Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the writing of the rock ‘n’ roll classic “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel (who recorded it) and Margaret Cobb. Earlier this year, we had the chance to visit with Bruce on board Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise and we heard the full story of the 1962 hit record, Delbert’s role and the song’s connection to the Beatles. It’s an entertaining tale from a true rock ‘n’ roll pioneer.
Black Lillies set for Nashville show August 29
The Black Lillies have a vibrant new album called “Stranger To Me” set for release on Sept. 18, but Nashville fans can get a sneak preview at the band’s show at the City Winery on August 29th.
A new song from the album:
Kiefer Sutherland is “Reckless” in Houston
By Paul T. Mueller
If Kiefer Sutherland’s August 11 performance in Houston is any guide, the actor/musician’s forthcoming second album is likely to be a little more upbeat than his 2016 debut, Down In a Hole. Backed by a capable four-piece band, Sutherland treated a near-capacity audience at Miller Outdoor Theatre to about 90 minutes’ worth of songs, including several new ones and a few covers, and some stories about his recent turn to musical performance after years of songwriting.
The music might best be described as pop/rock with some twang, given a little more edge by the band’s two guitarists and taking on an even harder tone during a mid-set stretch when Sutherland put down his acoustic guitar in favor of a Telecaster. Some of the singer’s wardrobe choices (white sport coat and matching Panama hat) and stage mannerisms might have seemed more at home on a Broadway stage than in a honky-tonk, but his guitar skills were up to the task and his gravelly voice was well suited to his material.
Song titles weren’t always announced, but Sutherland introduced one that might have been “Something You Love” by explaining its theme as “Life’s too short to spend doing things you don’t love.” He described “Reckless and Me” as either a reference to the name of his horse during his rodeo days or a description of his personality (apparently the new album will be titled Reckless). He acknowledged being surprised at realizing how many songs in his catalog dealt with drinking; several showed up in the set, including “This Is How It’s Done,” “Agave” and “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down,” delivered as a tribute to Merle Haggard. The theme was underscored by the bottle of Scotch that was more than an onstage prop. Sutherland also sang a nice rendition of “Open Road,” a highway ballad by singer-songwriter Jude Cole, a friend and frequent co-writer.
The show was a free one, part of the venue’s annual concert series, and it’s a fair guess that many in attendance were there out of familiarity with Sutherland’s acting career rather than as fans of his music. Still, at several points he expressed his gratitude that people had come out to hear him perform music they probably weren’t familiar with. He and the band were rewarded with a standing ovation when they wrapped up. They returned after a few minutes; Sutherland told some entertaining stories from his and his twin sister’s childhood with their dad, actor Donald Sutherland, and the band closed with a fine take on Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
Footage from an earlier show on the tour:
Robbie Fulks, Linda Gail Lewis in Nashville Sept. 11
The wildly entertaining “Wild! Wild! Wild” collaboration between Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis was released on Bloodshot Records yesterday, but the news gets even better. They’ll perform in Nashville on Sept. 11 at American Legion Post 82.
Podcast 22 The War and Treaty, plus Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets
There are fresh voices galore on this episode of Americana Music News. First, we’ll hear from the much-heralded duo War and Treaty, followed by a First Person segment featuring the Madison, Wisconsin-based trio Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets.
Podcast 21 The Milk Carton Kids and Seth Timbs
In this episode of the Americana Music News Podcast, The Milk Carton Kids – Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale – talk about the duo’s career, the mixed blessing of being compared to Simon and Garfunkel and their rich new album “All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do.”
Chart Watch: American Aquarium’s “Things Change”
Americana Music News – The new American Aquarium album “Things Change” moves to #12 on the 
Americana Music Association’s album charts this week and with good reason. It may well be the most thought-provoking and rewarding album of the year.
There are inevitably going to be comparisons to Bruce Springsteen because of BJ Barham’s vocals, but the more critical similarity is to well-crafted songs about the kind of world we live in.
