Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!
They call him "The Storyteller." And that he is. Tom T. Hall has been writing and singing songs since the early '60s. Not only did he have a slew of top 10 and #1 hits, he had so many songs thathe wrote made famous by other artists, such as "Harper Velley PTA" by Jeannie C. Riley, "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson, and many others. Born in Kentucky in 1936, he is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a noted author.
It was hard to pick just one or two videos, so I had to choose four. And all of them will give you a picture into what is truly important in life, or a least what makes it a lot more fun! And if you want to know what happened at Stubbs in Lubbock one night when Tom T. and Joe Ely got to playing pool, listen to a song called "The Great East Broadway Onion Championship of 1978." Click here to read the story about this song.
Wednesday night I got to see a band for the first time - Dolly Shine. I had heard of them before in the past year or so and listened to a little music but it wasn't until I heard them on the Texas Red Dirt Road Show with Justin Frazell a few weeks ago that I realized how much I liked this band. They were awesome live too. Very true blue Texas Country, with a fiddle and everything. They mixed Honky-tonk with Southern Rock and reminded me a little of Kyle Bennett, Rob Baird and old Ragweed. I recognized a few of their songs from TXRDR and they did some awesome covers. (I know I talk about covers a lot, but I LOVE good covers). They played "Hurricane" (Leon Everette/Band of Heathens) and Lucero's "Slow Dancing" - two of my favorite bands... I'm sold.
I think Dolly Shine is headed places! Word on the street is they just recorded a new record and William Clark Green and some of the Six Market Blvd. guys contributed to it. I don't know when it will be out but I can't wait. In the meantime check out their self-titled EP on iTunes.
Pretty song... I think I remember him saying he wrote it with Clayton Landua from 6MB.
Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!
Some people call him The Possum, others called him No Show Jones. But everyone called him the best in the business. George Jones is a legend, but all he ever wanted to be was a singer. Raised in Vidor, Texas, his career has span 50 years, boasting a remarkable 143 top 40 hits. One of those hits, "He Stopped Loving her Today" is considered by most to be the greatest country song to date. What made George the best was how he would take a song and gave it everything he had inside him. A line from one of his songs, "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes", says, "who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you?" That's what George did. Gave his heart and soul in every song. And that voice……the one Waylon sang about in his song "It's Alright." He sang, "If we all sang like we wanted to we'd all sound like George Jones". Here are a couple of videos of George spanning the years. Watch, enjoy, and ask yourself, who really is gonna fill their shoes. Brantley Gilbert?
Watch the music video for this one here. I didn't post it because it is kinda hokey and takes a long time to get to the song, but it's still worth watching.
He had numerous hits with his then wife, Tammy Wynette, so I have to include this as a tribute to Tammy:
I was one happy camper when I got home last Wednesday and had a package waiting on me from Lonestar music. My autographed Departed vinyl (which matches my autographed Indian Land vinyl) and the new Sean McConnell CD, Midland. I just opened that one today and started listening to it and let me just tell it, it is amazing.
I saw Sean for the first time last past weekend at the Blue Light. It was a special Sunday show and I nearly didn't go because nobody wanted to go to the bar with me on a Sunday, but I ended up meeting friends there and it was packed. I can't believe I've gone this long without seeing him live and I do regret that because he doesn't come around here very often anymore. I'll make sure to never miss a chance to see him again. Even though it was just him with his guitar and another guy on keys, there was so much energy on stage. Each song was delivered perfectly and whether I'd heard them a million times, they still sounded fresh.
I got there a little after he'd started but I think I still heard all the songs I was looking forward to. I am obsessed with his version of MJ's "Dirty Diana" and have been known to play the YouTube video of it on a loop for hours at work, so finally getting to see it live was incredible and everything I'd hoped for. Speaking of covers, he also did "Somebody That I Used To Know" and it was the least-annoying version I've heard yet.
