Chinese Bluegrass? Yup! And it works!

Thanks Bill for passing this on to me 🙂

Charlie Daniels to appear on Legends and Lyrics – WNPT

Charlie Daniels will appear on a new singer-songwriter series called “Legends & Lyrics,” airing Saturday, July 4 at 10 p.m. on local Nashville public television channel WNPT.

The program, which debuted on May 9, pairs legendary songwriters and performers with promising new talent in an “in-the-round” writer’s format that features performances and interviews with the artists.

Daniels’ episode will also feature appearances from Phil Vassar and Jimmy Webb.

Daniels recently returned from his third international trip to visit military troops in Iraq and Kuwait and is currently touring the U.S. through the end of 2009.

The first season of “Legends & Lyrics” features acts including Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Loggins, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and John Hiatt, as well as rising artists The Laws, Stephanie Chapman, Corinne Chapman, Jonathan Singleton, Nathan Lee, Mike Musick, Will Hoge and more.  Each episode will also include a one-on-one conversation with a featured guest, such Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Ray Stevens, Steve Cropper, Cowboy Jack Clement and others.

“Legends & Lyrics” is produced by Nashville-based production company Song-Writers In The Round, LLC.  Season one episodes were filmed on location in 1080 high-definition in Nashville, Tenn. at the Masonic Lodge and Shreveport, La. at the Scottish Rite Theatre.

For more information, visit http://www.CharlieDaniels.com or http://www.LegendsandLyrics.com

MySpace Blues/Cajun Playlist for Jun 29 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!

Blues:

My Kinda Baby by Harpdog Brown
High Cotton by Fiona Boyes
Voodoo Down The River by Kerry Kearney Band
Baby Whatcha Do by The Mescal Sheiks
Changed Man by Michael Burks
Back In Bluesville by Roxy Perry
Danas Song by Nuno Mindelis
Takes A Real Man by Back Door Slam
Then There’s The Truth by EG Kight
My Home Is In The Delta by Muddy Waters
Who’s Knockin’ by Zac Harmon
Let’s Get Down by Slick Ballinger
Accept My Love by Paul Thorn
Lights Are On But Nobody’s Home by Scott Holt
I Didn’t Know by Albert Castiglia

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Cajun/Zydeco:

Zydeco Sont Pas Sale’ by Bayou Roux
Amede Two Step by Briggs Brown and the Bayou Cajuns
Swamp Cat by JB’s ZydecoZoo
Allons A Lafayette by Trent LeJeune & Doubletime
Do My Thang by Zydeco Hot Peppers
Heartbeat Blues by Zydeco Bon
Roll It Over by Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys
Watermelon by Doug Legacy and the Zydeco Party Band
Chez Seychelles by Horace Trahan & the Huval-Doucet Band
La valse de la meche perdue by Les Freres Michot
Nonc Eddy’ by Joe Hall & the Louisiana Cane Cutters
We Make Good Gumbo by Voice of the Wetlands
Port Arthur Blues by Cajun Hot Soles
La belle dans mes reves by Chris Miller and Bayou Roots
Personne ‘pole Daner Avec Mon by Les Amis Creole

New Buckwheat Zydeco Album/30th Anniversary Tour

The BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO 30th Anniversary TOUR is coming your way!

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO’S AMAZING NEW STUDIO ALBUM
— LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN — IS OUT NOW!

AVAILABLE FROM www.BUCKWHEATZYDECO.COM UNTIL JULY 5 FOR ONLY $14.99 INCLUDING SHIPPING…

http://www.buckwheatzydeco.com/bwzydecogoods/bwzydecogoods.html

LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN IS
Produced by Steve Berlin (Los Lobos)
Features guests Sonny Landreth, Warren Haynes,
Steve Berlin, JJ Grey, and Trombone Shorty

Features five originals and songs made famous by Led Zeppelin, Gov’t Mule, Bruce Springsteen, Captain Beefheart, JJ Grey & Mofro.

