Good Texan

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Good Texan" by The Vaughan Brothers from their album Family Style, and Zoo Freaks, get ready for some juicy trivia about this track! This song, a rollicking blues-rock anthem, drips with Texas swagger, celebrating cowboy culture with playful lyrics about cowgirls, cowboy tricks, and longhorn Cadillacs. One fun tidbit is that the song was produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers, known for his work with David Bowie and Madonna, which gave it a polished, pop-infused edge that some blues purists found surprising. In a 1990 interview with Guitar World, Jimmie Vaughan shared that the song came from jamming sessions where he and Stevie Ray Vaughan wanted to capture the fun of=Family Style was a labor of love, with the brothers swapping a single guitar back and forth during recording, a playful nod to their sibling bond—you can even hear the cable being yanked out and plugged into another guitar on the track "Brothers." Fans on the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fan Club Facebook group often share stories about how the song’s infectious energy made it a staple at Texas roadhouses, with its guitar riffs and cheeky lyrics like “Do it to me like a Texan should” embodying the brothers’ larger-than-life personalities.

Another cool story about "Good Texan" comes from Jimmie Vaughan’s reflections on the Music Enthusiast blog, where he mentioned how the song’s lighthearted vibe was a departure from their usual hard-hitting blues. He said, “We were a ‘new artist’... it was something new,” highlighting how the brothers saw Family Style as a fresh chapter. Tragically, Stevie Ray Vaughan passed away in a helicopter crash just before the album’s release in 1990, making "Good Texan" part of his final studio work. Fans on Reddit have noted how the song’s upbeat spirit feels like a bittersweet celebration of the brothers’ bond, with one user calling it “a love letter to Texas and each other.” The music video, available on YouTube, leans into the cowboy theme with the brothers decked out in Western gear, adding to the song’s larger-than-life Texan vibe.

The Vaughan Brothers, Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, were born in Dallas, Texas—Jimmie in 1951 and Stevie in 1954—and grew up steeped in music. As kids, they were glued to the radio, soaking up blues, rock, and R&B, with Jimmie picking up the guitar first and Stevie following suit, inspired by his big brother. According to their bio on AllMusic, Jimmie was gigging in Dallas bands by his teens, while Stevie, a prodigy, was already turning heads with his fiery guitar skills. Jimmie found success with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, a blues-rock outfit he co-founded in 1974, blending gritty blues with a bar-band edge. Stevie, meanwhile, formed Double Trouble and skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s with albums like Texas Flood, earning praise from icons like Eric Clapton for his soulful, blistering style. Their paths converged for Family Style, a dream project they’d long talked about, produced by Nile Rodgers to showcase their shared roots and chemistry.

Though Stevie’s death in 1990 cut their collaboration short, Jimmie has kept their legacy alive through his solo work and tributes to his brother. The official website for Stevie Ray Vaughan is srvofficial.com, where fans can dive into his discography and legacy. Jimmie Vaughan’s official site is jimmievaughan.com, offering updates on his tours and music. For social media, check out the Stevie Ray Vaughan Official Facebook and Instagram for archival photos and fan tributes. Jimmie’s Facebook and Instagram share his latest gigs and throwback memories. On X, follow Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan for fan posts and occasional updates. Fan communities thrive on sites like srvf.org, a dedicated Stevie Ray Vaughan fan site, and the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect with fellow enthusiasts and share their love for "Good Texan" and beyond.