Record Store Day Black Friday 2019 Releases – Roots & Americana Picks

Luckily for vinyl fans, Record Store Day is now two separate events. The original big daddy event in April and it’s smaller Black Friday.

The latter happens on 11/29, just in time for some early Christmas shopping for your own stocking. Below find some choice selections from the list that roots and Americana fans feen need a place on their turntable.

Descriptions are from RSD.com. See the full release list here.

Patsy Cline – Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Masters 1960-1963 – more details on this release
An amazing 3xLP set including all of Patsy Cline’s Decca Studio master. This collection has never been released on vinyl and for Record Store Day Black Friday it’s available on pink, purple and yellow pastel vinyl in a tri-gatefold sleeve.

(1000 available)

Dr. John – “Babylon”
When Dr. John hit the studio in 1968 to record Babylon, America was in a very turbulent period. On top of that, Dr. John was being pursued by various Los Angeles authorities for a handful of criminal offenses. It was, in his own words: “a heavy time for me.”

This set the stage for Babylon being a reflection of the chaotic and tumultuous time that he was living in. He and his band dove deeper into the voodoo-inflected psychedelic rock and the R&B of Gris-Gris, while touching upon elements of free jazz and Captain Beefheart-style avant-garde. Babylon stands out as a psychedelic swamp of apocalyptic lyrical content, drunk, disorienting experimentation, and fascinating entry into Dr. John’s catalog well-worthy of his expansive legacy.

Out of print on vinyl for 40 years, Get On Down is all too eager to reissue this unique recording for RSD Black Friday. In keeping with the album’s hallucinogenic sound, it is presented on trippy never to be repeated splatter-colored vinyl and housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket.

A1. “Babylon” A2. “Glowin’” A3. “Black Window Spider” A4. “Barefoot Lady”
B1. “Twilight Zone” B2. “The Patriotic Flag-Waver” B3. “The Lonesome Guitar Strangler”

(2500 available)

Blind Willie Johnson – “Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground/It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine”

Blind Willie Johnson was the greatest and most popular guitar evangelist and influenced generations of musicians. His unique, intense, emotional and haunting gruff voice—coupled with some of the finest slide-guitar of any of his peers—firmly established Johnson’s status as one of the premier gospel-blues artists of all time.

Between 1927 and 1930, Johnson recorded 30 powerful, timeless, landmark songs for Columbia Records in five sessions in Dallas, New Orleans, and Atlanta, generating strong sales and national fame.

On December 3, 1927, in a temporary studio in the Deep Ellum district of Dallas, Johnson recorded six groundbreaking songs, including the iconic slide guitar classic, “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground.” Johnson’s haunting response to Christ’s crucifixion remains one of the masterpieces of American music. Ry Cooder described it as “the most soulful, transcendent piece in all American Music.”Jack White called it “the greatest example of slide guitar ever recorded.”

For RSD Black Friday 2019 Traffic Entertainment presents two of Johnson’s most iconic sides as a 78 RPM microgroove record housed in a glorious reproduction of the Columbia sleeve wrapped in a full color OBI with detailed liner notes.

(1500 available)

The Marshall Tucker Band – “New Year’s in New Orleans – Roll Up ’78 and Light Up ’79”

“Let’s show the people coast to coast that we here in New Orleans can party! Are you ready to roll ’78 and light up 79?!” announces the boisterous (and probably slightly buzzed) emcee introducing The Marshall Tucker Band to the tight-knit community of joint-passing, beer-cheersing rock ‘n’ rolling regulars at The Warehouse, New Orleans’ legendary 1970s music hall. Not only would the audience of 2,000+ longhairs enjoy the New Year’s Eve concert that night, but so would a huge audience of radio listeners rockin’ in simulcast nationwide. The emcee claimed that this was the largest radio audience ever to hear a broadcast and at the time, it probably was. The band elevated themselves to the occasion and delivered an absolutely smokin’ performance of what were already their most memorable and cherished hits.
• Sourced from the original 24-track tapes
• Mixed in Macon, Georgia in 2019 by Paul Hornsby, the original Capricorn Records producer who recorded and produced their first six gold and platinum albums.
• Featuring never before published photos by The Warehouse’s photographer, Sidney Smith, plus images of archival documents form the recording engineers.
• Double LP, gatefold

Side A: A1 “Fly Like An Eagle” A2 “Long Hard Ride” A3 “Fire On The Mountain” A4 “Heard It In A Love Song” A5 “Blue Ridge Mountain Skies”
Side B: B1 “Can’t You See” B2 “Ramblin’” B3 “This Ol’ Cowboy”
Side C: C1 “Desert Skies” C2 “24 Hours At A Time”
Side D: D1 “New Year’s Countdown/Auld Lang Syne” D2 “Searchin’ For A Rainbow” D3 “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”

(1500 available)

JD McPherson – “Red Bows For A Blue Girl” / “Holly, Carol, Candy and Joy”

This is a new 7″ of two Christmas songs. “Red Bows for A Blue Girl” is a brand new original record specifically for RSD Black Friday. “Holly, Carol, Candy and Joy” is a b-side from the album SOCKs which was released in November of 2018.

(1500 available)

Willie Nelson – “Sometimes Even I Can Get Too High” b/w “It’s All Going To Pot” (w/ Merle Haggard)

It’s said that legends aren’t born—they’re grown. Willie Nelson, an enduring American icon and tireless supporter of marijuana legalization, offers the latest hit from his stash, a humorous ode to the sweetest of leaves as only Willie can do it. “Sometimes Even I Can Get Too High,” a new song from the sessions for Willie’s latest album, Ride Me Back Home Is backed with “It’s All Going To Pot,” another 420 favorite from Django and Jimmie, Willie and Merle Haggard’s 2015 album.

(4000 available)

New Riders of the Purple Sage – “Thanksgiving in New York City (Live)”

Captured at the late show from November 23, 1972, at the Academy of Music, Thanksgiving In New York City features the band in the midst of an energetic and highly regarded tour. Along with Dawson classics like “Henry,” “Portland Woman,” and “Last Lonely Eagle,” lead guitarist David Nelson and bassist Dave Torbert also bring some Bluegrass (“She’s No Angel”) and R&B (“I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Willie And The Hand Jive”) to the mix.

