Scott H. Biram on Tour This Summer

The Dirty Old One Man Band from Austin, TX, Bloodshot Records recording artist and friend of the House of Twang here, Scott H. Biram is taking time away from working in the studio and raising his chickens to bring his First Church of The Ultimate Fanaticism to a town near you. The tour includes a gig with fellow Texas hero Dale Watson at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ. and a show with Nashville Pussy in Asbury Park, NJ.

Check the man out, and tell him Twang Nation sent you.

Tour Dates & Newsletter Summer 2007

Jul 21 2007- Riley’s Tavern Hunter, Texas
Jul 24 2007- Rhythm Room Phoenix, Arizona w/ Dale Watson
Aug 3 2007- Hole In The Wall Austin, Texas
Aug 8 2007- Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill Roanoke, Virginia
Aug 9 2007- Ottobar Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 10 2007- Asbury Lanes Asbury Park, New Jersey w/ Nashville Pussy
Aug 11 2007- Luna Lounge Brooklyn, New York
Aug 13 2007- Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York
Aug 14 2007- Smiling Moose Bar Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aug 15 2007- Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, Ohio
Aug 16 2007- Lager House Detroit, Michigan
Aug 17 2007- Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Aug 18 2007- Deep Blues Fest River Falls, Wisconsin
Aug 19 2007- 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota
Aug 20 2007- The Waiting Room Omaha, Nebraska
Aug 22 2007- Davey’s Uptown Kansas City, Missouri
Aug 23 2007- Off Broadway St. Louis, Missouri
Aug 24 2007- Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack Little Rock, Arkansas
Aug 25 2007- Rubber Gloves Denton, Texas
Aug 31 2007- Continental Club Austin, Texas
Sep 1 2007- Continental Club Houston, Texas

Dale Watson’s “Justice For All” #1 video on last weeks CMT Pure 12 Pack

“Justice For All” is currently #1 video on last weeks CMT Pure 12 Pack video count down. If their not careful I’ll start saying nicer things about them. Oh, Bucky Covington and Toby Keith are numbers 2 and 3 respectively. Forget about the nice things. And congratulations to Dale for his recent marriage.

Dale Watson – From the Cradle to the Grave Review

Is country music dead? If the cover of the new Dale Watson release “From the Cradle to the Grave” contains any insight the answer is a resounding yes. There Dale stands like a hybrid Pauly Walnuts from the Sopranos and the Unknown Hinson looming sepia soaked in a grave yard. Just behind him on a a headstone is inscribed the verdict – “Country Music R.I.P.” Dale has every reason for writing an obituary, from the Grand ‘ol Oprey’s shafting of older members, big box retailers strangling of music distribution, radio’s rigid top seller play list and the biggest star in country coming from a dismal reality show you’d think death might be the best thing to happen to the genre.

Ten songs in three days. That’s how long it took Watson to write and lay down the tracks in a Hendersonville, TN. cabin formerly owned by Johnny Cash (currently owned by Johnny Knoxville.) Dale has said in interviews says at first he was adamant about not writing or recording anything remotely reminiscent of Johnny Cash but the specter of Cash, technique as well as themes, runs throughout the entire album.

But instead of merely a derivation “From the Cradle to the Grave” sounds like pure Dale Watson. One of the great things
about country music is that the great artists aren’t afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves. Dale displays not
only Cash, but Haggard and Waylon as well.

The Cash DNA boom-chuka-boom runs deeply to excellent affect in the opening “Justice For All,” a song about the between the law and a personal desire for vengeance. The stripped down Tennessee Three sound of Hollywood Hillbilly, a song about Johnny Knoxville, is as no frills as you’re about to find.

The Bananza-like big range sound of “Time Without You” gallops along at a fine pace. “Yellow Mama,” a dark yarn about a life gone wrong and the electric chair waiting at the end. The apocalyptic vibe reflects onward in “Tomorrow Never Comes” with it’s zen like observations of time.

Cash gets a formal call out at the end of “Runaway Train” with lyrics quoted directly from some of the Man In Black’s best known songs. “I hear that train a comin’ / hey Porter, oh Porter / yea I don’t care if I do die do die do die.” closes out the song and this all too short album.

Thanks Dale’s enduring and brave 25-year career and to this album, to paraphrase the late, Great Mark Twain, the rumors of country music’s death has been greatly exaggerated.

four and a half stars

Dale Watson Announces U.S. Tour Dates

Texas honky-tonk troubadour Dale Watson’s brand new studio album, From The Cradle To The Grave, is set for release nationwide April 24 on HYENA Records. Watson will hit the road in May to support its release with a run of East Coast and Midwest tour dates. It will mark the beginning of a year long promotional push that will find Dale performing in all corners of the United States, as well as, Europe and Australia. If you’ve never seen Dale in concert do youself, and your buddies or your gal, a favor.

On second thought don’t take your gal, you’ll never measure up after she sees Dale do his stuff.
Dale Watson’s upcoming tour dates are:
May 11 / WFPK “Live Lunch” / Louisville, KY
May 12 / Midnight Jamboree at Ernest Tubb / Nashville, TN
May 13 / Hideaway BBQ / Raleigh, NC
May 14 / Shenanigans / Richmond, VA
May 15 / The Iota Club / Arlington, VA
May 16 & 17 / The Rodeo Bar / New York, NY (Yeah!)
May 19 / Johnny D’s / Boston, MA
May 20 / The Ale House / Troy, NY
May 21 / The Sportsmen’s Tavern / Buffalo, NY
May 22 / Beachland Ballroom / Cleveland, OH
May 23 / Martyr’s / Chicago, IL
May 24 / Club Tavern / Middleton, WI
May 25 / Vnuk’s Lounge / Cudahi, WI
May 26 / Lee’s Liquor Lounge / Minneapolis, MN
May 27 / Knuckleheads / Kansas City, MO