The Detroit Free Press says: “Buckwheat Zydeco shines on accordion and vocals, and his tight band is superbly captured by producer Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. Stanley ‘Buckwheat’ Dural Jr.’s in terrific form on ‘Lay Your Burden Down’.”

The Pittsburg Post-Gazette says: “great New Orleans stylings, but it’s also got a a lot of heart and mind behind it. Dural has put together a collection of thoughtful, wide-ranging songs…that come up pulsating with the Buckwheat spirit.

Popmatters.com calls it “an album of highlights…a great party.”

Sonicboomers.com names it “Album of the Week” and calls it: “a vastly entertaining and appealingly diverse package.”

Living Blues says “Buckwheat Zydeco returns with a new release on famed Chicago blues label Alligator Records, and the results are stunning.”

Blues Revue continues, saying the album “is as steeped in blues as in the joyous Louisiana soul at the heart of this outstanding, wonderfully diverse set.”

Chris Morris, writing in Sonicboomers.com, which named Lay Your Burden Down an “Album Of The Week,” called it “a vastly entertaining and appealingly diverse package.”

TCB Signs with Alligator Records

No, not us….the Tommy Castro Band.

Here’s the notice firsthand from the band:

Hey everybody, I’ve so busy working on our new record, that I forgot to announce that we’ve signed with Alligator Records. Alligator is the leader in blues and roots music record labels and we are very proud to added to roster. The list of artists who have recorded for this label is legendary. We’ve been recording since January….

The new record is on its way! Stay tuned- pre- order will be available soon! Make note that if you Pre- order the new record, you will receive your copy signed!

MySpace Texas/Red Dirt Playlist for Jun 26 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!

Texas/Red Dirt:

The Devil Lives In Dallas by Rusty Wier
Ragged Old Truck by Billy Joe Shaver
Rhythm Bone by The Tractors (with J.J. Cale)
The Man I Wanna Be by Clay McClinton
Oklahoma Wind by Coyette and the Haywire Band
Railroad Lady by Jerry Jeff Walker
Don’t Call This Love by Michael Ballew
Abigail Blue by The Stark Weather Boys
Can’t Get The Hell Out Of Texas by Gary P. Nunn & the Bunkhouse Band
Hard Times by Watermelon Slim
Election Day by Blaze Foley
Fishin’ Blues by Cross Timbers
I Lie by Jake Hooker & The Outsiders
The John Deere Tractor Song by Don Walser & The Pure Texas Band
Gotta Get Out by Larry Joe Taylor
The Poet Is Not In Today by Chris Wall
Questions And Doubt by Red Wood Rising
Being Alone by Paula Nelson Band
Feel Again by Tommy Hooker
I’m Alright by Mark David Manders
By The Rio Grande by Tish Hinojosa
Stupid Texas Song by Austin Lounge Lizards

Health Alliance for Austin Musicians 4th Annual HAAM Benefit Day

Austin, TX — The 4th Annual HAAM Benefit Day is set for Tuesday, September 22, and Health Alliance for Austin Musicians wants to ensure that every business in the Austin area gets in on celebrating the cooperation among live music, the hard-working musicians who make it and the businesses community that backs it up — all in the name of providing affordable healthcare services for those music-makers who’ve enrolled in the groundbreaking HAAM.

This year, more than 250 Austin-area businesses are expected to join in the sounds of HAAM Benefit Day, with a variety of enviable perks for the largest donor-participants, and the Topfer Family Foundation is offering a matching grant of up to $25,000.

On HAAM Benefit Day, area businesses, many with multiple locations, pledge 5 percent of their days’ proceeds or make cash donations. Performances by local bands — many with members that have joined HAAM — are scheduled for restaurants, retail outlets, clubs, office courtyards, the airport and City Hall. Last year, $150,000 was raised from more than 200 participating businesses. A complete list of participating businesses and a music schedule will become available at http://www.myhaam.org.