SIDE ONE: 1.“Leaving On Her Mind” 2. “Portland Woman” 3. “Hello Mary Lou” 4. “Sutter’s Mill” 5. “She’s No Angel”
SIDE TWO: 6. “Henry” 7. “Contract” 8. “Linda” 9. “Take A Letter Maria”
SIDE THREE: 10.” All I Ever Wanted” 11. “Groupie” 12. “Whiskey” 13. “Long Black Veil”
SIDE FOUR: 14. “Lochinvar” 15. “Truck Drivin’ Man” 16. “Rainbow” 17. “I Don’t Need No Doctor
SIDE FIVE: 18. “Louisiana Lady” 19. “Honky Tonk Women” 20. “Last Lonely Eagle”
SIDE SIX: 21. “Willie & The Hand Jive”

(1800 available)

J.S. Ondara – “Tales of America B Sides”

Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, J.S. Ondara fell in love with Bob Dylan and moved to Minneapolis when he was 20 to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. His debut album, Tales of America, is an examination of the American Dream, but from the perspective of the outsider, the immigrant, the social commentator. This album made J.S. an NPR Slingshot Artist, a Rolling Stone Artist You Need To Know, and earned him a Best Emerging Act nomination from the Americana Music Association in 2019.

Tales of America: B Sides is a five-track LP packaged exclusively for Record Store Day, and features a previously unreleased track, a demo, a remix, and two cover songs.

“Milk + Honey” – previously unreleased
“Analog Man” – previously unreleased
“Jesus For President” – previously unreleased
“Torch Song” (Echo Park)
“Heart of Gold” (Neil Young cover)

(2000 available)

Elvis Presley – “American Sound 1969”
1969 was a pivotal year for Elvis Presley. Fresh from the success of the ’68 Comeback Special, a revitalized Elvis headed to American Sound Studios with producer Chips Moman and a crack group of local session musicians. From these sessions came From Elvis In Memphis, one of the most beloved LPs of his career, plus the seminal hits “Suspicious Minds” (his 18th and final No. 1 hit) and “In The Ghetto.” American Sound Sessions 1969, available for the first time on vinyl, features rare and unreleased outtakes from these legendary sessions.

Side A: 1. “Long Black Limousine (Take 6)” 2. “Wearin’ That Loved On Look (Takes 12, 13 & 14)” 3. “You’ll Think Of Me (Take 16)” 4. “I’m Movin’ On (Take 2 – with vocal replacements and steel guitar overdub)” 5. “A Little Bit Of Green (Take 1)”
Side B: 1. “In The Ghetto (Take 1)” 2. “From A Jack To A King (Takes 1-3)” 3. “Without Love (There Is Nothing)(Take 1” 4. “I’ll Be There (Takes 1-3)” 5. “Suspicious Minds (Take 8)(undubbed master)”
Side C: 1. “Stranger In My Hometown – Jam (undubbed)” 2. “It’s My Way/This Time/I Can’t Stop Loving You – Jam” 3. “True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (Take 2)” 4. “Power Of My Love (Take 1)” 5. “After Loving You (Take 2)”
Side D: 1. “Do You Know Who I Am? (Take 4)” 2. “Kentucky Rain (Take 8)” 3. “Only The Strong Survive (Take 29)” 4. “It Keeps Right On A Hurtin’ (Takes 1 & 2)” 5. “Any Day Now (Takes 1 & 2)”

(4000 available)

Leon Redbone – “Strings And Jokes, Live in Bremen 1977”

Wanderer between the worlds. No other words can describe the musical work of Leon Redborne. His first official stage appearance took place in 1971 at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, Ontario, and soon after he began performing in local clubs where he became famous with his unique style. His trademarks were a perfect suit (white jacket, black trousers), dark sunglasses, a mustache, and a white fedora. Best known for his interpretations of music from the Depression Era–Blues, Ragtime, Folk and Tin Pan Alley—laying on top his remarkable singing style. Influenced by the music of Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Jimmy Rodgers or Irving Berlin, his interpretations are legendary.

Both concerts on this RSD Black Friday release took place in Bremen, Northern Germany, in 1977 and show two different sides of Leon Redbone. At the first concert, at the “Glocke”, he was accompanied by tuba player Jonathan Dorn, and the second, at the “Post-Aula” was a solo concert, pure and simple. Both are electrifying because of his unique performance and the combination of Blues and influences from Folk-Jazz. He sings, yodels, murmurs, and hums and knows to fascinate his fans with his warm and outstanding voice. A must-have for every fan of traditional and not commonplace music.

(300 available)

Steep Canyon Rangers – “North Carolina Songbook”

GRAMMY-Award winning bluegrass outfit Steep Canyon Rangers brought a special surprise to attendees of their performance at Merlefest 2019. To honor their home state, the Rangers performed a selection of songs from the artists of North Carolina. Featuring unsung Carolinian heroes like Ola Belle Reed and Elizabeth Cotten to world-renowned performers like Thelonious Monk, Doc Watson, James Taylor and Ben E. King, the Rangers’ live North Carolina Songbook performance shows why the Tar Heel State continues to celebrate their legacy of musical excellence and influence that dates back over a century.

1. “Stand By Me [Ben E King]” 2. “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down [Earl Scruggs/Charlie Poole]” 3. “Blue Monk [Thelonious Monk]” 4. “Jack of Diamonds [Tommy Jerrell]” 5. “Shake Sugaree [Elizabeth Cotten]” 6. “Sweet Baby James [James Taylor]” 7. “I’ve Endured [Ola Belle Reed]” 8. “Your Lone Journey [Doc Watson]”

(1500 available)

Richard Thompson – “The Cold Blue: Original Motion Picture Score”
The Cold Blue is a 2019 documentary that focuses on footage shot directly from bomber planes during WWII with narration from surviving members of the 8th infantry. Richard Thompson wrote and arranged the score to the movie, and its released on vinyl for the first time everas a double blue 180g vinyl set, with a worldwide pressing of 1500.

