Listen Up To Ray Wylie Hubbard!
Ray Wylie Hubbard will release A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C) (Bordello/Thirty Tigers) on January 12, 2010. Produced by Hubbard and George Reiff, this record gleams with a keen eye of observation and a wise man’s knowledge. Ray Wylie Hubbard composes and performs a dozen songs that couldn’t spring from anywhere else but out of his fertile rock and roll bluesy poet-in-the-blistering-heat southern noggin.

The writing and recording of A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment came on the heels of Hubbard’s first screenplay endeavor, which was funded and filmed with a cast of icons including Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam and Lizzy Caplan. ”I like to look at both enlightenment and endarkenment,” he declares. “I feel comfortable observing each.” A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment demonstrates the kind of talent that every great songwriter yearns for. Among the musicians featured on the album are Kevin Russell (The Gourds), Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen), Bukka Allen (Ian Moore, Jack Ingram), Billy Cassis (Bob Schneider, Double Trouble, Soulhat), Ray Bonneville (B.B. King, JJ Cale, Muddy Waters), Seth James (Percy Sledge, Delbert McClinton), David Abeyta (Reckless Kelly), the great Rick Richards, and The Trishas as well as his own son, Lucas Hubbard. Throughout the album, his focus remains on the song - constructing and performing stories set to music that resonate in a way that is completely his own.

Shelley King Buzz
Shelley King's new release, Welcome Home (featuring members of the subdudes) has already received a flood of rave reviews, and great acclaim! CLICK HERE to catch Shelley King LIVE at her next record release celebration. Welcome Home is currently #7 on the Roots Music Report, #14 on the FAR Chart, and bubbling under on the Americana Music Chart. Check out what folks are buzzing about:

"Going beyond the fact that she was the first woman selected for the post of Official State Musician of Texas, in Welcome Home, King shows that she is a master song craftsman; perfect instrumentation for the mood of her songs, supported by a fantastic cast of musicians. This is definitely an album to pick on your holiday gift list!" - Texas Music Journal

"Welcome Home isn't just a pleasant sounding homily; it's back-to-back killer tracks start to finish, with songsmith King's full-custom gospel voice matched with fellow co-producers and Subdudes John Magnie, Tim Cook, and Steve Amedée." - Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Hope your holiday season is a bright one. Don't forget to give great music to everyone on your list. CLICK HERE to purchase albums by James McMurtry, Jason Eady, Gurf Morlix, Randy Weeks, Shelley King, BettySoo, Slaid Cleaves, Sam Baker, Danny Barnes, john Arthur martinez, Adam Carroll, David Serby, and many more! CLICK HERE to purchase Music in the Kitchen: Favorite Recipes from Austin City Limits Performers, featuring James McMurtry's dove recipe. And be sure to take advantage of Lightning Rod Records Holiday Sale. Enter the discount code (UM4SMK) to receive 15% off everything in the Lightning Rod Records store - includes James McMurtry and Jason Isbell CDs, LPs, and t-shirts.


Danny Barnes Among Allstars on Mississippi Sheiks Tribute
Danny Barnes performs "Too Long" on the new cd Things About Comin' My Way, a tribute to the Mississippi Sheiks. Other artists include Bill Frisell, John Hammond, Kelly Joe Phelps, Bruce Cockburn, and The North Mississippi Allstars. CLICK HERE for more details. Barnes will be performing in the Northwest this month - CLICK HERE for dates!

Do you ever wonder what inspires Danny? CLICK HERE for "Five Tunes with Danny Barnes" to find out what he is listening to these days.

James McMurtry Pens Song of the Decade and Lands on Ultimate Playlist
Music aficionado, Bob Lefsetz, names James McMurtry's "We Can't Make it Here" his Song of the Decade:
"I try to have hope. Can't say that I achieve this state every day. But one thing that helps me get through is James McMurtry's "We Can't Make It Here". Not only my favorite song of the twenty first century, but my most played. With over 200 plays in my iTunes library on the computer I superseded in 2006, and over 100 more since. Sure, the lyrics are poignant, they're poetry. But there's a hypnotic groove that hooks me, that makes me want to play the song again and again....I truly believe James McMurtry's "We Can't Make It Here" is the best song of this nascent century. It doesn't only sound good, it's got something to say." CLICK HERE to read more.

James McMurtry's "Bayou Tortous" is featured on Stephen King's Ultimate Playlist this year. A longtime McMurtry fan, King raves "Alt-country's poet laureate at his drily sarcastic best."

James McMurtry was recently featured on Ray Wylie Hubbard's "Roots and Branches of Americana Music" radio show on KNBT - CLICK HERE to check out the amazing interview. McMurtry's brand new release, Live in Europe, is rockin' its way up the Americana Music Chart, currently at #25. Check out this video of "Choctaw Bingo" from the accompanying DVD.

Seth James On The Road With Ray Wylie Hubbard, Max Stalling, & Wade Bowen
CLICK HERE to watch Seth James' video performance of "Again" (via MusicFog). Don't miss Seth James in a town near you:
12/05 Navasota, TX Bright Lights/Big Stars (w/ Ray Wylie Hubbard, Max Stalling, Randy Pavlock)
12/06 Denton, TX Rockin Rodeo (w/ Wade Bowen, Adam Hood, Sean McConnell- Acoustic show)
12/07 Dallas, TX Poor David's Pub (w/ Wade Bowen, Adam Hood, Sean McConnell- Acoustic show)
12/08 San Antonio, TX Sam's Burger Joint (w/ Wade Bowen, Adam Hood, Sean McConnell- Acoustic show)
12/09 College Station, TX Rockwell's (w/ Wade Bowen, Adam Hood, Sean McConnell- Acoustic show)
12/10 Houston, TX Warehouse Live (w Wade Bowen, Adam Hood, Sean McConnell-Acoustic show) 12/12 San Antonio, TX Sam's Burger Joint
12/26 Fredericksburg, TX Luckenbach Dancehall (w/ Monte Montgomery)

Seth James is gearing up for MusicFest in Steamboat, CO (January 4-9), where he will join Jason Eady, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Adam Carroll, and many more for the week long music extravaganza. CLICK HERE for more details.

Adam Carroll Live at Flipnotics
Adam Carroll announces the release of his upcoming LIVE record, Live at Flipnotics (due out in March). Produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb, this intimate tapestry of songs and stories captures the spirit, beauty, and light that only Adam can show us.

CLICK HERE if you'd like to present Adam Carroll at your next House Concert or private event. His intimate performance would be ideal for your next gathering.

Get Into the Holiday Spirit with john Arthur martinez
If you need a little Christmas right now, CLICK HERE to purchase john Arthur martinez' new holiday single, "What A Christmas It Was." His latest release, Purgatory Road, continues to receive top praise around the world. Check out the latest review HERE. And CLICK HERE to watch the News 8 Austin feature. Don't miss john Arthur martinez's next performance - CLICK HERE for upcoming tour dates.

Jason Eady Mountain Tour
Jason Eady has just announced new shows in Durango, Colorado Springs, Montrose, and more. Last month was momentous for Eady - he shared the stage with Tanya Tucker, The Flatlanders, Kevin Welch, among many others. CLICK HERE for new tour dates, tracks from When The Money's All Gone, news and more!

Jonny Burke Free Download
For a limited time, download all 5 songs of Jonny Burke's incredible EP, The Long Haul, ABSOLUTELY FREE! CLICK HERE to get your copy today! The EP encompasses 5 unforgettable songs. On the opening track, "Lost in the Forest," Jonny gives a rousing call for endurance over an infectious guitar hook. "Make it for You" could have been written by Roy Orbison in the 1950's, and arranged by Jeff Tweedy in the 90's. "Ship Come In," (which features a guest appearance by The Band of Heathens), is a Stone-sy rocker whose extended verses pack a punch. "El Paso" digs deep on the dark yet beautiful with a Southwestern tale of a wandering drug addict set to ambient finger-picking. And title track, "The Long Haul," is a Petty-ish tune (co-written with Son Volt guitarist Chris Masterson) that might sum up that generalized inspirational theme of the Ep. On this track, Jonny sings over a melodic chorus, "I'm in it for the long haul, I'm in it 'til the last one falls..." Because with music this good, Jonny has to be "in it for the long haul."

Jason Isbell Preservation
Jason Isbell joins Steve Earle, Pete Seeger, Andrew Bird, Jim James, Tom Waits, and more on Preservation, a benefit album for New Orleans' Preservation Hall, due out February 16th. CLICK HERE for more info. CLICK HERE to watch Isbell's new video for "Cigarettes and Wine."

No Depression For Randy Weeks
CLICK HERE to check out this stellar No Depression feature about Randy Weeks' recent Cinema Bar performance. Weeks is preparing for his nationwide tour in February. Stay tuned for a show near you!

Ring in the Holidays with Jenni Finlay Promotions
Order your holiday gifts TODAY at the Jenni Finlay Promotions' Merchandise Shop. We have everything you need for a stress free, one-stop holiday shopping experience! Buy your favorite lady the "Listen Up" spaghetti strap tank top... Replace your morning DJ's old chipped cup with a new Jenni Finlay Promotions coffee mug... Even your onry guitar player will get into the spirit this year when you give him his "Listen Up" trucker hat. And don't forget to pick up a handful of bumper stickers and magnets - the perfect stocking stuffer or throw down gift for just about anyone. CLICK HERE for a wide variety gift ideas to find something for everyone on your list

Welcome Home Friends and Family With Shelley King
On a unique collaboration between Shelley King and John Magnie, Tim Cook, & Steve Amedée (members of the subdudes), King and her long-time musical heroes produced and performed together on the studio album, Welcome Home. What resulted is an instant classic. King's lustrous soothing voice and soulful songs are at the forefront of this recording supported by layers of effortless "subdudes" harmony and superb musicianship. The first single, "Summer Wine," received radio airplay around the world. In stores November 11th - just in time for the holidays - we encourage you to Welcome Home family and friends with this timeless collection of comfort songs for the soul. CLICK HERE to watch this fun back porch video of "Summer Wine" featuring Shelley King and members of the subdudes.

Catch Shelley King at one of the following CD Release Parties:
Nov. 11 Dallas, TX Poor David's Pub o(w/ the subdudes)
Nov. 13 Houston, TX Dosey Doe, The Woodlands
Nov. 14 Austin, TX Saxon Pub
CLICK HERE to pre-order your AUTOGRAPHED copy of Welcome Home


Gurf Morlix Accepts Instrumentalist of The Year Award LIVE on KNBT
This month, during his weekly "Roots and Branches of Americana Music" radio show (CLICK HERE to stream every Tuesday night), Ray Wylie Hubbard presented the prestigeous Americana Music Award for Instrumentalist of the Year to Gurf Morlix. It was such a magical night! In case you missed it, CLICK HERE for Gurf's performance and award presentation.
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Last Exit to Happyland


James McMurtry Live in Europe
In an astounding three short weeks, McMurtry's Live In Europe debuted in the TOP 40 of the Americana Music Chart. Live in Europe is available NOW as a CD/DVD set and collectors' edition vinyl LP/DVD set. It is a document of McMurtry's first European tour, on which, along with longtime band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. Blurt is exclusively streaming the video for "You'd a' Thought (Leonard Cohen Must Die)" - CLICK HERE to check it out. NoiseTrade is offering a FREE MP3 of "Freeway View" HERE. Be sure to become a McMurtry fan on Facebook to see exclusive video footage and participate in Facebook contests other promotions.
Check out what folks are saying about Live in Europe:
"Live in Europe is a sturdy, potent, yet superfluous item in the singer/songwriter's impressive catalog of hard-edged, lyrically incisive roots rock" - Hal Horowitz, AllMusic.com
"James McMurtry is most definitely one of the great poets of Americana music, and "Live In Europe" proves that he rocks like nobody else!" - Wildman Steve, WMSR
"If it’s true that one can “rock a house”, then this is what it would look and sound like." - Rod Ames, No Depression
"Never really thought it would be possible to top the Live In Aught Three album from James, but the new Live In Europe album may have done it. Amazing production on this album, sounds like he's in the room with you. This is a must have to any Americana collection" - Shayne Hollinger, Mandatory FM
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Live in Europe


Jonny Burke Celebrates EP Release
After a whirlwind national tour (with James McMurtry and Ryan Bingham), Jonny Burke is back to release his new record, The Long Haul EP. Burke's debut solo release, The Long Haul EP is a brillant collection with subject matter ranging from the dark to the desirable, melodies and arrangements akin to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Stones, tones inherited from T. Rex, poetic lyrics often compared to Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, and vocal performances that are all his own. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today.


