I created this site in early 2004 as a way to help spread the word about Texas music and musicians, and also to give myself an outlet for creative writing. Over these last five years, I've greatly enjoyed the opportunity to learn about exciting artists, make new friends, and of course listen to lots of great music.When I started, I felt like a lone online voice striving for a largely objective ...
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Time to say goodbye
Music shares the spotlight at the Texas Book Festival
This weekend marks the 13th annual Texas Book Festival — a two-day celebration of reading, writing, and culture that takes place in and around the state capitol building. All events are free and open to the public.Here's a quick rundown of music-related events during this year's festival:Saturday panels12:30-1:30Tune In: Clear Channel Andy Langer leads a dialogue on San Antonio's radio/media be.
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ACL Fest in review, plus Ray Benson profile with more to come
An article in this month's Spin magazine criticizes the inaugural All Points West festival, held August 810 in New Jersey, for failing to draw upon local or even regional talent. No one can say that about ACL Fest. At least 40 of this year's 130ish performers had Texas connections. I couldn't see them all, but I tried to take in as many as I could.Who impressed me the most?Dan Dyer, whose soul..
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ACL Fest photos, day 3
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Elizabeth Wills opened the final day from the BMI stage. A.A. Bondy's witty stage banter rivaled his brilliant solo performance for entertainment value. The Belleville Outfit drew a sizable mid-day audience to the BMI stage. Rob Teter and Marshall Hood, from the Belleville Outfit. Nakia & His Southern Cousins got the WaMu crowd moving. Nakia shines in the spotlight. It's always fun to watc
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ACL Fest photos, day 2
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The Black and White Years rock the hometown crowd. Scott Butler, lead vocalist and guitarist of the Black and White Years. Zac Hartwell, age 14, leads Austin rock band We Go to 11. We Go to 11 bassist Jake Hartwell, age 16, and drummer Sled Allen, age 13. The Old 97's played classics like "Victoria" and "Stoned" as well as songs from this year's Blame It on Gravity. Murry Hammond and Philip
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ACL Fest photos, day 1
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Festival-goers rush to stake their spots as the gates open just after 11am. Alexis Jones-Roberts and the Jones Family Singers open the WaMu stage. Dan Dyer gets the AT&T blue room stage off to a soulful start. Asleep at the Wheel opens its annual benediction with "Miles and Miles of Texas." Rodney Crowell jams with Will Kimbrough in a "no bass, no drums" show. Rodney Crowell makes a poli...
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Eli Young Band an instant chart success
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The Eli Young Band explodes onto the Billboard charts this week. New release Jet Black & Jealous comes in at #5 on the Top Country chart and #30 on the Top 200. An impressive national debut.And if you're coming to ACL Fest this weekend, keep in mind that Eli Young Band plays the Austin Ventures stage at 6:30 Friday. Single-day tickets are still available. Listen:"Guinevere""Enough Is Enough""Al..
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ACL Fest preview: Sunday's lineup
Completing the weekend roundup, here are the Texans on Sunday's schedule, presented in order of appearance:Elizabeth Wills, 11:15-11:45, BMI stage With two self-released albums under her belt, Elizabeth Wills decided it was time for a change. She left Texas for the Rockies, and when she crossed the state line she pretty much left her music career behind, too. But after hearing Wills sing, a new...
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ACL Fest preview: Sunday's lineup
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Completing the weekend roundup, here are the Texans on Sunday's schedule, presented in order of appearance:Elizabeth Wills, 11:15-11:45, BMI stage With two self-released albums under her belt, Elizabeth Wills decided it was time for a change. She left Texas for the Rockies, and when she crossed the state line she pretty much left her music career behind, too. But after hearing Wills sing, a new...
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ACL Fest preview: Saturday's lineup
Continuing with yesterday's theme, here is a rundown of Texans on Saturday's schedule, presented in order of appearance:Bonnie Bishop, 11:15-11:45, BMI stage After already finding regional chart success with her first two studio albums, Bonnie Bishop signed with Nashville's Montage Music Group and then headed into the studio with A-list producer Will Kimbrough. The new album will be out early n...