1. “The Cold Blue” 2. “The Cold Blue Part 2” 3. “No Tomorrow” 4. “Fresh Eggs” 5. “A Sudden Boom” 6. “Family” 7. “Tremendous Workers” 8. “Beautiful Sight” 9. “Beautiful Ship” 10. “Cold Air” 11. “Over There” 12. “Big Thunderstorm” 13. “Superstitious” 14. “Kill a Human” 15. “Red Flare” 16. “Just Germans” 17. “I’ll Be Seeing You” 18. “Family (Guitar Version)” 19. “The Cold Blue (Guitar Version)”

(1250 available)

Desperado: The Soundtrack

Like his buddy and occasional collaborator Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez is one of those film directors whose movies always come with incredible soundtracks. But it’s tough to top the array of music he assembled for his gun ‘n’ guitar-slinging western Desperado, the 1995 sequel to his breakthrough debut El Mariachi. Not only was the Desperado score composed and performed by the L.A. bands Los Lobos (whose performance of “Mariachi Suite” won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance) and Tito and Tarantula (memorably seen the following year as the house band at the Titty Twister in Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn), but it also boasted contributions from Dire Straits, Link Wray, Carlos Santana, and the Latin Playboys among other artists. A blend of ranchera, Chicano, and garage rock, it’s the perfect accompaniment for the blood-soaked imagery of the film…and for this, the first vinyl release of the soundtrack, we at Real Gone Music have created the perfect visual accompaniment as well. For the gatefold jacket housing our 2 X LP set, we commissioned Illustrator Matt Ryan Tobin to create one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-reprinted illustrated artwork, a lyrical yet lurid tableau that was approved not just by Robert Rodriguez but also by all four actors depicted (Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, and Joaquim de Almeida). Inside the gatefold, we designed two 4-color inner sleeves offering production stills from the film and pressed up 2500 copies in sultry “Blood & Gunpowder” vinyl. This pressing is exclusive for RSD Black Friday, and, again, both the jacket and the colored vinyl will never be reprinted…this might be the most collectible release we have ever created!

1. Los Lobos with Antonio Banderas “Canción Del Mariachi (Morena De Mi Corazón” 2. Dire Straits “Six Blade Knife” 3. Link Wray & His Ray “Jack the Ripper” 4. Latin Playboys “Manifold De Amour” 5. Latin Playboys “Forever Night Shade Mary” 6. Roger & The Gypsies “Pass the Hatchet” 7. Los Lobos “Bar Fight” 8. Tito & Tarantula “Strange Face of Love” 9. Los Lobos “Bucho’s Gracias/Navajas Attacks” 10. Los Lobos “Bulletproof” 11. Carlos Santana “Bella” 12. Salma Hayek “Quédate Aqui” 13. Los Lobos “Rooftop Action” 14. Los Lobos “Phone Call” 15. Tito & Tarantula “White Train (Showdown)” 16. Tito & Tarantula “Back to the House That Love Built” 17. Los Lobos “Let Love Reign” 18. Los Lobos “Mariachi Suite”

(1800 available)

Joni 75 A Joni Mitchell Birthday Celebration

On Joni’s 75th birthday, last November 7, a star-studded roster of musicians gathered to pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter. The evening was recorded and this vinyl release features performances by Brandi Carlile, Glen Hansard, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Kris Kristofferson, Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores, Graham Nash, James Taylor, Seal, Rufus Wainwright and more.

1. “Dreamland” –Performed by Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Xochi Flores & Cesar Castro
2. “Help Me” –Performed by Chaka Khan
3. “Amelia” –Performed by Diana Krall
4. “All I Want” –Performed by Rufus Wainwright
5. “Coyote” –Performed by Glen Hansard
6. “River” –Performed by James Taylor
7. “Both Sides Now” –Performed by Seal
8. “Our House” –Performed by Graham Nash
9. “A Case Of You” –Performed by Kris Kristofferson & Brandi Carlile
10. “Down to You” –Performed by Brandi Carlile
11. “Blue” –Performed by Rufus Wainwright
12. “Court And Spark” –Performed by Norah Jones
13. “Nothing Can Be Done” –Performed by Los Loboswith La Marisoul, Xochi Flores &Cesar Castro
14. “The Magdalene Laundries” –Performed by Emmylou Harris
15. “Woodstock” –Performed by James Taylor
16. “Big Yellow Taxi” –Performed by La Marisoul, James Taylor, Chaka Khan, and Brandi Carlile

(3000 available)

Tony Joe White – “That On The Road Look “Live”

The only live album recorded at Tony Joe White’s peak…and it’s never been available at retail before. Recorded in the fall of 1971 while TJW was opening for Creedence Clearwater Revival, this show became the proverbial “legendary lost live album,” and for good reason: Warner Bros. recorded the concert on multitrack tape, fully intending it to be released. But for some reason lost to the mists of time, the album never came out until Rhino Handmade released it on CD in 2010 via their website. Which means it never went to regular retail at all in any format, and that’s a real shame, because you could make a good argument that it’s the best Tony Joe White album of ’em all, with a set list to die for, a great band (featuring Duck Dunn on bass), pristine fidelity, and plenty of Swamp Fox attitude. This exclusive RSD Black Friday white vinyl pressing comes inside a gatefold jacket featuring a front cover cut-out displaying the art on one of two inner sleeves, with great liner notes by Ben Vaughn.

1. “Roosevelt and Ira Lee” 2.” A Night in the Life of a Swamp Fox” 3. “Rainy Night in Georgia” 4. “Mississippi River” 5. “Lustful Earl and the Married Woman” 6. “Willie and Laura Mae Jones” 7. “Back to the Country” 8. “Band Introduction” 9. “Traveling Bone” 10. “Stormy Monday” 11. “My Kind of Woman” 12. “Polk Salad Annie” 13. “That on the Road Look”

(1000 available)

Hank Williams – “The 1940 Recordings”

The songs featured on this RSD Black Friday 45 RPM 7” single catch Williams at age 18 on homemade recordings. Coupled with last year’s 7” release The First Recordings 1938, these two 7’s represent the earliest known recordings of Hank Williams. Newly restored and remastered by the Grammy-Award winning Hank Williams team!