He also played a bunch of new music from Midland, including the title track, "Novocaine," and "Kiss," two of my new favorites. Of course he played his classics like "Reckless Love," which I have a weird emotional attachment to and "Lie Baby Lie" and a ton more. I heard some songs that I had never heard before that aren't on the new CD either which I immediately had to go watch online. So now I'm obsessed with "You're Not Cool Enough to be an Asshole," (seriously, go listen to that!!) and "Praise The Lord."
Now, onto his new record, Midland. I popped it in on my way to work on Friday morning and couldn't stop listening. I made my best friend listen the whole way to and from Ruidoso this past weekend and I have hardly listened to the radio in my car since. I think I listened to every song more than once before I could skip to the next because I wanted to hear them over and over every time. My favorites right off the bat are "Kiss" (which was played on the TV show Nashville last week!) and "Different Kind of Blue." The latter is right up there on my list of happy dance songs with "Carry On" from Pat Green and "Good Times" from Charlie Robison. I have listened to both of those basically non-stop but when I can break away from them, I find the rest of the CD just as entertaining. "Midland," the title and opening track with harmonies from Wade Bowen is gorgeous. The whole album ranges from fun to sad and lonely to sexy and smooth and everything in-between. And it's every bit the classic Sean McConnell I fell in love with years ago.
You can download Midlandhere or buy the real-life thing (the case is gorgeous, by the way) here.
Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!
It is very rare when two words are spoken and everyone know immediately who it is. In this case, the two words are "Hello, Darling". Everyone knows it's Conway, and this was his signature song. But what most people do not know is that up until George Strait came along, Conway had the most #1 hits of all time with 55.
Conway started out rock and roll, but moved to country in the '60s as a solo artist. He also achieved great success with Loretta Lynn in the '70s. With one of the greatest voices in country music, he is well worth listening to and learning more about. Enjoy!
Here's another throwback courtesy of my friend JNJ!
Today Throwback is Glen Campbell. Most everyone know his great hits of the 60's and 70's. but his career has span 50 years, 70 albums, grammys, a tv show, and one of the most sought-after session guitar players of his time. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, and today is still one of the greatest entertainers in country music. With classics like "Rhinestone Cowboy", "Wichita Lineman," and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," he paved the way for many with his style and talent.
Read all about him and enjoy the video of "Gentle on my Mind." This video incorporated another of my legends, Leon Russell, and along with a great song, it shows Glen's talents as a guitar genius.
Here is another video where he sings "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Galveston."
For Throwback Thursday today, I have one word for you…….Outlaw. And not in the traditional sense of the word. Jerry Lee Lewis, "The Killer", has put forth a career that has span 60 years. This singer/songwriter/piano extraordinaire did it his way, and really didn't care what people thought of him. From his rockabilly roots to his country years, he has placed his name beside the great ones in history. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and Rolling Stone put his box set All Killer, No Filler in their top 500 albums of all time. He was one of the original four of the Memphis sound, with Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Roy Orbison. You can read up on him, from his rock and roll success in the late 50's, to his marriage to his 13 year old cousin which lead to his controversial downfall, then his resurrection into country music in the late 60's and 70's. He has, and still is, doing things his way. Here is a video of Jerry Lee in the early days, doing "Great Balls of Fire."
1st cousins to the great Mickey Gilley, here is a great example of how two boys from poor upbringing in Louisiana made it big. If you love piano, you'll love this!
Lastly, put Jerry Lee with Willie, Merle, and Keith Richards on a bluesy "Trouble in Mind"……Amazing!
PS - Thanks to my old friend who was born in the '60s for helping me with this one.
I remember the first time I saw him. It was after an acoustic Jonathan Tyler show this summer and afterwards Erick, Red Shahan, and Brandon Adams did some acoustic song-swapping and I've been hooked ever since. I've heard him on Texas Red Dirt Roads and he's getting a lot of attention in Fort Worth and across Texas recently. My friend Carter is also a big fan so when we heard he would be doing a full band show in Lubbock we knew we couldn't miss it.
And thank God we didn't. I've never seen him with a full band, and as much as I love him acoustic, this just added to it.
