Before the green flag flies on the AAA Texas 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Nov. 4, fans will have the opportunity to rock out to some country music – Texas style.
Beginning at 12 p.m. CT, the Josh Abbott Band will take the stage for the Texas Corn Producers Loud & Proud Pre-Race Show Powered By American Ethanol. This will be the band’s first performance at Texas Motor Speedway, but the group certainly is no stranger to the Lone Star State. Lead vocalist Josh Abbott founded the seven-member band in 2006 while attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, which is about 300 miles west of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
“We can’t wait to hit the stage at Texas Motor Speedway,” Abbott said. “There’s nothing like the great state of Texas, and there’s nothing like the great fans of NASCAR. We’re honored to perform at one of the most iconic race tracks in the United States.”
The Josh Abbott Band is comprised of seven musicians, including Abbott (lead vocals, guitar), Austin Davis (banjo), Preston Wait (fiddle, guitar, steel), Edward Villanueva (drums), Caleb Keeter (guitar), David Fralin (keys/mandolin) and Jimmy Hartman (bass guitar).
The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary since recording its first single, “Taste,” as well as its most recent album, Until My Voice Goes Out.
The Josh Abbott Band’s last album, Front Row Seat, captured the life cycle of a relationship, from its passionate start to its heartbreaking conclusion. It was a summary document of events from the past. By contrast, Until My Voice Goes Out is an optimistic look into the future, a roll-up-the-sleeves-and-move-forward embrace of life and its potential.
Texas’ red-dirt scene provides a wealth of touring opportunities for young bands and over the last 10 years Josh Abbott made the most of it, quickly vaulting into the upper realms of the state’s live acts with a raucous, raw sound and certain unpredictability. Once “Taste” appeared on radio stations across the Lone Star State, audiences came out to hear – and sing along with – that song and a wealth of hooky, accessible titles on Scapegoat and their 2010 breakthrough, She’s Like Texas, both released on the band’s own indie label, Pretty Damn Tough Records.
The Josh Abbott Band nabbed Top 10 debuts on the Billboard country albums chart with 2012’s Small Town Family Dream and 2015’s Front Row Seat, and the band lobbed five singles onto the Hot Country Songs chart, including the infectious “Hangin’ Around” and “Amnesia.”
Fans of the Josh Abbott Band will have the ability to be stage-side for the concert as well as pre-race driver introductions for the AAA Texas 500 with the purchase of a $79 pre-race pass. The pre-race pass must accompany a race ticket.
The AAA Texas 500 is the feature event of a NASCAR Playoffs tripleheader weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. In addition to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 4, Texas Motor Speedway also will play host to the Camping World Truck Series JAG Metals 350 on Friday, Nov. 2, and Xfinity Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 on Saturday, Nov. 3.
For more information on the AAA Texas 500 weekend, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or call the speedway ticket office at 817.215.8500.