No Depression Unveils Full Archives Online

SEATTLE, Wash. – NoDepression.com, the online outgrowth of the former roots-music magazine No Depression, announces today the addition of an extensive “Archives” section to its website.

The historical and fully searchable database includes thousands of articles by hundreds of writers who contributed to No Depression during its 13-year run from 1995 to 2008. The Archives contain more than 99% of the content that was published in the magazine’s 75 print issues.

Collectively, the Archives are the most complete online resource of information about American roots music. In its early years, No Depression often was referred to as the “bible” of alternative-country music; the articles that established this reputation are all here, from early cover stories on the likes of Wilco and Son Volt to continued chronicles of the career arcs of acts such as Ryan Adams and his early band Whiskeytown, the Old 97’s, Neko Case, and Alejandro Escovedo.

Over time, the magazine branched out to cover a broad variety of American roots music. The archives include coverage of bluegrass acts such as Del McCoury, Jimmy Martin, and Cherryholmes; outlaw country heroes such as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Billy Joe Shaver; adventurous singer-songwriters such as Josh Ritter, Kathleen Edwards, and Patty Griffin; roots-leaning indie acts such as the Drive-By Truckers, My Morning Jacket, and Bright Eyes; and young string bands such as Old Crow Medicine Show, Crooked Still, and the Avett Brothers.

The archives includes everything from lengthy features to short profiles to record reviews to live reviews to Q&A interviews to essays to news reports and even letters to the editor. The database is searchable and sortable by single-issue, artist name, author name, and section type, with links available to purchase back-issues in cases where supply is still available.

Readers also can start or participate in discussion-threads on archival content via the community site of NoDepression.com. In addition to discussion forums and groups, the community site features reader blogs, video and audio content, event listings, news links and more.

The unveiling of the archives coincides with the first annual No Depression Festival, an all-day event on July 11 at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington, featuring Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, a Seattle Roots Music All-Star Revue, and Zee Avi.

(Audio) George Strait to release Twang – August 11

“Living For The Night” (audio)

Nashville, TN (July 7, 2009)  – George Strait’s “Living For The Night,” the first single from his upcoming album TWANG, hit the Top 15 mark in just three weeks making it one of the fastest rising singles of his career.  The song, written by Strait, his son Bubba Strait and legendary songwriter Dean Dillon sits at #15 this week on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and #13 on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart. With the debut single racing up the charts, the street date of TWANG has been moved up to August 11, 2009.

“It makes a papa proud to have my son contributing to the creation of this record,” Strait admits. “We had a great time writing with each other and then Dean adding his magic made it even more special. I hope the people that buy this record have as much fun listening to it as I had making it.”

“Living For The Night” marks the first time Strait has penned a song since “I Can’t See Texas From Here” from his 1982 debut - Strait Country.  Strait co-wrote two additional songs on TWANG - “He’s Got That Something Special” and “Out Of Sight Out Of Mind.”  Bubba Strait also wrote the track “Arkansas Dave.”

Co-producing this thirteen-track disc with legendary producer Tony Brown, Strait proves again why he has sold over 67 million albums throughout his record-breaking career. TWANG, Strait’s 38th album, was recorded at Shrimpboat Sound Studio in Key West, FL. It is the same studio where they recorded Strait’s last two award-winning albums.

2009 has already been a year of accolades for Strait. His platinum-selling Troubadour was named “Best Country Album” at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in February.  In April, Strait was the fifth artist ever to receive the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade honor.  Most recently, he headlined the kick-off event at the new Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, selling out the venue is less than an hour.  The concert was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “an extravaganza” that “showcased Strait at the pinnacle of his musical game.”

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Strait has 57 #1 singles to his credit, which is the record for more Number One hits than any artist in history including Elvis.  His 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums have earned him the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and third in all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, making him one of a few artists to receive such an honor while still actively recording and producing music.

