Kenny Vaughan on "Outlaw Country"
Kenny Vaughan on “V”
Tag: Music
Will Kimbrough’s Lick of the Day for Dec. 14th
A “wintry sound” from Will Kimbrough:
Registration opens for 2012 Americana Music Festival in Nashville
Early registration for the 13th annual Americana Music Association Festival and Conference, set for Sept. 12-15, 2012 in Nashville is now open.
This is one of the best music festivals in the nation, and always attracts an intriguing mix of artists. This year, Gregg Allman, Robert Plant, the Civil Wars and a Muscle Shoals tribute were all on the bill.
The AMA is offering an early bird registration of $250 for association members and $350 for non-members. Registration at the convention hotel is also now open.
Damn Quails, Willie Nelson enter Americana airplay chart
There’s little change in this week’s Americana music chart, with Ryan Adams’ Ashes & Fire once again in the top position, followed by Robert Earl Keen and the Jayhawks. At long last, Will Hoge’s Number Seven settles in at #7.
The only new albums on the airplay chart are Damn Quails’ Down the Hatch at #26 and Willie Nelson’s Remember Me Vol. 1 at #27.
The most added new albums include Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas, the Little Willies’ For the Good Times and the Nelson album.
The Guy Clark tribute album This One’s For Him was picked up by six new stations this week.
Dobie Gray: An appreciation
Obituaries reporting the death of Dobie Gray this week focused on his big hit “Drift Away” and his ’60s breakthrough “The In Crowd.” The casual observer might be left with the impression that Gray was a one-hit wonder in two successive decades.
The truth is that Dobie Gray was something of a pioneer, an
African-American coming to Nashville and working with country session players like Reggie Young, David Briggs and Troy Seals on some outstanding albums that bridged genres. His work with Mentor Williams was the best of his career, and the Drift Away and Loving Arms albums – still available as imports – were full of soulful adult pop, with country underpinnings.
Gray joined us a few years ago for one of the Freedom Sings concerts held annually in Nashville at the Bluebird Cafe. He was in great voice, sang “Drift Away” and was a warm and gracious performer.
His body of work – from the early “go-go” recordings to his ’70s resurgence to his country recordings in later years – is well worth exploring.
Americana artists salute John Lennon
Americana artists were well-represented at last night’s John Lennon tribute at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville. The concert, designed to raise awareness about gun violence and to celebrate Lennon’s music, ran for almost four hours and showcased the talents of a number of Americana music performers, including:
– Bill Lloyd on “Girl”
– Kenny Vaughan on “Cry Baby Cry” and “Bad Boy”
– Tommy Womack on “I’m a Loser” and “Well, Well, Well”
– Chris Scruggs on “Crippled Inside” and “I Found Out”
– Rosie Flores (with Anne McCue) on “Strawberry Fields” and “No Reply”
You’ll find the full roster and another slideshow here.
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Photos copyright 2011 by Ken Paulson
Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, John Hiatt and a new generation
One of those only-in-Nashville evenings: On Dec. 19, 3rd and Lindsley will host the Generations Against the Death Penalty benefit concert. The idea is to pair famous parents with their talented kids in support of the cause.
The line-up includes:
– Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and their daughter Chelsea Crowell
– John Hiatt and daughter Lilly Hiatt
– Gail Davies and son Chris Scruggs
– Ranger Doug and son James Green.
Proceeds will benefit Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. Tickets are available online.
Concert review: Glen Campbell at the Ryman in Nashville
It was a sad and exhilarating evening at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville tonight.
It’s wasn’t sad because Glen Campbell is suffering from Alzheimer’s or that his performance was part of his “Goodbye Tour.” He’s 75 and ailments strike us all.
It was sad because this is the last tour of one of America’s great pop singers, interpreters and guitarists, and it’s not realistic to expect anyone else to ever perform the work of Jimmy Webb with as much passion and joy.
Campbell had some challenges tonight, forgetting the lyrics to set opener “Gentle on My Mind” when a prompter malfunctioned and stumbling through some stage patter. But his guitar
playing was solid, and his solo on “Wichita Lineman” was stirring.
In full stride, singing the songs that dominated America’s pop and country charts from 1967 through 1977,he was impressive. He played his biggest hits, including “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Galveston,” but also lesser and still memorable hits, notably “Where’s The Playground Susie?” and “Dreams of the Everyday Housewife.” Haunting and beautiful stuff.
It was inspiring to see Campbell pepper the show with tracks from his outstanding final album Ghost on the Canvas. He’s been an artist all his life and he’s going to leave the stage playing new songs. That’s what artists – as opposed to oldies acts – do.