Category Archives: News

Previously Unreleased Recording of Bob Wills Discovered

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A previously unreleased and unknown recording of Bob Wills has been discovered by a fan and former musician is available for purchase on bobwills.com.

From takecountryback.com:

An unknown recording of Western Swing legend Bob Wills has been discovered that has never been released to the public. Austin resident Dwight Adair, owner of www.bobwills.com learned of the recording’s existence through an email message sent to him by a Bob Wills fan and former musician Gary Frietag of Florida. Mr. Frietag revealed to Mr. Adair that the recording was made on a reel-to-reel tape deck by a musician friend, Ray Riggs, also of Florida. Mr. Riggs made the recording in a hotel in Fresno, California, in 1949/50 when Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys were appearing there. Mr. Riggs has kept the tape recording, for all these years, hoping to find the appropriate person(s) or organization to which he could entrust the recording for posterity.

Mr. Riggs states, “I tried to contact the Wills estate but never heard back from them. So I just kept it, hoping that someday it would see the light of day.”

It’s been over fifty years since the recording was made.

“I was dumbfounded when I learned of the recording,” Mr. Adair says. “To think this recording has existed all these years and has never been released is absolutely amazing.”

Brighter Than Creation’s Dark debuts at #37 on the Billboard Top-200

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No Depression reports that the new Drive By Truckers release Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, debuted this week at #37 on the Billboard Top-200 album chart. The album also enters the Billboard indie chart at #6, its internet chart at #6, and the digital chart at #12. Not too shabby for a bunch of hillbillies with a funny name.

In other dbt news the Truckers will be playing the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival along with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Featuring T Bone Burnett, My Morning Jacket, The Allman Brothers Band, Iron and Wine and Willie Nelson.

James McMurtry Offers “Cheney’s Toy” mp3 for free for Super Tuesday

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Austin’s Singer/songwriter James McMurtry has never been shy about making a bold statement with his unique Americana/ Rock style. To help revive Democracy (and remind us all what that looks like) McMurtry has made his new song “Cheney’s Toy” available for free.

McMurtry and Lightning Rod Records are encouraging fans to use the free mp3 to create their own videos and post them online. McMurtry will choose the best videos and post them on his official MySpace page and website. If needed, fans can create videos using slideshow applications at RockYou.com. Creators of each of the top five video creators will receive t-shirts and autographed copies of McMurtry’s new album, Just Us Kids (in stores April 15, 2008). McMurtry’s choice for the best overall video will also receive an 8 Gb Apple iPod nano with video capabilities. Fans can send links to their videos to mcmurtryvideo@gmail.com.

Fan-made videos of “We Can’t Make It Here” have been viewed more than 170,000 times on YouTube.

James McMurtry – “We can’t make it here” 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbWRfBZY-ng[/youtube]

Jason Isbell Has Equipment Stolen in San Fransisco

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I just got wind that just before after a gig in San Fransisco Jason Isbell and his band 400 Unit had their instruments stolen. Then his drummer abruptly quit and his label (New West) flew in Son Volt’s drummer and bought new equipment. The band are rehearsing and hope to continue on with their tour Wednesday in Portland.

From Isbell’s MySpace:

Touring Misfortunes

Dear fans and friends,

Leading up to the California shows, Jason had been under the weather with the flu. As the cold worsened, it became apparent that, in the best interest of Jason’s health, Jason and the 400 Unit would not be able to play Vault 350 in Long Beach.

Having taken a day off to recuperate, Jason and the 400 Unit regained positive momentum with great fan support in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was after the San Francisco show that life threw its next unexpected punch.

On the morning of Monday, January 28, the guys discovered that their van had been forcibly broken into and that much of their gear had been stolen, including four guitars, a drum kit, an accordion, and a laptop computer. Considering the technical and emotional deflation that they experienced, the guys were left with no choice but to cancel the scheduled in-store performance at Dimple and evening show at Harlow’s in Sacramento.