Track Listing for TWANG:

1.  Twang – Jim Lauderdale, Kendell Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey

2.  Where Have I Been All My Life – Sherrie Austin, Will Nance and Steve Williams 3.  I Gotta Get To You – Jim Lauderdale, Jimmy Ritchey and Blaine Larsen
4.  Easy As You Go – Steve Bogard and Rick Giles
5.  Living For The Night – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon
6.  Same Kind Of Crazy – Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson
7.  Out Of Sight Out Of Mind  – George Strait and Bubba Strait
8.  Arkansas Dave – Bubba Strait
9.  The Breath You Take – Dean Dillon, Jessie Jo Dillon and Casey Beathard
10. He’s Got That Something Special – George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon
11. Hot Grease And Zydeco – Gordon Bradberry and Tony Ramey
12. Beautiful Day For Goodbye – Doug Johnson and Pat Bunch
13. El Rey – Jose Alfredo Jimenez

Mark Chesnutt To Perform At Special Benefit Concert

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2009)—One of country music’s most recognizable voices, Mark Chesnutt, has generously come forward to donate his time and talent to perform at the Kendrick Little Benefit Concert. This charitable effort has been organized for the benefit of Kendrick Little, a 5-year-old boy who is fighting a life battle with High-Grade Glioma (HGG), a rare and fatal form of brainstem cancer that affects nearly 300 children per year. The concert will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the Asbury Park Complex at 6PM in Comanche, OK; proceeds from the benefit will be dedicated to assist the family with young Kendrick’s expenses.

With the loving support and strength from family and friends, Kendrick Little (a former resident of Comanche, OK) has been bravely fighting an Intrinsic Brainstem High-Grade Glioma tumor (graded at a 3-4 scale on a scale 1-4) since Thanksgiving 2008. The deadly tumor originated in the brainstem and flowered to the left hemisphere of the young boy’s brain. Kendrick underwent an intense 15-hour surgery after the initial diagnosis; 65-70 percent of the tumor was successfully removed. After completing a 30-day course of radiation therapy, the tumor was further reduced surprising doctors–as this optimum result has not been achieved in prior cases with this type of cancer.

There is no cure for HGG. Kendrick’s physician, who has consulted with top cancer specialists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, TN), has surmised Kendrick’s life span to be 12-18 months. The medical bills the family has incurred while fighting this battle are insurmountable and Mark Chesnutt graciously stepped forward to show his support.

“This event is special for me and I am honored to help this family,” said Chesnutt. “With three young and healthy kids, it is hard to think about what little Kendrick and his family are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them all as they live day-to-day fighting this silent killer.”

Mark Chesnutt is a country music industry veteran having performed at various benefit concerts throughout his 19-year career. To date, he has four platinum albums, five gold albums, 14 No. 1 singles and 23 Top 10 singles to his name. Mark most recent release, “She Never Got Me Over You” (written by Keith Whitley/Dean Dillon/Hank Cochran and produced by Jimmy Ritchey) is classic, “must hear” music and is receiving overwhelming applause from country music fans young and old. It is the last song Keith Whitley wrote and comes from Chesnutt’s latest CD project ROLLIN’ WITH THE FLOW (Lofton Creek Records).

The Asbury Complex is located at 410 South 2nd Street, Comanche, OK.  Tickets are $50 per person; for more ticket information or how you can make your contribution to assist Kendrick Little and his family, contact: geanannbadgwell@clearwire.net.

MySpace Roots Rock/Rockabilly Playlist for Jul 7 2009

You can listen to the playlist by visiting our myspace page (www.myspace.com/takecountryback) or by clicking on the link below. Stay tuned tomorrow for more great indie music that deserves a listen!

Rock:

Whachoo Gonna Do About….? by Lewi Longmire
Lonely World by The Loosehounds
One Way Ride by The Steepwater Band
You Don’t Treat Me No Good by Sonia Dada
Don’t Make Promises by Alice Stuart
Bastard of Midnight by the Damnwells
Big Skies by Rag-And-Bone
Free by Street Dogs
Red Roses by Filthy Thieving Bastards
That Godddamn Herbert Hoover by The Blind Robins
Highway 9 by The Youngers
Whole Lifestyle Thing by Rod Clements
If You’re Feeling Down by Jim Reynolds
True To Everybody But You by Rainmaker
Hearts On The Line by Thunderfoot

Rockabilly:

Rockabilly Baby by The RevTones
Have At It Darlin’ by Joey Allcorn
Slow Down by The Rocketz (featuring TMac)
Whole Lotta Livin’ by The Satellites
Swing Guitar by Danny B Harvey
All By Myself by Johnny Law & the Pistol Packin’ Daddies
Shined Up And Ready To Shout by Kim Lenz
Wanna Make A Love by Wild Wax Combo
Dead and Gone by Reckless Ones
Hang Me Out To Dry by The Wildcards
Shake Like A Rattlesnake by Tornado Alleycats
Frankie And Johnny by Gene Vincent
Don’t Cally My Baby Yours by Little Neal & the Blue Flames
Honky Tonk Gal by Carl Perkins
Thirteen Times by The Mighty Slim Pickins