Dustin Garrett previews CD at TNL

by Jason Logan, staff writer

 

Sporting their fiery, southern rock sound, Dustin Garrett and the Texas Cruisers performed recently at “Thursday Night Live.”

The band played many of the songs from their new album “We’re Here for the Music,” along with many other songs in their classic rock arsenal.

TNL has been a SPC tradition for more than 10 years and is held on the first Thursday of every month. It features ensembles from SPC, along with other special guests.

Making their first TNL appearance as a band, Dustin Garrett and The Texas Cruisers gave a performance no one is likely to forget. The Texas Cruisers feature Mike Garrett, Dustin’s father on rhythm guitar, Cody Hester on drums and Joe Kline, program coordinator and associate professor of paralegal studies at SPC, on bass.

 Born in Littlefield, the hometown of Wayland Jennings, it seems only fitting that Garrett would become a musician. His first performances came when he was only 2 years old. Within three years, he started playing the drums. His talent for performing and his presence on stage have landed him on  “The Grand Ol’ Opry” and “General Jackson’s Showboat” in Nashville. 

 “It was one of the biggest highlights of my life,” said Garrett.

At age 11, Garrett put out his first album, "There's A Party Tonight,” featuring the original title track written by Garrett and his father, along with songs by Buddy Holly.

 Garrett is attending SPC thanks to Cary Banks, chairperson of the Creative Arts Department and Assistant Professor of Commercial Music, and Rusty Hudelson, associate professor of music, who Dustin has known most of his life. Dustin Garrett and The Texas Cruisers formed in 1999 and have been touring all over the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico. Garrett said that he doesn’t feel that touring interferes with his classes at all.

 “The places we play [Cody and I] can usually deal with,” Garrett said.

As a commercial music major, Garrett said he plans to keep as many doors open as possible. The “road life” is something that everyone would like to see from him but Dustin feels that it is only one of many career options open to him, including being a guitar teacher and being a studio musician.