The whole thing kicks off with the first Annual Party, on September 17 at Stubb’s Bar B-Q, of the Alliance’s “Good Eggs & HAAM” group whose members will educate the community about HAAM and its mission; support the organization with small annual monetary contributions; and enjoy networking events, educational sessions and fundraising events.

“Don’t be left out of the great fun and good work of HAAM Benefit Day,” says Tim Taylor, partner at Jackson Walker and chairman for the third year of HAAM’s Benefit Day Committee. “Every company that participates will join others that attract additional customer traffic to support HAAM that day. Most important, every participating company as well as its employees and customers will have the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to keeping live music in Austin alive and well!” Other members of the committee are Volney Campbell, Keith Carmichael, Dan Connolly, Keith Donahoe, Scott Flack, Lisa Hickey, David Jabour, Nancy Nichols, Evan Williams and Diana Zuniga.

Whole Foods Market will return as HAAM Benefit Day presenting sponsor for the fourth year in a row. “At Whole Foods Market, we are intimately tied to the health of the communities we serve, and we recognize it is our responsibility to give back in meaningful ways,” says Elizabeth Leader Smith, Whole Foods community relations coordinator. “HAAM Benefit Day allows us to both celebrate and support the people who make Austin such a desirable place to live. Whole Foods Market is proud to continue our relationship with Health Alliance for Austin Musicians because we know that the city of Austin is only as strong and healthy as the well-being of its residents.”

Businesses that become HAAM Benefit Day underwriters, partners, sponsors, supporting sponsors, media supporters, 5% donors and friends are entitled to perks that may include a live band performance on their premises; recognition in promotional materials and a social networking campaign through Facebook, MySpace and Twitter; and invitations to the HAAM Benefit Day Launch Party on August 26 at B.D. Riley’s and the VIP Party on September 22.

HAAM member-musicians (more than 1,500 served) have access to regular, cost-effective medical, dental and mental healthcare services provided by Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David’s Community Health Foundation Leadership Dental Program and The SIMS Foundation — with many saying HAAM is changing their lives and saving their careers. In its four years, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians has raised more than $1 million, including through fundraisers and annual events such as the Corporate Battle of the Bands and HAAM Benefit Day, to support its primary goal: to maintain the health of the city’s hard-working, professional musicians who help make Austin such a dynamic place to live and work.

This year, businesses have already begun to sign up, including four-year presenting sponsor Whole Foods Market. Underwriters are ThunderCloud Subs (23 locations) and Topfer Family Foundation. Partners are GSD&M Idea City, Humana and Keller Williams Realty Inc.

2009 sponsors are Amy’s Ice Creams/Phil’s Ice House (13 locations), Delaware North Companies (operator of 17 Austin-Bergstrom International Airport outlets Austin City Limits, Austin Java Gates 10 & 15, Austin Warehouse District, Book People, Earl Campbell’s Sports Bar, Lefty’s on 6th Street Bar and Grille, Mangia Pizza, Maudie’s Tex-Mex, Ray Benson’s Roadhouse Bar, Ray’s Chuckwagon, Schlotzsky’s Deli, The Austin Chronicle, The Longhorns Store, The Salt Lick BBQ, The Salt Lick Taco Bar and Waterloo Records & Tapes), Lilly USA LLC, McQueary Henry Bowles Troy LLP, Strait Music Company and Twin Liquors.

Supporting Sponsors are Austin Association of Health Underwriters, Frost Bank, Hilton Austin and HPI Corporate Services Inc.

Media Sponsors are 107.1 KGSR Radio Austin, 101X, KLBJ-FM, Austin American-Statesman, The Austin Chronicle and ME Television.