A1) “Freight Train Blues” A2) “New San Antonio Rose”
B1)” St. Louis Blues” B2) “Greenback Dollar”

(2500 available)

Twang Nation Americana and Roots Music Holiday List

– “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” – Various artists (Bear Family) $250.
Germany’s Bear Family label has reputation for giving loving (obsessive) detail in creating their box sets and “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” continues that osession. The Saturday night music radio show was broadcast by Shreveport, Louisiana’s KWKH-AM from 1948-1960 and rivaled only by the more straight-laced Grand Ole Opry for live radio entertainment.

Country and roots music greats abound – Hank Williams, George Jones, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb, Louvin Brothers and many more in their prime.

A 20-CD set gives us a view back to live radio before studio wizardry and music was still wonderfully raw and brazon and done without a net.

Presley’s first TV appearance on the television version of the Hayride in March 1955 features and electrifying performance of his breakthrough single “That’s All Right,” as well as 14 songs includes “Baby Let’s Play House,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” and “Don’t Be Cruel” and are just a fraction of the more than 500 tunes stocking At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight. The box set also contains long-buried treasury of like a previously unknown recording of “I’m a Long Gone Daddy” by Hank Williams.

The accompanying 226-page book not only identifies all the performance dates and musicians, but also provides plenty of historical context.

Yeas this sweet collectable clocks in at over $200, but it breaks down to about $.40 a song for these treasured performances. That’s quite a deal.


‘Why Bob Dylan Matters’ by Richard Thomas – Richard Thomas $16.50
Harvard Professor of Classical Literature Richard F. Thomas explores Dylan’s music with a lense on his music influence on society as well as style. Dylan is dealt with in a serious tone usually reserved for classical literary and poetic luminaries. ‘Why Bob Dylan Matters’ set his work in it’s proper place and argues that it’s a work deserving of the ages.


‘Woman Walk the Line: How the Women in Country Music Changed Our Lives’ – Holly Gleason, in Woman Walk the Line ( University of Texas Press) $19.65
Music industry vet Holly Gleason presents twenty-seven extraordinary women scribes writing about twenty seven country music greats that just happen o be women. These personal and uplifting stories dig to the heart of what it means to connect to Music. Yes I still believe that #WomennInMusic is not a genre and that self-segregation is nearly as harmful as outside variety, but damn, this is a great read.


Johnny Cash, “Unearthed” (American) – $228.
THere was a real chance that Johnny Cash might have died in popular obscurity in 2003 had Rick Rubin not had the great instinct to spearhead the Country music legend’s breathtaking late-career albums. This 2003 collection of outtakes
serves a bounty with seven LPs featuring alternate takes and unreleased songs. Cash lends his historic baritone to distinctive renditions of gospel, rock,folk blues, and, of course golden-age country as well as covers by
Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle and others so good you might forget their were sung by anyone before The Man in Black.


Record Store Day 2016 – Americana and Roots Music Picks

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Record Store Day, the annual celebration of limited runs of the antiquated data storage device known as vinyl and once the scene of hipsters when it started in 2007, has helped fuel a surprising resurgence in sales and pushing the remaining pressing plant capacity to the hilt. As is tradition the event will be taking place on the third Saturday in April. For 2016 that means Saturday, April 16th.

At a time when music sales continue a decaded long dizzying slide vinyl sales not only rivaled CD sales, revenues have surpassed streaming services like Spotify and Pandora.

As vinyl grows in popularity there’s is pressure on the remaining vinyl manufacturers, who like us all were caught off-guard by the resurgence. The demand for vinyl is partially due to its described ‘warmer’ sound (plus cooler gatefold covers!) But the real drive behind Record Store Day is uniqueness and scarcity of offerings. Many releases come on colored vinyl or as picture discs and many of the releases are produced in very limited runs, some totaling no more than a few hundred total.

This stands in direct contrast to digital music’s hemogeny of sound and structure. an MP3 might be convenient, but it’s never scarce or unique.

Check out the Americana and roots selections below and take a look at the full list. Get to your favorite indy record early on April 16th (I’ll be at Good Records in Dallas) and share those great finds with me on Instagram and Twitter.

Blitzen Trapper – Field Rexx
Format: LP
More Info: A classic DIY release, Field Rexx was made in the sweltering summer of 2004 with no budget amidst the hiss of flies and tape. “Recorded,” according to the liner notes, “at the carny shack, fer shook n timsel on Duke’s shoot-o-matic for tisks & soda & that ol’ broke 4-track that 3-fingred mike poured Old English on and lit on fire,” Rexx’s warped eclectic pop Americana proves that great songs and performances can transcend squalor and bad album art. Features archival material of the original Trapper, James Earley, performing snippets of traditional hillbilly tunes. Field Rexx is Blitzen Trapper’s self-released sophomore album originally released in 2005. It was remastered at the tail end of 2015 and is available on Record Store Day for the first time on vinyl. A free download code including 3 previously unreleased bonus tracks is included.

Brandi Carlile – ‘Live At KCRW ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’
Format: 12″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: Brandi Carlile – Live At KCRW ‘Morning Becomes Eclectic’: Brandi Carlile is a long time favorite of record store owners and she is one of the most celebrated names in modern alternative country/folk rock.This very special Record Store Day Exclusive release features six session tracks recorded live at KCRW as part of their “Morning Becomes Eclectic” sessions and includes the smash radio hits “The Eye” and “Wherever Is Your Heart” on White Colored 12 inch vinyl. Limited to 2500 copies.

Johnny Cash – ‘All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash’
Format: 12″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: All Aboard the Blue Train with Johnny Cash was originally released on Sun Records in 1962. The album features prime selections of the Man In Black’s recordings between 1955 and 1958, including classic songs “Hey Porter” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. Previously out of press, it’s coming back on appropriate blue vinyl for Record Store Day 2016.

Brandy Clark – “”Girl Next Door”/”Homecoming Queen”
Format: 7″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: Side A features Clark’s new hit single “Girl Next Door.” Side B features the track “Homecoming Queen,” plus the same song covered by Sheryl Crow. Pressed on random mixed blue, yellow and red vinyl.

Bob Dylan – “Melancholy Mood”
Format: 7″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: This limited edition 7” vinyl EP was originally created for Bob Dylan’s recent Japanese tour. We were able to secure a limited quantity for Record Store Day. The EP includes 4 songs from Bob Dylan’s upcoming album, Fallen Angels, pressed on 7” red vinyl.

