ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Windfall, by Joe Pug It has been three years since Joe Pug’s last release, a time that found the singer-songwriter coping with the burn-out that comes from years of continuous touring. Sharing one’s music with audiences around the world may be joyous, but the life can be arduous. In that context, […]
Readers’ Pick: Ruffian’s Misfortune by Ray Wylie Hubbard
RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, Ruffian’s Misfortune beats out WILL HOGE, Small Town Dreams by 17 votes as your favorite for the week of April 7, 2015. Poll Results Readers’ Tops – Spring 2015 RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, Ruffian’s Misfortune (22) WILL HOGE, Small Town Dreams (5) DELTA RAE, After It All (2) JOSH ROUSE, Embers […]
BP Fallon Talks Breaking Hearts and the Qualities of a Good Manager
BP Fallon talks about making his performing debut at SXSW a few years ago, rehearsing amidst the armadillos and a long string of incredible day jobs working with folks like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Thunders and Mark Bolan.
Monday Morning Video – Joe Cocker “Darling Be Home Soon”
’cause sometimes the singer makes the song.
Leo “Bud” Welch – I Don’t Prefer No Blues
It’s hard to explain just what makes Leo “Bud” Welch so special. Yes, there is the fact that the 83-year-old made his recording debut in 2013. There is also the pure, rugged honesty of his delivery and the fact that, unlike some other country blues musicians who got discovered in their later years, Welch is […]
Readers’ Pick: Best of Winter 2015
JAMES MCMURTRY, Complicated Game beats out STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES, Terraplane by 8 votes as your favorite for the Winter of 2015. Readers’ Official Top 25 – Winter 2015 JAMES MCMURTRY, Complicated Game (26) STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES, Terraplane (18) JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, Absent Fathers (17) JOE PUG, Windfall (14) THE DECEMBERISTS, What […]
Ray Wylie Hubbard On Finding Success Beyond “Hobby Status” After a Series of Unique Day Jobs
Ray Wylie Hubbard talks about a memorable (but profitable) first gig, a unique job as a bank robbing gun fighter and what he wishes he knew when he started a career in music.
Monday Morning Video – Couch By Couchwest 2015
Coinciding with SXSW is the annual Couch By Couchwest Festival. What’s not to like about a festival with the tagline “where the beer is cheaper and the only hipster is you.”? (Far be it for me to quible, but some of the beer at SXSW is free. Just sayin’.) Here’s how it works. Artists — […]
SXSW 2015 — the Sounds, Part 2
THE STONE FOXES This San Francisco-based rock band added a new drummer since the last time that I saw them. The change enabled original drummer Shannon Koehler to step out as the band’s primary front-man. It’s a role that suits him well as he fired up an afternoon crowd, bounding around the stage and through […]
SXSW 2015 — The Sounds, Part 1
TRAPPER SCHOEPP The Milwaukee-based rocker used a raucous early afternoon set to preview songs from a forthcoming album. With Hold Steady guitarist Steve Selvidge in tow, Schoepp and his band the Shades provided an electric jolt to all those in attendance. Count me among those eagerly awaiting Schoepp’s new release — it’s gonna be a […]


