If you’ve been anywhere near a Texas/Oklahoma border dancehall, a festival crowd screaming “Boys From Oklahoma,” or even just eavesdropping on a Turnpike fan’s Spotify queue lately, you know Red Dirt is having a moment.

But how the hell did we get here?

That’s exactly what Josh Crutchmer, Oklahoma native, New York Times planning editor, and longtime Rolling Stone contributor, set out to answer in not one, but two new books that every true country fan needs on their shelf (or shoved in their tour bag, right next to your koozie and tear-stained CD copy of Diamonds & Gasoline).

Book One: Never Say Never – The Ragweed Reunion We Thought We’d Never See

Released this April, Never Say Never takes you backstage, front row, and deep into the story behind the comeback of Cross Canadian Ragweed and their epic “Boys From Oklahoma” shows.

This ain’t just a “what happened” recap. It’s a ridealong with every single band member, plus exclusive interviews with The Turnpike Troubadours (yes, even Evan), The Great Divide, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Stoney LaRue, and more. You’ll hear straight from the folks who made the magic happen — and from the fans who’ve been screaming for it for years.

The foreword? None other than Wyatt Flores. The final word? Kaitlin Butts. The vibe? Red Dirt royalty across the board.

Book Two: Red Dirt Unplugged – A Love Letter to the Scene We Built Ourselves

Want to know how Red Dirt exploded from barroom favorite to festival-headlining, record-breaking beast? Red Dirt Unplugged (out now) maps that rise — artist by artist, song by song, and beer by beer.

Crutchmer spent a full year embedded in the scene, chronicling the rise of Wyatt Flores, the heat coming off Kaitlin Butts, the full-circle moments of Southall and The Great Divide, and so many more. It’s 300 pages of raw stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and pure, gritty heart.

We’re talking interviews with Josh Meloy, Ken Pomeroy, Lance Roark, John Calvin Abney, Them Dirty Roses, and Turnpike’s own Evan Felker reflecting on 15 years of Diamonds & Gasoline. Oh — and Tulsa gets its flowers too, with deep dives into Mercury Lounge and Cain’s Ballroom as spiritual homes of this movement.

Red Dirt Unplugged also features a foreword and closing reflections by Cody Canada and the full band of Cross Canadian Ragweed — their first group interview in over 17 years.

Why You Should Add These To Your Shelf (If You Haven’t Already)

Because Red Dirt isn’t just a genre — it’s a community, a lifestyle, and let’s be real, a damn movement. Josh Crutchmer’s books capture that better than anyone else out there right now, and they deserve a spot in every country music fan’s library.

So if you’re tired of shallow takes on the scene, want the real story behind the songs that saved your life, and need something to pass the time until your next ragweed-scented road trip, these books are it.

Where to Get Them

Josh is offering digital and print editions of both Never Say Never and Red Dirt Unplugged, via Back Lounge Publishing.

Support local stories. Celebrate the artists who brought Red Dirt to life. And read the damn books.