Page 6 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2025 - Online Magazine

West Texas

Roots,

Recognition,

and Respect

Flatland Cavalry

by Cathy Jewell Long

latland Cavalry knows what Yellowstone, The Ranch, and Landman. and ‘walk’ in it.” That statement
storytelling through song is As they celebrate a decade of making brought laughter from the group as
Fall about. It’s what makes their music together as Flatland Cavalry, they enjoyed recognition that few
music resonate in the hearts of their the group has been honored with receive. Jonathan Saenz expressed his
fans. And that fan base continues induction into the West Texas Walk gratitude as well. “Growing up here
to grow as they celebrate ten years of Fame 2025. It’s all come full circle, in Lubbock. When we got the news
of songwriting, performing, and since Lubbock is where their musical that we were going to be inducted,
touring all over the country to sold- journey began. They now take their it was pretty surreal, so it’s a huge
out crowds. The band is made up of place alongside other musical legends honor and, like everyone said, we’re
the two who began the group back from Lubbock including Buddy Holly so elated to receive it so, thank you.”
in 2012—lead singer and acoustic and Mac Davis.
guitarist, Cleto Cordero, and Jason The documentary about the group,
Albers, drummer. Other band I was able to visit with the group Flatland Forever: A Texas Tech Story
members include Reid Dillon, electric before their induction at the Lubbock was also released on the Texas Tech
guitar, Adam Gallegos, piano, organ, Civic Center Theatre backstage on Official YouTube Channel on October
keys, mandolin, banjo, and acoustic October 9. All the band members 9. I asked the guys if they could give
guitar, Jonathan Saenz, bass and were wearing smiles, and I asked an overview of what to expect in this
background vocals, and Wesley Hall them what their thoughts were film, and Jason Albers responded,
on fiddle. going into the evening. Cleto “I think it was fantastically done.
Cordero responded, “The feeling Texas Tech spent about a year and
The band had a lot of success over is one of gratitude, excitement, and a half just really getting everything
the years including ACM nomination contentment.” When asked what right on the road. They were flies
for Group of the Year in 2024 as well induction into the West Texas Walk on the wall. They let us be us so
as their first RIAA Gold certification of Fame means to the group, Wesley our personalities could come out
for the song "A Life Where We Hall said, “It means the world to us. and give viewers kind of an idea of
Work Out.” Their music has been It’s a great honor to be here with all what we’re about. Our values and
featured on the soundtracks of such the legends. We’re just really happy beliefs and the brotherhood that we
movies as The Hunger Games: The to be here.” Adam Gallegos said, have doing what we love—playing
Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and “It’s in the name. ‘Walk of Fame.’ I music with the people that we love.”
Twisters. You will also hear their mean, it’s incredible to be considered Cleto added, “They documented
music in several TV series including for anything that says ‘fame’ our performances— our debut at the

6 Lubbock Senior Link