First III No Flash fans we are back at a Whitey Morgan and the 78’s for another true country band concert. Bakersfield is no stranger to country music, so fans were eager to hear some real country from an outlaw like Whitey Morgan. The Nile Theater has a great view from any spot with a standing area in front of the stage — with an additional section a few steps up with tables and chairs to over overlook the crowd’s heads, also a balcony above. Whitey Morgan and the 78’s are out on the road again for a spring tour with some shows over here on the west coast. Last Saturday night, the place was packed and ready for Whitey Morgan and The 78’s — but first, to kick off the night is the band Trippp.
Trippp is a country rock trio of brothers from Arkansas and damn, did it look like these young guys were out there having a blast! I don’t think I have ever seen a drummer smile so much throughout the set. With just a few singles and a EP titled Nothin’(Acoustic), the crowd got a taste of what this band will definitely soon become. They are young and ready to build a fanbase — and no better way then to be out on the road opening for Whitey — who over the years has formed a solid loyal fanbase himself.
Whitey and the 78’s are a band that play a hard and mean live show, with none of that pop country flashy crap. With a few chords strummed from Whitey’s signature telecaster into “Me and the Whiskey,” the crowd ignites. Just a six piece band up on stage cranking out music into “Buick City” to “Low Down on the Backstreets” then “Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue.” They snuck in some fan favorites like: “Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore,” “Another Round,” and “Bad News.”
Whitey took a few moments to thank the fans for coming out and always showing supports then joked about how the venues need a new bathroom door because he kept seeing it left open while men went to piss. Then about halfway they played a song called “Crazy” there is a line in the song that goes: “I ran into Danny, he used to be my closest friend. He played the harmonica back when we had a rock and roll band.” Danny still plays the harmonica in the band and was getting down this night — it was like he had a fire in his lungs considering that harmonica sound was hot. For the night’s cover song we got to hear “Cry for the Bad Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was an awesome version and very well done. Of course Whitey’s cover of Dale Watson’s “Where do Ya Want It?” also made it on the set list. The song “Let Me Roll” followed by “Just Got Paid” closed out the set before the band exited the stage.
For the encore, there were two more songs: “I’m On Fire” and big fan favorite “Sinner,” as always. I have seen Whitey Morgan and the 78’s about 8 times now and there will be more. They are a band that puts on a raw, real show like true outlaws in country music would. There are still dates left on this spring tour and there will be more tours to come. This is a band that doesn’t slow down — always hitting the road. Grab a ticket or two and go check out this band if you haven’t already — you won’t be disappointed and if you already know, get out there to another show!
GALLERY: Whitey Morgan and the 78’s with Trippp at The Nile Theater in Bakersfield, California (May 16, 2026)