Alejandro Escovedo – ‘Gravity’ and ‘Thirteen Years’
Format: 2 x LP
More Info: Austin TX’s Watermelon Records was founded in 1989 and released nearly 100 records in its short life. Its catalog lay dormant until 2010 when New West Records picked it up and chose Record Store Day 2016 to relaunch Watermelon Records with two beautiful remastered classic from Alejandro Escovedo. Gravity is a 2LP set pressed on 180g vinyl and packaed in a one of a kind die-cut linen jacket along with a foldable insert and download card.

Jay Farrar – Sebastopol/thirdshiftgrottoslack
Format: 2 x LP
More Info: For Record Store Day 2016, Jay Farrar’s (Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo) Sebastopol is available for the first time on vinyl. This very limited, hand-numbered release comes on white vinyl featuring Gillian Welch and members of the Flaming Lips and Superchunk. The double LP also features the 5-track EP never before released on vinyl, thirdshiftgrottoslack.

Emmylou Harris – ‘Wrecking Ball’
Format: 3 x 12″ Vinyl
More Info: The long awaited audiophile-quality vinyl reissue of Emmylou Harris’ 1995 Grammy winning masterpiece Wrecking Ball, produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Willie Nelson) and featuring appearances by Brian Blade, Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, among others. Includes original album sequence as well as outtakes and alternate versions from the original recording sessions. This Record Store Day release features three 180 gram LPs remastered with bonus tracks, and 4 page lyric insert. Limited to 5,000 copies.

Johnny Cash – ‘The Best of The Johnny Cash Show’
Format: 12″ LP
More Info: From the summer of 1969 to the final show in march of 1971 (58 episodes in all), The Johnny Cash TV Show not only exposed an American audience to an eclectic array of musical talent, but also helped establish Johnny Cash as a true artist, humanitarian, and a larger-than-life legend. The 16 performances contained on this new Best-Of LP, made especially for Record Store Day, and for the first time on vinyl, showcase the spectrum of incredible performers that Johnny hand-picked to be on his show, many for their first network appearance. So, “come along and ride this train” – the train that Cash envisioned for us all – every week on The Johnny Cash TV Show, and now, for generations to come. Limited to 5,000 copies.

Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear – ‘Live At Grimey’s
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: This Record Store Day six track EP was recorded live at Grimey’s in Nashville, Tennessee by one of our favorite new artists on the music scene, in June 2015 as part of the celebration of Americana Music Month. Limited to 1500 copies.

Jason Molina – ‘The Townes Van Zandt Covers
Format: 7″ Vinyl
More Info: At a Songs:Ohia show in the early ’00s, Jason Molina said to the artist William Schaff that he would love to see himself depicted as one of Schaff’s signature, skull-headed creatures. The two struck up a pen-pal friendship and Schaff sent Jason his picture. In return, he asked for a recording of the Townes Van Zandt covers Jason had performed that night. The pair of Van Zandt covers included here, recorded at Molina’s home on the north side of Chicago, symbolize not only the creative turn Molina’s songwriting had taken (seen in his forthcoming Magnolia Electric Co. release) from sparse and jagged indie rock to rootsy folk rock, but also a sonic bond between two friends who loved each other’s work very deeply. After learning of Molina’s death in 2013, Schaff spent days pouring over his lengthy correspondence with his friend, with Molina’s oeuvre on repeat. He created the painting that graces the cover of this release in the process: Apropos of everything, a skull-headed creature in flight. This special 7″ release is limited to 3500 copies worldwide.

Mumford & Sons + Baaba Maal – “There Will Be Time”
Format: 7″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: Mumford & Sons’ RSC exclusive 7″ single features a brand new song called “There Will Be Time” (previously only available in South Africa). The track features Baaba Maal, and was produced alongside Johan Hugo from The Very Best. Limited to 6000 copies.

Graham Nash – ‘This Path Tonight’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: A special version of the new album from legendary musician Graham Nash. Includes a bonus 7″ with the classic tracks “Our House” and “Teach Your Children”

Elvis Presley – ‘I’m Leaving’: Elvis Folk- Country’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: The very best of Elvis Folk-Country 1966-1973. This special Record Store Day release includes masters from Elvis’ sessions at RCA Victor’s Studio B in Nashville in May 1971, a period in which several folk writers’ material surfaced spontaneously amid gospel and holiday recordings, plus others with similar provenance: from Dylan¹s “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” in 1966, to then-contemporary pop-folk such as “Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues” in 1973, this is Elvis in an introspective mood, masterfully creating definitive versions of iconic compositions that resonated with him for his friends in the studio – and for us. Limited to 5,000 copies.

John Renbourn – ‘The Attic Tapes’
Format: 2 x LP
More Info: Lovingly mastered from old tapes found in a friend’s attic, this is a vintage collection of previously unreleased rarities and early works by one of the guitar’s truly great innovators. The Record Store Day edition features five vinyl-only tracks and sleeve notes written by John shortly before his death in March 2015.

The Rough Guide To Unsung Heroes of Country Blues
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: This album brings to the fore classic early blues masterpieces that deserve to be heard and allows the limelight to fall on some of the lesser-known country blues masters. Essential listening for any blues connoisseur, this is an adventure into some of the more hidden recesses of country blues. The Rough Guide To Unsung Heroes of Country Blues is released on vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day 2016. Includes a download card.

Billy Joe Shaver- “Wacko From Waco”/”When Fallen Angels Fly”
Format: 7″ Vinyl
More Info: This Record Store Day 7″ features two songs – “When Fallen Angels Fly,” an unreleased version of his classic hymn, a tune from the Robert Duvall film, “Wild Horses.” “Wacko From Waco” is Shaver’s account of a 2007 shooting in a bar outside his hometown of Waco. Both tracks are pressed on vinyl for the first time. Limited to 1700 copies.

Shawn Colvin & Steve Earle – “Wake Up Little Susie” / “Baby’s In Black”
Format: 7″ Vinyl
More Info: The world-class singer- songwriters Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle make their duet debut with a delightful Record Store Day 7″ splash: spirited re-castings of the Everly Brothers’ “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Baby’s in Black” by the Beatles. They’ll be singing together again on their first duet project, a full length of co-written originals later this summer.

