The Ragtown Chiefs: Embracing Change and Developing Tone
Photo by MF Photography
A hard-hitting Texas Country Band out of Canyon Texas has been paving their way through the Lone Star State, sharing their new sound and developing original music. Lead singer and songwriter Carrey Thompson shared with us some updates and sneak peeks about their plans for the year, along with enough background for everyone to get to know the band!
Where did the name come from?
Carrey Thompson and Cooper Jones started by doing a lot of local open mics in Amarillo and Canyon. They had dreams of opening for bigger acts and so they decided they need a band, and started adding the missing parts. Trent joined as the original lead player, and the first drummers were Brody and Brandon. A friend of the band recommended the name “ragtown” for the band, and explained the history behind early Amarillo being nicknamed ragtown. This along with Coopers Native American heritage, they decided on “The Ragtown Chiefs”. Today, the lineup consists of Carrey Thompson, Rylan Hathcoat, Jarrett Thompson, and Matthew Roliard.
What does each member provide for the band?
Carrey (Lead Vocal)- Carrey is a workhorse that pushes the band for improvement, shows, practice, and helps the band members stay focused on the goal.
Rylan (Lead Guitar)- Rylan brings a touch of psychedelic blues flavor with his lead playing and helps the band get into heavier songs and catch the crowds attention.
Jarrett Thompson (Bass Guitar)- Jarrett provides a solid groove and reliability for the band. He knows the music well and has been in touch with it since the beginning.
Matthew Roliard (Drums)- Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Carrey joined the band after responding to a Facebook post Matt made looking for a drummer. As the newest member, he's quickly finding his place, bringing both energy and a solid foundation to the group."
What changes have TRC gone through in the years?
Lineup changes over time have required the band to readjust, relearn their set, and rebuild their chemistry. Like many in the music world, TRC faced challenges when the pandemic disrupted live shows, leading to shifts in their roster. Despite this, they’ve remained resilient and are now back at full strength.
TRC's performances have evolved, with a stronger stage presence, a more professional approach to soundcheck, and a willingness to step out of their comfort zone. This added engagement has enhanced their crowd interaction and helped grow their fan base.
What have been the most important changes you made to get to where you are now?
Shifting their style brought a welcomed change for the band, keeping the Texas country sound while incorporating more bluesy rock. This new influence has started shaping their latest songs, opening up more creative freedom in their writing.
Another big change for Carrey is welcoming his new son into the world! When asked about fatherhood, he shared how it has already begun to impact his life—from planning further in advance to shifting his perspective on the world. It’s inspiring to see him embrace this new chapter, and we wish him and his family the very best.
Share Your Experience Working with Shotgun Rider
Carrey spent time in the early days playing and writing with Shotgun Rider, a legendary 2 peice country act that pushed their way onto the charts. This is where Carrey honed in his writing skills and was able to learn more about the industry, and Shotgun Rider pushed him to start his own thing.
“Biggest goal is to refresh everything, put new music out that represents the new sound, and play as many good shows as we can with the focus on growth.”
How was working on your latest recordings?
TRC recently did some work at Covenant Recording, working alongside Glenn to track a handful of new singles. New singles we can expect in the future are: “One Drink Away”, “Grains of Sand”, and “Sweet Occasions”. The band really enjoyed their experience and recommends Covenant Recording to any musicians looking for professional recordings.
Covenant Recording is a well built studio, designed by the same designer who designed the legendary Abbey Road Studios that we all know and love. This is a treasure to have in the scene and we want to encourage our readers to check them out!
“Glen is a really good engineer and has an amazing studio. Really nice guy, easy to work with, and all around really professional.”
What do you think our scene needs the most?
“There is a missed market for sure, a lot of venues open and close. It is difficult to bring people out after COVID. Before COVID it felt like many venues were selling out.”
Carrey went on to say he does like that the scene today has lots of smaller venues for newer artists to cut their teeth and grow. He expressed his feelings that the scene desperately needs more awareness of live bands to the younger generation of people. As well as the need for opening opportunities for traveling bands. The overarching theme of what our scene needs seems to be making it easier for local creatives to grow a local fanbase and be supported as they grow. This allows for a healthier scene that helps band leaders keep members paid and supported.
What can fans expect for 2025?
The band will be writing and learning new material for a new sound and live show!
“Expect our new single, “One Drink Away” before Summer!”
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