It was good to be back. The annual awards show, held at the fabulous Ryman Auditorium, is always a highlight of my musical year. First, how can you not favor any show at the Ryman. The acoustics, the atmosphere, the decor, it would make any event special. Second, although showcases have starting creeping in ahead […]
Special Monday Video – Remembering Charlie Watts
We lost a giant last week with the passing of Charlie Watts. Known primarily for propelling the Rolling Stones for decades, he was also a jazz and boogie-woogie aficionado. Let’s honor his memory with this 2011 performance by Watts with The A, B, C & D of Boogie Woogie, captured at the Blue Note in […]
Bonus Monday Video – Tom T. Hall & Don Everly
We lost two giants in the past few days – Tom T. Hall and Don Everly. Let’s celebrate their legacies in video fashion. First, a 1970 Everly Brothers tv appearance. The segment is a bit hokey but it speaks to the depth of the talent that Don and his late brother Phil possessed. Then, Tom […]
Monday Morning Video – ZZ Top
Set aside a catalog that is the envy of many a rock band, it’s hard to fathom a group that whose original line-up performed together for more than 50 years. Rest in peace, Dusty Hill. Your musical legacy is gonna keep us rockin’ for years to come.
Photos that ROCK! Newport Folk Festival 2021: GIRL POWER!
The Newport Folk Festival made its triumphant return over 6 days in July at good old Fort Adams. Titled “Folk On!”, it was split into two 3 day segments and Twangville was lucky enough to cover it for the 5th time. While it felt smaller and more subdued, it also felt more intimate and safe […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2021 (So Far), the Songs
Breaking a Heart/The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall (from the Sony Music Nashville release The Marfa Tapes) If you thought their song “Tin Man” was achingly beautiful, they’ve got a few more from their time in Marfa that just might make your eyes a little misty. I couldn’t decide […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2021 (So Far), the Albums
J.T. by Steve Earle & The Dukes Steve Earle’s moving tribute to his late son Justin Townes Earle is an emotional gut punch. Yet beyond the tragedy of the younger Earle’s passing, the elder Earle’s performances of his son’s songs highlight their shared gift of songwriting and storytelling mastery. Be warned, though, that the closing […]
Monday Morning Video – Lloyd Price
We lost a legend last week with the passing of Lloyd Price. The Louisiana native was a rock and roll pioneer, writing and recording storied classics like “Stagger Lee”, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy”, and “Personality” (the song that inspired his nickname “Mr. Personality”). We had the chance to interview Price several years ago and it remains […]
SXSW 2021 – The Sounds
The most indelible musical memory is the ubiquitous SXSW theme music that opened every event. That aside, here are some musical favorites from SXSW 2021 Sir Woman Wild Child’s Kelsey Wilson steped out with a beautifully soulful set that highlighted tracks from her debut EP. Wilson, accompanied by two background vocalists, an electric guitarist and […]
SXSW 2021 – The Scene
Ah, the memories of meandering (well, more like speed walking) the streets of Austin to get to the next music venue and showcase. Not this year. Instead, the virtual SXSW 2021 had me bouncing back and forth from my couch to my kitchen (for refreshments) as I poured through hours of streaming content. While the […]