Western Swing Out in Tehachapi & the Sounds of the Pacific
Western Swing, trade winds, Bakersfield dust, and Pacific echoes from Tehachapi, California
MAE OUT WEST — EPISODE 29
Original Airdate: May 18, 2026
Thank You Paid Subs:
Dino, Katie, JP, Linda, Bob, Bonnie ❤️
Thank You Paid Subs: Dino, Katie, JP, Linda, Bob, Bonnie ❤️
Howdy and Mabuhay friends.
Episode 29 of Mae Out West heads into Memorial Day Weekend with one eye on Tehachapi and the other somewhere out over the Pacific.
This week’s Western Swing and Honky Tonk radio show features a road-trip soundtrack of Bakersfield country, hillbilly boogie, Western Swing, Texas dancehall music, and Pacific-inspired country songs from artists including Marty Robbins, Dick Curless, Mandy Barnett, Curtis Potter, Jerry Reed, Cowboy Copas, and more.
Flyer for the Western Swing Out - May 2026 - www.westernswingout.com feat Mae McCoy and her Neon Stars
I’m currently packing for Western Swingout 2026 in Tehachapi, California, where Mae McCoy and Her Neon Stars will perform Saturday from 3 PM to 4 PM alongside special guest Bryan “Washboard” Walter. Guitarist Mark Holzinger will also join the lineup, and if you haven’t heard his latest release Juke and Jive, it’s well worth your time. Juke and Jive by Mark Holzinger.
In recognition of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this episode also leans into songs that reflect the movement of culture and sound across the Pacific. Cowboy Copas’ “Filipino Baby,” Dick Curless singing the Japanese standard “China Nights,” and Marty Robbins’ “Down Where the Trade Winds Play” all found their way into this week’s rotation naturally.
That’s part of what Mae Out West has always been about for me. Western Swing, California country music, Hawaiian steel guitar, Gulf Coast sounds, immigrant stories, old dancehalls, radio stations, and the strange roads connecting all of them.
There’s Bakersfield dust all over this episode too. Joe Maphis with “Flying Fingers.” Jean Shepard’s “Big Midnight Special.” Curtis Potter’s “Close Every Door Behind You.” Even a little Texas political history courtesy of W. Lee O’Daniel and His Hillbilly Boys.
And somewhere along the line, Mandy Barnett reminded me how songs can change shape over time. Sometimes it takes twenty years before you finally hear what made a song great in the first place.
This week closes with Faron Young’s “God Bless God.” Felt like the right ending.
Song List
John England and His Western Swingers · Open That Gate
Rob Dehlinger and the Alpha Rhythm Kings · Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie
Dave Stuckey & The Rhythm Gang · (Ol’ Daddy’s Got a) Brand New Love
Dick Curless · China Nights
Amber Digby · Loser’s Game
Bobby Durham · Welcome to the Club
Jerry Reed · I’m a Lover Not a Fighter
Jimmy Lee Fautheree · Hayride Boogie
W. Lee O’Daniel and His Hillbilly Boys · There’ll Be Some Changes Made
Joe Maphis · Flying Fingers
Jean Shepard · Big Midnight Special
Cowboy Copas · Filipino Baby
Austin O'Keefe feat. His Nostalgia Cowboys · Oh, Ottawa!
Curtis Potter · Close Every Door Behind You
Elton Britt · Pinto Pal
Mandy Barnett · I’m Gonna Change Everything
Marty Robbins · Down Where the Trade Winds Play
Johnny Horton · Shadows on the Bayou
Pretty Miss Norma Jean · Truck Driving Woman
Faron Young · God Bless God
Also airing on:
Keeping It Country Live
Radio Goldfield Network, Nevada