Erick played lots of songs I've never heard as well as all the ones we downloaded off YouTube in the past few months that TXRDR added. I'm ready for his EP which I think he told me is coming out in the next few months but I can't really remember because I was too busy checking out his tattoos.
In the middle of his set he kicked the band off stage and did a few acoustic covers. Thank goodness because that meant my friend Carter could quit screaming "LANDSLIDE!!" He covered that one first, which I recorded on my iPhone because it is amazing and I want everyone and their dog to hear it.
(If you hear somebody cussing and singing along in the background, it's not me.)
He covered a few others like Ray LaMontagne and Red Shahan's "Broke Down Dreams" and did a really cool acoustic version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Then the rest of the band came up and they did what may be my new favorite song, but when I asked him what it's called, he said it doesn't have a name yet. But I will tell you it's badass and if I could play guitar and write a song, that's what it would be. Another favorite moment was when he did a duet ("That Makes Two of Us") with Tori Vasquez who opened for him. I had never seen her before, but I had heard a lot and I was not let down. She can play that guitar and is a powerhouse.
Here's my new favorite song, "The Song with No Name."
This week's throwback is about a guy who you cannot put in any category. He has span the genres: folk, rock, pop, outlaw country, & bluegrass! Born in Dallas, he grew up on Cowboy songs, and that has been his staple throughout his 40+ year career. An inspirational songwriter, he has written hit songs for Johnny Lee, The Monkees, Cher, Roger Miller, and many more. He is also the author of the New Mexico state ballad, "The Land of Enchantment". From his outlaw country days through his very popular pop country times to his most recent tributes to bluegrass, Michael has always done things his way.
The first video is Michael singing "Cosmic Cowboy," which was written and recorded in the early '70s when he was a large part of the Outlaw Country scene in Austin with Willie, Waylon, Jerry Jeff, and Gary P. Nunn.
The next song is from 1982, where he achieved mainstream success with #1 hits like "Still Taking Chances."
Well this weekend was full of activities which I cannot possibly re-cap properly because I just felt like it was more important to have fun than pay attention. I will say that I saw Chris Knight for the first time, and other than feeling like I should have popped 10 Prozac before hand, he was really good. And I am still loving his CD that came out last week.
I also went to the second annual JAB Fest. Mostly because my roommates wanted to go and they hardly ever want to do that kind of stuff. And also so I could say I have been to every JAB Fest someday if that is ever something to brag about. I'll just leave it at that. But evidently I missed one hell of a show by some band I've never heard of (Cadillac Black), and I heard the Hogg Maulies were good too, as usual. Creager and Morrow were a blast and those were about the only bands I watched. By the time Josh Abbott came on I was over it because there were too many frat dudes and sorority girls in my bubble. (Shocker)
ANYWHO. New music this week seems kinda scarce. Maybe because I'm being lazy, or maybe because the past two weeks were chock-full.
Mumford & Sons Babel came out. I haven't really listened to it yet. Honestly, I haven't been the biggest fan before, but they are growing on me. I'm not sure if it's my aversion to English accents or my stubbornness issues accepting bands who have the whole world on their bandwagon before me. BUT, like I said, they are growing on me.
And the only other new music I have today was kind of a surprise. I don't really know if this is considered a "release" yet. I really don't even know what is going on at all. This is what I do know: I nearly wet my pants when I saw this status on Josh Weathers' Facebook page the other day:
I didn't even know he had a new CD coming out soon. So naturally I immediately purchased it. It was in my mailbox when I got home last night and has been on repeat ever since. I will try to review it soon and get the rest of the information on how you can get it if you missed your window of opportunity. And can I just say, I LOVE how he is doing it old-school, by himself, through PayPal and shipping everything himself? I've heard that he is the hardest working man in local (Fort Worth) music and I'm beginning to see why.
Read my live review from the Blue Light here (which I still stand by my word that it was the best concert I've ever seen there).
