Fowler pokes fun at country star lifestyle in new duet

If Amarillo native Kevin Fowler didn't have an abiding love for the performing life, he's honestly not sure what else he could do.

But that doesn't stop him from engaging in a good old-fashioned gripe session with fellow Texas country star Deryl Dodd in his latest single.

Fowler will come home for a 9 p.m. Friday show with The Josh Ward Band at Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St.

"Damn This Ol' Honky Tonk Dream," released in July and available for free download on Fowler's website, www.kevinfowler.com, lightheartedly pokes fun at the life of a country star.

Among their complaints: a broken-down bus, a bass player who quit, a canceled gig, a bankrupt record label and more.

"Damn this ol' honky tonk dream /

"Pray to God it don't kill me /

Never know where this crazy life might lead /

"Holdin' on with both hand through every twist and turn /

"Doin' my best not to crash and burn /

"I'm afraid this might just be my destiny /

"Damn this ol' honky tonk dream."

The duo wrote the song a couple of years ago on Fowler's ranch near Austin, but neither had included it on an album, including Fowler's 2014 release "How Country Are Ya?"

"We were just ridin' around on the ranch, goofing off," Fowler said. "Sometimes those are the best songs - off the cuff."

Goofing off comes easily for the pair, who refer to each other as "Double D" and "Kev-Fo" in the song.

"He's one of the coolest people ever," Fowler said. "If you don't like Deryl Dodd, you're just a bonehead. If you can't get along with Deryl, you can't get along with anybody."

Though the song aims to jokingly deflate fans' expectations that life on the road is nothing but fun, Fowler said it's the only life for him.

"I don't think we can do anything else," he said.

"You've got to have that passion for it," he continued. "Look at Willie Nelson. He's 82 and still doing it. You've got to have that love for being on the move and being on the road and that passion for playing live."

Fowler's own enthusiasm is continuing unabated: In June, he celebrated his 2,000 show in a decade as a solo artist, and he has begun work on his 10th album.

"It's a vicious cycle, but I don't know what else to do," Fowler said. "I don't think I'm qualified to do anything.

"It's this or come back to Amarillo and work at ... Pantex, and I don't think I could pass the scrutiny at Pantex."

how to go

o what: Kevin Fowler with The Josh Ward Band

o when: 9 p.m. Friday

o where: Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St.

o how much: $12 in advance or $17 for ages 21 and older or $20 ages 18 to 21 day of show

o information: 806-358-7083 or www.midnightrodeoamarillo.com