5% Donors are Allandale Painters Supply, Antone’s, Antone’s Record Shop, B.D. Riley’s, Birds Barbershop (2 locations), Clearpoint Wellness, The Continental Club, Evangeline Cafe, FDR Associates/FDR Investments, Guero’s Taco Bar, Hecho En Mexico, Jo’s Coffee (2 locations), Momo’s, Pita Pit (2 locations), San Jose Hotel, Shady Grove Cafe, Threadgill’s (2 locations), Waterloo Records & Video, Whip In, and Whole Earth Provision Co. (3 locations). Friends are Austin Motel and Los Senderos Studios.

For more information about HAAM Benefit Day or to make a donation, visit http://www.healthallianceforaustinmusicians.org or myhaam.org.

Sky Sunlight Saxon in Critical Condition

AUSTIN, Texas — Early Monday, June 22, 2009, Sky Sunlight Saxon of garage rock legends the Seeds was hospitalized in South Austin, Texas due to an undiagnosed condition. He remains in critical condition in the ICU at this date in St. David’s South Austin Hospital. Doctors suspect an infection of the internal organs; further tests are pending upon stabilization. Temporary dialysis of the kidneys will begin in the next few days.

Sky Sunlight Saxon fell ill last Thursday in his new home of Austin. Despite feeling under the weather, on Saturday he performed a short set of Seeds classics at the local legendary nightclub Antone’s.

Sky’s wife Sabrina Saxon encourages fans and friends worldwide to send cards and balloons of encouragement, love and support to Sky at his room in the ICU. No flowers are allowed in this facility, but cards and balloons are welcome. It is Sabrina’s wish to create a visual illustration of the positive healing vibes that are being generated for the much beloved musician in full support of his recovery.

Please send cards and balloons to:

St David’s South Austin Hospital
901 West Ben White Boulevard
ICU-10 (Richard Marsh)
Austin, Texas 78704

(Note Sky Saxon’s legal name is Richard Marsh)

For updates on Sky’s condition please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/SabrinaSaxon
http://www.myspace.com/theseeds
http://www.twitter.com/Seeds_SkySaxon

About Sky Sunlight Saxon

From http://www.ponderosastomp.com:

During the mid 1960s, suburban garages across America rocked to the fuzz-drenched frenzy created by kids hoping to emulate the Seeds, one of the biggest and best bands to emerge from the phenomenon known as Garage Rock. The Seeds’ style was undeniably simple but nonetheless brilliantly original. Muddy Waters once called them “America’s own Rolling Stones.”

The Seeds’ debut album arrived in April 1966. Saxon’s lyrics were infected by a wondrous charm, while the blend of British and blues influences served notice that the Seeds were developing a sound quite distinct from that of their “Louie Louie” based rivals. “Evil Hoodoo” is a piece of high-octane freak-beat that was as much a genuine slice of punk as anything the late seventies punk explosion threw up. This sentiment of primal angst, as defined in the classic “Pushin’ Too Hard”, is the reason why Joey Ramone started singing in the first place, as the now deceased founder of punk titans, the Ramones, expressed in an interview.

Best known for their rock and roll standard “Pushin’ Too Hard”, the Seeds combined the raw appeal of garage rock with a fondness for psychedelia. They were the creation of charismatic vocalist Sky Saxon who, along with guitarist Jan Savage, recruited Daryl Hooper on keyboards and Rick Andridge on drums to unleash the Seeds onto the world. They soon signed to record biz pioneer Gene Norman’s label Crescendo Records and debuted the 45 RPM, “Can’t Seem Too Make You Mine” (1965). This was a slow, driving’ number that highlighted Saxon’s unique vocal style, and their patented Combo sound, which for the record, pre-dated the Doors! This single earned the band appearances on all the major variety shows at the time including American Bandstand and Shebang. “Pushin’ Too Hard” was the anthem for a generation and hit number one in many cities across America including Los Angeles and New York and hit #36 on the Billboard national chart in 1966. It was based on a simple driving riff over which Sky vented and growled and was characterized by a masterful minimalism that would make the band a source of inspiration for countless bands to come (check out bands that have covered The Seeds). Their self titled debut LP had other great groovy stompers like “No Escape”, “Nobody Spoil My Fun” and “Girl I Want You”.

