The past two years have been quite a ride for the West Texas-based band Cooder Graw. In that short period of time, the group has grown from playing small 100 seat venues to performing as the headliner in front of thousands at musical events throughout Texas and Oklahoma. They have opened shows for some of Texas' biggest stars (Robert Earl Keen, Jack Ingram, Jerry Jeff Walker, Asleep at the Wheel, among others). Their first CD was recorded live in 1998 was self-produced, and cost less than $1000. Their debut studio CD of 12 original songs, released in November 1999, was produced by Grammy Award winner Ray Benson and 9-time #1 country songwriter Hayden Nicholas.The disc features several special guest performances by major recording artists the group never even dreamed of meeting just months ago. The award-winning group Asleep at the Wheel even joined the band in recording one song on the new offering. 1999 has also brought the band corporate sponsorship, media notice in several newspapers and magazines, and radio airplay on stations throughout Texas. In addition, Cooder Graw has grabbed the attention of several corporate players in the music industry such as Hastings Entertainment, AristoMedia, Bismeaux Productions, and Anderson Merchandisers. The motion picture industry has taken notice of Cooder Graw as well. In April 1999, the band headlined the premiere party for the Universal Pictures release "EdTV" in Austin, Texas. And the band's music will be featured on the soundtrack to the new Trimark Pictures release "Held Up" in theaters later this year. It is very rare for a band to experience the phenomenal increase in popularity that Cooder Graw has the past two years (especially a band coming from the sparsely populated Texas Panhandle). The reason Cooder Graw's star is rising is so quickly is simple. Those who have seen and heard this band will tell you that this band is fun to watch, their music is catchy, their performances rowdy and energetic, and last, but obviously not least, the members are accomplished musicians. Rich Brotherton of Robert Earl Keen's band called Cooder Graw's music "Loud Country." Cooder Graw is now taking their loud country all over Texas, Oklahoma and the Southwest, one town and one dancehall at a time.