COVER STORY: TMT-TV with EMORY QUINN
 (August 2008) Emory Quinn is nothing but pure fun. They are not only extremely talented players of several instruments each, but they also are capable of crafting an evolving sound in each tune that is distinct, but different in a way that sets the trend and does not follow it. Their music is a collection of cool grooving songs that are not country, not pop, and not Americana, but all three at the same time. Emory Quinn is their own sound that can effortlessly cross the mainstream lines in the same CD with ease. If Emory Quinn could be explained in one word, it would be versatility. Check out our TMT-TV interview with the members of Emory Quinn. more > |
TMT-TV: INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Brison Bursey
 (August 2008) Brison Bursey is a “Young Gun” from Huntsville, Texas. He is currently touring with one of the hottest young bands around and promoting his record Bigger Sky, which was produced by Austin musician and producer Keith Davis. The album includes some great names in Texas music as additional musicians. Check out our TMT-TV interview with Brison Bursey. more > |
TMT-Radio: Chris Berardo
 (August 2008) Chris Berardo and the DesBerardos are a talented and hardworking Americana band from Connecticut. They tour across the country and try to come through Texas whenever possible. Be sure the catch them at Sam's Burger Joint on August 15, 2008, when they will open for the Asylum Street Spankers. Listen to Chris talk about the band and the Americana music scene in the northeast on TMT-Radio! more > |
CD REVIEW: Micky and the Motorcars - Naive
 (August 2008) A polished, incredible record, the time and effort lent to this trip to the studio does not go unnoticed. About recording Naive, lead vocalist Micky Braun says of the band’s previous studio experiences that “if a good gig came up, we had to leave the studio.” Now with ample preparation and the luxury of extra time, the band was able to work the record until it was perfect. Braun says, "We did a lot of rehearsal, working up different arrangements and trying to figure out the right way to play them. ” more > |
CD REVIEW: Emory Quinn - The Road Company
 (August 2008) Emory Quinn’s second studio album, The Road Company, is an exceptional collection of works so multi-dimensional that it’s impossible to give it a single musical genre label. From love songs and clever lyrics to an almost “Floyd-esque” guitar riff in the sixth track “Blue Gone” the evidence of the group’s array of musical influences, ranging from Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray, to Widespread Panic, The Band, James McMurtry, and even our very own Mr. Ryan Bingham is easily apparent. The Road Company is a compilation of twelve tracks, eleven of which lead vocalist Clint Bracher wrote. more > |
CD REVIEW: Mike Blackwell - Come Back To Me
 (August 2008) A debut album this powerful doesn't come along very often, probably even less often from a folkie like Arkansas-resident Mike Blackwell. But Come Back To Me hits all the right notes. Much of the credit probably should go to producer Emily Kaitz, who seemed to know the perfect treatment for each song, but the melodies that Blackwell created certainly made Kaitz's job that much easier. It's a stirring album of beautiful songs that will break your heart and give you hope at the same time. more > |
CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!
 (August 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you (and sometimes warn you) about them all, but we wanted to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so we have a monthly TMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Susan Gibson, Guy Forsyth, Johns Guns, The Boxmasters, and Joel Melton. more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-TV with SUSAN GIBSON
 (June 2008) We met with Susan Gibson at the Garaj Mahal, or, as it's otherwise known, Mark and Joy Jungers' garage. Adam Carroll and Mark were also there as Susan discussed her new record, Old Dog, New Tricks, as well as her time with The Groobees. We couldn't ignore the fact that Susan wrote the Dixie Chicks monster hit, "Wide Open Spaces," so we talked about that, too, and she, Adam, and Mark perform a new song they all wrote together. Tune in to TMT-TV to spend quality time with Susan Gibson. more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-TV with MARK JUNGERS
 (June 2008) We met up with Mark Jungers at his garage, a.k.a. the Garaj Mahal. Adam Carroll and Susan Gibson were there, too, and didn't mind adding their observations as Mark discussed his latest record, Silos and Smokestacks, released late last year. Mark also talked about where the inspiration comes from when he's creating an album and how difficult it is to choose which songs make the cut. Tune in to TMT-TV to see and hear what's going on inside the interesting mind of Mark Jungers. more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-TV with ADAM CARROLL
 (June 2008) If you read the descriptions above you know where we were when we met with Adam Carroll. Adam discussed his new record, Old Town Rock N Roll, the experience of working on this album with a new producer, Canadian Scott Nolan, and how recording the album in Mark Jungers' garage helped him capture the moments and harvest the energy. He also, with help from Mark and Susan, performs a song from the new album. Tune in to TMT-TV for insight you won't find anywhere else. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Hans Frank
