The Randy Rogers Band is a Texas-based country music group formed in 2000 in San Marcos, Texas.
Fronted by singer-songwriter Randy Rogers, the band includes Geoffrey Hill (guitar), Jon Richardson (bass), Brady Black (fiddle), Les Lawless (drums), and Todd Stewart (multi-instrumentalist).
Known for blending traditional Texas country with country-rock influences, they have released eight studio albums and built a loyal fan base through energetic live performances.
About the Song
A tribute to Texas’s scenic heartland, They Call It The Hill Country is a collaborative country anthem popularized by the Randy Rogers Band.
Originally recorded for their 2004 album Rollercoaster, the song also appears on the 2015 compilation Dreamer: A Tribute to Kent Finlay, featuring Pat Green, Jack Ingram, and Honeybrowne.
|
Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
| Album | Rollercoaster (2004) |
| Writers | Kent Finlay |
| Producers | Radney Foster |
They Call It The Hill Country Lyrics by Randy Rogers
Verse 1
The hills of Cow Gap stood rugged and awesome
But you have to have fill dirt when you’re building a road
And the hills of Cow Gap, man, they weathered the ages
Got wiped off the map at 12 dollars a load
Chorus
They call it the hill country, I call it beautiful
I’d call it progress if it could be saved
They call it the hill country, I call it home
But what will they call it when it’s leveled and paved?
Verse 2
Uncivilized pagans drank untreated water
Right out of our river back in their day
Now those streams bubble with clean treated sewage
While they sit in their hot tubs and they sip Perrier
Chorus
They call it the hill country, I call it beautiful
I’d call it progress if it could be saved
They call it the hill country, I call it home
But what will they call it when it’s leveled and paved?
Verse 3
Scrape off the hilltop, build look-alike houses
Move in some people and turn on the TV
After the ball game, turn on some old movies
They’ll smile when they see how things use to be
Chorus
They call it the hill country, I call it beautiful
I’d call it progress if it could be saved
They call it the hill country, I call it home
But what will they call it when it’s leveled and paved?
Chorus
They call it the hill country, I call it beautiful
I’d call it progress if it could be saved
They call it the hill country, I call it home
But what will they call it when it’s leveled and paved?
Similar Songs Like They Call It The Hill Country
Here are similar songs by Randy Rogers Band that share the Texas pride, nostalgic storytelling, and acoustic-driven country of They Call It The Hill Country:
- San Antone: From Nothing Shines Like Neon (2016), this track celebrates Texas landmarks and honky-tonk culture with fiddle-heavy energy and lyrics about dancing on the edge of the Lone Star State.
- Kiss Me in the Dark: A signature hit from Just a Matter of Time (2006), blending romantic nostalgia and steel guitar to evoke small-town Texas nights.
- Too Late for Goodbye: Featured on Burning the Day (2010), this song’s heartfelt lyrics about lost love and acoustic warmth mirror the emotional depth of They Call It The Hill Country.
- Interstate: A road-trip anthem from Burning the Day, with roots-rock rhythms and themes of longing for home, akin to Kent Finlay’s storytelling style.
- Buy Myself a Chance: From their self-titled 2008 album, this track combines honky-tonk piano with relatable lyrics about second chances, reflecting Rogers’ Texas country roots.
Similar Artists Like Randy Rogers
Check out this concise lineup of artists similar to Randy Rogers, with details on their genres and standout albums:
- Reckless Kelly
Genre: Texas Country / Red Dirt / Country Rock
Notable Albums: Wicked Twisted Road (2005), Bulletproof (2008), American Girls (2020) - Aaron Watson
Genre: Texas Country / Honky-Tonk
Notable Albums: The Underdog (2015), Vaquero (2017), Red Bandana (2019) - Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Genre: Red Dirt / Outlaw Country
Notable Albums: Pearl Snaps (1999), Comal County Blue (2008), Hard Times Are Relative (2018) - Wade Bowen
Genre: Texas Country / Americana
Notable Albums: Lost Hotel (2006), Solid Ground (2018), Where Phones Don’t Work (2022) - Turnpike Troubadours
Genre: Red Dirt / Folk-Country
Notable Albums: Diamonds & Gasoline (2010), A Long Way from Your Heart (2017), A Cat in the Rain (2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there Other Artists Featured in this Song?
Yes, versions include Pat Green, Jack Ingram, and Honeybrowne.
Has the Album Rollercoaster Been Re-released?
Yes, a remastered lyrics version was released as part of the 20th anniversary edition in 2024.
Is There a Tribute Version?
A collaborative cover appears on Dreamer: A Tribute to Kent Finlay (2015).
