MUSIC

Nelson always 'Happy to Beer' in Lubbock

ERIC WOODS

For Texas country artist Cameran Nelson and his band, Guardrail Damage Ahead, the path is clear for another successful album release, which is slated for early 2015.

"We don't have an exact date, but the plan is for right in the middle of January," said Nelson. "We want to have everything lined up so that we can run with it."

While the Blanco-based Nelson is still on tour promoting his current album "Happy to Beer," which was released in June 2013, he is now shifting gears and promoting the first single from the upcoming album. The single is called "Shotgun," which quickly became a No. 1 hit. When the upcoming album drops, Nelson also plans to have another single released from it as well as a new video to help with promotion.

Another No. 1 for Nelson was his single "35 Runs Both Ways," which appeared on "Happy to Beer." Both songs were picked as spin winners by Nelson's wife, Lindsey.

Nelson is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. Friday at the Office Grill and Sports Bar as opener for Sam Riggs and The Night People.

Nelson said he had another single lined up instead of "Shotgun," but his wife thought it was a stronger song.

"She thought 'Shotgun' was a better song and so did other members of the team," Nelson said and laughed. "I kind of got outvoted. They are my songs and my choice, but I took their advice and it was obviously the right choice."

As for the upcoming album, Nelson isn't sure what it will be called, but he does know it takes a little different twist than did "Happy to Beer." The upcoming album, he said, still rocks as hard as his previous album, but just moves a little from the drinking songs.

"It's a lot more along the lines of where I saw myself going when I started this and it doesn't weigh so heavy on the beer songs like 'Happy to Beer.' They are all fun and funny, but this album is a little more wholesome while still keeping the rock in it," said Nelson.

As for the first single from the upcoming album going No. 1, Nelson said he was happy with the result and it makes him feel like he is pulling his career into the right direction.

"It does make me feel good and it feels like we are going in the right direction," he said.

Nelson's career has a lot of momentum behind it with the successful release of "Happy to Beer." He also garnered a few nods last year when he was nominated for three Texas Music Awards including Male Vocalist, Rising Star and Record of the Year. This year Nelson was nominated for New Male Vocalist (TRRMA) and also received nominations for Male Vocalist and Record of the Year.

As for his local performance, Nelson said he's looking forward to it as he has a lot of good Hub City memories. Nelson actually performed in just about every live music venue while he was working on his music education at South Plains College in Levelland. Before he left in 2007, Nelson had gained a lot of experience as well as some pretty special connections.

"I have a lot of friends and a lot of history," he said. "One of my most favorite memories is meeting my wife at a show there."

According to Nelson's schedule, he will return to Lubbock in mid-January and that may mean another good memory of the area.

"Who knows," he said and laughed. "Maybe we'll make it a Lubbock CD release party."