Soda Crackers Revive Bakersfield Sound in Texas Dance Halls

The Building Texas Show has released an engaging new episode featuring Zane Adamo, frontman and fiddle player for The Soda Crackers, a Bakersfield, California band that's reviving the storied Bakersfield Sound while reconnecting it with its Texas roots. The episode, filmed at the historic Albert Dancehall in Albert, Texas, explores the band's recent Texas-Oklahoma tour and their musical heritage, with host Justin McKenzie delving into how The Soda Crackers have embraced Texas dance hall culture. The conversation highlights the natural fit between the Bakersfield Sound and Texas dance halls, with Adamo emphasizing that their music is fundamentally meant for dancing, created by people who worked hard and sought joyful Friday night entertainment.

The episode serves as both a musical exploration and cultural preservation effort, focusing on the deep historical connections between Bakersfield and Texas music traditions. Though known as "California country," the Bakersfield Sound was significantly shaped by Texans and Oklahomans who migrated west during the Dust Bowl era, with artists like Buck Owens (originally from Sherman, Texas) and Tommy Collins helping define a style blending honky-tonk grit, country swing, and dance hall energy. The Soda Crackers' Texas-Oklahoma tour included stops at iconic venues such as the Broken Spoke in Austin and even a pilgrimage to Turkey, Texas—home of Bob Wills and the annual Bob Wills Day celebration—demonstrating their commitment to honoring this musical lineage while bringing it to new generations of listeners.

Central to the news is the announcement of The Soda Crackers' much-anticipated debut album launching December 1, 2025, featuring 10 tracks including 6 original songs written by current and former band members and 4 classic covers honoring the Bakersfield Sound. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms with a limited-edition vinyl pressing including a special color variant for collectors. Fans can watch the full episode here and find updates at thesodacrackers.bigcartel.com. The episode closes by emphasizing the urgent need to support historic dance halls across Texas, positioning venues like Albert Dancehall as living reminders of cultural heritage where community, music, and history converge on wooden dance floors.