Now, with a repaired van window, replacement gear on the way, and Portland, Oregon on the horizon, Jason and the 400 Unit continue to forage ahead.

For the canceled shows and appearances we sincerely apologize, and we greatly appreciate your understanding. As Jason and the 400 Unit roll into your hometown, greet them with cheers and energy, as your undying support will be vital to their success in this otherwise trying time.

I’ll post more as I hear it.

Amoeba Music Offers Free Gram Parsons mp3s

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Amoeba.com has announced that will be releasing a free Gram Parsons MP3 every two weeks.

They are in week #2 and are currently featuring: “Dark end of the Street”. This cut is from Amoeba’s recent GP/Flying Burrito Brothers Live at the Avalon Ballroom 1969 CD release.

Look for many more tracks to come from these fine folks.

Justin Townes Earle Live Performance on XM Radio!

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Justin Townes Earle’s Bloodshot debut “The Good Life” hits stores March 25th, but XM listeners can get a taster this month when the “From the Living Room to the Loft” show airs a pre-recorded concert Justin performed supporting Malcolm Holcombe at The Living Room. The show begins airing on January 20th and will be played for two weeks at the following times: Sundays at 6 PM ET, Tuesdays at 11 PM ET, and Thursdays at 3 AM ET.

Charlie Pride to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

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Mississippi native and Country music legend Charley Pride will receive  a lifetime achievement award at the 2008 Mississippi Gov.’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts on Feb. 8.

The annual awards honor individuals and organizations for outstanding work in visual, literary and performing arts, community development through the arts, and arts patronage.

“The Mississippi Arts Commission together with the Gov.’s Office, is honored to celebrate this incredible group of artists, arts patrons and arts-based institutions. This year we had approximately fifty nominations, which made the selection process very difficult for the judges,” commission director Malcolm White said Wednesday in a statement.

Other 2008 recipients are Natasha Trethewey of Gulfport, for literary excellence; Lallah Miles Perry of Jackson, for artistic excellence; Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson for Leadership in the Arts; Emma McCain of Meridian, for arts patron.

Pride, born in Sledge, Miss., has sold more than 70 million records in his career. He is best known for his million-selling crossover single “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” recorded in 1971. The song earned Pride the Country Music Association’s Top Male Vocalist and the prestigious Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972.

The only artist to sell more albums at RCA Records is fellow Mississippian Elvis Presley.

Charley Pride – All I Have To Offer You Is Me

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5x1TASCcN4[/youtube]

PopMatters best of 2007

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The ever snarky yet entertaining music site PopMatters are dropping their “Best Of…” lists by genre and their list of 2007’s Best Country is an insightful pick of the crop. My three favorite female  country crooners of the year, Elizabeth Cook, Sunny Sweeney,  and Miranda Lambert made the list as well as some typical Nashville faire. They also take time to take some cheap shots at the Eagles (Linda Ronstadt’s old backing back reinvent itself as the oldest boy band on the planet, HA! ) which always scores points with me.

And then there’s this lyrical insight to Rascal Flatts.

It’s safe to say Rascal Flatts will never make that leap across the firewire because I really don’t see any merit in an outfit that takes ostensibly good ideas, drowns them like kittens in a syrup of glossy good taste, skins them, and then drags them out over four minutes where two-and-a-half would have been more than enough. It’s all enough to make you long for an American Idol or two.

Bless you PopMatters….bless your snarky hide!

Nine Pound Hammer to Release Sex, Drugs & Bill Monroe 2/12/08

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After assulting the pop-culture by having a song on Tony Hawk’s latest video game and penning a theme song for the Aqua Teen Hunger Force’s new feature “12 Oz Mouse!”

Lexington, Kentucky’s cow-punk powerhouse “Nine Pound Hammer” is coming out with their long awaited follow up to Kentucky Breakdown.

“Sex, Drugs & Bill Monroe” drops on Feb.12, 2008 from Acetate Records. Just in time to get the album along with a six-pack of PBR and pork rinds for your sweety.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3vz0LNPbgw[/youtube]