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Old 97's

Dallas, TX

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americana Popularity: 42 Established Division

GOAT Standings

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-0.0116
Wilson Score ? Measures confidence in approval rating. Accounts for sample size — an artist with 8/10 likes ranks higher than 1/1. Ranges 0–1; higher is better.
173
Times Served
Region: North Texas / DFW Conference: Texas Regional Rank: #181

Weekly Trend

Did You Know

  • • Rhett Miller answered a newspaper ad seeking a 'country band,' despite lacking country experience.
  • • Their 1997 album, *Too Far to Care*, featured a hidden track of just dial tones.
  • • The Old 97's inspired the name of a Dallas bar, Double Wide, a popular local hangout.
  • • Old 97's formed after Rhett Miller and Murry Hammond met answering a classified ad in Dallas.
  • • The band's name is a nod to the tragic folk song "Wreck of the Old 97."
  • • Early gigs at Dallas's Club Dada helped solidify their signature sound.
  • • Elektra Records signed them after a particularly raucous performance at South by Southwest.
  • • Their album "Too Far to Care" featured a hidden track of a prank phone call.
  • • Johnny Cash's music, particularly his narrative storytelling, influenced their songwriting.
  • • They're considered pioneers of alt-country, blending punk energy with classic country themes.
  • • Old 97's collaborated with Kristen Schaal on a song titled "The Interpreter."
  • • Their music has been featured in numerous TV shows, including "Scrubs" and "King of the Hill."
  • • Though based in Texas, they have strong ties to the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles.

Locations in Lyrics

33 location references across 15 songs

Songs & Places

Doreen
New York City, NY Cleveland, OH Frankfort, KY
"In the moonlight on a side street in the wreckage we call Queens"
El Paso
El Paso, TX , NM
"Out in the West Texas town of El Paso"
Victoria
Berkeley, CA , TX
"She lived in Berkeley 'til the earthquake shook her loose"
Longer Than You’ve Been Alive
Memphis, TN
"Honky-tonks and theaters from Memphis to Mars"
A State Of Texas
, TX Rhome, TX Austin, TX Dallas, TX San Antonio, TX El Paso, TX Fort Worth, TX
"When the day breaks on Cedar Creek Lake"
Nashville
Nashville, TN
"SONG: Nashville"
Nightclub
New York City, NY
"Eighteen-hundred miles from Manhattan"
Barrier Reef
Chicago, IL
"The Empty Bottle was half empty, tide was low, and I was thirsty"
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Bethlehem, PA
"How that in Bethlehem was born"
Stoned
Memphis, TN Rhome, TX Fredericksburg, TX Mexico, MO
"Maybe Memphis, maybe Mexico"
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign, IL Chicago, IL Springfield, IL , IL
"You'll go to Champaign, Illinois"
Jesus Loves You
San Antonio, TX
"I've got a Lone Star in cans"
El Paso (King of the Hill O.S.T.)
El Paso, TX
Rollerskate Skinny
Pickwood Bowl
"Do you want to meet up at the Pickwood Bowl?"
Valium Waltz
Marble Falls, TX Denton, TX
"Daughter of the mayor of Marble Falls"

Rivers & Roads in Song Nearby

Interstate 45 2 Trinity River 8 Interstate 20 10 Texas State Highway 199 8 Interstate 35 27

Connected Places

Dallas, TX
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