A second more adventurous LP, “A Web of Sound”, appeared in October 1966. The album brimmed with rockin’ mid-60’s classics, including the fourteen-minute “Up in Her Room”. Another smash on the American charts was the tightly grooving’, pro-pot / working class anthem “Mr. Farmer.”

The band then changed their garage style and threw the lot in with their emergent flower-power movement. The Seeds coined the term “Flower Power” only to watch it crumble in commercial media hype. The result was Future (1967). Saxon’s compositions contained a strong element of acid-tinged horticultural playful whimsy as in “Travel with Your Mind” and “March of the Flower Children”, while the band, like the Beatles, were innovators with Eastern-style instrumentation. Mega success seemed just around the corner, especially after their cameo appearance in the Jack Nicholson film Psych Out performing the song “Two Fingers Pointed at You” and a follow up 45, the moody, haunting, psychedelic rush of “Wind Blows Your Hair” (1967). At this point in their success the Seeds headlined over bands like the Doors, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Vanilla Fudge, Jefferson Airplane, the Kinks, Four Seasons, Diana Ross and the Supremes, and others. They also split bill with Jimi Hendrix in New York City. One has to realize that the Seeds far surpassed the Garage rock label — what other garage band can boast selling out the Hollywood Bowl!

The next LP was A Spoonful of Seedy Blues (1967), released under the moniker Sky Saxon Blues Band and featuring sleeve notes and songwriting collaboration by blues giant Muddy Waters. The Seeds were back with the 1968 album Raw and Alive: Merlin’s Music Box. This exciting live LP was recorded in Orange County, California at Merlin’s Music Box and produced a song that captured the Seeds at one of their most powerful moments, “I Can Satisfy You,” Jan’s scorching brilliant guitar and Daryl’s wonderful contrapuntal bass and keyboards demonstrate one of the bands most vital ingredients-Intensity. Originally a single, this song was a powerhouse live. In later years, some called the Seeds “the original punk rock band.” Although this was true as far as raw furor goes, their sophistication level was light years beyond this label, especially for the ‘60s.

Learn more about Sky Sunlight Saxon by visiting:
http://www.skysaxon.com
http://www.myspace.com/theseeds

MySpace Country/Bluegrass Playlist for Jun 25 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!

Country:

Counting Teardrops by Kimberly Connolly
Please Don’t Stop Loving Me by The Dixons
That Ole Train by Noel Lee Haggard
Honky Tonk Livin’ by The Starline Rhythm Boys
Let’s Talk It Out by Patty Booker
Please Feed The Jukebox by David Ball
I’m Thinkin’ It’s Better by Arty Hill
I’ve Got A Right To Cry by Mandy Barnett
We Have A Winner by Dave Jorgenson
Thanks A Lot by John England & the Western Swingers
Feel Like Drinking by Angela Easterling
Let’s Drink Hard by the Beagle Brothers
Choices by Billy Yates (with George Jones)
What’ll I Do by Brennen Leigh
Don’t Hate Me by Carter Falco

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Bluegrass:

Pity The Picker by Lone Mountain Station
Lonely Street by Doyle Lawson And Quicksilver
Hold On To Your Heart by Ernie Evans & Southern Lite
Desiree McRae by True North
No Room by Runaway Freight
1946 by David Peterson and 1946
Broke Down & Lonesome by Misty Mamas
The Fat Wind Blew by Mayhem String Band
Simplify by The Henhouse Prowlers
Witchita by Red Molly
Exit Signs by The Flatbellys
Tennessee Rose by Molly Atkins & Martin Stevens
Silvertrain by Suicide Cowboy
Bluer Than The Sky by The Hillbilly Gypsies

Video – Justin Townes Earle: Midnight at the Movies