Son Volt – ‘Live At The Bottom Line’
Format: 2 x colored LP
More Info: This Record Store Day two LP set features the live content from the Trace deluxe CD. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, limited to 3500 copies.

Allen Toussaint – ‘Live in Philadelphia 1975’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Record Store Day honors the passing of one of America’s greatest musicians, performers and artists with an offering of Rhino’s 2003 Handmade title. This live album features bonus material and liner notes by Billy Vera. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl, it is limited to 5000 copies.

Lucinda Williams – ‘Just A Little More Faith And Grace’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Lucinda celebrates Record Store Day by offering exclusive remixes from her new THE GHOSTS OF HIGHWAY 20 album, including Faith and Grace in it’s truest form, and as it was intended, a full 18 minutes long! Limited to 3000 copies.

Blaze Foley – Duct Tape Messiah (Original Soundtrack)
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: This Record Store Day release is limited to 1000 copies pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl, and includes full documentary film on DVD. This Record Store Day Elite Eecords releases Duct Tape Messiah by exceptional Texan Folk artist Blaze Foley for the first time ever on vinyl. The soundtrack to the 2011 documentary film about the turbulent life of Townes Van Zandt’s companion and close friend literally spans Blaze’s whole musical life. It includes rare archival tracks never released on vinyl before as well as tracks from posthumously released Blaze albums. The limited RSD edition comes with a DVD including the full documentary film. The film beautifully draws the picture of Blaze’s life and times and his extraordinary character. Born in Arkansas, Foley was shot to death way before his time, under circumstances still to be fully clarified. As a homeless, he traveled the streets of the Texan cities to share his music with people in nightclubs and bars. Foley always stood up for the weak, which eventually cost his life. Finally, after a life of rejections and blown opportunities, his work is now gaining recognition. In 2008 his biography Living In The Woods In A Tree was published, followed by the acclaimed documentary about Foley!s underdog life: Duct Tape Messiah. The film’s soundtrack comprises of 14 carefully selected songs from all stations in Blaze’s life and gives an insight into his straight and genuine songwriting. Blaze!s musical heritage was close to being forgotten and much material used on the record are chance discoveries from record shops and old master tapes.

Left Lane Cruiser- ‘Beck In Black’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Retrospective of early Left Lane Cruiser material with drummer Brenn Beck, re-mastered and with three previously unreleased tracks (“Chicken”, “Bloodhound” and “Maybe”). Limited edition of 1000 on metalic gold vinyl for Record Store Day.

Charlie Parr – ‘I Ain’t Dead Yet’
Format: 10″ Colored Vinyl
More Info: A brand new 5 song 10” EP pressed on Green Vinyl. Minnesotan Country Blues guitarist Charlie Parr has been building an audience among roots music aficionados for over a decade. I Ain’t Dead Yet features four new original tunes and Charlie’s take on the traditional tune, Old Dog Blues. All songs previously unreleased!

Heartworn Highways – 40th Anniversary Edition Box Set
Format: Vinyl Box Set
More Info: This Record Store Day Exclusive release is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and consists of a two LP set pressed on whiskey colored wax and much more in a hand crafted custom wood box by Boles Studio, Bronx, NY including an LP-sized 80-page book with exhaustive 20,000 word essay by Sam Sweet interviewing artists, documentary creators and crew, over 100 unseen photos taken during the making of the film, a cast of characters drawn by legendary Austin illustrator Kerry Awn, a reproduction of the original film poster (24”x36”), a region free DVD of the original 1976 film with restored image and sound plus 45 mins of bonus features, including performances by Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and others, and download card for full soundtrack.

The Weepies – ‘Say I Am You’
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: To celebrate the 10th anniversary of this release, a Record Store Day exclusive edition has been put together with orange vinyl, new liner notes, exclusive new photos and a poster of album cover, autographed by the band.

Billy Don Burns- A Night in Room 8
Format: 12″ Vinyl
More Info: Billy Don Burns is considered a friend to the greats of country music and has collaborated with artists such as Harlan Howard, Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Connie Smith and others. A Night in Room 8 was recorded at the Joshua Tree Inn hotel room where Gram Parsons was found dead in 1973. Recorded on a Tascam Portastudio (the same model on which Bruce Springsteen recorded Nebraska). This is an eerie yet extremely vulnerable album of new, brilliant material from such a relic of country music

Jamey Johnson’s Tribute to Country Music Legend Hank Cochran – Oct. 16

No current performer has straddled the music Row and Americana divide as deftly as Jamey Johnson.

His throwback sound, Alabama growl and biker looks appeals to those (like myself) that pine for the days of Waylon and Willie and the boys while his ear for a melody was able to grab the attention of the mainstream country radio and fans with his top 10 hit “In Color.”

Johnson is an unapologetic neo-traditional disciple of country music’s greats. He’s opened for Willie and done George Jones songs in the presence of the man himself. His next effort is to a man that influnced those giants.

On October 16th Johnson will be joined by Willie and many others on his new album, Buddy Cannon-produced Livin’ For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran. (vinyl beginning Sept. 25.)

Cochran, who died at age 74 in 2010, is considered one of the greatest songwriters in the history of country music. He helped evolve the perfect country template established by Hank Williams a generation earlier. 
 
“If I had to dream up somebody like Hank to influence songwriters, I couldn’t have done a better job,” Johnson says. “That’s what he was– not just for me, but for Willie and for a lot of people–just a helpful friend. If he knew you needed help with something, he could help you. He was there. And that’s what I want to be for the people in my life, same as Hank. He influenced me, not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as a person.”

Cochran’s songs transcended the country genre to become American standards (a practice closely studied by Willie) his catalog includes “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” “Make the World Go Away,” “The Chair,’ “Set ‘Em Up Joe” which Johnson covered on 1010’s The Guitar Song. His songs have been recorded by artists including Eddy  Arnold, Patsy Cline, George Jones, George Strait, Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Ray Price, Ronnie Milsap, Jim Reeves and many others. 