Seth James Hits the Road
Check out the tour dates below and be sure to catch Seth James LIVE in a town near you!
11/18 Carbondale, IL Copper Dragon Brewing Co (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed)
11/19 Urbana, IL Canopy Club (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed)
11/20 Milwaukee, WI Shank Hall (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed)
11/21 Chicago, IL Joe's Sports Bar w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed)
11/22 New Braunfels, TX Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre
11/27 McKinney, TX Hank's Texas Grill
11/28 Goliad, TX Schroeder Dance Hall (w/ Randy Rogers Band)
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of That Kind of Man


Danny Barnes' Pizza Box Available NOW
**ONLINE EXCLUSIVE WITH 2 BONUS TRACKS** CLICK HERE to purchase today! With Pizza Box, Danny Barnes spins tales of American life like a latter-day John Steinbeck, wielding banjo and pen with equal effect, and the character of his voice as the perfect mouthpiece to truly bring these songs and stories to life. Pizza Box comes stuffed with shark hooks and addictive vocal and instrumental melodies, but it's Barnes' skills as a storyteller that shine strong. He tells tales with the wry wit and humor of Garrison Keilor, the lyrical eccentricities and intellect of Randy Newman, performed with the southern twang and swamp swagger of Levon Helm. Barnes combines and blends all of these elements into a style that is uniquely his own. Be sure to get your free downloads at www.dannybarnes.com

"Danny Barnes' Pizza Box is my favorite new music, my favorite rock record, and my favorite country record. From the first time he sat down and played me "Road," I knew his next record was going to be great, but I didn't expect this. the music is smart and soulful, and the lyrics are profound. It is heaven and earth. It is Americana, from the back porch to the pulpit, shattered dreams on angels wings. I can't stop listening. In the haze of over produced, "perfect" recording, Danny Barnes spent less than two weeks banging out an album that may well save your soul." - DAVE MATTHEWS
"The label 'true original' gets bandied about too often these days, but Danny Barnes deserves it."
-PASTE MAGAZINE
"An eclecticism that's nothing less than endearing and simultaneously visionary."
-ALL MUSIC GUIDE
"One of the most wildly inventive musicians on the planet"
-AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN


Jason Eady Breaks into TOP 20 Americana Chart
Jason Eady's brand new release, When The Money's All Gone, has cracked the TOP 20 of the Americana Music Chart, reaching #19, so far! With guest appearances by the Band of Heathens, Kelley Mickwee, and Kevin Welch, When The Money's All Gone is a record with depth and insight, along with grooves that are deep in the pocket. Jason Eady embodies all that we love about Americana - with his quiet honesty, uncanny eye for detail, he's pure and gritty, raw and refined. And HIS are the songs of our time ...as well as the timeless songs of all generations - destined to become instant classics just as Jason Eady is destined to become a legend! Keep up with all things Jason Eady HERE
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of When The Money's All Gone


Randy Weeks - Road Warrior
Randy Weeks has been hitting the road hard this fall. Don't miss him LIVE at the next show near you:
11/19 Madison, WI The Brink Lounge
11/20 Duluth, MN Fitger's Brewhouse
11/21 Minneapolis, MN Lee's Liquor Lounge
11/22 Avon, MN Aunt Annie's
"Weeks puts together a batch of consistently evocative, witty lyrics that he sings in a distinctively wry Lou Reed-meets-Willie Nelson voice." --LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Randy Weeks...writes amazingly well crafted, beautifully melodic songs and delivers them with his own brand of laid back vocals and surfboard cool, very hip approach." -- LUCINDA WILLIAMS
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Going My Way

BettySoo and a Cup of Joe
Starbucks has selected several tracks off BettySoo's latest release, Heat Sin Water Skin, to play in their stores nation-wide! Visit your local Starbucks today, and enjoy BettySoo's soothing voice with your next Pumpkin Spice Latte. Check out this fabulous MusicFog video of BettySoo's "Never Knew No Love."
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Heat Sin Water Skin


Sam Baker Sparked by Tragedy
CLICK HERE to check out this in depth spread on Sam Baker in the Austin-American Statesman:
"Sam's albums and his songs sound timeless to me, as if they could have been written by someone a thousand years old. He's connected to the universe in a way most of us will never know. And I think that comes from him having died, you know? He's the only person I know that died and lived to talk about it. You don't come away from that with nothing."
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Cotton


Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit "Cigarettes and Wine" Video
CLICK HERE to check out Jason Isbell's new video, filmed in black-and-white LIVE at Shoals Theatre. CLICK HERE to read the CMT.com blog (the most popular country music website) about "Cigarettes and Wine" and the heartbreak and pain that led to the beautiful song. CLICK HERE for the stellar Isbell review in Blurt. If you missed them at Mountain Stage, CLICK HERE to listen now! And check out Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit's TOUR DATES.
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

john Arthur martinez Buzz
Check out this great Roughstock review of john Arthur and his new album, Purgatory Road, HERE. CLICK HERE to watch the amazing video of "Cobalt Blue" filmed during the Americana Music Conference (via MusicFog.com). martinez has a brand new acoustic video of "Utopia" - CLICK HERE to watch. john Arthur martinez is a featured artist for the 1 Year Anniversary Party of Radio Free Texas, Sunday November 15th. Other performers include Walt Wilkins, Adam Carroll, Dustin Welch, and many more. CLICK HERE for more details.
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Purgatory Road


Slaid Cleaves US Tour
Slaid Cleaves is back in the US of A! Check out the tour dates below:
11/10 Cambridge, MA Passim
11/12 Londonderry, NH Tupelo Music Hall
11/13 Portland, ME One Longfellow Square
11/14 Chatham, NJ Sanctuary Concerts
11/15 Middletown, NY Friends of Music - The Mansion Series
11/19 Baton Rouge, LA Red Dragon Listening Room
11/20 Houston, TX Mucky Duck
11/21 Nacogdoches, TX Pickin'-in-Nac
11/25 Austin, TX Saxon Pub
11/27 Fredericksburg, TX Auslander
11/28 San Antonio, TX Casbeers
Check out what folks are saying about Slaid Cleaves:
"From the hardscrabble (but cheerful) verses of 'Hard to Believe' to the bluegrass-tinged lament of 'Green Mountains and Me' to the harsh, sarcastic, and reluctantly optimistic lines of 'Beautiful Thing,' this is a record that just goddam works, from first to last." - Stephen King
"Everything You Love plays seamlessly, like one of Lucinda Williams' classic early albums, pristine, honest, and lingering." - Austin Chronicle
"Bleak but beautiful." - NY Daily News
"Cleaves is at the pinnacle of his craft, and moving into sublime new lyrical and musical territory." - Houston Press
"Slaid Cleaves is a natural talent who records all too infrequently...the two songs that open the album, 'Cry' and 'Hard to Believe,' rank among his best." - Texas Monthly
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away


RAY. WYLIE. HUBBARD!
At long last...Ray Wylie Hubbard will release A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C) (Bordello/Thirty Tigers) on January 12, 2010. Produced by Hubbard and George Reiff, this record gleams with a keen eye of observation and a wise man’s knowledge. Ray Wylie Hubbard composes and performs a dozen songs that couldn’t spring from anywhere else but out of his fertile rock and roll bluesy poet-in-the-blistering-heat southern noggin.
The writing and recording of A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment came on the heels of Hubbard’s first screenplay endeavor, which was funded and filmed with a cast of icons including Kris Kristofferson, Dwight Yoakam and Lizzy Caplan. ”I like to look at both enlightenment and endarkenment,” he declares. “I feel comfortable observing each.” A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment demonstrates the kind of talent that every great songwriter yearns for. Among the musicians featured on the album are Kevin Russell (The Gourds), Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Robert Earl Keen), Bukka Allen (Ian Moore, Jack Ingram), Ray Bonneville (B.B. King, JJ Cale, Muddy Waters), Seth James (Percy Sledge, Delbert McClinton), David Abeyta (Reckless Kelly), the great Rick Richards, and The Trishas as well as his own son, Lucas Hubbard. Throughout the album, his focus remains on the song - constructing and performing stories set to music that resonate in a way that is completely his own. Stay tuned for more details!

Listen Up to James McMurtry!
The Village Voice called him "a poet of the people." Stephen King, writing in Entertainment Weekly, pronounced him "the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation." His previous LIVE release, Live in Aught-Three, turned the music world on its ear, gaining more praise and popularity than other studio efforts! The Austin Chronicle proclaimed, "This is no-frills, freak-flag rock. Turn it up!" PopMatters called it "a snapshot of where McMurtry is now, [marking him] as a legitimate inheritor of the Texas songwriting tradition."

Now, on October 13, 2009, Lightning Rod Records will release Live in Europe, a document of McMurtry's first European tour, on which, along with long-time band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. The set will be available as a CD with a bonus DVD, or as a deluxe vinyl LP package with a CD and DVD insert.

The album includes a bonus DVD featuring performances from the Amsterdam show. This marks the first time fans will be able to purchase video footage of McMurtry live in concert. The deluxe vinyl version includes inserted copies of the CD and DVD. Fellow Austin-based songwriter Jon Dee Graham opened the shows and joins the band on a version of his tune "Laredo" on the bonus DVD. McMurtry and band are currently on their second-ever European tour - CLICK HERE for dates!
CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy of Live in Europe
(*Pre-orders for the Vinyl LP with CD/Bonus DVD inserts comes with a FREE autographed poster*)

Gurf Morlix - Americana Instrumentalist of the Year
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2009 Americana Music Awards...especially Gurf Morlix, who was named Instrumentalist of the Year! In his unassuming way, Gurf Morlix has spent the majority of his life and career in the shadows -- as a top-notch producer, songwriter, and sideman, Gurf has been the "man behind the curtain" for the amazing records of the stars and legends of Americana music. Gurf has performed on the fundamental Americana records of Lucinda Williams, Mary Gauthier, Slaid Cleaves, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jim Lauderdale, Butch Hancock, Don Walser, Blaze Foley, Peter Case, Trish Murphy, Mojo Nixon, Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson...(the list goes on and on). And though he's enjoyed the mystique that comes with the "behind the scenes" lifestyle, every soul he's touched has soared to incredible heights! 2009 has been an amazing year for Gurf (his latest release, Last Exit to Happyland spent 18 weeks among the Americana Music Chart's Top 40), and this honor is the crowning jewel!

Danny Barnes In Stores and On The Road
At long last, Danny Barnes' new release, Pizza Box (ATO Records) will be IN STORES October 20th.Danny Barnes has developed a profile for himself as one of the most progressive and genre-bending artists of his craft. Throughout the years, Danny has performed with an eclectic group of marquee artists comprising an all star cast that reads like a who's who among varied musical landscapes ranging from bluegrass greats Bela Fleck, Del McCoury, and Sam Bush, to Americana artists Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, and Nickel Creek, to jam friendly Government Mule, Leftover Salmon, and Keller Williams, to jazz and blues instrumentalists Bill Frisell, Chuck Leavell, and John Popper, to members of the punk and metal Butthole Surfers, Dead Kennedys, and Ministry. On Pizza Box, Barnes tells tales with the wry wit and humor of Garrison Keilor, the lyrical eccentricities and intellect of Randy Newman, performed with the southern twang and swamp swagger of Levon Helm. Barnes combines and blends all of these elements into a style that is uniquely his own.

Danny Barnes will be supporting Yonder Mountain String Band for the entirety of their October tour. CLICK HERE for tour dates, and don't miss the next show near you!

CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy of Pizza Box
*Everyone who pre-orders will receive an exclusive bonus CD entitled, 'Catterpult Into Outerspace', featuring Danny and Dave Matthews Band performing two songs from 'Pizza Box' during their recent set over Labor Day weekend at The Gorge, along with two bonus songs from the recording sessions at Haunted Hollow produced by John Alagia. 10 copies will be autographed by Danny and Dave, and will be randomly distributed among all pre-orders.*


john Arthur martinez - Closer to His Dream
CLICK HERE to watch the MusicFog video performance of john Arthur martinez performing the beautiful "Closer to My Dream" during the Americana Music Convention. john Arthur's new release, Purgatory Road has garnered critical acclaim the world over! It broke into the Top 40 of the Texas Music Chart and continues to make leaps and bounds up the Americana Chart. Check out what folks are saying about john Arthur martinez:

"This should easily make the top album list for 2009 for every Americana radio programmer. Fantastic, diverse and just amazing." ~ Shayne Hollinger, Mandatory FM

"Soft rain on a tin roof on a lazy Sunday morning... a gentle breeze through the trees... That's the sense of pleasant calm one experiences as John Arthur Martinez' pure, melodic voice expertly delivers some of the finest songwriting examples available on the Americana music scene in his latest project "Purgatory Road". Texas Rebel Radio has enjoyed JAM's incredible projects for years. He was my first on-air interview nearly 14 years ago. And, it is a distinct honor to support this incredible effort. John Arthur, my friend, you have truly outdone yourself with this graceful music creation. Thank you for allowing us all to listen in!" ~ Dawn Dale, P.D.The Texas Rebel Radio Network

Listen Up to Shelley King!
On a unique collaboration between Shelley King and members of the subdudes (John Magnie, Tim Cook and Steve Amedée), King and her long-time musical heroes produced and performed together on the upcoming studio album, Welcome Home (in stores next month). What resulted is an instant classic! King's lustrous soothing voice and soulful songs are at the forefront of this recording supported by layers of effortless "subdudes" harmony and superb musicianship. The first single, "Summer Wine," received radio airplay around the world, and is currently #20 on the NMW College Chart. In stores just in time for the holidays, we encourage you to Welcome Home family and friends with this timeless collection of comfort songs for the soul.


Jonny Burke's The Long Haul EP Available NOW
Recorded over the course of 2009, (whenever he hasn't been on the road opening national tours for the likes of Todd Snider, Ryan Bingham and James McMurtry) Jonny Burke's debut solo release, The Long Haul EP, is a musical novella with subject matter ranging from the dark to the desirable, melodies and arrangements akin to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Stones, tones inherited from T. Rex, poetic lyrics often compared to Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, and vocal performances that are all his own. Exclusively available at Jonny Burke's shows, CLICK HERE for upcoming tour dates, and to preview tracks off The Long Haul EP today!

"Did Keith Richards become revitalized with one of his notorious blood transfusions, change his name, move to Texas, and release a below-the-radar mini-classic? Love the swagger!" ~ Warren Catlett ("Cat"), Radio Free Americana

Seth James - That Kind Of Man
CLICK HERE to check out Seth James incredible MusicFog performance of "Leaves of September" (a song off his brand new release, That Kind of Man), filmed during the Americana Convention.

Do you have your Seth James ringtones yet? CLICK HERE to get ringtones for "Leaves of September" and "Two For Tuesday" delivered straight to your phone!

"That Kind Of Man contains the best, soulful Texas country music you've ever heard." ~CountryChart.com

"Seth has a rather distinctive voice, recalling the slight grain of T. Graham Brown at times, with occasional dashes of Bob Seger. The production is lean and rough, relying heavily on a fuzzy Hammond B-3 organ and some loud, crisp guitar work: no compression, no swelling string section, no layered background vocals...its high points make a very convincing argument that Texas music shouldn't have to stop at the border." ~ Roughstock.com

Sam Baker US c o t t o n Release
Sam Baker has returned from his extensive European tour to celebrate the release of his new release, c o t t o n . He will be performing at Austin's Cactus Cafe on Saturday, October 17th. Be sure to arrive early to get a good seat. So far, c o t t o n has spent 8 weeks in the Top 40 of the Americana Music Chart, and is currently #1 on the Euro Americana Chart.

Randy Weeks Northeast Tour
Randy Weeks is on the road this fall, touring the Northeast. Catch him LIVE at a show near you:
10/3 Austin, TX Momo's
10/6 Nashville, TN 3rd and Lindsley
10/7 Asheville, NC The Grey Eagle
10/9 Columbia, SC The White Mule
10/10 Atlanta, GA The Five Spot
10/15 Harrisburg, PA Stage on Herr
10/16 Rochester, NY Abilene
10/17 Buffalo, NY Sportsmen's Tavern
10/24 Burlington, VT Nectar's
10/28 New York, NY Sullivan's Hall
10/29 Rochester, NY Water Street Music Hall
10/30 Philadelphia, PA The Tin Angel

The Jason Eady Buzz
Jason Eady's new release, When The Money's All Gone, is currently #22 on the Americana Music Chart, and CLIMBING! Check out what folks have been saying about this stellar album:

"Jason Eady is a star. To find out why, just pop in 'When The Money's All Gone,' and get ready to visit the eye of the hurricane at Ground Zero of The Crossroads... Jason Eady cuts through and grabs you. He knows what it takes to hone the song, both lyrically and musically, and he does it. And, he is really, really good at it. In fact, I think he is phenomenal." ~ Ernie Hopseker, Ocean Beach Radio

"I thought Jason Eady might have a difficult time topping 'From Underneath The Old,' but 'When All The Money's Gone' does that and more in grand style. What'll this guy do NEXT?!" ~ Wildman Steve, WMSR

"Jason Eady effortlessly folds the traditions of true American country music into songs that are as contemporary as they are ageless. He sings with a soulfulness that could only come from someone who has lived a lot longer than he has. His songs are as muscular as they are fragile, creating the kind of tension that makes them worth listen after listen." ~ Ed McKeon, WWUH

"Like Johnny Cash, Jason Eady walks a tightrope between sin and salvation, delivering with gut-wrenching urgency country, rock 'n roll and gospel-tinged songs about making tough choices that serves as a microcosm of what we, as a country and a global community, collectively face in the year 2009. Eady admits to sometimes winning and sometimes losing in the battle with his demons; however, unlike Robert Johnson at the crossroads, he never sells his soul. Likewise, despite the poor choices made by our society at large, it doesn't necessarily spell doom. As Eady hopefully informs us on the title track, "it might not be the worst thing after all, when the money's all gone." I can drink to that." ~ Warren Catlett ("Cat"), Radio Free Americana

Slaid Cleaves European Tour
Don't miss Slaid Cleaves this month as he tours the UK, The Netherlands, and Scotland!
10/2 Zwolle, NL - Winners Festival
10/3 Hoorn, NL - Huis Verloren
10/4 Ottersum, NL - Roepaen
10/6 Dublin, Ireland - Whelans
10/7 Belfast, Northern Ireland - Errigle Inn
10/8 Pontypridd, UK - Muni
10/9 Romsey, UK - The Lantern Theatre
10/10 Buckingham, UK - Radcliffe Centre
10/13 London, UK - Luminaire
10/14 Birmingham, UK - Kitchen Cafe
10/16 Sheffield, UK - Millinnium Hall
10/17 Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands UK - The Swan
10/18 Chorley, UK - St. Bedes
10/19 Maidstone, UK - Maverick Live
10/21 Bristol, UK - St. Bonadventures
10/22 Nottingham, UK - The Maze
10/23 Gateshead, UK - Jumpin' Hot Club at The Little Theatre
10/24 Edinburgh, Scotland - The Pleasance Courtyard
10/25 Inverness, Scotland - Mad Hatters
10/26 Lathones, Scotland - The Stables

Adam Carroll - Live at Flipnotics
Adam Carroll is adding the finishing touches to his upcoming LIVE record, Live at Flipnotics (scheduled for release early 2010). Produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb, this intimate tapestry of songs and stories captures the spirit, beauty, and light that only Adam can show us. Stay tuned for more details.

BettySoo Hits the Road
BettySoo hits the road hard this month! She will vie for the chance to perform live at Mountain Stage at the Mountain Stage/NewSong Festival Songwriting Competition. Soon after, she will jet off to Europe for a 3 week tour traveling across Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands alongside talented friends Abi Tapia and Charlie Faye. The threesome will perform as a trio, adding sweet mandolin, guitar, harmonica, and accordion parts to each other's songs at club and radio dates across the three countries!

Jason Eady - When The Money's All Gone
In an astounding three weeks, Jason Eady's incredible new release, When The Money's All Gone, made it's Americana Debut at #32. Produced by critically acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Welch, and released by Smith Entertainment, the album comes as both a calming voice for the current times and as a timeless assortment of blue-eyed, southern soul music. Guest appearances by the Band of Heathens, Kelley Mickwee, and Kevin Welch himself highlight the grooving band made up of Rick Richards (Gurf Morlix, Ray Wylie Hubbard), Joel Guzman (Joe Ely, Sarah Fox), David Abeyta (Reckless Kelly) and Glenn Fukunaga (Dixie Chicks, Joe Ely). When The Money's All Gone will be in stores September 7th, but you can pre-order your copy today HERE.

Listen Up to Danny Barnes!
"Overdue" is the first single off the new album, Pizza Box, by banjo pioneer and visionary, Danny Barnes. The song features familiar background vocals by fan and friend, Dave Matthews, who is a champion of the project and releasing the John Alagia produced album on his label, ATO Records (Patti Griffin, My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, etc.).
Known early on for his work with the seminal Austin alternative country band, the Bad Livers (Sugar Hill), Barnes has developed a profile for himself as one of the most progressive and genre-bending artists of his craft. Throughout the years, Danny has performed with an eclectic group of marquee artists comprising an all star cast that reads like a who's who among varied musical landscapes ranging from bluegrass greats Bela Fleck, Del McCoury, and Sam Bush, to Americana artists Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, and Nickel Creek, to Jam friendly Government Mule, Leftover Salmon, and Keller Williams, to jazz and blues instrumentalists Bill Frisell, Chuck Leavell, and John Popper, to members of the punk and metal Butthole Surfers, Dead Kennedys, and Ministry. On Pizza Box, Barnes tells tales with the wry wit and humor of Garrison Keilor, the lyrical eccentricities and intellect of Randy Newman, performed with the southern twang and swamp swagger of Levon Helm. Barnes combines and blends all of these elements into a style that is uniquely his own.

Danny Barnes will be performing with Dave Matthews Band this weekend for their annual three-night stand at the Gorge outside of Seattle, WA, and will be supporting Yonder Mountain String Band for the entirety of their October tour. CLICK HERE for dates!

"The label 'true original' gets bandied about too often these days, but Danny Barnes deserves it." - Paste Magazine

Seth James' That Kind of Man - IN STORES TODAY
Seth James' new release, That Kind of Man, is in stores today! CLICK HERE to order your copy now. On That Kind of Man, Seth James moves away from his former bluesy, guitar-slinger style and takes his music in a broader direction. "I've always wanted to make a record that had a little something for everyone, and this time I believe I got it done," says James. "After not putting out an album for four years, I can honestly say it was well worth the wait." James, who has had his songs recorded by artists such as Ray Wiley Hubbard and Storyville, recorded the album at Omni Studios in Nashville. "I called Jay Knowles and Herb Tassin to produce and four days later we were done. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to make music with some of the best musicians and songwriters in the world on this project." James' co-writers on That Kind Of Man include Tony Arata, Al Anderson, and Trent Summar. Check out the upcoming tour dates below and be sure to catch Seth James LIVE:

Sept. 1 - Denver, CO Grizzly Rose (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed)
Sept. 2 - Manhattan, KS Wareham Opera House (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed) Sept. 3 - Newkirk, OK First Council Casino (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed) Sept. 4 - Austin, TX Stubb's (w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed and Robert Earl Keen)
Sept. 5 - Brady, TX World Championship BBQ Goat Cookoff
Sept. 6 - Fort Worth, TX CCR's Red Dirt Roundup
Sept. 10 - San Marcos, TX Cheatham Street Warehouse

Sam Baker Across The Pond
Sam Baker kicks off his UK tour this month, making stops in London, Norwich, Leichester, Anglesey, Buckingham, Nottingham, West Sussex, Bristol, and more. CLICK HERE for more info. Sam Baker's new release, c o t t o n, is in stores now. Check out this incredible Austin Chronicle review HERE.

