67 Landing rings in 2023 with new GM
In 2014 a group of Bowie County entrepreneurs formed a partnership and built the restaurant/concert venue Scottie’s Grill on Highway 67 between Texarkana and Redwater. The site was a popular stop by such artists as Whiskey Myers, Cody Johnson, Stephanie Rice, Neal McCoy and many others.
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the entertainment industry, the venue was among the casualties. But a name change to 67 Landing and a new GM have brought the place back to life.
Greg Hagood, a fixture on the East Texas music scene for several decades, took over as GM in early December and threw a New Year’s Eve bash last weekend that won’t soon be forgotten. The evening started with music from the group Insight opening for local favorite Crooked Halo, a rock band that’s been on the Texarkana music scene over 20 years.
Crooked Halo consists of five Texarkana guys with a similar interest in old timey rock n’ roll – and the talent to do it right. Lead singer Chris Montano, a vocal shapeshifter, can easily imitate a wide range of singers from Robert Plant, Ozzy Osborne, Axl Rose and David Lee Roth to Chris Cornell, Josh Todd, and other 90s top hit singers.
Halo drummer James Williams has been playing local clubs with various bands since the 80’s; Lead guitarist Steven Briggs founded the band over 20 years ago with the late Kenny Attaway, Halo’s bass player that succumbed to COVID-19 in August 2020. Kenny’s replacement is Jimmy Sparks, who has been keeping the rhythm on the local scene for four decades, except when he joined the USO tour in the 90’s and entertained U.S. soldiers stationed overseas. Paul Felder on keyboards is the most recent addition.
Greg was the sound man for the band, as well as others. He still uses that talent with every band that plays the Landing. “If my name is going to be on something, I make sure it’s as good as it can be. Whether it’s the food, the service, the drinks, or the sound,” he said.
The first order of business for Greg when he took on the GM position, was to hire the chef from Texarkana’s Cattleman’s Restaurant – known for decades to have the absolute best steaks in the four-states area.
“We have a completely new menu,” Greg said. “Everything we serve is fresh and we cut our own steaks.”
As for the entertainment, there are two stages available – the enclosed tin-roofed porch is ideal for the average crowd to enjoy local bands. For the bigger concerts, the main stage sits behind the two-story building; a field of AstroTurf stretches from the balcony pillars to the stage for concert-goers to set up their own chairs under the high roof to enjoy the show.
One plan that Greg has already put into play is the amount of entertainment booked weekly. “I’m working on having bands Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights,” he explained. “I’m putting together Saturday and Sunday acoustic sets for brunches.”
Tuesdays at the new 67 Landing will be Karaoke with Greg’s wife, Jessica Hagood – a popular local deejay and singer. For schedule, menu and more info, go to 67landing.com or find 67 Landing on Facebook.
