Artist Updates

Listen Up To Sam Baker!
Ever the under-current, Texas songwriter Sam Baker's amazing story and songs have slowly, but surely spun their way around the world. While traveling in Peru at age 32, Sam Baker took a train ride that would change his life. On a clear cool morning in Cuzco in the summer of 1986, Sam boarded a passenger train that was blown up minutes later by terrorists. Initially, seven died. The dead included a German boy and his parents who were sitting with Baker in the car. Baker survived, but with lasting damage- deafness, a mangled hand and leg, and brain damage affecting speech and memory. At 55, words are still occasionally unremembered, requiring extensive search. However, during these searches, he finds other words. From these other words, he finds other stories. And with these stories come characters from other places and times. He began his musical journey - and p r e t t y w o r l d t r i l o g y - in 2004, releasing his first album, m e r c y - which attempts to come to terms with the flash of impact- the quick violence and the eerie post-blast quiet. His second release, p r e t t y w o r l d - which explores gratitude, obligation, and beauty - received praise world-wide and was a favorite of critics and music lovers everywhere. Now, at long last, Baker returns with the final part of the trilogy, c o t t o n. Co-produced by long-time collaborator Tim Lorsch, the new songs are a reflection of a life lived well and nearly lost. The cost of forgiveness is weighed against the cost of not forgiving. Baker's songs are pictures sketched in short, sparse lines and lay bare the honest truths that are timeless and poignant. Simple beauty that peaks through the stark emptiness like flowers in the snow.

BettySoo - Media Darling
BettySoo's new release, heat, sin, water, skin, made its Americana debut this week, coming in on the Americana Music Chart at #38! Check out what the press has been raving about:

"...moving to the top of her sophomore class with this beautifully crafted work produced by Gurf Morlix. Consider Heat Sin Water Skin a major exam for which she will receive high marks." - Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle

"If 2008 was BettySoo's year for awards, 2009 should, if there is any justice, be her year to make the big breakthrough and no longer remain one of Austin's best-kept secrets. FIVE out of FIVE STARS" - Jela Webb, Maverick Magazine

"...exceptionally well-arranged songs...confidence that speaks volumes." - Joe Gross, Austin American-Statesman

"She holds her own just fine under Morlix's trademark gritty touch, and he respects the artist enough to let the beauty of her songs and voice carry the big stick." - Richard Skanse, Texas Music Magazine

"BettySoo comes charging out of the gate with her Heat and Sin...the hooks certainly find a purchase. "Whisper My Name"...showcases BettySoo's voice at its silvery, graceful best...If you weren't on her side before, you will be now." - Sarah Craig, Folkwax

BettySoo will tour the west coast this month - CLICK HERE for a show near you! CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of heat, sin, water, skin

Ben Kweller on Late Late Show
CLICK HERE to check out Ben Kweller's recent performance on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Kweller will perform on Mountain Stage on July 26th - CLICK HERE for details. And make plans to attend George Wein's Folk Festival 50 in Newport, RI. Ben Kweller will be a featured performer, along with Pete Seeger, The Decemberists, Joan Baez, The Avett Brothers, and more! CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Changing Horses

Listen Up to Seth James!
Seth James has fashioned his own brand of music from a list of influences as diverse as it is long. Thus far in his career, Seth has shared the stage with a various array of artist such as Percy Sledge, Little Feat, Delbert McClinton, and Billy Joe Shaver. He also has had the privilege of having his songs recorded by the likes of Ray Wylie Hubbard and Storyville, just to name a few. His latest studio effort, That Kind Of Man, is by far the best example of the diverse influences that have shaped his harmonic foundation. Those who have seen his shows first hand will surely never forget the magnitude of his performance. Seth James is surely on his way to becoming one of the most revered musicians on the Texas and Americana music scenes and will undoubtedly reach far beyond those bounds. Stay tuned!