BettySoo - Folk Fest Sweetheart
BettySoo is a finalist in both the Sisters Folk Fest (Sept 11-13 in Sisters, OR) and Mountain Stage NewSong (Oct. 9-11 in Charleston, WV). CLICK HERE for more info and upcoming tour dates and don't miss a chance to see BettySoo LIVE at a show near you.


Americana Music Award Nominees
Congratulations to Gurf Morlix and Jason Isbell on their 2009 Americana Music Award Nominations. Gurf Morlix is nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is nominated for Album of the Year (for their latest self titled album). The 8th Annual Americana Music Awards will be held at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on Thursday, September 17th.

Pre-Order Purgatory Road Today
john Arthur martinez' new release, Purgatory Road, won't hit the shelves until September 15th, but you can pre-order your copy today HERE. And congratulations, for the record - john Arthur martinez joined Walt Wilkins, Jimmy LaFave, Sam Baker, and over 1800 other pickers in Luckenbach, TX, broke the Guinness World record for the Largest Guitar Ensemble. The record was previously held since 2007 by German participants, led by Andreas Vockrodt.

"John Arthur Martinez brings vocals of ache and amber and a lyrical toss to yesteryear on his new CD Purgatory Road, thoroughly modern, meticulously produced and beautifully crafted." - Jessie Scott, Music Fog

Listen Up To Jonny Burke!
Recorded over the course of 2009, (whenever he hasn't been on the road opening national tours for the likes of Todd Snider, Ryan Bingham and James McMurtry) Jonny Burke's debut solo release, The Long Haul Ep is a collection of songs with subject matter ranging from the dark to the desirable, melodies and arrangements akin to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the Stones, tones inherited from T. Rex, poetic lyrics often compared to Dylan and Townes Van Zandt, and vocal performances that are all his own.

On the opening track, "Lost in the Forest", Jonny gives a rousing call for endurance over an infectious guitar hook. "Make it for You" could have been written by Roy Orison in the 1950's, and arranged by Jeff Tweedy in the 90's. "Ship Come In" (which features a guest appearance by the Band of Heathens) is a Stone-sy rocker whose extended verses pack a punch. "El Paso" digs deep on the dark yet beautiful with a Southwestern tale of a wandering drug addict set to ambient finger-picking. And title track, "The Long Haul" is a Petty-ish tune (co-written with Son Volt guitarist Chris Masterson) that might sum up that generalized inspirational theme of the Ep. On this track, Jonny sings over a melodic chorus, "I'm in it for the long haul, I'm in it til' the last one falls..." Because with music this good, Jonny has to be "in it for the long haul." CLICK HERE to preview tracks off The Long Haul.

Tarantino Digs Steve Poltz
Listen to Quentin Tarantino's personal playlist (including Steve Poltz' version of "Waterfalls") on Sirius XM. Steve Poltz is currently in the studio in Halifax, Nova Scotia, working on his highly anticipated upcoming record. Stay tuned for details!

James McMurtry - Live in Europe
On October 13, 2009, Lightning Rod Records will release Live in Europe, a document of McMurtry's first European tour, on which, along with long-time band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. The set will be available as a CD with a bonus DVD, or as a deluxe vinyl LP package with a CD and DVD insert. In early 2009, James McMurtry and his trio traveled overseas to play their first European tour. The guys played for enthusiastic crowds in Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland and Belgium. Joining the band on keyboards for the tour was the legendary Ian McLagan (who also played on McMurtry's latest studio album, Just Us Kids). The best recordings from the Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Geislingen, Germany concerts were combined to create Live in Europe. The album includes a bonus DVD featuring performances from the Amsterdam show. This marks the first time fans will be able to purchase video footage of McMurtry live in concert. The deluxe vinyl version includes inserted copies of the CD and DVD. Fellow Austin-based songwriter Jon Dee Graham opened the shows and joins the band on a version of his tune "Laredo" on the bonus DVD.

McMurtry is a favorite around the world and whose songs have appeared on the iPods of Stephen King, Matthew McConaughey, George W. Bush, and most recently, Jewel.

Shelley King and the subdudes
Shelley King is adding the finishing touches on her brand new release, Welcome Home (featuring members of the subdudes: John Magnie, Tim Cook, and Steve Amedee). Welcome Home is scheduled for release November 3rd, 2009, but you can purchase the single, "Summer Wine" HERE!

Mark Stuart and The Bastard Sons Americana Debut
Congratulations: Mark Stuart and The Bastard Sons new release, Bend In The Road, is currently #3 on the FAR Report and debuted this week on the Americana Chart at #30. Bend in the Road will be in-stores September 22nd. CLICK HERE for upcoming tour dates, and stay tuned for Release Week TV and radio appearances!

"Bend in the Road is the best country record I've heard this year." Grade: A -- Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal Star

"Stuart was smart to drop "of Johnny Cash" from his Bastard Sons, even with the Man in Black's approval. That novelty got in the way of the new Austinite's roots-bound direction on Bend in the Road. He's on the familiar path of life's ever-changing landscape, rendering covers (Billy Joe Shaver's "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal") and originals ("Lonestar, Lovestruck, Blues") with tough denim style." Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle

"There's a breezy vibe to "Bend in the Road" that sticks to the overall theme of heading out on the open road and looking for love and good times. Stuart doesn't break any new ground here, but he doesn't have to because this is fertile lyrical and musical territory that never grows old." Rod Lockwood, Toledo Blade

"... a mature, remarkably diverse work with a strong sense of the Austin musical community." Mikel Toombs, San Diego News Network

Ben Kweller on CMT's Pure 12-Pack Video Countdown
Ben Kweller's new video "Wanting Her Again" is featured on CMT's Pure 12-Pack Video Countdown! CLICK HERE to check it out. And be sure to vote for Ben HERE.

We Can't Make it Here Anymore
When George W. Bush left office, his hometown of Crawford, Texas welcomed him home with a great affair. The band hired to perform at the Welcome Home Bash included Josh Garner (former drummer of rock band The Dedringers, which shared the stage with James McMurtry, Hayes Carll, Ryan Bingham and others on numerous occasions) Bush's Secret Service screened everyone involved with the big event. As they ran the routine background check on Garner, a flag went up. They specifically asked him, "What is your affiliation with James McMurtry?"McMurtry's recent political activism had definitely been noticed by the Powers That Were. His two songs "We Can't Make it Here" and "Cheney's Toy" were not particularly flattering to the ex-president. In response, McMurtry said, "They never pull me out of the airport line. I guess they must be meticulous if I'm on the radar."
This fall, McMurtry will tour the U.S. and Europe in support of his upcoming release, Live in Europe on Lightning Rod Records, in stores October 13th. Former Dedringer frontman Jonny Burke will open the U.S. dates.

Listen Up to john Arthur martinez!
"I always tell people I went to the Hank Williams school of songwriting; I always try to capture his ability to marry a lyric with a melody," says john Arthur martinez. With his highly anticipated release, Purgatory Road, martinez has definitely earned himself an A. Purgatory Road is filled with the spiritual and creative energy of the Texas Hill Country, and musical influences that range from Dan Fogelberg and James Taylor to Carlos Santana, Cuco Sanchez and Asleep at the Wheel.
After his second-place finish on the national TV show, "Nashville Star," martinez garnered millions of fans, made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry and performed around the world with Dwight Yoakam, Todd Snider, Mark Chestnutt, Randy Travis, Rueben Ramos, Keith Urban, Randy Rogers, and many others. With Purgatory Road, martinez says, his career is coming full-circle. martinez brings to the center stage the songwriter part of singer-songwriter. The 11-track collection is filled with flowing melodies and the kind of lyrics that evoke past memories and pure emotion.

"When he smiles the world has sunshine. When he talks, it's always from the heart. And when he sings, the soul is nourished." - Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine

THIS JUST IN: john Arthur martinez will head to Luckenbach, TX to join 1999 other pickers break the Guinness World Record for Largest Guitar Ensemble ever assembled August 23 - CLICK HERE for more details.

Jenni Finlay Promotions Celebrates Three Years!
Join us on August 13th, for the Jenni Finlay Promotions 3rd Anniversary Party and Radio Showcase. Held at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas (just south of Austin), featured performers include James McMurtry, Jason Eady, Seth James, Mark Stuart, Adam Carroll, and john Arthur martinez. CLICK HERE for tickets! And for those of you not in central Texas, Radio Free Texas will broadcast the showcase LIVE. Tune in around the world!

Slaid Cleaves on World Cafe
Tune in for Slaid Cleaves' World Cafe performance Tuesday, August 18th. CLICK HERE for more info and links to listen. CLICK HERE for the NPR feature on Slaid Cleaves latest release, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away.

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit's Daytrotter session
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit recorded live versions of "Streetlights," "Seven-Mile Island," "The Blue," and "The Last Song I Will Write" for Daytrotter. Go to this link to download mp3s of the performances.

For a limited time: Customers who buy a Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit CD or LP from the Lightning Rod Records store will receive an autographed booklet.

Listen Up to Mark Stuart!
For Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons (a new name for the acclaimed Alt-Country outfit, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash), the last ten years has been a blur of miles and markers. They have played more shows most years than most bands do in their entire careers. And amidst that grueling schedule, Stuart has managed to keep writing, delivering two previous records, Walk Alone and Distance Between, that built a hardcore fanbase and widespread praise around the world. The latest studio effort, Bend in the Road, was produced by Stuart and features an A-list team who have recorded and toured with Lucinda Williams, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, and Buck Owens (just to name a few)!

Shelley King On Tour
The Shelley King band is on the road again, touring the Northeast this month. Check out the dates below CLICK HERE for more details, and be sure to catch a show near you!
8/14 Swanzey, NH House Concert
8/15 Sullivan, NM Burritoville
8/16 Terryville, CT Texas in Terryville
8/17 Newton, NJ House Concert
8/18 Ithaca, NY Maxie's Supper Club
8/19 New York, NY Hill Country BBQ
8/20 Fredericksburg, VA House Concert

CLICK HERE to purchase Shelley King's new single, "Summer Wine"

Chris Gaffney Tribute (Featuring James McMurtry) In Stores Now
Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to Chris Gaffney (featuring James McMurtry) is in stores now! A founding member of the Hacienda Brothers, Gaffney passed away in 2008 after a courageous battle with liver cancer. McMurtry recorded Gaffney's "Fight (Tonight's the Night). Other artists on this amazing tribute include Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Joe Ely, and of course, Dave Alvin. CLICK HERE for more info.

There are new dates scheduled for McMurtry's European tour this fall. Don't miss the show:
10/3 Groningen, NL, Take Root Festival
10/4 Antwerp, Belgium, Arenberg Schouwburg
10/5 London, UK, The Borderline
10/6 Nottingham, UK, Rescue Rooms
10/7 Bristol, UK, Fiddlers
10/8 Buckingham, UK, Old Town Hall
10/ 9 Manchester, UK, Club Academy
10/10 York, UK, Duchess of York
10/11 Newcastle, UK, The Cluny
10/12 Edinburgh, Scotland, Bongo Club
10/13 Belfast, Northern Ireland, Errigle Inn
10/14 Kilkenny, Ireland, Langtons Theatre
10/15 Dublin, Ireland, Whelan's

Sam Baker's c o t t o n In Stores
Sam Baker's much awaited release, c o t t on, will be in stores August 25th. c o t t o n has received high praise, soaring up the Americana Music Chart, FAR report, and many more! Check out what folks are saying about Baker's latest masterpiece:

"It's simply brilliant." Joe Pareres, Third Coast, KSYM

"Baker's songs evoke a wistfulness and melancholy that takes the listener to a place that might be uncomfortable at times, but touches your heart at all times" - Bill Bowker, KRSH

"Cotton is a true masterpiece and went to record of the week when it arrived. A contender for album of the year...beautiful, powerful and very very real."Barry Marshall Everitt, House of Mercy

"Sam Baker never ceases to amaze me. How someone can continually increase their genius from album to album is quite extraordinary. The latest album Cotton is absolutely incredible. You will feel like you've been saved after the first listen." - Shayne Hollinger, Mandatory FM

Catch Sam, Gurf Morlix and Slaid Cleaves in Canada this month. They will all be at the Edmonton Folk Fest August 6-9. CLICK HERE for more details.

CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy of Sam Baker's c o t t o n

BettySoo Opens for Joan Baez
BettySoo will open for legendary folk icon, Joan Baez Friday, August 7th at the Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, WI. CLICK HERE for details and more tour dates! BettySoo's stellar release, Heat, Sin, Water, Skin made it's debut on the Americana Music Chart, reaching #30! Check out the recent buzz:

"Never The Pretty Girl is one of ten songs (plus Jimmie Davis & Hank Williams' Lonesome Whistle, thrown in perhaps to underline just what a wonderful singer she is) that meet the Betty Elders/Barb Donovan gold standard for Austin female singer-songwriters, and let me say that's not something that happens every day, or even every year if it comes to that." - ****1/2 - John Conquest, 3rd Coast Music

"A new, more pop conscious Nanci Griffith strums among us...BettySoo's voice is certainly worth of major-league attention." - Michael Cocoran, Austin American Statesman

"We're looking at a future multi-platinum Grammy winning star here, and I want to be the first to say, 'I told you so.'" - Greg Robert, Country Line Magazine

Randy Weeks Hits the Road
Randy Weeks will criss-cross the Midwest this month, with performances in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and more! CLICK HERE for a show near you!

Listen Up To Jason Eady!
Very good things come to those who wait. Mississippi native Jason Eady has come full circle on his third and latest album, When the Money's All Gone, delivering southern gospel stomps, New Orleans soul, and the heartbreaking tide of sin and redemption through his rich baritone voice and a raucous band. Produced by critically acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Welch, and released by Smith Music Group, the album comes as both a calming voice for the current times and as a timeless assortment of blue-eyed, southern soul music. Guest appearances by the Band of Heathens, Kelley Mickwee, and Kevin Welch himself highlight the grooving band made up of Rick Richards (Gurf Morlix, Ray Wylie Hubbard), Joel Guzman (Joe Ely, Sarah Fox), David Abeyta (Reckless Kelly) and Glenn Fukunaga (Dixie Chicks, Joe Ely). Growing up in Jackson, MS and introduced to music by way of foot stompin, "Amen" yelling, and harmonizing Sunday mornings, Jason's music is shaped and influenced by the environment of Southern culture so deeply ingrained in him. When the Money's All Gone will hit the shelves September 8th, but catch it on your favorite radio station soon!

"Jason writes extremely literate songs and wraps them up with deep Mississippi grooves, and then performs them, every time, with clear purpose and bulletproof delivery. Because of that, we were able to cut live with virtually no fixes, down in the tracks with that great band-and-engineer team, and that's why this thing swings like it does. He's a true gentleman and I'm grateful I had the good fortune to be involved. It was a piece of cake." -Kevin Welch (Producer)

Seth James Pre-Orders Available NOW!
Seth James' new release, That Kind of Man, won't hit the shelves until September, but you can pre-order your copy today HERE.

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 even more surprise special guests! Save the date, and stay tuned for details.

Listen Up To Shelley King!
Kick off the summer with Shelley King! Shelley King is the 2008 Official State Musician of Texas and the first woman to hold the honor. She is a perennial favorite in the Austin Music Awards and a multi-award winner. King recently teamed up with members of The Subdudes, John Magnie, Tim Cook, and Steve Amedee, to produce the soon-to-be released studio album entitled Welcome Home. King's lustrous soothing voice and timeless songs are at the forefront of this recording supported by layers of effortless "subdudes" harmony and superb musicianship. The first single, "Summer Wine" - an all American sultry summer love song with an uplifting melody and smooth groove - will start spinning on your favorite radio station the first day of summer, June 22nd.
"I think Shelley King is a badass. Such a voice, such a presence...such soul...and a nice combo with the Subdudes!" - Jody Denberg, KGSR
"I love Shelley King. I love her music and I love her band. Texas music needs Shelley King as much as it needs anybody. And I'd tell that to anyone. Her new record is smokin' hot! Looking forward to playing it on the radio!" - Mattson Rainer, KNBT

Slaid Cleaves Number 2 - Americana Music Chart!
Slaid Cleaves' Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away has been #2 on the Americana Music Chart for three weeks running. CLICK HERE to check out the stellar record review in Texas Monthly and HERE for the feature in Austin American-Statesman. CLICK HERE to check out Slaid's Voice of America feature (click on the right side to listen). CLICK HERE to catch Slaid LIVE.
CLICK HERE to purchase your AUTOGRAPHED copy of Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away

Kweller-mania!
Ben Kweller is back in the states this month, and he has hit the ground running. He is performing across the west coast making stops in California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Arizona. CLICK HERE for tourdates. Ben will tape CBS's The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on June 18th. It is scheduled to air the following week - stay tuned for details!

Americana Music Award Nominees
Congratulations to Gurf Morlix and Jason Isbell on their 2009 Americana Music Award Nominations. Gurf Morlix is nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year, and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is nominated for Album of the Year (for their latest self titled album). The 8th Annual Americana Music Awards will be held at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on Thursday, September 17th. All current Americana Association members are eligible to vote, so join today HERE.

Sam Baker - Cotton
Sam Baker is finishing up his new highly anticipated release, Cotton. On Music Road Records, Cotton is Baker's third studio album, scheduled to be released in the states in late August. Stay tuned for more info.

BettySoo's heat sin water skin In Stores
BettySoo's new release, heat sin water skin, will be in stores June 13th. CLICK HERE to pre-order today. heat sin water skin is currently #44 on the Americana Music Chart and soaring!! Help celebrate the release at Cactus Cafe in Austin on June 13th.

"[BettySoo's songs] prove that a gorgeous melody and voice to match can be as devastating as a deep and dirty groove. " - Richard Skanse, Texas Music Magazine

James McMurtry LIVE
James McMurtry is currently adding the finishing touches to his upcoming LIVE record - from his recent performance at The Paradiso in Amsterdam - scheduled to be released this fall. Stay tuned for details. On Saturday, June 13th, James McMurtry will perform a rare solo/acoustic set at pat mAcdonald's Steel Bridge Festival in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. CLICK HERE for tickets and details. McMurtry just announced his summer mountain tour, including dates in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. CLICK HERE for a show near you.

Jason Eady - When The Money's All Gone
Very good things come to those who wait: Jason Eady's upcoming release, When The Money's All Gone, is scheduled to be released this September. Jason Eady has quickly garnered high praise for his roots music - Bob Lefsetz considered it "akin to the stuff the Stones used to cut, back when they needed to go to Alabama to get it right." When The Money's All Gone is star-studded, produced by Kevin Welch, and featuring the talents of Joel Guzman, Rick Richards, Kelley Mickwee and the Band of Heathens. Download your free MP3 of "When The Money's All Gone" HERE.

The Resentments - Loss and Legacy
The great singer/songwriter and The Resentments founder, Stephen Bruton passed away Saturday, May 9th after a 2 year battle with cancer. He gave so much to us all and will certainly be missed. CLICK HERE for more about Bruton. Check out this beautiful review of The Resentments' latest record, Roselight (by MusicFog's Jessie Scott) HERE.

David Serby Buzz
Check out what folks are saying about David Serby's Honky Tonk and Vine:

"David Serby's new album "Honky Tonk and Vine" is absolutely the BEST new country cd I've heard in a long time! I loved his previous "Another Sleepless Night" album, but this one just kicks Bakersfield Butt!!! THIS is already my choice for Album of the Year! Tell David I said he just NAILED IT with this one! " - Torchy Blaine, WDVR-FM

"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

"Serby has the looks of a heartthrob, the voice of a seducer, and the talent to please those looking deeper than the superficial." - Roughstock

"Serby's a superb craftsman, expanding clever song titles into lyrics whose rhymes flow as smoothly as conversation. He's just as clever with his music, mixing up straight two-steps, accordion lined Tex-Mex, Bakersfield sting, and Blasters-styled blue roots-rock. " - Hyperbolium

Susan Gibson Summer Dates
Susan Gibson hits the road this month, touring New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. CLICK HERE for a show near you. Susan will be opening for Steve Earle at the Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels on June 20th - CLICK HERE for tickets.

Steve Poltz - From the Mountain to Down Under
"Poltz somehow blends strong melodies and soaring multi-tracked vocal harmonies, frequently enhanced by moody strings, with dark romantic cynicism and a kind of low-key Frank Zappa zaniness." Ian Cuthbertson, The Austrailian

Steve Poltz is currently on tour in Austraila. CLICK HERE for tour dates. But even if you can't make it to the show, you don't have to miss out! Every show is recorded and made available online immediately after the performance. Each show is different, so be sure to collect them all. CLICK HERE to purchase today! And be sure to check out Steve Poltz's recent Mountain Stage performance.

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit On Tour
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit will share the stage with Gomez this month:
Monday, June 1: New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Wednesday, June 3: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small's
Thursday, June 4: Covington, KY @ Madison Theatre
Later this month, they'll head overseas for their 2009 UK Tour. CLICK HERE for tour dates.

Listen Up To BettySoo!
Teamed with seasoned producer Gurf Morlix, BettySoo has created a record worth sitting up and paying attention to - Heat Sin Water Skin. Her vocals are striking, the players strong, the sound gripping, and the lyrics compelling. Her first studio efforts (Let Me Love You, 2005; Little Tiny Secrets, 2007, Never the Pretty Girl EP, 2007) were well received by critics, earning praise locally and nationally - even securing her performance opportunities overseas. Since their release, she has earned multiple songwriting awards (including Kerrville New Folk, Wildflower Festival, and Big Top Chautauqua Songwriter of the Year) and has proven herself a strong emerging live performer. As for genre, she's still nestled in the folk-rock world, but she is bringing something new to her listeners. "There's a little gospel, some straight-ahead folk, a bit of twang, and maybe even a familiar oldie with a new twist. Be ready for a surprise." With Heat Sin Water Skin, BettySoo adds some welcome edge and grit to the heart-breaker ballads and bell-pure vocals she's come to be known for. CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy today.

McMurtry Featured on Gaffney Tribute and Announces European Dates
James McMurtry is featured on "Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to Chris Gaffney" (scheduled to be released May 26th by Yep Roc). A founding member of the Hacienda Brothers, Gaffney passed away in 2008 after a courageous battle with liver cancer. McMurtry recorded Gaffney's "Fight (Tonight's the Night). Other artists on this amazing tribute include Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Joe Ely, and of course, Dave Alvin. CLICK HERE for more info.

James McMurtry just announced his Fall '09 European Tour. He is scheduled to perform in The Netherlands, Belguim, the UK, and Ireland. CLICK HERE for tour dates.

Slaid Cleaves Top 5 Americana
Slaid Cleaves' Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away came in this week at #5 on the Americana Music Chart. CLICK HERE to check out the stellar review in NoDepression.com, and HERE for his Texas Music Matters feature on KUT.org. CLICK HERE to watch his live performance of "Black T-Shirt" during SXSW (Courtesy of MusicFog.com).

This Just In: Memorial Day Weekend, Slaid will kick off MusicRise at Videoranch - A music festival in a virtual world to launch the 2009 concert season! Slaid will perform Friday, May 22nd at 7pm (PST). Other artists include Carolyn Wonderland, The Boxmasters, Rebeca Mauleón Latin Jazz Quartet, Michael Nesmith, Thao with the Get Down and Stay Down. Don't miss it! CLICK HERE for more info. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away.

Ben Kweller to Tour West Coast This Summer
Ben Kweller just announced his summer tour - focusing on the West Coast. CLICK HERE for dates and ticket info! CLICK HERE to check out Ben's live performance of "Things I Like to Do" during SXSW (Courtesy of MusicFog.com).

