JASON JONES JJONES @ PALESTINEHERALD . COM
Success means something different to everyone . For some , earning and having the most money represents success . For others , being able to do what you love and enjoy is the measuring stick . For a few , realizing you are standing exactly where you one day hoped to be means you have arrived . Almost Legal has arrived . “ One day we were talking about what our goals are as a band ,” said Almost Legal frontman Colten Franklin . “ Cooper and I said it together : ‘ Wiggy Thump .’”
Wiggy Thump is the annual music festival hosted by the wildly successful Whiskey Myers as something of a homecoming for the band . This year ’ s festival will take place at the Anderson County Youth Livestock Pavilion on September 24 . Almost Legal is officially a featured band .
To say that Whiskey Myers is a major influence on Almost Legal would be a gross understatement . It is easy to spot similarities in the band ’ s musical style and stage presence . After all , the boys grew up watching and listening to Whiskey Myers .
“ I remember being 8 years old , watching them do a show to benefit first responders ,” Franklin said . “ It ’ s where I first wanted to learn to play guitar .”
And then there is lead guitarist Cooper Douglas . He actually grew up among Whiskey Myers . Lead guitarist Cody Tate is his uncle . At just 14 years old he already possesses the skill and swagger necessary to lay down the lead licks with authority .
Of course there will be some voice murmuring in the background , falsely bringing up accusations of nepotism . Rest assured , those notions can be put to rest immediately .
“ I almost turned it down ,” Franklin said of the invitation to perform at Wiggy Thump . “ We turned around and called Cody . He didn ’ t know anything about it . That ’ s when it hit us that it was real .”
This band is legitimate . The rhythm section , consisting of bassist , Jonathan “ 50 Cal ” Kelly , and drummer , Jaxon “ Shorty ” Ballard , lay down a rock-solid foundation for the band ’ s high-energy music . Lead vocalist and guitarist Franklin shows the stage presence of a seasoned veteran , reeling live crowds directly into the show , making them feel as integral as the music itself .
Douglas , the band ’ s youngest member , could easily be viewed as a novelty due to his age . This would be a terrible mistake . The young man ’ s mastery of his Fender guitars is nothing short of brilliant , and his talent speaks for itself .
Being asked to play at Wiggy Thump , however , is the dream they sought to chase , and finding themselves in the lineup is an emotional thing .
“ I cried ,” Franklin said . “ I ’ ve been listening to Whiskey Myers since I was standing upright on the front seat of my grandfather ’ s truck . Being there with them is a dream come true .”
The band ’ s name , Almost Legal , is particularly fitting , especially for now . Franklin is the oldest at 19 . Kelly is 18 , and Ballard and Douglas are both 14 .
Will there be a name change should the band stay together long enough to see everybody reach the age of 21 ?
“ I don ’ t think so ,” Franklin said . “ We like the way it sounds . It has a ring to it . We ’ ll probably keep it .”
From left to right , Jaxon Ballard , Colten Franklin , Cooper Douglas and Jonathan Kelly .
The future is looking bright so far . Almost Legal plays regularly at venues all over East Texas . On July 29 , the boys will become the youngest band ever to play at Dosey Doe in The Woodlands when they open for Daniel Holmes .
The band is working on new music as well . ‘ East Texas Rain ,’ ‘ Hell or High Water ,’ ‘ Burn me Down ’ and a special release of ‘ Black Crow ’ is in the works and will showcase more of the band ’ s deep southern rock roots .
“ We ’ ve been promising new music for about a year , and we finally got with the right people to make it happen ,” Franklin said . “ We will drop a single , maybe two , and hopefully release an EP this summer .” Franklin is quick to give credit where it is due . “ We have so many people to thank who support and help us , but we especially owe a lot to Jay Douglas and Jame Ballard ,” Franklin said . “ Without those two we wouldn ’ t be here at all .”
But here they are . Now it looks like a lot more people are about to find out .
Follow Almost Legal at www . almostlegalband . com , or on Facebook , YouTube and Instagram .
COURTESY PHOTO | PALESTINE HERALD-PRESS
SUMMER 2022 | PALESTINE MAGAZINE | 13