6 days and over 34 bands later my Sat-Fri stay at SXSW proved to be even better than the previous year. Keeping up with Mayer is a feat in and of itself. You better be prepared for a brisk pace from venue to venue and you better be open minded about who you’re gonna see. We parted for a few shows but I’ve learned that after a decade plus of SXSW shows most of Mayer’s picks are sure bets. Stick with him and you’re sure to see some amazing acts that had previously not been on your radar. We caught up just in time for the Liam Finn show on Wednesday afternoon and the rest is history. It was great seeing all the other friendly faces including some new ones along the way. Highlights included seeing James McMurtry who got things started, the traditional Bob Schneider show Monday night at Saxon Pub, the ‘This is American Music’ show (Two Cow Garage, Grand Champeen, Glossary and The Drams), the Guitartown party (Shawn Mullins, Jon Dee Graham, Abigail Washburn, Patty Hurst Shifter, The Drams), the New West Records day party (Tim Easton and The Whipsaws, Buddy Miller and Johnny Rivers and the Old 97′s), Nada Surf, Stonehoney, The Dexateens and Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed and the True Loves. At the end of it all, my admiration grew the most for Liam Finn and the newest discovery for me was The Dexateens. Repeat visits were made to see The Drams (2), Glossary (2) and Patty Hurst Shifter (3). With all the fun and the mad pace I regretably didn’t get to see all that I had sought out to see including Sarah Borges, Brett Dennen, San Saba County, The Sadies, Johnathan Rice and The Band of Heathens. I guess that’s reason enough to hope for a repeat visit next year.

Saturday, March 8
James McMurtry (Momos)

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Sunday, March 9
The Smithereens (La Zona Rosa)

Monday, March 10
Matt the Electrician (Saxon Pub)
Bob Schneider (Saxon Pub)

Tuesday, March 11
Joy Cook (Club de Ville)
Two Cow Garage (Beerland)
Grand Champeen (Beerland)
Glossary (Beerland)
The Drams (Beerland)

Wednesday, March 12
Frightened Rabbit (Emo’s Annex)

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Shawn Mullins (Mother Egan’s)
Jon Dee Graham (Mother Egan’s)
Liam Finn (Mohawk (inside))
The Wedding Present (Emo’s Annex)
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet with Bela Fleck (Mother Egan’s)
Patty Hurst Shifter (Mother Egan’s)

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The Drams (Mother Egan’s)
Spottiswoode & His Enemies (Volume)

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The Dexateens (Habana Annex)

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Paul Kelly (Esther’s Follies)

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Thursday, March 13
Nada Surf (Volume Night Club)
Tim Easton and The Whipsaws (Club de Ville)

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Buddy Miller and Johnny Rivers (Club de Ville)
Old 97′s (Club de Ville)
Stonehoney*

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Randy Weeks (Opal Divine’s Freehouse)
Patty Hurst Shifter (Opal Divine’s Freehouse)
Richard Julian (Pangaea)

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The Whigs (Austin Music Hall)

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Mike Farris (Antone’s)

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Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers (The Thirsty Nickel)

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Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed (Club de Ville)

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Glossary (Habana Calle 6 Patio)
Bon Iver (Mohawk Patio)
Patty Hurst Shifter (Dirty Dog Bar)
Syd Straw (Bourbon Rocks)

Regretably Missed
Sarah Borges
Brett Dennen
San Saba County

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The Sadies

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Sonya Kitchell

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Blue Mountain

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Jim Bianco

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Johnathan Rice

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Band of Heathens

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Finally, a shameless solicitation… if anyone knows how Twangville can help sponsor a showcase at SXSW 2009 on a tight budget please reach out to Mayer or myself.

All MP3s found at SXSW.com unless otherwise noted.
* Source: Stonehoney.com

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About the author:  Washington, D.C. area web designer by day. Certifiable music freak by night. Husband and father of two by the loving grace of God.

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by Tom Osborne in Downloads, SXSW, Videos