Jack Long, Pat's father, was the band's booking agent, getting them gigs throughout the southwest, and Michael Podhurcak was the offstage "sixth member" of the band, running sound and co-piloting as Steve drove the bus in the wee hours of the morning. Blue Rose Café spent about two and a half years, from 1974 to 1976, touring throughout Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana and Arizona, usually for week-long gigs, and developed a devoted following throughout the south and southwest. (In fact, one fan was so devoted that he named his Tulsa restaurant after the band; the restaurant later achieved fame as the birthplace of the pop group Hanson.)

As an early influence on the progressive country scene, the musicians in Blue Rose Café threw elements of folk, swing, jazz, bluegrass and blues into the mix, thus creating a sound that would help lead to today's Americana/alt-country genre, and form a powerful and lasting influence on Kevin Welch's writing for decades to come.

NEW in 2008!! Although Blue Rose Café never put out an album in the '70s, old tapes were recently unearthed of the band, live at various gigs in Oklahoma and Arkansas. The original tapes, recorded by fans Neil Kingsley, Mark Dulac (who also sat in with the band on occasion), and especially Cal Grant under harsh conditions on extremely low-tech equipment, have been re-mastered and released as a live 2-CD set. This CD set shows Blue Rose Café as it was in the '70s. Featuring the well-written, passionate country/folk songs of Pat Long, it also includes songs by the band's mentor, OU art professor and celebrated songwriter John Hadley, as well as covers of artists like Willis Alan Ramsey and Woody Guthrie. These songs truly capture the spirit and reality of Blue Rose Café. Featuring the unmistakeable voice of Pat Long, it brings back memories of smoky bars packed to the rafters with fans from New Orleans to Colorado Springs. In those days before guitar tuners, before high-tech recording equipment, before digital music, it was just plain good times. Pat's songs reflect both the fun of the times and the sensitivity of this young singer/songwriter who left the world too soon. The two-CD set is priced at $19.95, shipping included, in the US, and $22.95, shipping included, for non-US orders. Profits from the CD set will go to Pat's daughters. You can order through the Paypal links below. US orders Non-US orders

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