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ACL Fest preview: Friday's lineup
Some folks chiseled their ACL Fest plans in stone as soon as schedules were announced in June. I am not one of them. With the festival now just four days away, I still have few firm plans of where to go and whom to see. And I know I'm not the only one out there. So to help myself with planning, and hopefully to be of use to those of you in similarly unscheduled straits, I thought I'd present a ...
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ACL Fest preview: Friday's lineup
Some folks chiseled their ACL Fest plans in stone as soon as schedules were announced in June. I am not one of them. With the festival now just four days away, I still have few firm plans of where to go and whom to see. And I know I'm not the only one out there. So to help myself with planning, and hopefully to be of use to those of you in similarly unscheduled straits, I thought I'd present a ...
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ACL Fest preview: Flyleaf
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Did you know that tiny Belton (population 17,330) is home to a platinum-selling rock band? Flyleaf's self-titled debut on Octone Records has sold steadily since its 2005 release, reaching platinum status this spring. Four of the album's 11 tracks have cracked Billboard charts, highlighted by "All Around Me" reaching #17 on the pop chart this year following a #6 peak on the modern rock chart in ...
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ACL Fest preview: Rodney Crowell
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Album:Sex & Gasoline
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We live in a society that simultaneously celebrates and is suspicious of career resurgences. Say an athlete storms back from what was thought to be a career-ending injury, or manages to blossom late in their career. Whispers of performance-enhancing drugs are sure to follow. Or say an actor makes a surprise return to the spotlight after an extended period outside the public eye. Suspicious mind...
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ACL Fest preview: Eli Young Band
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The Eli Young Band is on an extended roll. The country-pop quartet spent three solid years supporting national debut Level, which caught the attention of radio programmers around the country and spawned the group's first charting single, "When It Rains." Heavy video rotation on CMT and GAC plus a particularly devoted fan base also sparked a heated major-label pursuit. The band signed with Unive...
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For Doug Moreland, it's ball season
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Though it's still plenty hot outside, the calendar says that fall is just around the corner. And that means it's time for Doug Moreland's 6th annual calf fry on Saturday, September 20th at his Cattlelacs workshop/gallery just south of Austin.Gates open at 3, with a washer tournament at 4 (you can enter for $5/player). Food is available at 7, with all-you-can-eat calf fries included in the price...
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Help select the 2009 Texas State Musician
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The Texas Commission on the Arts is now accepting nominees for the 2009 Texas State Musician.Nominees must meet the following criteria:A native Texan or at least five years of in-state residencyRecognition from peers and the pressTwo or more albums released nationally, or 20+ years formal teaching experience, or otherwise make a living from musicOctober 5 is the deadline for nominations, which ...
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Inside the radio airplay charts
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The Band of Heathens are in the midst of an impressive run. This marks the band's second week in the #1 slot on the Americana Music Association (AMA) chart and 10th straight week in the top 5. Remarkable results for a self-released studio debut that has been out since May.And it's not just the overall ranking that makes an impression. Although the Heathens' total spins and reporting stations ha...
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Dan Dyer goes national, Austin Collins takes on Europe
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Dan Dyer's self-titled album made waves locally when it was released on Fat Caddy Records this spring. The Statesman's Michael Corcoran even placed it #5 on his list of the top 10 local albums from the year's first half.Now the whole country is getting a chance to heap praise upon Dyer thanks to this week's national re-release.Dan Dyer has made it as high as #3 among iTunes' bestselling R&B/Sou...
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CD review: Jason Allen, The Twilight Zone
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When one thinks of classic R&B singers with a country flair, chances are it's Ray Charles first, followed perhaps by Joe Tex and Solomon Burke. Jason Allen makes the case for adding Stevie Wonder into the mix with a terrific cover of "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Slowed to a honky-tonk shuffle, it's a novel take on a pop standard. But that doesn't mean The Twighlight Zone is a novelty albu...
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