Shelley King's "Summer Wine"
Shelley King's brand new summertime single, "Summer Wine" is available on CDBaby NOW! "Summer Wine" is a unique collaboration between Shelley and members of the subdudes: John Magnie, Tim Cook and Steve Amedee and will be featured on her upcoming release Welcome Home. Shelley King will be in Colorado this month with plans to record a music video with the subdudes before beginning her northeast tour - CLICK HERE for tour dates. In 2008, King was named the "State Musician in Texas," and recently, she was honored to "pass the guitar" to the 2009 recipient, Willie Nelson.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Across the Pond
Jason Isbell is touring Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, and Spain to support the European release of Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. The album has received rave reviews overseas:

"Terrific album...FOUR out of FIVE stars" - Uncut Magazine

"FIVE out of FIVE stars" - The Independent

"The work of an artist on a mission to excel...FOUR and 1/2 out of FIVE stars" - The Sun (UK's biggest paper)

"FOUR out of FIVE stars" - Daily Mirror

Jason Isbell wrote a feature about his hometown for The Guardian (Britain's third largest newspaper) where he chooses his top ten Muscle Shoals recordings. Check it the full story HERE. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit's Daytrotter session will be posted on July 10. Check it out HERE

CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Slaid Cleaves Week
Happy "Slaid Cleaves Week"! Slaid will be performing all week in his home state of Maine. CLICK HERE for more details. Slaid Cleaves will be featured on NPR's World Cafe on July 22nd. Stay tuned for details. Check out the latest stellar review of Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away on blogcritics.org.

David Serby Buzz
Check out what folks are saying about David Serby's Honky Tonk and Vine:
"Honkytonk and Vine gives country fans reason to go west all over again." --COUNTRY WEEKLY

"Serby manages to bring a fresh voice to it all, and why not? His life could be a country song." --PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

"...thirteen true country tunes that draw on all the themes that make the genre, from hard-charging country-rock to pure tear-in-your-beer weepers." --ABOUT.COM COUNTRY

"The songs have a timeless quality to them, capturing a purity missing from a lot of today's music." --AMERICANA ROOTS.COM

"Sturdy collection of California country." --COUNTRY STANDARD TIME

"His lyrics are simple yet meaningful, written with purpose that'll give the listener a reason to pay attention and hear musical stories unfold. The songs are very honest and express many emotions, revealing that David Serby is an effective songwriter. Overall, David Serby's Honky-tonk and Vine is a great feel-good country album that will leave you with a smile and a tapping foot." --AMERICANA GAZETTE
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Honky Tonk and Vine

Telluride in July
Slaid Cleaves and Walt Wilkins will appear in this summer's Telluride Americana Music Weekend, held in Telluride's Sheridan Opera House July 23-25, 2009. Other artists featured include Kevin Welch, Tift Merritt, Shannon Whitworth and Eric Bibb. Click here for more details on a great getaway in the middle of a Texas summer!

James McMurtry Hits the Road
James McMurtry is on tour this month, making stops in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico. CLICK HERE for tour dates. James McMurtry's upcoming LIVE record (from his recent performance at The Paradiso in Amsterdam) is scheduled to be released in October. Watch for the special vinyl edition! McMurtry has added more dates to his upcoming overseas tour this fall - CLICK HERE for dates in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK. And if you don't have McMurtry ringtones yet, click the following for "JUST US KIDS," "CHENEY'S TOY," "HURRICANE PARTY," "BAYOU TORTOUS."

Your Vigil is Over...NO, Your Vigil is Here
Walt Wilkins' new release, Vigil, is now available HERE. Started as a way to preserve some of Walt's recent songs that he felt were gifts from above, the record was completely funded by a benefactor who would not accept repayment. Therefore, in this spirit, Walt has generously decided not to profit at all from its sales. All proceeds will go to The Longevity Foundation, an organization dedicated to the research into treatment of cancer, parkinsons, alzheimers, ATF, and many more. Own your copy today

"...it makes the world stop for awhile...unbelievable" - Jack Ingram


Save the Date - Jenni Finlay Promotions Celebrates 3 Years
On August 13th, we'll be celebrating the third anniversary of Jenni Finlay Promotions in San Marcos, Texas (just south of Austin). Featured performers include James McMurtry, Jason Eady, Jonny Burke, Mark Stuart, Adam Carroll, john Arthur martinez, and more surprise special guests! Save the date, and stay tuned for details.

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