Have you ever wondered who Waylon was singing about in his song "Luckenbach Texas", when he sings the line, "Hank Williams' pain songs and Newbury's train songs"? He was giving a nod to one of the great singer/songwriters, Mickey Newbury. Although he was the youngest person ever inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame, he is not as well known as many of the artists who sang his songs. Labeled as one of the first outlaws to buck the Nashville system, and a person who Ralph Emery once called a "hippy cowboy," he did things his way. Do yourself a favor and read all about Mickey, enjoy his music, and see how so many were influenced by it.
This trilogy of songs, which he did not write but arranged, went on to become the centerpiece for every Elvis Presley show.
This song was made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis, but on this video you can enjoy the haunting voice of a legend.
Thanks to my good friend - who happens to be from Waylon's hometown - for introducing me to Mickey and so much other music!
I've been slacking lately. Every time I've sat down to write today my phone has rang or I've gotten distracted. I promise I have an awesome post coming tomorrow - I'm attempting my first album and concert review in one so that will be interesting (hopefully in a good way).
This is one of my favorite song off the new Uncle Lucius CD And You Are Me. Not sure why I like it so much since it's different from the usual Kevin singing lead but I just love the laid back, slow and sweet sound of it.
I have not adjusted to this new schedule yet, so here is a late post for ya. This probably won't be the last time you hear about these from me though.
1.
I haven't listened to all of this one yet, but I've been waiting for it for forever. I love what I've heard so far. If you love West Texas - you MUST give this one a listen.
2.
Haven't bought this one yet, but it is on my list. Another West Texas girls' staple.
3.
And finally, I feel like I have been waiting on this one for a coon's age. Lucius has been my favorite Uncle for a long time and I love this band more with every concert. Their second album, Pick Your Head Up is one of my all-time favorites. It is the type where if one song comes up on shuffle, I have to stop and listen to the entire album on repeat for days. I have listened to And You Are Me a few times today and already feel like it could be the same way.
So there ya have it. I have officially spent more money on music than books this semester and I'm completely OK with that.
PS - I am currently sitting outside listening to the new Dirty River Boys CD, thanks to the beauty that is Kickstarter. All I can say after being about 3/4 of the way through it is - HOLY SHIT.
I'm a big fan of words. If you know me, you know this is true. I talk a lot, I write a lot, and I listen to a lot of music - not always for the pretty voices or instruments, but for the words. It amazes me how some writers put words together. Some great writers don't just write lyrics, but poems, stories and novels as well. Today's throwback is a very random choice, but it comes from a man who made a life putting words together. An accomplished musician, lyricist, poet, artist, screenwriter, and author…..Shel Silverstein did it all. Do yourself a favor and read up on this guy. If you don't recognize his name, maybe you'll recognize this:
He has touched many lives with his work.
One of his most famous songs was "A Boy Named Sue", made famous by Johnny Cash. Here is Shel appearing on "The Johnny Cash Show."
Next, here is one of Shel's song, sung by Willie Nelson.
And lastly, for any of you that are partial to the drug induced, rock and roll party of the '70s, this is for you! This song, along with a lot of Dr. Hook's songs, were written by Mr. Silverstein.
Believe it or now, two new real life music videos came out yesterday. It is so cool to see these guys produce awesome professional videos. Not just the typical singing in a bar with backstage and crowd shots, or boy and girl sitting by the river being hot drinking beer videos. Real story lines that aren't necessarily the obvious ones that go along with the song. Good stuff.
I love this Whiskey Myers song and I didn't expect to see this story in the video, but I dig it. It's actually their second video to show up on CMT.com - the first one for "Ballad of a Southern Man" was great. Too bad these guys are too hairy and don't wear enough eyeliner or glitter jeans to make it on regular CMT TV.
Next up is the Turnpike Troubadours. I was honestly shocked that they had a video like this made. I don't know why, I guess I just figured they were the more low-key type. But I am so glad they did because I can never, ever get enough Evan Felker in my life and he is pretty damn hot (literally, sweaty) in this video in his cowboy hat. Love. I'm not sure if I totally get the story in this video or not. All I know is I wanted to be right in the middle of that hot, sweaty, boot stompin, honky-tonkin barn dance going on.