Randy Weeks Buzz
Check out what folks are saying Randy Week's Going My Way.
"Randy Weeks should be playing on everyone's radio." -- AUSTIN CHRONICLE

"On his solo collection Going My Way, coming Feb. 24, Weeks puts together a batch of consistently evocative, witty lyrics that he sings in a distinctively wry Lou Reed-meets-Willie Nelson voice." --LOS ANGELES TIMES

"Deserving of much greater recognition as a performer." --ALL MUSIC.COM

" the hits that dominated the radio circa 1972-75 marked a nirvana of sorts for songsmiths who excelled with melody and harmony above all other elements. And when it comes down to it, that's what makes Weeks' music so appealing." --NO DEPRESSION.COM

"Going My Way is as solid and muscular an album as Weeks has ever made. Welcome to Texas, cowboy." --HOUSTON PRESS

"Randy Weeks and Texas will be a match made in Lone Star heaven." --AUSTIN CHRONICLE

CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Going My Way

Steve Poltz on Mountain Stage and on the Road
Steve Poltz's Mountain Stage performance will air the week of May 17th. CLICK HERE for a list of stations that will carry the show, and be sure to tune in! Steve Poltz stopped by KINK-FM this past week - CLICK HERE to check out his amazing Live Performance Lounge rendition of "Sewing Machine." Steve has lined up a whirlwind world-wide tour this summer, with shows in the US, Australia, and Canada.
AUSTRALIA:
Thurs 7 May - Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
Fri 8 May - The Sands Tavern, Maroochydore, QLD
Sat 9 May - Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, QLD
Sun 10 May - Great Northern, Byron Bay, NSW
Tues 12 May - Lizottes, Kincumber NSW
Wed 13 May - Newcastle Uni Bar on the Hill, NSW
Thurs 14 May - Wollongong UniBar, NSW
Fri 15 May - Metro, Sydney, NSW
Sat 16 May - ANU Canberra, ACT
Wed 20 May - Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc, VIC
Thurs 21 May - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
Sat 23 May - Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
Thurs 28 May - The Gov, Adelaide, SA
CLICK HERE for full tour date schedule, tickets, and more information.

David Serby's Honky Tonk and Vine
David Serby's new release, Honky Tonk and Vine is making quite a splash in Americana Music. You can already hear it on COUNTRYBEAR.COM, KBCS, KCSN, KDHX, KDNK, KEXP, KFAN, KOPN, KRCB, KRSH, The Billy Block Show, RADIO VAGABOND, SIRIUS OUTLAW, WIKX, WJMQ, WQBR, WYOU/WRRW, AND MANY MORE! Call your favorite radio station and request it today! CLICK HERE to pre-order your very own copy of Honky Tonk and Vine today.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Featured on World Cafe and VIMBY
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit have been the talk of the town recently. CLICK HERE to check out the band's live performance on World Cafe. CLICK HERE to check out the Jason Isbell piece in VIMBY. CLICK HERE for their acoustic performance of "The Blue" at Paste Headquarters. Isbell and Unit are currently on tour - CLICK HERE for a show near you!
Text Jason2 to 66555 for "Seven-Mile Island"
Text Jason3 to 66555 for "Good"
Text Jason4 to 66555 for "Soldiers Get Strange"
Text Jason5 to 66555 for "However Long".
*2.99 per real music ringtone. CLICK HERE for more details.

Jonny Burke in Studio
Jonny Burke is in the studio now, currently recording a new solo project, The Long Haul. Formerly of the critically acclaimed duo, The Dedringers, Jonny Burke will prove, with this new release (featuring the talents of Harmony Kelly, Freedy Johnson, the Band of Heathens, and Sean Faires) that he is, indeed, in it for the long haul. According to Burke, "I had decided before I even started working on a debut solo album that I wanted to call it 'The Long Haul.' It is the title to a song of mine which has a tag line in the chorus that has really become a personal mantra of mine in regards to my career and my life in general." Stay tuned for more info.

Check out What Folks are Saying About The Resentments:
"One of the most diverse and stunning debut albums in this decade, The Resentments are one of my favorite new groups." Wildman Steve, WildmanSteveRadio

"The Resentments don't tour and I resent that - although a trip to Austin to see them couldn't be all that bad! 'Roselight' is another in a series on wonderfully, loosly, well-planned songs by some of Austin's seasoned masters of rhythm, reason, and groove. Standout tracks for me are 'What Love Can Do,' 'Look Up,' and 'Build Your Own Prison.' I'm on my way to Austin!" Bill Bowker, KRSH

"The Resentments...one word Holy-Sh**...ok, maybe that's two words, but it has a hyphen so there. Put that one on the grammy ballot." Shayne Hollinger, KCUB

Terri Hendrix and the Indigo Girls
Terri Hendrix will open several shows this month for The Indigo Girls:
Wed May 20th Lakewood Theater, Dallas, TX
Thur May 21st Stubbs Amphitheater, Austin, TX
Fri May 22nd Verizon Amphitheater, Houston, TX
Sat May 23rd Tipitina's, New Orleans, LA
Terri will be featured at the world-renowned Kerrville Folk Festival May 26th- 31st. CLICK HERE for more info.

Adam Carroll Live Record
Adam Carroll is recording a new LIVE CD at Austin's Flipnotics Coffeespace on Friday, May 22nd. Scrappy Jud Newcomb is producing the live recording and will be performing with Adam during two separate shows at 8pm & 10pm. Joining them will be a number of very special and surprise guests. Come out and be a part of it all! CLICK HERE for more info.

Rancho Deluxe European Tour
Rancho Deluxe is headed overseas this month, performing in Belgium, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland, Norway, more...CLICK HERE for tour dates. Their latest release, True Freedom, has received critical acclaim all across Europe as well as the US. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today.

South Austin Jug Band Live on Tour
CLICK HERE to purchase the new live memoir of The South Austin Jug Band's decade of music. Hand-selected from a compilation of fan-recorded bootlegs, the performances range from shows in California to the Netherlands. CLICK HERE for more info.

Slaid Cleaves - IN STORES APRIL 21st
Slaid Cleaves brand new record, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away will be in stores April 21st. It's been five years since Cleaves' last album of self-penned songs, 2004's acclaimed Wishbones, but very good things come to those who wait, as Cleaves proves with his incredible new release. Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away was the #1 Most Added Title in Americana this week. Stephen King says: "From the hardscrabble (but cheerful) verses of "Hard to Believe" to the bluegrass-tinged lament of "Green Mountains and Me" to the harsh, sarcastic - and reluctantly optimistic - lines of "Beautiful Thing," this is a record that just goddam works, from first to last." CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy of Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away now.

Steve Poltz Hits the Road
CLICK HERE for tour dates and ticket info! Check out his recent performance at New York's Turning Point HERE

Just had to share this with you!
James McMurtry's Just Us Kids came out a year ago last week - Check out this incredible interpretive hula-hoop to "Bayou Tortous" -it's mesmerizing! http://tinyurl.com/clb2x7

Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away - TOP 10 AMA CHART
Slaid Cleaves new record, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away is currently #9 on the Americana Chart! In Stores, April 21st, CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy today!

Ben Kweller "FIGHT" Video Number 1
Ben Kweller's "Fight" video shot straight up to #1 on CMT's Pure 12-Pack Video Countdown, and has stayed there for three straight weeks because of YOUR votes! Let's keep it up: VOTE HERE.
CLICK HERE to check out Ben's interview on NPR's Weekend Edition. CLICK HERE to check out Ben's SXSW performance of "Wantin' Her Again" (courtesy of MusicFog). Kweller will begin his international tour - hitting Japan, Australia, and Europe - CLICK HERE for a show near you!

Choctaw Bingo New National Anthem?
James McMurtry's "Choctaw Bingo" has been named the new national anthem- Check it out HERE. James will perform a rare solo/acoustic performance in Austin, TX at Threadgill's North on April 10th and 11th. Then he will take the band to the Northwest - the first time in three years! CLICK HERE for dates. Check out James McMurtry's solo acoustic performance of "Choctaw Bingo" and "Rachel's Song".

Steve Poltz - The Voice of America
Steve Poltz was recently featured on Voice of America. CLICK HERE to download this incredible interview. Poltz hits the road this summer, touring the US, Canada and Australia. CLICK HERE for a show near you. And don't miss his Mountain Stage performance the week of May 17th. Stay tuned for details!

Each night Steve records his performances and they are available for sale immediately after the show. He now has these performance for sale on his website CLICK HERE to purchase Poltz's latest LIVE record.

Listen Up To David Serby!
Honky Tonk and Vine is the latest slice of Southern California-style hard country from David Serby. In stores this May, it has already been heralded as one of the best albums of '09 by the esteemed critic Chris Morris, who also hailed Serby as "a formidable tunesmith who knows the honky-tonk template by heart." Serby's no-nonsence, direct-from-the-heart music continues the grand California country legacy of Gene Autry and Hank Penny, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and Dave Alvin and Dwight Yoakam. At the intersection of traditional country and modern Americana, Honky Tonk and Vine finds Serby accelerating down the road toward even more acclaim! CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy today.

Walt Wilkins' Vigil
Walt Wilkins has a beautiful new record, entitled Vigil. Started as a way to preserve some of Walt's recent songs he felt were gifts from above, it was clear that a divine power indeed surrounded the project. 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 and many more. An initial 100 cds will feature a personalized cover designed by Walt himself, and will be available HERE. A limited second printing (without the individual artwork) will be available HERE.

The Resentments - Roselight
The Resentments' new release, Roselight, debuted on the Americana Music Chart, and is currently #30 (and climbing). The band has been very busy these days. Bruce Hughes is currently on a world tour with Jason Mraz. Stephen Bruton is in the studio in LA working on a movie soundtrack with T Bone Burnette. The members of The Resentments create such a magical musical experience. Capture that magic today. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Roselight.

Tweet Up!
Do you Twitter? Follow these people:
James McMurtry
Gurf Morlix
Randy Weeks
Ben Kweller
Jason Eady
Steve Poltz
BettySoo
Walt Wilkins
Susan Gibson
Autumn
Robyn Ludwick
Shelley King
&
ME!

Check Out What Folks are Saying About Randy Weeks
"Weeks puts together a batch of consistently evocative, witty lyrics that he sings in a distinctively wry Lou Reed-meets-Willie Nelson voice." --LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Deserving of much greater recognition as a performer." --ALL MUSIC.COM
"The hits that dominated the radio circa 1972-75 marked a nirvana of sorts for songsmiths who excelled with melody and harmony above all other elements. And when it comes down to it, that's what makes Weeks' music so appealing." --NO DEPRESSION.COM
"Going My Way is as solid and muscular an album as Weeks has ever made. Welcome to Texas, cowboy." --HOUSTON PRESS
"Randy Weeks and Texas will be a match made in Lone Star heaven." --AUSTIN CHRONICLE

Randy Weeks will debut 12 new songs in a rare acoustic performance in Austin, TX at Momo's, April 20th. Don't miss it! Randy hits the road, with dates in Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. CLICK HERE for details. Check out his solo/acoustic performance of "Black Coffee and Lifesavers" courtest of MusicFog.

Gurf Morlix - Last Exit to Happyland
Gurf Morilx has been the stronghold of Americana Music since before it's conception. Behind the scenes, he's produced and performed on the most crucial records of the genre (including, of course, Lucinda Williams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road; Robert Earl Keen's Picnic; Slaid Cleaves' Broke Down; Mary Gauthier's Mercy Now; and Ray Wylie Hubbard's Snake Farm). In the past few years, he has finally stepped into the limelight, and with his latest release, Last Exit To Happyland, he has come into his own as a brilliant singer/songwriter and Americana artist. This record, in my opinion, is his masterpiece to date. Currently #6 on the Americana Music Chart, it encompasses all of his heart, his soul. It is his darkness and his light. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy now.
CLICK HERE to check out Gurf Morlix on the Austin Connection Podcast. CLICK HERE to check out Gurf's haunting performance of The Blind Boys' of Alabama's "The Last Time".

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Announce New Dates, Concert Video for "Soldiers Get Strange"
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit announce the next leg of the tour supporting their critically acclaimed self-titled new album. The new dates include four shows in Texas plus more in the Southeast. Red Cortez will support most of the new dates. CLICK HERE for dates.
Blurt Online is exclusively hosting a live video of Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit performing "Soldiers Get Strange." The hometown performance was filmed at the Shoals Theater in Muscle Shoals, AL. Click on the link to check it out HERE

Jason Isbell on WFPK
Check out Jason Isbell on WFPK HERE! CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit today

Steve Poltz Voice of America Interview - PART 1
CLICK HERE to listen to Steve Poltz's Voice of America interview.

Jonny Burke on MusicFog
Jonny Burke performs brand new song on MusicFog.com - Check it out HERE.

