by Richard Stephens, Jr.
The route – Route 66, that is – that runs through downtown Yukon from 4th to 6th Streets was shut down on August 28 to allow 10,000 party people to relax for a night of country and western music. The 9th Rock the Route music fest featured three distinct country styles from Caroline Grace, Them Dirty Roses and Tanner Usrey.
COWGIRL WHO HAS A STORY TO TELL
Caroline Grace, 22, originally from Elk City, opened the night with catchy country songs often built around storytelling. For instance, “The Man With the .45,” about an outlaw, includes the lyrics, “He’s the meanest in the west / wanted dead or alive / The legend only knows him as the man with the .45.”
She performed her own “Cowgirl Wears Lipstick” with hits such as The Judds’ “Turn It Loose” and George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live In Texas.” Her clear, on-key voice made listening easy.
Before going on stage, she said her music is inspired by Marty Robbins “for storytelling and the western style thing” and Chris Stapleton “is a huge inspiration; he is incredible.”
Festivalgoers shared their thoughts. Denise Williams, a senior citizen from OKC, said, “I love that Yukon puts on the free Rock the Route every year.”
Robert Waits, another senior and US Army veteran who served from 1986-1995, shared that the concert “makes people aware of what Yukon is about. This is a family event, free to the public.”
SOUTHERN ROCK-COUNTRY ENERGY
“Yukon, Oklahoma, make some noise tonight!” announced Them Dirty Roses band as they took the stage. “The crowd happily obliged.
Brothers James (lead vocalist, guitar) and Frank (guitar, drums, piano) Ford, Andrew Davis (guitar) and Ben Crain (bass) hail from Alabama. They moved around the stage performing high-energy, southern rock-country music.
Fans heard their favorite anthem songs like “Molly,” “The Good Life,” “A Bad Hand,” and “Hell of a Note.”
With Ben’s bass and Frank’s drumming providing momentum, Andrew’s guitar riffs traded off against James’ vocals.
John Smith of Mustang and friends sat far enough back so the music was less loud. He is a retired US Navy and Air Force Master Sergeant who served for 22 years, including in Vietnam. He came “mostly to listen to the music and watch people.” There was plenty to see and hear and Smith was enjoying both.
TEXAS COUNTRY WITH HEART
Tanner Usrey, who grew up in Prosper, Texas, launched into songs from 2023’s debut album, “Crossing Lines,” and July’s, “These Days.”
Usrey sang straight from the heart. He swung from slow, heartbreaking love letters like “Josephine” to driving, angry songs such as “Gasoline and Adderall”.
Explaining the inspiration behind “These Days,” Usrey said, “I wrote it when I was kind of at a low point…I wrote this song one night…I guess, man, I guess I made it through another day and sometimes that’s all you can ask for….If you’re struggling, all you have to do is make it to the next day to the next day and…because it’s not so bad and the world’s a bit better of a place.”
We were treated to old and new favorites like “Beautiful Lies” (“I’d steal the moon from the stars / Just to get to where you are”) and “Smoke in the Air.” His clear baritone voice filled the block as the crowd sang along to choruses. Route 66 echoed with music until the final note.
Two senior citizens from Norman, Randy and Carla Gibbs, were glad they stayed. “We love his music and his voice and the way he talks to the audience.”
FAMILY, FOOD, AND FUN
Near 5th Street, 14 vendors offered pizza, gyros, onion burgers, soft drinks, and snow cones. Beer sold for $7 a can closer to the stage.
Families gathered at the Rockn’ Family Fun Ranch, where kids enjoyed necklace and bracelet-making, dart and water games, bull riding, a water slide, a rock-climbing wall, and more.
“Rock the Route continues to be such a big draw because it offers the best of both worlds—a small-town community feel with big-time talent,” said Jenna Roberson, Yukon’s Public Information Officer. “It’s the kind of event where you can see rising stars up close and make memories with family and friends.”
