Roger Alan Wade is known as a talented and clever songwriter, having penned such lines as "Lovin' you is like fryin' bacon nekkid" and "If You're Gonna Be Dumb (You Gotta Be Tough)."
The local singer/songwriter/sage has also been known for such quips as "I'm too lazy to work, and too nervous to steal."
If you go
› What: Roger Alan Wade and the Big Ass Happy Family Band› Where: TVFCU Stage, Riverbend Festival› When: 7:45 p.m. Friday, June 8› Admission: $60 for wristband, $30 one-day pass› Online: riverbendfestival.com
He'll need to get over the first part this month, and if all goes as it should, he won't be needing to steal either. Things are happening for the uber-talented Wade. He and the Big Ass Happy Family Band just spent four days in New York City performing eight shows at the Opry City Stage in Times Square and that is just the start of his summer schedule.
He and the band will perform at Riverbend Friday, June 8, on the TVFCU Stage at 7:45 p.m.
Wade has a new song, "Drunk, Pissed and Coked Up" in the new movie "Action Point" starring his cousin, Johnny Knoxville.
"I don't know if you can use that [title] in the paper, but I got it from George Jones and something he said," Wade laughs.
Wade continues to co-host a music show with Knoxville on Sirius/XM's Outlaw Country channel airing on Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and rebroadcast at 12 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
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He is also in rehearsals for voice-over work on the Adult Swim animated show "Squidbillies." The episode will likely also include Shooter Jennings, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Ray Wylie Hubbard.
That's a lot of Southern twang in one room.
"Ha. No kidding," Wade says.
"Those cats, [show creators Jim Fortier, Dave Willis, Matt Maiellaro] are so creative and I just felt lucky to be part of it," Wade says.
Wade will again be part of the Outlaw Country Cruise in January headlined by Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Margo Price and about two-dozen other performers. He'll also be playing other festivals, and shows including the Lawn Chair Concert Series in Farragut on Aug. 11.
He's busy.
"I just want to get home and back to baseball."
Until then, his focus is on Riverbend and he promises the show will be something special. Performing with him will be Peewee and Nicki Moore on guitar and stand-up bass, Bob Stagner on drums, Emerald Butler on fiddle and Roland Dixon on guitar and harmonica.
"We are going to make it a big ol' family jubilee."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.