THIS JUST IN: Ben Kweller WINS CMT 12-Pack!
Thanks so much for voting! Stay tuned for showtimes.

Vote for Kweller's "Fight" video on CMT's Pure 12-Pack video countdown!
The 12 videos that receive the most votes online each week, are added to the "Pure-12 Pack" show on CMT Pure. CLICK HERE to vote now.

Ben Kweller on NPR Weekend Edition
CLICK HERE to check out Ben on NPR's Weekend Edition!

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on WXPN
CLICK HERE to check out Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit on WXPN! CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit today

Listen Up To Slaid Cleaves!
"From the hardscrabble (but cheerful) verses of "Hard to Believe" to the bluegrass-tinged lament of "Green Mountains and Me" to the harsh, sarcastic - and reluctantly optimistic - lines of "Beautiful Thing," this is a record that just goddam works, from first to last." - Stephen King
It's been five years since Cleaves' last album of self-penned songs, 2004's acclaimed Wishbones, but very good things come to those who wait, as Cleaves proves with his incredible new release, Everything You Love Will be Taken Away. "It showcases a shift in focus that I've taken with my songwriting. It's a bit more internal, personal." To put the new record together, Cleaves teamed again with co-writing buddies Rod Picott and Adam Carroll, as well as famed roots-rock producer Gurf Morlix. Additional tracks were cut with long-time road-guitarist Charles Arthur in Virginia, and Austin singer-songwriter and producer Billy Harvey. This release marks Cleaves' debut on the newly launched co-op label Music Road Records, the brainchild of fellow Austin songwriter Jimmy LaFave. Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away will be in stores April 21st, but listen for it on your favorite radio station soon.

Ben Kweller on NPR - TODAY
Ben Kweller will be featured on NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, March 1 at 5:45pm EST (Times may vary depending on city and station.) Don't miss it!

CLICK HERE to check out Ben's recent Studio 360 segment with Kurt Anderson.

Ben Kweller's album pre-order contest results are in. The GRAND PRIZE WINNER won a dinner with Ben. Was it you? Find out HERE!

Check out this FIVE STAR REVIEW from UK's Maverick Magazine:
"The whole album is warm and friendly and the songs all have simple melodies and arrangements that mean the listener can hear every damn note and squeak from the pedal steel, drums, Dobro, piano and guitars just as nature intended."
CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Changing Horses today.

Gurf Morlix Buzz
Gurf Morlix's brand new CD, Last Exit to Happyland, has garnered rave reviews this month. Check out what some folks are saying:
"I have known and played music with Gurf Morlix for over 30 years. He continues to grow as a songwriter, artist and multi-instrumentalist who constantly challenges himself and his legion of fans to dig deeper, listen harder and appreciate more. Gurf has evolved ito a true master." - Billy Block, The Billy Block Show

"I love that Gurf has named the territory he covers: that convergence of folk, blues, & country he calls "The Muddy". That sound is right up our station's alley, especially with "One More Second" and "I Got Nothin'". - Martin Anderson, WNCW

CLICK HERE to check out Gurf's interview/performance on KUT-FM. Don't forget to tune in Friday, the 13th of March, when Gurf performs on KGSR in anticipation of his CD Release Extravaganza at the Cactus Cafe (Saturday, March 14th).
Last Exit to Happyland is IN STORES NOW. CLICK HERE to order your copy today

New Album From Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Available Now
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit's new self-titled album is available now on CD, LP w/ CD insert, and digital download. It has enjoyed incredible success since its release:
#132 Billboard Top 200
#3 Heatseekers
#17 Independent Chart
#4 eMusic Chart
#12 Americana Music Chart
Check out what folks are saying:
"...an invigorating songwriter and one of the better lyricists of his generation." - Pitchfork Media

"FOUR STARS" - SPIN

"Not to be missed" - Rolling Stone

"The guy can really write" - Blender
CLICK HERE for more!

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

Randy Weeks Celebrates Release
Randy just returned from The Folk Alliance in Memphis to celebrate the release of his new album, Going My Way (In Stores Now). Check out what folks are buzzing about:
"Weeks puts together a batch of consistently evocative, witty lyrics that he sings in a distinctively wry Lou Reed-meets-Willie Nelson voice." --LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Deserving of much greater recognition as a performer." --ALL MUSIC.COM
"The hits that dominated the radio circa 1972-75 marked a nirvana of sorts for songsmiths who excelled with melody and harmony above all other elements. And when it comes down to it, that's what makes Weeks' music so appealing." --NO DEPRESSION.COM

CLICK HERE to check out a live video performance of the title track on MusicFog.com, and CLICK HERE to hear his full-band instudio at KUT.
Weeks will continue to party as he celebrates his West Coast Release Tuesday, March 10th at The Mint in Los Angeles. Catch him LIVE down the road HERE.

CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Going My Way today

Steve Poltz Tours Canada
Steve Poltz is heading up to Canada this March for an extensive solo tour (sharing the bill with Madeleine Peyroux). CLICK HERE for a show near you!

Each night Steve records his performances and they are available for sale immediately after the show. He now has these performance for sale on his website. CLICK HERE for more details.
Steve has a slew of new songs and intends to go back into the studio to record a new album before the end of the year. CLICK HERE to check out a brand new song he performed on MusicFog.com during The Folk Alliance in Memphis.

CLICK HERE to order your copy of his NEW live record/DVD, Tales From the Tavern

Hal Ketchum - AMA's"LIVE AT THE BLUEBIRD CAFE" Featured Artist
Hal Ketchum will make a rare intimate appearance headlining with his band on Thursday, March 19 at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN for the Americana Music Associations' "Live At The Bluebird Cafe" Series. "I remember reading that article in USA Today," recalls Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. "'The most exquisite voice in country music,' that's what they dubbed him. To hear him in the world's most famous listening room will surely be a night to remember." CLICK HERE for more information!

CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Father Time today

The Resentments Soar Up Chart
The Resentments latest record, Roselight, was among the Top 5 Most Added Titles in Americana this week, and is making incredible leaps and bounds up the chart. Roselight is the 4th studio album by The Resentments, and has received high praise from critics and fans alike.

CLICK HERE to purchase your copy of Roselight today

Lone Star Music Award Nominees
Congratulations to all the nominees for The Lone Star Music Awards, especially:
James McMurtry - Best Album (Just Us Kids)
James McMurtry - Best Songwriter
Adam Carroll - Best Song ("Oklahoma Gypsy Shuffler")
Eleven Hundred Springs - Best Album Artwork (Country Jam)

The Lone Star Music Awards will be held Sunday, March 29th. CLICK HERE for more information.

Jenni Finlay Promotions In Austin During South By Southwest

Wednesday, March 18
12:25pm - David Serby - Fado Irish Pub (inside)
12:30pm - Gurf Morlix - Fado Irish Pub
2pm - Randy Weeks - Fado Irish Pub
2:30pm - BettySoo - Guero's
3:40pm - James McMurtry - Fado Irish Pub
4:00 - Gurf Morlix - Opal Divine's (W. 6th)
5:00 - Walt Wilkins - Opal Divine's (W. 6th)
8pm - Sam Baker - Stephen F Austin Intercontinental Hotel
8pm - Walt Wilkins - Waterloo Icehouse
11pm - Kara Grainger - The Ranch

Thursday, March 19
12pm- Kara Grainger - Music Makers
4pm - Jason Isbell - Waterloo Records
6:30 - BettySoo - Saxon Pub
8pm - Slaid Cleaves - Saxon Pub
9pm - Gurf Morlix - Threadgill's World Headquarters

Friday, March 20
12pm - Kara Grainger - Aussie Whole Foods Stage
5pm - Gurf Morlix - Scholz Garden
6pm - Slaid Cleaves - Scholz Garden
8pm - Randy Weeks - Maria's Taco XPress
9pm - Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros - The Ranch
Midnite - Jason Isbell - Habana Calle

Saturday, March 21
1:30 pm - Kara Grainger - BD Riley's Pub
2:35pm - James McMurtry - Continental Club
3pm - Slaid Cleaves - Jovita's
3:30pm - BettySoo - Amelia's
5pm - James McMurtry - El Mercado
6pm - Slaid Cleaves - Opal Divines Penn Field
9pm - Slaid Cleaves - Cactus Cafe
9:30pm - Adam Carroll - Flipnotics
10pm - James McMurtry - Cheatham Street Warehouse
Midnite - Jason Eady - The Ranch

Sunday, March 22
11:30am - BettySoo - Hyde Park Bar and Grill
6pm - Gurf Morlix - Opal Divine's Penn Field

* Many of the above events are official SXSW showcases and will require wristbands or badges. Please be sure to call the venue to see if they need your stinking badges.

Ben Kweller Contest Results are In
Ben Kweller's album pre-order contest results are in. Did you win dinner with Ben? Find out HERE! Kweller's new release, Changing Horses is in stores now. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today.

Jenni Finlay Promotions at The Folk Alliance
Check out the MUSICFOG videos of brand new songs performed by:
Jonny Burke
Randy Weeks
Steve Poltz

Gurf Morlix LAST EXIT TO HAPPYLAND In Stores NOW!
Gurf Morlix's new release, Last Exit to Happyland, is in stores today! CLICK HERE for your copy now!

Happy Valentine's Day!
This year, let Steve Poltz be your Cyrano for the ones YOU LOVE....and the ones YOU LOATH. Happy Valentine's Day from Steve Poltz and Jenni Finlay Promotions!

Ben Kweller CHANGING HORSES In Stores!
Ben Kweller's new record, Changing Horses, is IN STORES TODAY. Purchase at your favorite record store or CLICK HERE for your copy now. Changing Horses is # 14 on the Americana Music Chart and climbing!

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - Most Added Titile
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit was the #1 Most Added Title in Americana this week! The self-titled record will be in stores February 17th, but pre-order your copy today HERE.

Gurf Morlix Debuts on Americana Chart
Gurf Morlix's Last Exit to Happyland debuts at #17 on the Americana Music Chart this week! Last Exit to Happyland will be in stores February 17th.

Jason Eady - "When The Money's All Gone" Giveaway
Jason Eady is offering a FREE download of "When the Money's All Gone," off his upcoming record (produced by Kevin Welch and scheduled to be release in May). Jason Eady has quickly garnered high praise for his roots music - Bob Lefsetz considered it "akin to the stuff the Stones used to cut, back when they needed to go to Alabama to get it right." His upcoming release is star-studded, produced by Kevin Welch, and featuring Kelley Mickwee and the Band of Heathens. Check him out LIVE.
CLICK HERE for your FREE MP3.

Ben Kweller on LETTERMAN
Ben Kweller was on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday, January 26th. Check it out HERE (and see Paul Shaffer tear up that Honky Tonk piano)! Ben's "Fight" video will soon air on CMT, so be sure to tune in, or CLICK HERE January 29th for the myspace premiere. Pre-order your copy of Changing Horses HERE!

Randy Weeks Debuts on Americana Chart
Randy Weeks upcoming release, Going My Way, debuted at #33 on the Americana Music Chart this week! Randy will be posting a new song each week in February on his myspace page (until his record release 2/24) for you to preview, so be sure to check it out HERE ! The LA TIMES called Weeks one of the Artists to Watch in 2009:

Weeks puts together a batch of consistently evocative, witty lyrics that he sings in a distinctively wry Lou Reed-meets-Willie Nelson voice. His country roots are strong enough that he’s cranked out the instant honky-tonk classic “The One Who Wore My Ring,” yet, like Peter Case, he also obviously knows his Lennon-McCartney songbook well enough to come up with the pure-pop bounce of “That’s What I’d Do.”
His recent move from L.A. to Austin led to “Going My Way” being produced by Texas Americana ace Will Sexton, and probably at least partially explains the juicy New Orleans funk they’ve brought to “I Think You Think.” That song and “I Couldn’t Make It” showcase Weeks’ love for language and his engaging wordplay.
- Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times

Listen Up To Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Isbell is a former member of the Drive-By Truckers and this is his first release with his band The 400 Unit. The album was co-produced by Isbell and The 400 Unit with Matt Pence. The 400 Unit is Derry deBorja (keyboards), Jimbo Hart (bass) and Browan Lollar (guitar). Matt Pence (Centro-matic/South San Gabriel) lends his talents as co-producer, drummer and engineer. "I want it to be known that it's a band record," says Isbell. "I want it to be known that it's something we all did together. Even though I wrote the songs, it was a very inclusive project."

