the self-descriptive "Long-Haired Tattooed Hippie Freaks."
Co-produced by Tommy Detamore, whose credits include work with Clay Blaker, Bill Kirchen, and Doug Sahm, "Bandwagon" notably features a rare duet with the late rockabilly icon Ronnie Dawson on the song "Why You Been Gone So Long?". Recorded during a 1993 rehearsal, this Hillyer/Dawson collaboration is dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Dawson, often referred to as "The Blonde Bomber."
Their 1999 album, "Live at Adairs Saloon," is considered a seminal record of the late 1990s Texas Music scene. This live recording, coupled with their popular Monday night performances at the legendary Adair's Saloon in Dallas's Deep Ellum district, cemented their status as a favorite among college students across Texas. Emerging alongside contemporaries like Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Kevin Fowler, and Roger Creager, Eleven Hundred Springs embarked on extensive touring throughout Texas, establishing themselves as one of the state's most respected live acts.
Performance History
Eleven Hundred Springs has had the honor of sharing the stage with an impressive roster of musical artists, including Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Leon Russell, Dale Watson, Robert Earl Keen, The Derailers, Billy Joe Shaver, Charlie Robison, Hank Williams III, Supersuckers, Reverend Horton Heat, Pat Green, and Jack Ingram.