 (June 2008) Hans Frank was the leader of a nationally successful band, 10 City Run. But with that band now part of history, what has Hans been up to lately? Bobby Natanson is still drumming with him, and they, along with legendary guitarplayer Pete Mitchell, now call themselves either Hans Frank and the Auslanders or Glambilly. The sound is rocknrollcountry with a definite edge, and the band is on the verge of a breakout. more > |
CD REVIEW: Reckless Kelly - Bulletproof
 (June 2008) Reckless Kelly’s long-awaited fifth studio album, Bulletproof, set to hits the shelves June 24th and is loud and proud. Following suit of the 2006 release Reckless Kelly Was Here, a double disc live recording CD/DVD, Bulletproof delivers and delivers hard. The band, which formed more than 11 years ago in Bend, Oregon eventually moved their base of operation to Austin, TX where they have taken an ever-growing fan base by storm. Playing shows all over the Lone Star Sate and its surrounding areas, and more recently, the “windy city,” New York, and even Nashville, these five guys have begun what many would call a legacy that began long before they were born. more > |
CD REVIEW: Eliza Gilkyson - Beautiful World
 (June 2008) Eliza Gilkyson has a well-deserved reputation in the world of folk music, but on Beautiful World she spreads her wings a bit, creating more of a Texas pop country sound. Let me emphasize right up front, though, that I don't think there's anything here that will alienate current fans. Eliza's in great voice and the songwriting is up to her usual high standard. The sound is just a bit fuller, adding some color to her often black-and-white delivery. Although it may sound trite, I can describe it with only one word: Wow! more > |
CD REVIEW: Adam Carroll - Old Town Rock N Roll
 (June 2008) If you've attended an Adam Carroll show, you may have noticed the way he shuffles up to the stage, shyly avoiding eye contact, taking his place at the front of the audience, always seeming a bit surprised that people are actually there to listen to him. I can feel that attitude as I listen to Old Town Rock N Roll. The album is very unassuming, unmistakably humble. Bubbling beneath this lowkey attitude, though, is an energy that has not been seen before in an Adam Carroll studio record. more > |
CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!
(June 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we wanted to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so we have a monthly TMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Denice Franke, Paul Thorn, Marcus Eldridge, Michael Hosty, Matt Koger, Fifty Nine South, and the John D. Hale Band. more > |
12th Annual KNBT Americana Jam
 (June 2008) For the folks at KNBT radio in New Braunfels, Texas, and those that frequent the legendary old dance hall that holds down the main street in the historic downtown district of Gruene, Texas, a day filled with outstanding music, and a line-up which includes more than a couple of big names is not an uncommon occurrence. Such was the case on a hot Sunday afternoon in late May when KNBT 92.1 FM radio hosted the 12th Annual KNBT Americana Music Jam at one of Texas music’s hottest joints, Gruene Hall. more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-TV with the KEITH DAVIS BAND
 (May 2008) Since the late-2007 release of his current record Answered Prayer, Keith Davis and his band have toured incessantly and broken down the tough doors of musical acceptance throughout Texas. Answered Prayer has already produced two top 20 singles on the regional charts and shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, the record and the band are just now beginning to hit their stride. Check out our TMT-TV cover story with the Keith Davis Band. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: TMT-Radio with Darryl Lee Rush
 (May 2008) Darryl Lee Rush’s Live from the River Road Icehouse is one of the best live records of 2007. The CD is a wonderful glimpse of a raucous and rowdy Darryl Lee show. From the great songwriting to the wonderful musicianship including some of the best harp work on any country record of any time or place, Live from the River Road Icehouse is bound to set Darryl Lee Rush well ahead of his peers. It is a crowning achievement from the Markham, Texas, native. Check out this month’s Indie Artist profile of Daryl Lee Rush on TMT-Radio. more > |
TMT-Radio: Zane Lewis
 (May 2008) Zane Lewis is a country music phenomenon. He has a great talent for walking that fine line between mainstream country and the dirtier and grittier Texas and Red Dirt style of the genre. For most artists this would be an impossible path. But not for Zane Lewis as his new project Zane Lewis is a testament for the man from Dallas Texas. Zane Lewis is a rowdy and fun record that any country music fan could enjoy, whether from Nashville or Austin or anywhere in between. Check out our exclusive TMT-Radio interview with Zane Lewis. more > |
TMT-Radio: Texas Renegade
 (May 2008) Tyson Carver of Texas Renegade talks with Keith Howerton about the band's latest project, After Everything, awards, and the band in general. Texas Renegade formed in 2002 and soon began playing gigs around Wimberley, a lot of high school parties and at Riley’s on the Backbone. The band members met thru mutual friends or attended public school together. Kasey Klepfer’s first guest musician spot with Texas Renegade was at WHS Project Graduation in 2003, but was soon added as a regular. more > |
CD REVIEW: The Band of Heathens - The Band of Heathens
 (May 2008) The much anticipated and long awaited first studio record from The Band of Heathens is here. The self-titled project is the follow-up to the band’s first two live record releases and the DVD release earlier this year.
To be sure, the first venture of Texas’ best band into the studio was well worth the wait. Produced by master ear and songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard, with the aid of his good friend Gurf Morlix on the final master switches, and engineered by Pat Manske, The Band of Heathens is the culmination of a team effort. more > |
CD REVIEW: Hans Frank and the Auslanders: Glambilly!
 (May 2008) One look at his hair, which resembles the end result of a Saturday morning cartoon electrocution, tells you that if Hans Frank is part of the Texas Country Music scene, then he's definitely on the fringe. However, Frank's time as the cleancut leader of critically acclaimed country band 10 City Run firmly establishes his credibility in the genre. Well, 10 City Run was officially killed off late last year, and Frank subsequently re-emerged as the leader of The Auslanders. more > |
CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!
(May 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we wanted to let you know about more of them than we can write full reviews on, so we have a monthly TMT CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by John M. Greenberg, Devon Heath, Charliehorse, Hayes Carll, John D. Hale, Jon Justice, Zach Edwards Band, and Southen Drive. more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-Radio with Aaron Watson
 (Apr 2008) The recent release of Aaron Watson's fourth album is generating a lot of buzz among music industry insiders and Aaron Watson fans alike. The fifteen-song CD is already making waves on national sales charts and is flying off the shelves at local record stores. Join us this month for an exclusive TMT-Radio interview with Aaron as we talk about his life on the road, his new record, Angels and Outlaws, and what Aaron thinks the future might have in store for him. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Matthew Ballard
 (Apr 2008) Matthew Ballard’s current CD is titled Time. It is an appropriate name as it is only a matter of “time” before everyone knows about Matthew Ballard. The CD has some Texas standouts contributing to the 11 great tracks on the record. Matt Powell (Wade Bowen Band), Cindy Cashdollar (Sue Foley Band, Van Morrison, and others), and Ric Ramirez (Two Tons of Steel) contributed to the tunes behind Ballard’s poetry on the record. more > |
TMT-TV: Bluebonnet Blues Festival
 (Apr 2008) Texas Music Times Editor-in-Chief Keith Howerton went up to Marble Falls, Texas, in late March to check out the Bluebonnet Blues Festival the town sponsors every year. Fortunately he took his camera, so we can treat you to sights and sounds from some of the performers, as well as a three-minute interview with the festival's founders. more > |
CD REVIEW: The Mighty Orq - To The Bone
 (Apr 2008) To be sure, The Mighty Orq's To The Bone is not a country or Americana record. It is, however, a great rock record from a band with a style that is long gone in rock and roll. If there is a current form of music being made that can be called rock and roll The Mighty Orq is making it. It is sad that mainstream radio no longer has a contemporary “rock and roll” format like the music The Mighty Orq is putting out. more > |
CD REVIEW: Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward: The Lonesome Dirge
 (Apr 2008) If you've ever wondered what you would get if you crossed the powerhouse persona of Bruce Springsteen with the Celtic vibe of The Waterboys and then threw in a good dollop of that je ne sais quoi we 'round 'chere just like to call "Texas," you can wonder no longer. What you'd get is a romp through a magical musical wonderland in the form of a record called Rodney Parker & Fifty Peso Reward's The Lonesome Dirge. more > |
SXSW With Wylie Maercklein
 (Apr 2008) Our friend Wylie Maercklein was on the hunt for the perfect photo at the 2008 SXSW Showcase Festival in Austin, Texas, last month. An accomplished photographer, Wylie got some great shots of some of our favorites, including the one to the left of Sam Baker. Check out a slideshow of some of his other shots by clicking the more link. Great job Wylie! more > |
CD REVIEW: Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden
 (Apr 2008) Does this album suck or is it a great achievement in pop music? Are the Eagles only in it for the money or did they actually make a good album? Is Eden a relevant statement on the state of our times or just a way the band has found to generate cash to support their lifestyles? Keith Howerton and Steve Circeo duke it out in a point-counterpoint argument about the merits, or lack thereof, of the latest record by the Eagles. more > |
An Interview with Ryan Bingham
 (Apr 2008) There are some moments in life that offer sheer untouched perfection. The last glimpse of the Aztec sun as it sinks gold and shimmering behind the Mexican hills of a breathless evening in late October. The first pulls of life into the virgin lungs of a newborn calf, seen only by the morning’s dew. But for a man named Ryan Bingham, at least while gripping his six-string, that kind of perfection flows forth as melodious as the mariachis that call so many of his songs home. more > |
CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!
(Apr 2008) We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all, but we wanted to let you know about more of them, so we have a monthly Texas Music Times CD Firepower article! This month features CDs by Gary Ritchey, Zach Tate Band, Brison Bursey Band, Stewart Mann and the Statesboro Revue, Mando Saenz, Jackson Browne, and County Road 5. more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-TV with Rich O'Toole
 After three top 10 singles from his first record, Seventeen, Rich O'Toole seems very well positioned to have a blow out year in 2008. His tour schedule continues to be full and he is headlining more shows. Soon he will be heading back into the studio for his second studio project and anticipation is building with his fans over the new record. He is one of the best songwriters in the scene and never disappoints with his live performance. His band is tight and there seems to be nothing stopping the O'Toole express. Check out our TMT-TV interview with Rich O'Toole. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Maren Morris
 To say that the past couple of years have brought of big change in the life of young Maren Morris would be completely understating reality. She released her current record All That It Takes under the Smith Music distribution and promotion label and saw her first single rise to the top 5 of the charts. Morris's accomplishments are even more astounding considering that she is still a teenager. All That It Takes was released when she was just 17. more > |
CD REVIEW: Paula Nelson - Lucky 13
 She may have a famous name and famous father but Paula Nelson’s music and voice stands tall on its own. If anyone had any doubt, her new project Lucky 13 will soothe the most hardened of music critics. Let’s face it, sometimes talent is in the genes, and Paula has obviously gotten a good amount of whom and what her father is musically. However, she is not Willie light or really even Willie-ish. She has her own style and is different. more > |
CD REVIEW: Plumtucker - Solo Stages
 There are two very well defined musical experiences that cause me to weep: John Lennon singing "Imagine" and Warren Zevon singing "Knocking on Heaven's Door." Those tears are shed as much for the sense of loss of musical giants too-soon-taken, as for the beauty of the performances. I am now, however, prepared to add a third musical event that moves me to mistiness: Plumtucker's David Lutes singing anything. more > |
CD REVIEW: Austin Collins - Roses Are Black
 The man with one of the most distinctive and unique voices in all of Americana music has truly taken his art to the next level with his new release Roses are Black. Austin Collins has proven on this sophomore record that he is one of the most talented songwriters and performers in Texas and Americana music. The record is, in a word … fantastic. It is not just Collins' voice that brings the project to the front of the pack, but the production and arrangements as well. more > |
CD REVIEW: Zane Lewis - Zane Lewis
 Zane Lewis' self-titled new project is pure unadulterated country music fun. The sophomore release for the Texas music chart standout (his first national level release) is a fantastic country record. Zane Lewis has all the mainstream Nashville or L.A. production value. It is not a gritty Americana style record, but a well produced and styled for country radio project that is on par with any of the mainstream major label projects. more > |
CD REVIEW: Bart Crow Band - Desperate Hearts
 The Bart Crow Band’s sophomore release is packed with great songs that are sure to bring a smile to enthusiastic fans. The CD contains 12 new tracks and a remake of “Driftin’ in the Wind” with harmonies added by Fallon Franklin. Desperate Hearts is the follow up record to the extremely successful Finally..., which contains the Texas and Red Dirt mega-hit “Wear My Ring." more > |
CD REVIEW: Jimmy Baldwin - The Cowboy and the Mermaid
 Americana music standout Jimmy Baldwin has done it again with his newest release The Cowboy and the Mermaid. Baldwin is a national treasure of a songwriter. Cowboy and the Mermaid contains 11 delightful Baldwin songs that are fun and mature. It is a listening record for true music listeners. However, there are some toe tappers on the CD with the highlight being the title track. more > |
CD REVIEWS: Texas Music Times CD Firepower!
We receive so many CDs for review that it's impossible to tell you about them all. But there are some CDs we don't get to write full reviews on that you really should know more about. That's why we stared up our new feature, Texas Music Times CD Firepower! We'll write a couple of lines about a CD and give it a rating of one to six bullets in our six-shooter. Check this feature out every month for more music you need to hear. more > |
The TMT BLOG — Intoxication by Alternative Sound
 Canned music always has a nice, clean, studio quality to it. No distortion. No scrappy notes. No unfamiliar and wild instrumentals. It leaves no listener mumbling through the lines silently thinking, “I have no idea what this guy is saying.” It is, in a word, safe. It can make sense on a business and even social level, but personally I prefer something a little messier. A little more creative. A little more ‘outside the box.’ more > |
Oklahoma's Best Kept Secret: Wednesdays with
Cooper and Shaw
 Mark your calendars now. On the last Wednesday of every month, you have plans! The Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City has revived their acoustic Wednesday nights, and numerous singers/songwriters have brought their unplugged shows to town. But, the only show that has a recurrent spot on the Dog's schedule is the unparalleled duo of Johnny Cooper and Cody Shaw. To see them perform acoustically is simply nothing short of awe-inspiring! more > |
COVER STORY: TMT-TV with The Band of Heathens
 (Feb 2008) Austin’s Best New Band of 2007 is poised to rocket to the top in 2008. The Band of Heathens is truly the best band in Texas. They have earned critical acclaim from fans and their peers in the music world. Currently on tour supporting the band’s second live CD, and the first ever Heathens DVD, the Heathens are gaining fans all over the state of Texas and beyond. The coming year will also see the release of the band's first studio project, which will be produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard. Check out our TMT-TV interview and live footage of The Band of Heathens at their Live at Antone’s CD/DVD release party in Momo’s in Austin. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: TMT-TV with Cody Hughes Davidson
 (Feb 2008) The Cody Hughes Davidson Band was formed in October 2005. Cody, at age 25, is the youngest member of the group, but don't let his age fool you. He is a self-taught musician who has been singing and writing his own style of Texas/Red Dirt music since high school. Cody started by performing acoustic shows, opening for Aaron Watson, Doug Moreland, Ryan James and Charlie Robison also playing for any and everyone who would listen, including the smallest of bars and largest of backyards. more > |
Adam Carroll: Slow Burn
 (Feb 2008) I sat down with Adam Carroll after a weeknight show at Gruene Hall. It had been one of those small acoustic shows in the bar area, and Adam had invited a few guests join him, most notably Mark Jungers. The majority of the forty or so people who were in attendance were there to listen to the music. That's my kind of show. We did the interview at one of the picnic tables in the dancehall area, Townes Van Zant playing in the background. more > |
CD/DVD REVIEW: The Band of Heathens - Live at Antone's
 (Feb 2008) In an age when solo artists abound and lone singer/songwriters front mediocre bands, the Heathens present three skilled vocalists with top-notch musicianship. When many in Texas seemed concerned with becoming the next Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Heathens offer up a more palatable dish of Lone Star lonesomeness and Southern fried hospitality. And while most of today’s acts wouldn’t even dream of doing the requisite (and often unnecessary) live album until they’ve got two or three studio albums under their belt, the Heathens have begun their careers with two back-to-back live gems. more > |
Catching Those Bluebonnet Blues
 (Feb 2008) Beyond the wide-open Texas skies and the fields of wildflowers that come into bloom every spring, there’s not much blue about the town of Marble Falls. It’s a place where people come to have fun, to play on the lakes and in the hills, to get away from their ordinary lives, and lose themselves for a while in good times. No matter how beautiful or peaceful, every place has a connection to the blues, to that feeling of sorrow that is just plain part of being human. Marble Falls, for instance, is the only town in Texas that was planned by a blind man. more > |
CD REVIEW: Scott Wiggins Band - Burn
 (Feb 2008) An addictive guitar riff bookends "Was It Worth It," the first song on Scott Wiggins Band's Burn, and addictive may be a good way to describe the songs the band presents to listeners on this record. They didn't blow me away the first time I listened, but they kept circulating around inside my head until I gave them another listen. And another. And another. While I'm still not blown away, I do seem to be, well, addicted. more > |
COVER STORY: Audio Interview with Eli Young Band
 With what is quite possibly the fastest growing fanbase of all emerging acts in the Southeast and Southwest, the Eli Young Band has been turning heads with their high-energy performances and a string of sold out shows. In the last year the Eli Young Band has hit its stride, selling as many as 2,000 tickets a night in multiple markets. Listen in as Texas Music Times editor Keith Howerton discusses EYB's past success and future plans with Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones, and Chris Thompson. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Nathan Johnson
 Nathan Johnson is a singer/songwriter based in Dallas, Texas. His unique folk-rock-pop style falls somewhere among artists such as John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and The Fray. He performs regularly around Texas and surrounding areas. He has released 3 CD's of original music as an independent artist. His latest CD is titled "The Feeling I Got" and has just been released as of November 2007. He is seeking new venues & opportunities abroad to expose his music to wider audiences both as a performer and a recording artist. more > |
TMT-TV: Monte Montgomery
 Monte Montgomery has taken the acoustic guitar beyond anyone's expectations. His amazing fretwork, unique combination finger and pick style playing through trailblazing "chordal" thoroughfares often baffles even the most accomplished players. Check out Keith Howerton's interview with the guy who's on Guitar Player Magazine's list of "Top 50 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time." more > |
TMT-TV: Bob Strause of the Pear Ratz
 As their producer Bill Green says, the Pear Ratz are a great mix of ZZ Top, Bill Monroe, Marshall Tucker, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Allman Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their live show is something to behold and their studio recordings do a great job capturing their energy. See what lead singer Bob Strause had to say when he sat down with Keith Howerton at Sam's Burger Joint. more > |
BEST OF 2007 - The Best Albums of 2007 that Nobody Told You About
 It's time once again for what, in my opinion, are the best tunes you may have missed last year. You probably already have the latest releases from Ragweed, Walt Wilkins, Kevin Fowler, Kelly Willis, Shooter Jennings, Jimmy LaFave, Larry Joe Taylor, and other better known artists, so my goal each year is to turn you on to the music that doesn't necessarily get all the hype. These are the albums that stay in my CD player, the records that really makes me think, "Damn, I wish I could make music like that." more > |
CD REVIEW: Jackson Taylor - Dark Days
Getting a CD like Jackson Taylor’s Dark Days is a shot in the arm and a motivator for a cynical music critic like me. First, the record is real and is like nothing else currently being played in Texas. Second, it is an unashamed “outlaw” record with songs written for guys, not written for the sole purpose of drawing the cowboy boot and skirt wearing young ladies to the shows to swoon over the front man. Dark Days is what Texas country music should always be. It is a look into the songwriter’s soul with a peek at his hardship and reality. more > |
CONCERT REVIEW: Dierks Bentley and Jack Ingram
 Dierks Bentley may not be from Texas, but you’d never know it. As much as he talks about today’s top Texas country artists, as long as he dotes on his Texas fans, you’d think he grew up somewhere in the Hill Country or among the East Texas pines. He loves Cross Canadian Ragweed and Randy Rogers. He makes regular stops in the Lone Star State on his tour schedule. He even took along Dallas’ favorite son Jack Ingram for this mid-year tour. more > |
CD REVIEW: Adam Carroll - Words and Music
 Every so often I'll stumble across an artists that makes me wonder why I'd never listened to him before. I mean, I'd heard of Adam Carroll. People had told me he was good and that I should check him out. But, ya know, sometimes I just don't have room in my life for yet another artist, so I let him slide off my scope for a couple years. When I saw that he was going to be song-swapping at Casbeers on a Thursday night with one of my favorites, Susan Gibson, I decided it was time to finally catch an Adam Carroll show. more > |
CD REVIEW: Nathan Johnson - The Feeling I Got
Occasionally we venture out of the norm when something comes to us that is very special. Dallas based artist Nathan Johnson’s new record fits perfectly into that category of a special form of Texas music. Nathan newest project, titled The Feeling I Got, is a great pop rock and vibe driven record that delivers an original style and feel to the listener. Nathan successfully blends a wonderful R&B style with a voice that is delightful and compelling. more > |
The Tale Behind the Tune - Jarrod Birmingham
 Jarrod Birmingham is everything any self-respecting Texan would like to be: a bull rider, a working cowboy, and a singer-songwriter. Those are three very romanticized but difficult occupations. At one time or another, Jarrod has earned his income from each of the three. Most of us can’t make an honest claim to have paid the rent exercising our skills at any of the above. It’s my opinion that Jarrod has earned the right and is well qualified to make a social commentary on the state of our state. I’m not necessarily qualified, but I’ll take a moment to make one of my own anyway. more > |
CD REVIEW: Jeffrey Halford and The Healers – Broken Chord
 Jeffrey Halford is based in San Francisco but his soul is pure Texas/Americana. His newest project with his band “The Healers” is a groovy trip down “vibe” lane in a pure “tone” mobile. Broken Chord is a musician’s record that is greasy and dirty like any good slide based tunes should be. Texas music stand-out and Hall of Famer Augie Meyers plays Hammond B3 and Vox organ on the record and the magic of Augie comes through strong and true in many of the tunes but specifically in the Texas Tornadoish “Rock n Fire” and “In a Dream”. The backing rhythms in those tunes would have made Doug Sahm himself proud and Augie does a great job like he always does. more > |
CD REVIEW: Miles From Nowhere - Bloodline
The boys from Miles From Nowhere want everyone to know they’re honest, God-fearing, hard-working, blue-collar country folk. It’s evident in the way they play and they way they sing and the songs they write. Especially in the songs they write. On their debut album, Bloodline, MFN goes to great lengths to celebrate life in the country and their heritage as products of North Texas farmers and mill workers. more > |
COVER STORY: Video Interview with Adam Hood
 There are artists in music that seem to be destined for something special. Adam Hood is one of those guys. He is a troubadour of rare talent. In the past couple of years the Alabama native has won over crowds and throngs of fans in the Lonestar state for his unique brand of funky and beat driven Americana music. Adam Hood is here to stay and will be a force for greatness in Texas music for the foreseeable future. Enjoy our cover story interview -- the first edition of TMT-TV, with Adam and his video “22 Days Too Long” right here. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: The Captain Legendary Band
 There is no doubt that the Captain Legendary Band is making waves with the true hard-core fans of down home, toe tapping country rock music. The group was nominated in the 2007 Texas Music Awards Live band of the year category and continues to be one of the most requested bands at radiofreetexas.org. There really is something about these guys that crawls into the soul and brings any listener deep into the bayou. more > |
Stoney Larue: Happiness is a Warm Harley
 It’s Friday afternoon, and from the sound of his voice over the phone line, it’s obvious that Stoney Larue is one happy boy. Relaxing on his tour bus that’s currently headed for a show that evening at Schroeder Hall outside of Goliad, Texas, he enjoys a favorite soda and a pecan praline purchased moments before at an interstate convenience store. Hey, life on the road is even better when you’ve got afternoon comfort snacks. more > |
A Night with Jordan Mycoskie
 A guy walks into a bar… While being the opening line to many colorful jokes, this particular line is the reason Fort Worth-based artist Jordan Mycoskie is a songwriter. The 26-year-old musician had a regular gig in the Fort Worth Stockyards when a man came in with an extraordinary claim. What followed was arguably Mycoskie’s best known song – "The Son of Johnny Horton." But the saga of the Southern Methodist University grad starts where much of his career began – The legendary White Elephant Saloon. more > |
Keeping Time With Drummer Michael Fitch
 Michael Fitch is an energetic and well-known drummer in Texas music. Fitch boosted his fan base in previous years having performed with Oklahoma based bands, Briar Branch Road and Badwater. Now residing in Victoria, Texas, he’s the drummer for Jarrod Birmingham. His concerts and bands have taken him across North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Texas. He recently toured Poland with Birmingham, where the band played for approximately 4,000 fans. more > |
The Gougers - A Long Day For the Weathervane
 The latest installment from the group formally known as the “Sidehill Gougers,” is likely the best Americana record of 2007. At least in this music journalist's view of the Americana music world, it gets my vote. The Gougers have always been good, but this record is fantastic. It is a leap forward for a cool band that can deliver pleasure to the ears and mind. more > |
Adam Fears - You Get Me
 Before I get into the review of Adam Fears’ You Get Me, I want to point out that Adam is originally from Texas, but he lives, writes, and records in Nashville. I mention that fact only so you can — if a connection to Music Town bothers you — get over it. This record is firmly rooted in Texan soil. To know this, all you have to do is look at the liner notes. In true Texas/Red Dirt form, all the songs were written or cowritten by Fears. more > |
The TMT BLOG — Opinion by Mark Elswick
INTRODUCING OUR NEW TMT BLOG! Opinion pieces by guest bloggers will be published here each month so you can read and join in the discussion. Give us your thoughts on our thoughts. more > |
COVER STORY: “God Bless This Town” in Every Town Across Texas
 The past two years have been a rocket ride for Wade Bowen and his band. Since the 2006 release of his first project with Sustain Records, Lost Hotel, Wade has become a mainstay of Texas and Red Dirt music. His tour schedule is completely full to the point that he turns away as many gigs as he accepts and he continues to play the largest venues and festivals in Texas and the region. The majority of his club shows are sold out as fans just can’t seem to get enough of Wade Bowen. more > |
At Home on the Road: Ryan James
 Ever felt homesick? Sounds strange, but many folks would rather have a headache or even a cold before experiencing that sensation that appears when reminded of the place that feels most comfortable. Why? Unfortunately, longing for the familiarity of home never really disappears, but tends to linger in the heart, just gnawing away. Aspirin doesn’t dull the ache, and antibiotics are ineffective. So what’s the guaranteed cure? Simple. Go home. more > |
INDIE ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Aaron Tilt
 Aaron Tilt’s Bonnie Blue Skye comprises twelve original tunes that overlay artful storytelling with unique instrumentals.
When I first popped the CD in, bagpipes wailed through my speakers as an introduction to the first song. I was an instant fan — even more so when I saw that Tilt was credited with playing everything from guitar, to percussion, to those great highland bagpipes, and everything in between. more > |
AUDIO INTERVIEW: Josh Grider - Million Miles to Go
 Austin-based singer and songwriter has done it again by delivering to real fans of sincere Texas music a CD that is as much about Josh growing as an artist as it is about the songs and his songwriting. Million Miles to Go is a softer CD than his self titled debut project. The first CD was designed for Texas country radio and it had some success with two singles reaching the top 20 on the Texas Music Chart. more > |
AUDIO INTERVIEW: Cross Canadian Ragweed - Mission California
 For those who thought that with the release of their 2005 album, Garage, had the boys of Cross Canadian Ragweed at the top of their game, they now have another project to create much debate with the throngs of Ragweed fans. The latest release, Mission California, is a searing mix of lyrics, soul, and kickin’ rock ‘n’roll that come together to make the record a true blend of raw, authentic Cross Canadian Ragweed, that is by far the band’s best effort yet. more > |
No Justice: On a Roll
 While I was recently driving past the Stillwater city limit sign, a song by one of the town’s most beloved local Red Dirt bands, No Justice, came on the radio. It was their latest single, “Never Come Back,” and it seemed like an appropriate way to start off the day. In fact, it would prove to be the very song they’d kick off their show with later that very same evening. more > |
OPINION: Why Do They Throw Beer Cans?
Not too long ago, I found myself bearing witness to a scene that, though increasingly rare in my experience, has always befuddled me. Before I reveal the source of my continued confusion, allow me to paint a picture: Large-scale, multi-artist, outdoor event. Thousands of bodies staking claim to almost any piece of friendly grass. They lay crashed out on the ground, sitting huddled around small fire pits, and standing in a growing crowd near the stage. more > |
New Releases from Jimmy LaFave and Larry Joe Taylor
  I usually review albums by up-and-coming artists. That’s a blast, because being one of the first people to hear a great record by an unknown band, and then to play a part in helping others discover the music of artists like Rich O’Toole and Stephanie Briggs is a really cool thing. In fact, that’s a big part of why I do what I do. more > |
Kevin Fowler - Bring It On
 What can you say about Kevin Fowler? He has done it again and even better with his latest release Bring it On. The project is a maturation for Kevin that brings his form of rowdy country to another level. From the haunting civil war style cadence of the first single, “Long Line of Losers,” to the rocking soon to be party favorites “Feels Good Don’t It” and "Bring it On," Fowler delivers a fun record that will have everyone who hears it toe tapping and wearing a smile. more > |
Adam Hood – Different Grove
 Although Different Groove is Adam Hood’s third project, in many ways the record is a freshman project from a guy who has been making waves in Texas, Oklahoma, and the Americana world for a couple of years after starting his musical career in early 2001 in Alabama, where he still remains very popular. His songwriting has garnered a cult following of fans from across the South and the world to the extent that most observers would believe his has 6 or 7 records to his credit. more > |
Keith Davis - Answered Prayer
 There are newbies on the Texas Music scene and there are veteran journeymen. Rarely an artist comes along and is both at the same time. Keith Davis is one of those artists. His new project titled Answered Prayer is Keith’s sophomore project after his critically acclaimed first record titled Sideman Blues. While Sideman is a decent project in its own right, the title reflects the reality of the record. more > |
Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros - Diamonds in the Sun
 The first noticeable and delightful aspect of the new Walt Wilkins record Diamonds in the Sun is that it is not really just a Walt Wilkins record. It is a Mystiqueros record. The buzz for over a year has been about how good the Mystiqueros truly are. Everyone who has viewed the band live can testify to the obvious conclusion that they are one of the best and most entertaining bands on tour. Diamonds in the Sun is the CD confirmation of what all those fans already knew. more > |
Jason Eady and the Wayward Apostles - Wild Eyed Serenade
 Jason Eady’s latest release, Wild Eyed Serenade, is a breath of fresh air in the somewhat stale atmosphere of my usual musical fare, Texas Country music. I really liked Eady's first project, From Underneath the Old, so I was confident that he would deliver a solid record this time, too. I was expecting more of the same when I popped Serenade into my CD player, but, much to my delight, my ears were greeted not with country music, but, rather, with a solid dose of good ol’ Americana. more > |
Mark McKinney - Get It On
 First, think of a song that is, well, about nothing, except everyday experiences. Then, mix in a tune that is about everything. Is it possible for these two types of songs to be combined into one hit? Now, get prepared to turn it up Super Loud! Singer/songwriter Mark McKinney answers the aforementioned question with his inaugural CD, Get It On. more > |
Our Previous Music Reviews
Gary Allan - Greatest Hits • Nathan Hamilton - Six Black Birds
• The Dust Devils - Change in the Weather • Renegade Rail - Ragged
• Stephanie Briggs - Spark • Emory Quinn - Letting Go • Drew Kennedy - Dollar Theatre Movie • South First Band - Like the Movies
• Jay Boy Adams - The Shoebox • Phill Pritchett & The Full Band - High Tide in the Heartland • Matt Burns Band - Find In Me • Ryan Bingham - Dead Horses • Tyler McCumber Band - Catch Me • Britt Lloyd Band - Unlabeled • Todd Snider - The Devil You Know • Brandon Jenkins - VII • Cross Canadian Ragweed - Back to Tulsa • Trent Summar and the New Row Mob - Horseshoes and Hand Grenades • Full Throttle - Drive • Mike McClure Band - Foam • 10 City Run - Somethin' Else • Autumn - Sugarcane • Wicked Brew Band - Two-Faced • Plumtucker - Lightning Wheels • Randy Rogers Band - Just A Matter Of Time • Rich O'Toole - Seventeen • Eric Hanke - Autumn Blues • Jason Eady - From Underneath The Old • Carter Falco - If It Ain't One Thing • Honeybrowne - Something To Believe In • Slaid Cleaves - Unsung • Ryan Bales Band - Revival • McKay Brothers - Cold Beer & Hot Tamales • The Pear Ratz - Rat Now • Darren Kozelsky - Let Your Mind Fly • Lee Roy Parnell - Back to the Well • Radney Foster - The World We Live In • Keith Davis - Sideman Blues • Michael ONeill - Who’s Bad Now • Dale Watson - Whiskey or God
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