Recording a collection of Hank Cochran tunes in a pop-country saturated industry takes guts, and truly reflects the original Outlaw spirit the hat acts on the radio brag having.  When it came time to take the next step in his recording career, he listened to his heart and decided to embark on a labor of love. In a daring career move that is consistent with Johnson’s penchant for bucking conventional industry wisdom to create a unique path, he decided to devote his time and creative efforts to honoring his late friend and celebrate traditional country music.

Besides having a professional affinity to Cochran he also has a personal one. “Shortly after he first met Jamey, Hank was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” says his widow, Suzi Cochran. “So for the two years he lived after that, Jamey would get off the road and pull his bus right up to the hospital, run up and see Hank and raise Hank’s spirits. The last time Jamey saw Hank was the night before Hank died.” Johnson joined Buddy Cannon and Billy Ray Cyrus at Cochran’s bedside as they handed the guitar back and forth while singing Cochran’s songs. Cochran died about six hours later.

“Hank adored Jamey,” Suzi Cochran says. “Hank loved Jamey. Jamey was a constant in the last chapter of Hank’s life.
 
“This is incredible,” she says of the tribute album. “I wish Hank had been here to see it. He wouldn’t believe it. He would have cried. He’d be happy. It’s exactly like Hank would have done it.”

I am really looking forward to hearing this release and look forward to hearing classic from it live when Johnson joins Willie Nelson and The Band of Horses on the Railroad Revival Tour 2012.

Track listing:
 
1. “Make the World Go Away” – Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss
2. “I Fall to Pieces” – Jamey Johnson and Merle Haggard
3. “A Way to Survive” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill and Leon Russell
4. “Don’t Touch Me” – Jamey Johnson and Emmylou Harris
5. “You Wouldn’t Know Love” – Jamey Johnson and Ray Price
6. “I Don’t Do Windows” – Jamey Johnson and Asleep at the Wheel
7. “She’ll Be Back” – Jamey Johnson and Elvis Costello
8. “Would These Arms Be in Your Way” – Jamey Johnson
9. “The Eagle” – Jamey Johnson and George Strait
10. “A-11” – Jamey Johnson and Ronnie Dunn
11. “I’d Fight the World” – Jamey Johnson and Bobby Bare
12. “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me” – Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson
13. “This Ain’t My First Rodeo” – Jamey Johnson and Lee Ann Womack
14. “Love Makes a Fool of Us All” – Jamey Johnson and Kris Kristofferson
15. “Everything But You” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell
16. “Livin’ for a Song” – Jamey Johnson, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson

Music review: Dale Watson & The Texas Two – The Sun Sessions [Red House Records]

On his new release Texas country music traditionalist Dale Watson goes back to the roots of by recording in the historic Sun Studios of Memphis, TN. It was here that owner and chief producer Sam Phillips changed the face of 20th century music by manning the board for the likes Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Feathers, Ray Harris, B.B. King, Joe Hill Louis, Rufus Thomas, and Howlin’ Wolf, Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis among many others.

Dale scales down his band for the sessions to drummer Mike Bernal and Chris Crepps on upright bass, or as they have been christened the “Texas Two.” This band title is not the only     testimonial to Johnny Cash’s 1954 to1958 sessions with his Tennessee Two.”   The spirit of Cash is also evoked on nearly every song with the use of his trademark boom-chicka-boom sound  as well as the class atmospheric “slap-back” production that helped make the Sun Studios famous.

This is not the first time Dale has gone to hallowed ground to summon the spirit of Cash. His 2007 album, from the Cradle to the Grave was recorded in a cabin near Nashville formally owned by Cash and  graciously loaned to him by his friend and current owner Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame.

Wason and his Texas Two peer from the cover with the iconic beaming sun set above them. These days Watson is looking less like Paulie Walnuts from the Sopranos and more like an older Unknown Hinson.

Also in line with Cash’s Sun Studio sessions is each songs brief duration. The 14 songs here clock in at less than a half-hour overall with the longest song, an ode to love and Southern cooking My Baby Makes Me Gravy, at 2:45. A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach but apparently it doesn’t take long to get there.

The songs are mostly all new with the exception of Johnny at the Door from Watson’s album People I’ve Known, Places I’ve Been (1999) and Elbow Grease, Spackle And Pine- Sol, which is a renamed version of Holes in the Wall from the Watson’s first album Cheatin’ Heart Attack (1995)

The genesis of the album began on Watson’s 16-ton Eagle tour bus bus after learning that the gig they were headed to in Memphis had fallen through. He then called up Sun Studios to see if they had an opening and they said “Come on in.” Watson then used his iPhone to record his voice as he worked out some songs while sitting behind the wheel.

Down, Down, Down, Down sets the pace with a boom-chicka-boom fright-train-like opening as Watson’s baritone breaks down a song of a life misspent on woe, sorrow and hell-raising ultimately asking for redemption. The Cash vibe is strong on Johnny at the Door, a tribute to a “good ol boy” Austin-area bar doorman and Drive, Drive, Drive that often echos Cash’s own Cry, Cry, Cry. Elbow Grease, Spackle And Pine- Sol is a guide to man’s reaction to being served divorce papers by his wife through aggression, he apologizes but sound like he does it with a smirk and doesn’t sound like he’s sorry at all for the “holes in the wall.”  Her Love has Watson conjuring one of the other ghosts of Sun Studio. The sentimental , heartfelt ballad has the mark of Elvis Presley running all through it.

Watson continues to be the cure for the contagion of  Music City pop-country.

Be sure to check out the Facebook campaign to get Dale Watson on the legendary Austin City limits show.

Official Site | Buy

Dale Watson & The Texas Two- My Baby Makes Me Gravy

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

Music Review: Sunday Valley – To the Wind and On To Heaven [self-released]

Here is a record that has been on heavy rotation at Casa Twang for the past two weeks.

For the past decade or so Music City has fumbled like a mad scientist to piece together sure-fire radio hits from the worst parts of rock and country music , though there have been major financial success, the lifespan of the work is questionable. The musical limbs seem to reject each other. And we’re not talking about rap and country music here (shut it Colt Ford!) It’s country music and rock music. They share the same DNA for tap-dancing  jeebus sakes!

