By Ken Paulson — Rick Nelson was best known as a teen idol whose family starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, one of the most popular television shows of its era. But he was also one of those rare artists whose best work actually came after his hit-making and television star years. His early hits hold up well…
Interview: Kevin Gordon and “Gloryland”
By Ken Paulson —Kevin Gordon is one of the most respected singer-songwriters in Nashville, which is saying something. Gloryland, his latest album, elicited rave reviews in the New York Times, USA Today and the Tennessean. Here he talks about the album and “Colfax,” a song about both his school marching band and courage in the face of adversity: listen to…
Sun209: The week in Tweets
Lots of snide comments about Mick Jagger on SNL from young tweeters. Did we mock Frank Sinatra? # Two very good -and very different – albums from @ToddSnider http://t.co/H6eQ9KjH #JerryJeffWalker #Americana music # 34 years ago today, Buddy Holly Story premiered in Lubbock. Historically flawed film, but turned a lot of us onto Buddy's music. #BuddyHolly # How did the…
Review: Eljuri’s “Fuerte”
By Joe Ross Eljuri is Cecilia Villar Eljuri, an Ecuadorian singer-songwriter and guitarist who now makes her home in New York. Her world-beat music conveys great strength on her sophomore album Fuerte. It’s been several years since she released En Paz (In Peace) to both U.S. and Mexican audiences. The force of her universal truths and global rhythms brought her…
Music Producers Institute brings artists, fans together in the studio
One of the more innovative ventures in Nashville’s music community offers a chance for fans and prospective producers to sit in on the recording sessions of some of their favorite bands. Music Producers Institute, directed by Grammy-award winning producer Steve Fishell, gives artists a chance to defray recording costs by inviting in paid guests, and attendees get a rich musical…
Elizabeth Cook tour dates announced
Elizabeth Cook is back on tour, appearing tonight in Albuquerque, along with husband Tim Carroll and Bones Hillman. She’s also scheduled to perform on Late Night with David Letterman on June 13. Future concert dates: May 24 – KTAOS Solar Center – Taos, NM May 25 – Meadowgrass Festival – Colorado Springs, CO May 27 – Cabaret – Sparks, NV May…
Review: David Naiditch’s Douce Ambiance: Gypsy Jazz Classics
By Joe Ross My first introduction to chromatic harmonica came as a young teenager in the 1960s when I picked up a Music Minus One LP called Blues and All That Jazz featuring world famous harmonica virtuoso Cham-Ber Huang from Shanghai and New York. While many learn harmonica by ear, Mr. Huang’s material was bonafide instruction that brought me many…
Sara Watkins, O’Brien Party of 7 enter Americana music chart
Justin Townes Earle continues to dominate Americana radio with yet another week at #1 with Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, followed by Ray Wylie Hubbard’s Grifter’s Hymnal. New to the Americana music chart: Sara Watkins’ Sun Midnight Sun at #30 and the O’Brien Party of 7’s Reincarnation: The Songs of Roger Miller at #35. Most…
Boss Caine on Gram Parsons
Boss Caine just let us know about “Truck Stop Jukebox,” their tribute to Gram Parsons. We like it:
Sun209: The week in Tweets
At the @Ryman tonight, Marc Cohn suggested that it could have been "Walking in Nashville" if he had come to Music City first. #Nashville # Great show by @TheBonnieRaitt at @TheRyman tonight, with plenty of shout-outs to Nashville folks, including John Prine. # Review: Great show from @TheBonnieRaitt at @TheRyman last night http://t.co/kRWk0QGz #nashville #blues # Review: We loved @MarcCohn…
Review: Todd Snider times two
By Ken Paulson –Todd Snider’s new album Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables may put you a little on edge, but thankfully, he’s also provided the antidote. Agnostic Hymns could well be the original cast album for the Occupy Movement, with a fair share of contemporary protest songs and attitude. The opening track “In the Beginning” makes the case that religion…
Free Americana music shows at CMA Festival
Chuck Mead and his Grassy Knoll Boys, Kenny Vaughan and Trent Summar and the New Row Mob are among the Americana artists who will appear at the free BMI tailgate party during the CMA Music Festival June 7-10 in Nashville. Shows begin at 4:30. Mead is performing in support of his new album Back at the Quonset Hut, recorded at…
Todd Snider’s salute to Jerry Jeff Walker enters chart
Todd Snider’s Time As We Know It, his tribute to Jerry Jeff Walker, is the top new entry on the Americana Music Association airplay chart this week, breaking in at #33. The Dunwells are the only other debut, with Blind Sighted Faith at #40. Still at the top of the chart: Justin Townes Earles’ Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You…
Review: Marc Cohn in concert at the Ryman
We’ve seen Marc Cohn in concert a few times, but he’s never been better than last night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Actually it was a bit of a surprise that he was there at all. The night before, he had cancelled a show in nearby Franklin, TN. Cohn apologized to anyone who had tickets to that show, and said…
Review: Bonnie Raitt in concert at Nashville’s Ryman
By Ken Paulson –Bonnie Raitt’s show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last night was as loose as they come and every bit as entertaining. Whether explaining that she hadn’t found time to do a set list, calling former band member Rick Vito to the stage or saluting Nashville’s songwriters, Raitt was casual, comfortable and in command. She drew heavily…
Sun209: The week in Tweets
Surprising rock and roll set, Pretenders cover from @wynnonamusic at @Grammys block party in Nashville. #grammysblockparty #nashvillemusic # Now I get it. Great set by @LukeBryanOnline at @Grammys block party in Nashville. # . @LukeBryanonline, @Wynonnamusic and Mavericks at Grammy Block Party in Nashville. http://t.co/XH7ThtHT # .@_KennyRogers joined by @kim_carnes and Don Schlitz in intimate evening at the Country Music…
Reissues: Mark Lindsay: The Complete Columbia Singles
By Ken Paulson Mark Lindsay: The Complete Columbia Singles is a another fine reissue from Real Gone Music. “Reissue” may be a misnomer here. Although most of the material has been released before, collcting these largely overlooked singles in one place would have been a daunting challenge for any record collector. This is a singular collection in more wys than…
Kenny Rogers at the Country Music Hall of Fame
Kenny Rogers concluded his two-night run as artist-in-residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville tonight with an intimate set and guest appearances by Kim Carnes and songwriter Don Schlitz. Fans accustomed to seeing Rogers in arena had to be thrilled to catch him in the 213-seat Ford’s Theater at the museum. He said he was going to…
Grammy Block Party 2012
[cincopa AEEAn6qM8Eq_] The annual Grammy Block Party in Nashville once again featured outstanding Music City-based performers, including the reunited Mavericks, Wynonna, Luke Bryan and Keb’ Mo’. (photos by Ken Paulson) Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (sun209com).
Sun209: The week in Tweets
Review: @tptroubadors "Goodbye Normal Street" out next month http://t.co/6YYkR05z # Glad to see photos of the Beach Boys tour, but where are the reviews? Not much written to date. http://t.co/DqzIi4px # Today's the last day to get early bird discount for the @americanafest. Always a terrific conference, festival. http://t.co/xc09Ic77 # The @Alabama_Shakes leap into the @americanafest chart at #14 #americanamusic…