Stoney LaRue says he finds legitimacy with label signing

For years, Red Dirt great Stoney LaRue avoided signing with a label.

But before last month's release of his fourth studio album, "Aviator," LaRue finally signed on the dotted line - and it's made all the difference.

"I started talking to them ... in November of last year, and thanks to them and the team they've put together, I've done more in that time than I've done in 16 years," LaRue said. "It's really wonderful how fast it's taken off."

The label, eOne Music, helped him score bookings at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado and the legendary Grand Old Opry, as well as video placement on CMT and a publicity push.

"I don't think I could have done any of this stuff had it not been for the momentum from the label," he said. "It's not to say I couldn't have, but it's very hard to. I guess people don't think you're legitimate if you don't have a label, for whatever reason."

Touring in support of "Aviator" brings LaRue back to Amarillo for a 9 p.m. Saturday show at Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St.

The album picks up where LaRue's 2011 album "Velvet" left off - almost literally.

He returned to Ben Folds' Studio A in Nashville - where the likes of The Beach Boys, The Monkees and Waylon Jennings have recorded - to record "Aviator" in one long session following his successful "Velvet" sessions.

"You could feel the spirit of the room and the people who have recorded there before, like Elvis and Johnny Cash. I can just say those two names; I don't think I need to say anymore," LaRue said.

The album, which was cowritten with Texas musician Mando Saenz, "is a little more mature, a little more reflective as far as the songwriting is concerned," LaRue said. "Hopefully, that's the inevitability of writing, that you get better over time."

LaRue said he especially loves his partnership with Saenz.

"When we started writing together, we enjoyed each other's idealism, I guess," LaRue said. "He's such a cool dude. I like the fact that we write songs without ego and pride and pointing fingers.

"It's really kind of honed what I do, I think, in a good way."

And though "Aviator" has only been out for a couple of weeks, LaRue's getting ready to head back into the studio for a follow-up.

"It's all written," he said. "I had actually started writing a couple of songs while I was in the studio."

how to go

o What: Stoney LaRue

o When: 9 p.m. Saturday

o Where: Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St.

o How much: $12 ages 21 and older, $15 ages 18 to 20

o Information: 806-358-7083 or www.midnightrodeoamarillo.com