These hacks should take a page from South-Eastern Kentucky’s Sunday Valley. The trio’s name ,the title of their debut album (recorded at Shangri-la Productions in Lexington, Ky with producer Duane Lundy) and sizzling cuts like Jesus Boogie might lead you to believe they are a Christan band, and they might very-well be. But they travel the road straddling the spiritual and the secular blazed by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ralph Stanley, Johnny Cash and Elvis. The borderlands of gospel, country and country music become a blur out the window of a pedal-to-the-metal 18-wheeler fueled on whiskey, a electrified Telecaster the holy Pentecost.

Case in point, the souped-up gospel of All The Pretty Colors and Sometimes Wine whips up a rightous ruckus as Sturgill Simpson sings with full-on abandon and treats his guitar like it spoke ill of his mama. Gerald Evans’ chugging bass and drummer Edgar Purdom’s tight , heated keep a heated, steady pace. There is also a nice uncredited fiddle and barrel-house piano to round things out.

Never Go To Town Again is Southern rock with the brake off. Simpson sets himself up in a John Henry-like man vs machine duet with his Telecaster. He wails and calls while the machine snarls and snaps with a fury that would  make Cerberus whimper.

Things throttle down a bit for some Allman Bros-esque Blue-Eyed soul. Oh, Sarah yearns dreamily toward a road-as-mistress theme and I Wonder and I Don’t Mind are great barroom weepers that burns with longing and regret, the latter tales off like a great, lost Marshall Tucker Band song.  Cut The Sails is straight-up acoustic fireside country ballad tracing back country music nautical roots in the spirit of George Strait  or John Anderson. These all really showcase the nuance and range of Simpson’s voice.

Simpson reportedly left a steady job with the railroad to pursue his dream of making music like they couldn’t dream of doing anything else. This is music that is as good-hearted as it is raucous,  full of piss and vinegar as well as good will, and and as ready to love as itchin’ to fight.

My Space | Buy

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Vfx4OvpXE[/youtube]

News Round Up: Americana Gets Some Love

  • You know Americana as a genre has arrived when not only do they have their own Grammy category (or is that the death knell?) but also the Americana Music Conference is written up in the Wall Street Journal, Paste Magazine and CMT.com. With great power…
  • When in Nashville I always find time to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The place displays and represents the historic roots of country music in a tasteful and engaging way that I never get tired of. Where else can you see Mother Maybelle Carter’s 1028 Gibson and Elvis’ Gold Cadillac? But the place seems to be at capacity for a genre that is still making history. Now it seems that there’s a possibility that the Hall could double its size in the near future.
  • San Francisco’s free (!) Americana and Roots festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, has published a down-loadable daily schedule, as well as a map of the Golden Gate Park festival grounds and artist’s bios.

News Round Up: Jerry Lee Lewis Gets Mean with Kris Kristofferson

  • Hey Bay Area twang fans! The San Francisco Weekly features a story on Joe Goldmark and the Seducers and their ongoing Sunday night residency at the Outer Sunset bar Riptide which bills itself as “the Bay Area’s best little honky-tonk.”
  • The Salt Lake Tribune sits down with legendary Texas songer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen.
  • Aquarium Drunkard sits down with Athens, Georgia-based alt.folk legend Vic Chesnutt.
  • Legendary rocker, and label mate of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis has released his first country single since the 1970s, Mean Old Man (you can get it now at Amazon for free.) The song was written by Kris Kristofferson and will be part of a new CD that will be released soon on Shangri-La Music.

Robert Earl Keen

Rounder Records Turns 40

  • The Green Bay Press Gazette has a great interview with Justin Townes Earle. Earle talks candidly about his past addictions and is troubled relationship with his father. as well as his excellent new release Midnight at the Movies.
  • Robert Earl Keen’s Lost Highway debut “The Rose Hotel,” produced by Lloyd Maines, will be released on On Sept. 29
  • Rounder Records will celebrate their 40th anniversary on Oct. 12th at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN with performances from Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck and Irma Thomas will join in this momentous celebration along with musical host Minnie Driver and special guests to be announced.
  • Shreveport-based , the Louisiana Hayride (1948 to 1960) will  be inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In it’s day the country music showcase featured Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, George Jones, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.
  • The grave of the late great Texas blues musician, Blind Willie Johnson, is  finally discovered. Johnson’s songs have been covered by everybody from Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton to Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.
  • Details magazine sits down with Native Texan and anti-Taylor Swift blond bad ass Miranda Lambert for some Q&A.
  • Nashville Scene‘s newest cover has  “Three Hot Acts Present a New Breed of Female Songwriter” featuring Caitlin Rose, Tristen Gaspadarek and Those Darlins.

Drive By Truckers’ The Fine Print Cover

  • Sony Music Entertainment Photo Archives, ICON Collectibles has just released some new Johnny Cash prints for the summer, ICON is offering Cash fans a 20% discount on all Johnny Cash framed and unframed fine art prints (including limited editions) when fans use promo code ICON6PAK at checkout. Offer ends July 31st. Check out the new prints now at the ICON website.
  • Wayne Hancock has  Summer tour dates posted. Hancock will be taking his Texas honky-tonk around the West Coast, back down to Texas and then back up the East Coast. Opening the show will be Joe Buck.
  • 83 year-old country-pop singer Ferlin Husky is in Tennessee hospital in critical condition with an accelerated heart rate and possible pneumonia. Husky topped the charts from the 50’s to the 70’s under various names, including Terry Preston and Simon Crum, a comic alter ego. (via the 9513.com)
  • Chet  Nashville Chet Flippo draws comparisons to the death last week of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams. Flippo posits that Williams’ death at the age of 29 in the back seat of his Cadillac on New Years Eve 1953 might have been preferable to the drawn-out publicized deterioration of Elvis and Jackson.
  • A while back I posted that New West records would be releasing The Fine Print, “a 12-track album of previously unreleased and rare songs”by the Drive By Truckers on September 1st. The album will feature  “four covers including “Rebels” by Tom Petty and “Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan which provided Shonna Tucker with her first ever lead vocal performance on a DBT recording.” Many of the original recordings are from the Dirty South era. The Look for a review of The Fine Print soon, but in the mean time check out the cover below painted by their long time cover artist Wes Freed.