Bonus points: I have these boots... and I'm the only adult I've ever seen that owns them, and I don't care.
Now if there are all these videos floating around and CMT isn't showing them, can't we get our own Texas/Red Dirt only channel? And it can show the Texas Music Scene, Troubadour, Tx, All Access Texas, have live broadcasting of TXRDR, concerts, our own countdown show and even throw in some trashy Texas reality shows. I think I could even star in one! It could be called the Tipsy Gypsy and cameras would follow me around as I travel in my Airstream to every dancehall and music festival in Texas, drinking Lonestar beer and doing my thing on the front row of every concert.
Now if that's not a million dollar idea, I don't know what is.
On the last day of my trip, Emily and I went to Luckenbach and met up with some friends for Fest Out West.
Yes, I drank a cold Shiner (in between countless Lonestar Lights though.)
We saw Reckless Kelly... and I remembered it!
And Robert Earl Keen. My first time, and I remember most of it!
We had so much fun. The crowd was awesome for it being the first year. I will definitely take lawn chairs next time. The only thing I didn't like was that I couldn't assume my position on the front row because that was roped off and reserved for the big spenders that spent the whole weekend at FOW instead of broke-ass me who only went to the last two concerts.
By the time Reckless Kelly came on, the sun had started to go down a little and there was a place in the shade up on a hill where we could sit and watch instead of standing behind people in chairs (or getting bitched at for standing in front of them). A few other people played before but it was too damn hot to sit in the sun any earlier than we did. Right as REK was wrapping up, it started sprinkling, just enough to cool us off, and it was a perfect end to a great week!
I am taking myself on vacation. Come five o'clock today, I will be hitting the road for eleven days of no alarm clocks, time clocks, to-do lists (other than my Texas Bucket List), stress or responsibilities. I am so excited. I've never gone anywhere for more than a week, but I'm still afraid I won't be able to pack in everything I want to do. I hope there's lots of concerts, good food and shopping and of course good friends in my near future.
I calculated it and I'm going to be on the road for at least 18 hours, but I don't even care because it's going to be non-stop fun and I live for road trips like this. If you're interested in my shenanigans and don't mind a whole bunch of nonsense, follow me on Twitter to see what I'm up to!
Also, if there's anything/place in or around Austin I absolutely must see/do, please let me know!
And finally, my theme of the trip (or just life in general ;] ).
I just started listening to Walt Wilkins' newest, Plenty and I got through the first song and was already in love. Galleywinter'sHogleg already reviewed it and he said it better than I could...
"The opening track “Just Be” is simply Walt Wilkins the Bob Ross of Texas Music painting another poetic picture for our listening pleasure. Walt can make sweet love to nature like no other writer I have heard. He does it again with the opening track on this record. “I’m going to sit right here under this tree. Sit right here under this tree. Just be.”
So I realized I'm about the 43rd person to post this today, but I just have to.
I first discovered Earl Dibbles, Jr. last summer. That and the rest of Granger Smith's hilarious videos helped get me through the most boring summer I'd ever experienced sitting at a desk with very little to do. I shared this gold mine with my friends and Carter even went to Halloween Bash as Earl Dibbles, Jr., made it on Rawhide and Velvet (I drew those tattos, btw!) and ended up winning the costume contest Granger had that we didn't even know was going on until days after the party we went to.
Then here comes the song. I expected it to be just another hilarious Granger Smith video, but he went above and beyond. The song is actually recorded with a full band, is on iTunes and the video is very professional.
The funny thing about it is it sounds exactly like something that would be recorded seriously in Nashville today by somebody like Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan or Kip Moore. But this is a joke. How freakin brilliant.
Here is what everybody else is saying about it, because they all said it much better than me. I honestly hadn't thought about it this way till I read it elsewhere, I just laughed when I watched the video and moved on, so I'm not going to steal their words.