The album was recorded at the renowned FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. Isbell, who Details Magazine calls "one of America's best young songwriters," is following in the tradition of American songwriters who have recorded in North Alabama. Much like Arthur Alexander, Eddie Hinton and Spooner Oldham, Isbell mixes a soulful vocal style with songs that are passionate and unrepentant in their sense of place and direct in their stubborn Southerness.

Gurf Morlix - Last Exit to Happyland
Check out Gurf Morlix's Last Exit to Happyland on your favorite radio station! Last Exit to Happyland came in at #57 its first week at radio and was among the Top 5 Most Added Titles in Americana! Gurf is featured in this month's Texas Monthly. Last Exit to Happyland will be IN STORES February 17th.

Make History with Steve Poltz
Attend a Steve Poltz show, and be part of his next recording! Steve is recording every live show he performs this month. These records are available exclusively at the venue immediately after the show is over. Each show is different - you never know what he's going to do or say or sing, so don't miss it. Be a part of it all HERE.
CLICK HERE to purchase Tales From The Tavern - his live album/dvd recorded at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez, CA.

James McMurtry STATESIDE
James McMurtry is back in US this month and on the road! CLICK HERE for a show near you. McMurtry's band (featuring Ian McLagan) finished their European tour, performing from Belguim to the UK. CLICK HERE to watch Amsterdam's Paradiso concert, aired live and recorded by Fabchannel. McMurtry has been nominated for two Lone Star Music Awards, BEST ALBUM (Just Us Kids) and BEST SONGWRITER. CLICK HERE for more info.

Pre-Order Ben Kweller's Changing Horses NOW
Pre-order Ben Kweller's new record, Changing Horses, between now and February 3rd and enter a contest to have dinner with Ben! Check it out HERE!

Kara Grainger Stellar Review in Elmore Magazine:
"Austrailian singer/songwriter Kara Grainger's debut album, Grand and Green River, bursts through speakers like a runaway freight train. She has a "take no prisoners" approach from the get-go as the harp churns behind the foot-stomping opener, "What You Wanted." She duets with Amos Lee on the funky "On My Way" and displays a wide array of acoustic and electric guitar excursions throughout. "

Ben Kweller Debuts on Americana Chart!
Ben Kweller's new record, Changing Horses, makes its debut on the R&R Americana Music Chart at #28 this week! Check out the FOUR STAR REVIEW in the upcoming February 2nd Country Weekly (on newstands January 26th) and don't forget to purchase your copy of Changing Horses February 3rd.

Kara Grainger Google Alert
**Google Blogs Alert for: Kara Grainger Grand and Green River**Lost Highway: Playlist for Saturday January 10th, 2009
By Doug
I'm Going To Live The Life I Sing About In My Song - Kara Grainger - "Grand And Green River" (2008) Craving Records East Bound And Down - Slim Jim and the Mad Cows - "Appetite For the Truckin'" (2008) Hog Fat Recordings ...
Lost Highway - http://losthighwaywmbr.blogspot.com/

Listen Up to The Resentments!
Started a decade ago by Stephen Bruton as a casual get-together on the one night nobody was working, the Resentments Sunday night service at the Saxon Pub quickly became a well-attended forum for Bruton and his friends to test new songs, to play old favorites, or to hit the sweet spot and ride it into oblivion. Quite unintentionally, a band of seasoned sidemen came together and started one of the most authentic scenes in Austin's history. Bruton and his fellow Resentments Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Bruce Hughes, and John Chipman share a profound respect for each other as well as the mysterious source of music. The Resentments are now release their 4th studio album, Roselight, their finest collection yet. Recorded in one week at Austin's Wire Recording, Roselight is a raw testament to the power of the song.

Autumn Video
CLICK HERE to watch Autumn perform her new single, "Rain Down" at Austin's One World Theatre.

Jason Eady at Steamboat
CLICK HERE to check out the Music Fog video of Jason Eady's performanace at MusicFest. The video includes a brand new song, "Cry Pretty" which will appear on Eady's new record (produced by Kevin Welch).

JUST US KIDS INCLUDED ON NUMEROUS "BEST OF" LISTS
James McMurtry's latest album showed up on a wide array of Best of 2008 lists. USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blurt Online, and the Philadelphia Inquirer are some of the publications that laud Just Us Kids as one of the year's foremost releases. Here is a partial list of the reviews:
USA Today - Ken Barnes' #2 album of the year
Entertainment Weekly - Stephen King's #3 album of the year
Baltimore City Paper - Geoffrey Himes' #1 album of the year
Atlanta Journal-Constitution - #4 album of the year
Blurt Online - #11 album of the year
Popmatters - #5 Americana Album of the year

Listen Up to Gurf Morlix!
The Austin, Texas based musician has put the final touches on his new release Last Exit To Happyland. The noted producer of the Americana elite (Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Slaid Cleaves, Mary Gauthier, and Robert Earl Keen, to name a few) delivers some great new songs. Backed by the mighty Rick Richards on drums, and with vocal support from Patty Griffin, Ruthie Foster and Barbara K, he explores the territory where folk and blues and country intersect, a place he likes to call "The Muddy". Last Exit To Happyland will be released on Rootball Records on February 17th, and marks his evolution from sideman (Lucinda Williams' band leader for 11 years) to producer (add Tom Russell, Blaze Foley, Ian McLagan, and the Hot Club of Cowtown to the above list) to world class singer-songwriter in the spotlight.

Kara Grainger Breaks onto Americana Chart
Kara Grainger's Grand and Green River recently debuted on the Americana Music Chart and is currently #35 and climbing! Kara is planning her US tour in February. Stay tuned for more info!

Autumn Buzz
Check out what folks are saying about Autumn's Velvet Sky
"Autumn followed up her notable 2006 release, Sugarcane, by remembering the first lesson of a sophomore release: Give the audience plenty of what it came for the first time. Autumn's warm voice wraps "Lessons Never Learned" and "Trains I Missed" in the blanket of folky Americana. The Walt Wilkins-Tim Lorsch produced Velvet Sky posits Autumn alongside Wendy Colonna among the strongest of Austin's new songwriters." - The Austin Chronicle

"Autumn creates incredibly well developed country-inspired singer songwriter folk. With extensive pop sensability and not much holding her back, Autumn makes her presence more than well known on this album: she makes herself seen in the spotlight of the album through and through. Her voice is beautiful and emotional, but not cheesy with twang or drenched in auto-tune. Perfectly produced, and not really too much of anything. An incredibly solid pop album." - John Shelton Ivany Top 21

"...a good example of the best of original music spawned, nurtured and produced in Austin. Easy on the ears... thoughtful and spiritual. Buy one for yourself and one to give away. Here's to the trains I've missed." - Austin Woman

James McMurtry #2 on Americana's Top 100 Records of 2008
The Top Ten most played records, as charted on the Americana Airplay Chart include:
1) Hayes Carll
2) James McMurtry
3) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
4) Steve Earle
5) Tift Merritt
6) Ryan Bingham
7) John Hiatt
8) Band of Heathens
9) Levon Helm
10) Alejandro Escovedo
CLICK HERE to view the full Top 100! The Americana Music Chart can be seen in R&R Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine and Country (in the UK).

Listen Up to Randy Weeks!
After making the move from his long-time digs in Los Angeles to Austin, Texas, Randy Weeks gathered together luminaries of the Los Angeles and Austin music scenes to craft his latest album, Going My Way. Produced by Will Sexton, it features Tony Gilkyson on guitar with guest appearances by Eliza Gilkyson and Cindy Cashdollar. Weeks first gained eminence in Los Angeles as an integral member of the burgeoning Americana scene that included Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Jim Lauderdale, Rosie Flores and Buddy Miller. With Going My Way (in stores Feb. 2009), Randy Weeks has quickly stepped out of the shadows of some of his more familiar contemporaries and is on his way to attain the recognition he most certainly deserves.

Ben Kweller's Changing Horses Release Schedule:
Changing Horses will be IN STORES near you:
January 21 - Japan
January 31 - Australia and New Zealand
February 2 - United Kingdom and Europe (ex. Germany)
February 3 - North America
February 6 - Germany
CLICK HERE for tour dates.

Rachel Harrington's City of Refuge - 4 Star Review in MOJO
Check out this four star review in one of the UK's most popular music magazine:
"Ghost town sound; plain, pretty voice, stark banjo - Harrington, like early Gillian Welch, sounds like she stepped out of the old, sepia photo on the cd sleeve. The Oregonian's second album is stuffed with characters from the old West, singing about hard times and old-time religion. Beguiling." - Mojo

Hal Ketchum Featured on Open Road Soundtrack
Hal's self penned song "King Of Love" will be featured in the new Jeff Bridges\Justin Timberlake
movie, Open Road.

Kara Grainger Breaks onto Americana Chart
Kara Grainger's Grand and Green River debuted on the AMA Chart this week at #36! CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today!

Ring in the New Year with Steve Poltz
What are you doing New Year's Eve? If you're in San Diego, celebrate at The Casbah with Steve Poltz, Gregory Page, the Truckee Brothers and The Rugburns! CLICK HERE for details.

Randy Weeks Teams Up With Special Guests for '09 Release
After moving from Los Angeles to Austin, singer-songwriter Randy Weeks teamed up with Eliza Gilkyson, Tony Gilkyson, and Cindy Cashdollar for his new disc, Going My Way, due Feb. 24, 2009, on Certifiable Records. Produced by Will Sexton, the disc will see Weeks covering a vast range of Americana - from soul to honky tonk and folk-rock. Weeks is perhaps best known for writing Lucinda Williams' "Can't Let Go", although his previous solo albums have earned him praise from Salon.com, All Music Guide, and No Depression.

James McMurtry Ringtones
CLICK HERE to purchase new James McMurtry ringtones. Choose from a variety of great McMurtry "realtones" including "Choctaw Bingo," "We Can't Make it Here," "Hurricane Party," and "Just Us Kids".

Danielle Talamini Country Jukebox Review
Danielle Talamini's The Road Rises receives a stellar review in Country Jukebox, who compares her to the likes of Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams and Patty Griffin. The Road Rises is nominated for Best Country Album in 2009's Independent Music Awards. Danielle's in good company. Recent years' finalists are folks like Mary Gauthier, Melissa McClelland, Corb Lund, Eleni Mandel, and Darrell Scott. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today.

JAMES McMURTRY AND BAND TO TOUR EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Jon Dee Graham and Ian McLagan set to join McMurtry on inaugural trip
In 2009, James McMurtry and his band will tour Europe for the first time. McMurtry is touring in support of his new album, Just Us Kids, which has received "Best of the Year" accolades from publications such as The Washington Post, Mojo, Los Angeles Times, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Legendary musician, Ian McLagan (Faces), will join McMurtry's band on keyboards for the tour. Austin singer/songwriter, Jon Dee Graham, will open most of the dates. Both McLagan and Graham appear on Just Us Kids.
TOUR DATES:
1/16 Nuremburg, DE K4
1/17 Lauchhammer, DE Real Music Club
1/18 Berlin, DE Cafe Zapata
1/20 Hamburg, DE Knust
1/21 Leipzig, DE Nato
1/22 Heilbronn, DE Red River Saloon
1/23 Eppstein, DE Wunderbar Weite Welt
1/24 Geislingen/Steige, DE Rätsche
1/25 Zürich, CH El Lokal
1/27 Amsterdam, NL Paradiso
1/28 Den Haag, NL Paard van Troje
1/29 Den Bosch, NL W2
1/30 Diksmuide, BE Club 4AD
1/31 Bristol, UK Polish Club
2/01 Glasgow, UK Oran Mor (Celtic Connections Festival) *
2/02 Belfast, IE Errigle Inn
2/03 Dublin, IE Whelan's
2/04 Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club
2/05 Newcastle, UK The Cluny
2/06 Nottingham, UK The Maze
2/07 London, UK Luminaire
2/08 London, UK Luminaire

*Jon Dee Graham opening all dates on tour except Celtic Connections Festival