Charlie Louvin - "See the Big Man Cry"

Randy Rogers Band - "Trouble Knows My Name"

I feel like I've been really lazy lately because I've hardly posted anything at all other than the throwbacks that I don't even write... but the truth is I've been incredibly busy. Since this isn't something I pay for (school) or that pays me (my job) it gets put on the back-burner. But hopefully after Christmas I'll have a lot more free time.

I had planned on writing all about the singer-songwriter competition finale that went down Monday at the Blue Light.... but I don't remember a damn thing about it other than that the candy burns were aplenty and Erick Willis didn't win, even though he played my favorite "song with no name." I couldn't tell you a thing about the guy that won (Danny Cadra) or what his songs were like, but it's who my dad voted for so I trust his opinion. When I Googled him, all I could find was a Myspace page and I couldn't open it at work.... so there's that.

ANYWHO, I found this song today that is evidently the next single off Randy Rogers Band's next record, Trouble. I am still not sure what I think about their last single other than that it was a good song with an awesome video, but it was way too over-produced for my taste. This next one however, I am loving. I was sold at Willie Nelson. Yup, that's all it takes. See for yourself.

Galleywinter: Thanks for the Passion

I have to re-post this article from Galleywinter. It's one of the best ones I've read there in all the years I've been following them. I'm a nosey person by nature and I love picking people's brains so posts like this really fire me up.

"What person are you most thankful for turning you onto music?" is one of the questions I'd like to ask if I ever did interviews so I was thrilled to read all these answers. I wouldn't even know where to begin to answer this question so I can't imagine how hard it would be for someone who actually makes music for a living. I would probably start with my dad but there have been so many other influences in my life, especially in the past several years. 

Read for yourself what the biggest movers and shakers in this scene have to say here. 

Sean McConnell- Midland

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 Midland here or buy the real-life thing (the case is gorgeous, by the way) here.

Throwback Thursday - Conway Twitty

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!

New Music - Adventus

Obviously the whole world (or at least everybody in my bubble) is going on and on about Adventus. I have been waiting forever for this album. In fact I've been counting down the days ever since I last saw the Departed at Lubbock Music Fest. Their first album, Indian Land was good, but I think everybody was ready to hear some original material.

This one is amazing. I ordered the vinyl on Lonestar last week so I'm waiting for it to come in to really dig into it, but I also stayed up and downloaded the digital version Monday night and have been listening to it on repeat ever since. It's everything I hoped for. Since the band had slowly been releasing songs on Facebook and Twitter the past month or so, I was afraid there wasn't going much I hadn't heard on the album, but I was wrong. It's way too early to pick a favorite but I don't think it's too early to say this one will be on my regular rotation for a very long time. Every time I listen a different song becomes my favorite for the moment.

I've read a ton of review for Adventus the past few days, and most of them were incredibly positive. I am not about to sit here and review this album because I would feel like a complete idiot, but I must say this one is probably the closest to how mine would sound (in other words, I didn't need a thesaurus to understand it). This one goes more in depth on every song though.

It's just plain good stuff. I may have cried when Ragweed broke up and thought the world was ending, but everything happens for a reason and if they hadn't called it quits, the rock revival that is Adventus would have never happened. If you like rock, blues or just good music, get this now.


The first time I ever heard this song was well over a year ago, right after the band got together. I stood by myself with a crowd of only about 15 other people who knew who the hell The Departed was. I had no idea what to expect, but when Seth James sang this song, I fell in love and knew it was going to be a long ride. It's still one of my favorites.

The Cadillac Black - "Get Your Buzz On"

The first time I heard this song, I wanted to hate it so bad because it's full of typical drinking/name-dropping clichés. But it gets stuck in my head and every time it comes on the radio I love it more.

I've missed The Cadillac Black the past two times they've been in Lubbock but from what I've heard they are awesome live so I hope they come back soon. In fact I had never even heard of TCB until they showed up on the JAB Fest line up. And of course I went with people who only want to see bands they know so we went after they played. I ended up hearing about it from everybody else who got there early and I've been kicking myself ever since. I've been listening a lot lately on Spotify and YouTube and they are just good old Southern rockers that I really want to party with. They remind me of the next Whiskey Myers or Blackberry Smoke.


Now doesn't that just make you want to drink whiskey?

Throwback Thursday - Glen Campbell

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."

Rich O'Toole - "Red Wine On Your Lipstick" and my political affiliation

This video came out yesterday. I'm already a fan. Mostly because I love Rich O'Toole and red wine but also because I love lipstick. Call me 64 years old, but this West Texas girl has discovered the secret to dirt and hair getting stuck to your mouth and it's called lipstick instead of lip gloss. You're welcome.

I loved his last CD, in fact it was probably one of my most played CDs from last year and I don't think it quite wore out it's welcome before he started releasing new music, but I'm excited to hear the rest either way.


Steamy. Who wants to join me for a bottle glass of cab now?

In unrelated news... did y'all know there was a presidential election yesterday? I don't participate in social media so I had no idea! Anywho... I voted. It may or may not have counted. Long story... I'm not concerned... I did my civic duty as best as I could.

If you're wondering who I voted for... here's my opinion on politics: I'll be voting for Cody Canada in 2016. And that's all I have to say about that.

Throwback Thursday - Jerry Lee Lewis

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.