I caught Boy Golden twice, and both sets were terrific in song and stagecraft. At the second show, I recognized a guy in a Boy Golden t-shirt from the previous set. I struck up a conversation and it turned out to be Dad Golden.
Boy Golden also had to follow the reunion of Tom Petty’s original Heartbreakers (with Chris Stapleton) at the Americana Honors awards show, which gives Boy Golden a bragging right few can match: the Heartbreakers were the opening act.
The group recently announced they’re disbanding next year, so I didn’t want to miss their final AmericanaFest appearances. I caught them at a late-night show at the legendary, intimate Station Inn. The venue already had old-school warmth, and their music and voices only deepened it. Later in the week, at a WMOT taping, the room was larger but the songs rang out just as clearly and beautifully.
Hollier will be doing a solo appearance at our Twangville Sunday Social in Dallas this month. It was my first time seeing him with his band, and damn, did they rock: loud and raucous, the way rock and roll is meant to be. (Join us in Dallas – info here)
Another artist so good I had to catch twice, first at the Bloodshot party and then in a paired round at Dee’s with Ben de la Cour. Loveless has a new EP on the horizon and, no surprise, its songs are a welcome additions to an already outstanding catalog.
It’s always great to see Saenz solo (he’s done a couple of Twangville shows), but I couldn’t pass up seeing him with a band. And not just any band: Nashville institution Santa’s Ice Cold Pickers. Yeah, it was stone cold amazing.
ROY ORBISON TRIBUTE
A tribute to the great Roy Orbison, centered on the seminal concert and TV special A Black and White Night? Sign me up! A crack house band and a cavalcade of special guests made for an unforgettable show. Nicole Atkins and Tristen were standouts among standouts, alongside Robyn Hitchcock, Emma Swift, Patrick Sweany, and Nicki Bluhm. The performances were a reminder of just how great Orbison was.
Classic blues delivered by a band who know how to do it.
High-octane R&B from a master showman who proved it yet again. Reed leaned heavily on his new album but threw in a few older classics from his extensive—and impressive—catalog.
Lepley has been on my radar for some time, but this was the year I finally got to see him live. It’s folk music at its finest, in the tradition of early John Prine and Steve Goodman. The melodies are simple and immediately memorable, and the lyrics move effortlessly from profound to funny. His hysterical song explanations and banter made for a perfect start to my Thursday schedule.
The Fort Worth combo brought rock-band drive to the Hear Fort Worth party. Their songs are rooted in pop, filled with catchy melodies and delivered with intensity, a fine jolt on a Thursday afternoon.
Another artist I know well by name but whose music was less familiar to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction than his Saturday night set at Third Man Records’ Blue Room. The show was outstanding, filled with guests who added extra character to Fox’s engaging songs. Authentic and sharp.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.