About Us
Big Train and the Loco Motives isn’t a finite list of musicians. Whoever shows up gets up on stage.
The only requirements are:
1. Appreciation for the blues,
2. Ability to fly by the seat of your pants, and
3. Enjoy the magic that happens onstage.
Our Story
Big Train and the Loco Motives are an eclectic group of musicians that come from a variety of genres and backgrounds that have one thing in common: When they are on stage together, they have an absolute blast.
Big Train and the Loco Motives plays what they coined “Red Dirt Blues”. It’s blues from the Canadian River delta country, or at least as close to a delta as the Canadian River will get. They cover everything from traditional Delta Blues to Texas Boogie-Woogie, from acoustic covers of Classic Rock, to rock covers of Traditional Folk. While it may be hard to nail them down other than they totally enjoy making music, it’s guaranteed that everyone who shows up in the audience will also enjoy the show.
The Big Train and the Loco Motives line-up is also as varied as the music. Usual suspects include Bill “Top Dog” Cummins on harmonica, “Lord” Benjamin Carter on bass, Mike “Pine Box” Lander on percussion, and Frank “N’ Beans” Lawrence on guitar and mandolin. The members of both The Whiskey Gingers and Heartbreak Rodeo are also frequently on stage as well.

“When all the original blues guys are gone, you start to realize that someone has to tend to the tradition. I recognize that I have some responsibility to keep the music alive, and it’s a pretty honorable position to be in.”