“The world Is On Fire” is the stunner, a extraordinary song about election night 2016 and the next morning’s reckoning:
“When did The Land of the Free become The Home of the Afraid?
Afraid of the world, afraid of the truth
Afraid of each other”
Podcast 20 James Maddock, Allison Pierce
The Folk Alliance International conference is always special, with non-stop shows in ballrooms and hotel rooms. Inevitably you come across truly talented artists who deserve a much wider audience. That’s the case with today’s podcast guests James Maddock and Allison Pearce.
The Rose Garden, Gene Clark and the sounds of ’67
The Rose Garden climbed into the top 20 in 1967 with “Next Plane to London,” a pleasant pop tune in the vein of We Five. There was never another hit, the album didn’t sell and the band soon broke up. And yet 51 years later we have this new release “A Trip Through the Garden – The Rose Garden Collection
New: Michael Kelsh’s “Harmony Sovereign”
Michael Kelsh first came to our attention in 2001 with the release of his excellent “Well of Mercy.” A mere 16 years later, we have “Harmony Sovereign,” a compelling new collection. Little wonder that the album contains 16 beautifully crafted songs.
Podcast 19 Beth Nielsen Chapman’s “Hearts of Glass”
Beth Nielsen Chapman is a special songwriter and artist, evidenced in part by her recent election to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. But that honor would have come as no surprise to those who have heard her remarkable run of recordings. She’s the rare writer who can share deeply personal experiences through music, yet also write universally embraced songs like “This Kiss” and “Happy Girl.”
Review: Motel Mirrors’ “In the Meantime”
In the Meantime, the first full-length effort from Texas-Tennessee mashup Motel Mirrors, finds its four musicians mining a sound that incorporates classic country and rockabilly.
New: Love Canon’s “Cover Story”
Coming July 14 is the new album from Love Canon, a roots and bluegrass band that plays rock and pop hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s in their own style.
Songs on “Cover Story” range from Billy Joel’s “Angry Young Man” to Squeeze’s “Tempted” to Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill.” It’s an entertaining collection of familiar songs presented in a fresh way. Here’s Love Canon performing “Solsbury Hill.”
Podcast 18 Dan Navarro and Maybe April
It’s a double-bill on this podcast with Dan Navarro, the veteran artist who built an admiring fan base with Lowen and Navarro, and Maybe April, a talented young trio from Nashville. We caught up with both at this year’s Folk Alliance conference.
New Americana Music Festival artists announced
The Americana Music Festival, set for Nashville Sept. 11-16, has just released a new roster of performers. Additions include John Prine and friends, John Hiatt, I’me With Her, the Milk Carton Kids and Niki Bluhm.
New: Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets’ “Lean”
Harmonies abound on “Lean,” the second album from Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets. The talented Madison, Wisconsin-based trio rocks a car dealership in this new video:
Podcast 17 “Outlaws and Armadillos” at the Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has just opened “Outlaws and Armadillos,” a fascinating exploration of the fresh new music coming out of Austin and Nashville in the 1970s, courtesy of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Steve Young, Marshall Chapman, Doug Sahm and many more.
Patrick Sweany’s “Ancient Noise” at Nashville’s Basement May 25
Patrick Sweany’s album release party is this Saturday, May 26, at the Basement in Nashville. And just to get you motivated to attend, here’s a highlight from the new release “Ancient Noise.”
Podcast 16: Kim Richey in “Edgeland”
We first spotted Kim Richey in 1997 at the Exit/Inn in Nashville playing songs from her then-new album “Bitter Sweet.” 21 years on, we still marvel at the depth of her songwriting talent. We sat down with Kim recently to talk about her striking new release “Edgeland.”
Parker Millsap makes “Other Arrangements”
Parker Millsap’s new album, “Other Arrangements”, runs only 34 minutes. But the Oklahoma native packs a lot of goodness into the 12-song collection, his fourth release.