Monte Warden and The Wagoneers

Artist Information

Monte Warden and The Wagoneers emerged from Austin, Texas, in the late 1980s with a unique look and sound that didn’t fit neatly anywhere at the time. Drawing from honky-tonk, rockabilly, punk energy, and classic country songwriting, the band quickly attracted a following that included traditionalists and underground rock fans alike. Long before the term “alt-country” or the Americana format existed, The Wagoneers pioneered that space, pushing against the polished conventions then coming out of Nashville and helping define a new direction for Texas music.

Fronted and founded by singer-songwriter Monte Warden, The Wagoneers quickly became one of the most talked-about bands in the industry. After performing at the first SXSW, they became the festival’s first act to sign a major-label deal, landing at Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss' legendary A&M Records. Their debut album, Stout & High, was released to widespread critical acclaim and is now regarded as one of the most influential country records of the 1980s. The band toured the world with Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash, as well as successfully opening for artists as diverse as the Ramones and Bill Monroe. A second album followed, further cementing the band’s reputation for sharp songwriting and unbridled energy.

The Wagoneers’ impact has been repeatedly acknowledged by critics and historians. Chet Flippo called them “the greatest honky-tonk band that ever was,” while Margaret Moser referred to them as “the fathers of alt-country and Americana.” Billboard famously wrote, “If The Clash had been a country band, they would have been The Wagoneers,” and The Dallas Morning News described the group as “a mythic and legendary band.”

In the ensuing years, Warden found both critical acclaim as a solo recording artist and commercial success as a songwriter, earning several multi-million-selling cuts from artists such as: George Strait, Josh Turner, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt as well as industry honors such as the BMI 'Million-Air' Award. In 2012, The Wagoneers reunited upon their Texas Music Hall of Fame induction, to the delight of fans and critics worldwide.

In early 2026, Warden announced that The Wagoneers would release their first new music since 1989 and first ever to the Americana format: The singles “Doghouse Flowers” and “Yesterday Stopped By”. Both songs were penned by Monte & Brandi Warden, the husband and wife songwriting team whose songs have charted with Asleep At the Wheel and Monte Warden and The Dangerous Few. The recordings are produced by Mas Palermo & Brandi Warden. The new recordings perfectly showcase what has always been special about The Wagoneers: sharp, well-crafted songs, presented with unmatched roots chops, energy, confidence, and abandon.

The Wagoneers are: Monte Warden (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Brent Wilson (lead guitar, vocals), Brad Fordham (bass, vocals), and Mas Palermo (drums, vocals).