Oregon-born, Texas-loved.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

Although Reckless Kelly got its start in Oregon about 10 years ago, it quickly moved and put down roots in Austin, Texas. The band has played Eugene only once since.

Fans in Texas go nuts for Reckless Kelly and know the words to most of the band's songs. But it's anyone's guess what sort of crowd the band will generate playing the early show on Halloween at John Henry's.

If country fans who like to have a rowdy good time are paying any kind of attention, this show will be packed and Reckless Kelly will have a couple of hundred new fans by the end. But let's not forget, this is Eugene, so it's always a crapshoot which high quality act will get a big crowd.

Whoever ends up on John Henry's checkered dance floor will be treated to original songs and some choice cover tunes by a band that was started by two brothers who grew up in Idaho with a musician father.

The Braun brothers, Cody and Willy, moved to Bend in 1996 and started a band. Cody Braun, in a telephone interview, said during that time they got a manager who was pushing them in a commercial country direction. They didn't like that, so they took their show out of town.

"We just really liked that edgier, harder stuff with the country flavor," he said. "We were wanting to go more toward the rock side.

`We were wanting to rock out pretty good. We were wanting to have the freedom of what we wanted to do."

They have earned that freedom. To celebrate 10 years of `hick rock,' the band has released a triple-disc set with two CDs and a DVD called "Reckless Kelly Was Here." They were released in August on the famed roots label, Sugar Hill Records.

The CDs are a blend of live and studio recordings and songs from each of the band's previous releases. Braun said the band held an online poll for fans to say which cuts they'd like to see on the special release.

Because of that involvement, Braun said it's a treat for fans but "also a good introduction for people who have never heard the band."

As for this being a Halloween show, Braun said in the past the band has done something special for that, but they don't have anything specific planned this time.

One year, they did an all-Gram Parsons show in their version of Nudie suits. Another year, they were rodeo clowns. And they always have wanted to do an Elvis show where each guy dresses as an Elvis from as different era.

"We always throw something together," he said.

If you don't already know Reckless Kelly and want to be a part of the singalong, Braun said your best bet is to learn "Crazy Eddie's Last Hurrah" by Wednesday.

CONCERT PREVIEW Reckless Kelly With: RyeHollow What: "Hick rock" When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: John Henry's, 77 W. Broadway Tickets: $10 in advance through Ticketmaster, $12 at the door