The musical collaboration of Slade Rivers, left, and Beans Sousa was kindled after the pair met while fishing in the Carson River.
Duane “Beans” Sousa, a Carson City man known for his collaborations with country Hall of Famer Lacy J. Dalton, has a new crop of songs off an album he completed with Slade Rivers.
Sousa got his start as a guitarist and co-songwriter for Dalton from the start of her CBS Records career in Nashville.
He went on to produce Dalton’s “Wild Horse Crossing” album and tour with her for 20 years in every state and five countries.
When not on tour, Sousa performed nightly from 1998 to 2006 at the now-closed Station Grille on South Carson Street.
His latest album, “Honky Tonk Highway,” is the product of a collaboration with Rivers, a singer and songwriter from Jackson, Calif.
The duo met several years ago while fishing in the Carson River.
“Some old musician friends and I were playing music around the campfire when, after about 20 minutes or so of song sharing, this tall shadow of a cowboy appeared out of nowhere,” Sousa said. “The stranger complimented our music and then asked, you mind if I go get my guitar and join you boys?”
“Sure,” Sousa said. “You can join us — if you know any Merle Haggard songs.”
Sousa said Rivers returned with a Martin acoustic guitar and played a horde of Haggard songs.
About a year later Sousa and Rivers found out they grew up just two miles apart from each other in the Bay Area in the 1950s and ’60s.
Their newest collaboration plays off themes of travel, faith and family while nodding to the musicians who inspired them.
“Honky Tonk Highway comes from the music that inspired us, it was Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Kittie Wells and Patsy Cline, the music we grew up on,” Sousa said. “These songs connect to the same theme of what Slade and I experienced being in music all this time.”
Both musicians will perform at 6 p.m. Friday at the Wolf Creek Bar and Restaurant in Markleeville, Calif.
The performance will not only celebrate the release of the album, but also opening weekend of the California stream fishing season.
Additionally, look for the pair at the Genoa Americana Celebration on July 4.
“Honky Tonk Highway” can be downloaded for $9.99 at www.ShopRecords.com. In-person CDs at Friday’s performance cost $15 each.
For information about Sousa and samples of his music, go to www.beanssousa.com.
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