Smokin' Armadillos

Smokin' Armadillos were an American country music group formed in Bakersfield, California in 1992. Its members were Rick Russell (lead vocals), Josh Graham (guitar, vocals), Scott Meeks (guitar, vocals), Jason Theiste (fiddle, mandolin), Aaron Casida (bass guitar, vocals), and Darrin Kirkindoll (drums).

Smokin' Armadillos
OriginBakersfield, California, United States
GenresCountry
Years active
  • 1992–2023
LabelsGramac, MCG/Curb, Housekeeping
Past members
  • Aaron Casida
  • Josh Graham
  • Darrin Kirkindoll
  • Scott Meeks
  • Rick Russell (Died 2023)
  • Jason Theiste

History

Smokin' Armadillos was founded in 1992 by guitarist Josh Graham, who created a country rap song called "I'm a Cowboy" which he performed at various talent shows before recruiting the rest of the band members.[1] The band recorded a five-song EP called Out of the Burrow in 1995 and after selling more than 150,000 copies of this disc, they signed to Curb Records in 1995.[2] At the time of signing, the band's members ranged in age from 18 to 26.[3]

The group recorded one album for Curb in 1996, which included the chart singles "Let Your Heart Lead Your Mind" and "Thump Factor". A third single, "I Don't Want No Part of It", did not appear on an album.[4] Chuck Howard produced their debut album, and encouraged the band to record some of their own material, including "Let Your Heart Lead Your Mind", which Meeks wrote.[3] The album received mixed-to-positive reviews from Country Standard Time and Allmusic, both of whom praised the musicianship.[5][6]

In 2005 after 13 years together, the Armadillos went on hiatus, playing their last show together on March 25 at Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield, CA. They reconvened in 2017, releasing "The Other California" in September of that year.[7]

Discography

Albums
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
US Country[8] US Heat[9]
Out of the Burrow (EP)
  • Release date: 1993
  • Label: Gramac
 — —
Smokin' Armadillos 37 24
Strike the Match
  • Release date: August 19, 2003
  • Label: Housekeeping
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles
Year Single Peak chart
positions		 Album
US Country[10] CAN Country
1993 "My Girlfriend Might" — — Out of the Burrow
"I'm a Cowboy" — —
"Red Rock" — —
1996 "Let Your Heart Lead Your Mind" 53 — Smokin' Armadillos
"Thump Factor" 68 —
"Miracle Man" — —
1998 "I Don't Want No Part of It" 64 90 Plan B
"Waking Up Behind the Wheel" — —
2003 "You Were a Mountain" — — Strike the Match
2017 "The Other California" — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos
Year Video
1993 "Red Rock"
1996 "Let Your Heart Lead Your Mind"

References
  1. Flippo, Chet (March 9, 1996). "Smokin' Armadillos Gather No Moss; More Companies Flock To Music Row" (PDF). Billboard. p. 37.
  2. Leaver, Chuck. "Smokin' Armadillos biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. "New Artist Fact File" (PDF). Radio & Records: 47. January 26, 1996.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2012). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 312. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
  5. Kuchar, Dan. "Smokin' Armadillos review". Country Standard Time. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  6. Leaver, Jack. "Smokin' Armadillos review". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  7. Lay, Marissa. "Finding Fame: Lucky Ned Pepper". Bakersfield.com. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  8. "Top Country Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  9. "Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  10. "Country Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.


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