SAN ANGELO, TX — This Saturday night, June 13, the spirit of one of Red Dirt music’s most legendary bands will come roaring back to life inside Arc Light Bar & Grill as The Smokin’ Oaks make their San Angelo debut.
Formed in early 2023 in Yukon, Oklahoma, the four-piece “True Red Dirt Rock” band is already carrying the torch for Cross Canadian Ragweed — and they’re doing it with the same big guitars, rowdy grooves, and dangerous edge that made the original “Boys from Oklahoma” a movement.
Lead guitarist and harmony vocalist Slaid Cross is the son of Ragweed guitarist Grady Cross, while vocalist and rhythm guitarist Colton Blake is Grady’s nephew and Slaid’s cousin. Together with drummer Noah Morris and bassist Conner Pattison, they’re not just paying tribute — they’re writing the next chapter with their own fire. Slaid lays down fat Southern Rock and blues leads that give the band its muscular, high-energy drive.
The connections run even deeper than bloodlines. Mike McClure, who produced much of Cross Canadian Ragweed’s catalog and helped shape the Red Dirt sound alongside Cody Canada, is now working with The Smokin’ Oaks on new material. McClure’s involvement creates a powerful full-circle moment — the same producer who helped define Ragweed’s era is now guiding the next generation carrying that legacy forward.
The band has already shared stages with Cody Canada & The Departed, Stoney LaRue, and others, played major festivals including Mile 0 and the Tumbleweed Calf Fry, and opened the Born & Raised Festival. They’ve supported Ragweed reunion shows and will hit the stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with Cross Canadian Ragweed and Waves In April on July 24, 2026.
The Smokin' Oaks: L-R Noah Morris (Drums & Percussion), Colton Blake (Vocals & Rhythm Guitar), Conner Pattison (Bass Guitar), and Slaid Cross (Lead Guitar & Harmony Vocals)
On record, The Smokin’ Oaks have dropped four singles, including the fan-favorite “Call Me Demented,” the gritty “Please Accept Me,” and the twangy groove of “Weed.” They’ve also released a cover of The Refreshments’ “Banditos.” New tracks produced by Mike McClure and Caleb Shirtum are on the way, and the band is working toward a debut album.
Colton Blake put it simply about their live approach: “You want to be moving. You want to bring energy… Keep a smile on your face.”
That energy lands in San Angelo this Saturday at 10 p.m. — and the timing couldn’t be better. The show follows immediately after NBA Finals Game 5 (San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks, tip-off 7:30 p.m.). Enjoy $1 wings and $1 longnecks from 5–8 p.m. while you catch the game on Arc Light’s massive video wall, then stay for the high-octane Red Dirt rock set.
Tickets are just $10 in advance and $20 at the door. Reserve a table or grab tickets now before they’re gone at arclightsanangelo.com.
In a Red Dirt scene where the torch is being passed to a hungry new generation, The Smokin’ Oaks aren’t copying the past — they’re setting it on fire all over again. With family ties to Grady Cross, production from Mike McClure, and a sound that blends Ragweed’s raw energy with Southern rock muscle, they’re delivering the next verse of the story with the same heart and horsepower that made Ragweed a legend.
Come see the spirit live this Saturday at Arc Light. The next chapter starts at 10 p.m. right after a Spurs victory! The Arc Light is located inside the Clarion Hotel at 441 Rio Concho Dr. Advance tickets are less expensive than the door. Get advance tickets at ArcLightSanAngelo.com.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Comments
Are they a bar b q band? like would they play over at coopers and strum dino bones or what?
- Log in or register to post comments
PermalinkPost a comment to this article here: