I received a text from my good friend, musical soul mate, and partner in crime, who told me to listen to new Vince Gill record “Okie”. I was about to embark on a ten-hour car ride, so I downloaded it to the old iPhone like I’d just cracked the technology that morning and listened. What I heard truly from the record that dropped back in late August of this year impressed me.
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The stage was also adorned with top grade musicians, performing with expert skills, while strangely at ease with their own masterful accomplishments. This was Alison Krauss, & Union Station as they appeared at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisiana on October 11.
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I regarded the beer in my hand as Kentucky-born singer took the stage, then as he plowed through three songs like a runaway train, I decided the loudest show I’ve ever been to is Dwight Yoakam. He played the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisianna on September 21.
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The Heights Theatre on 19th Street in Houston was the setting on August 15 for legendary singer Rodney Crowell to kick off his tour supporting his fantastic new album Texas. Nestled in the Northwest quarter of the 610 Loop, in “The Heights” neighborhood of Houston, the Spanish Mission-style structure was built in the 1920s as the neighborhood movie house.
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My favorite songwriter, however, is Rodney Crowell. His new record, TEXAS is phenomenal. A true work of art. The record is due out August 15. Crowell will be performing in support of the record launch on that same day at The Heights Theater in Houston.
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Outlaw country music pioneer Willie Nelson has perhaps been a greater influence on American music than any other singer, songwriter, or musician in history. At 86 he appears just as relevant today as anytime in his career.
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Readers may remember, last May I wrote of two musical acts that have been running a 21st century grass roots campaign via YouTube and various social media; Reina del Cid and The Other Favorites.
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I am still not sure what a “YouTuber” is, though my teenager has explained the concept twice. I am halfway lost between rotary phones and storage clouds; long playing records and streaming services. So I do not know if Reina del Cid was a “YouTuber” originally or if it just happens to be where I found her singing “The Tennessee Waltz”.
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I’ve always felt Guy Clark had it all as far as talent. We are talking about a man whose songwriting eclipsed the brightest songwriters over three generations commercial country music offered. His voice was husky and strong, with a whisper of soft romanticism one can’t just dub in to a mix as an production afterthought.
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The show was four minutes late, house lights still on and I was waiting outside the door marked with the section I’d secured seats. To my right, on the other side of the hall, were five places to buy beer, wine, or something harder if the spirit took you. My bride and I had crossed the Louisiana border with two of our best friends, who share the same interest in music, politics and nearly everything else.
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