Playlist

Friday night marked yet another terrific concert at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse. The inimitable David Wilcox made his debut at Uncle Calvin's, where, incredibly, he had never played. Wilcox has a loyal cult following, and the place was packed. His adoring troupe of fans included a delightful couple, Mike and Mer Dunbar, who attended a Wilcox concert at McDavid Studio in Fort Worth on their first date in 2006. They were married last May and now share the distinction of having attended additional Wilcox shows during 2007, 2008 and Friday night. Mike is 27, Mer is 22, so they're a bit younger than the regulars who return like homing pigeons each Friday night to Fellowship Hall at Northpark Presbyterian Church, where Uncle Calvin's is based. I, like most of the Ballad Tree types who go there, vastly prefer seeing shows at Uncle Calvin's than having to endure the crazy din of American Airlines Center. Those days are gone, and you can have them. There's nothing better than a quiet corner at Uncle Calvin's, a slice of hot apple pie and several cups of hot, black, steaming, flavorful, delicious coffee. Uncle Calvin's offered the chance to fully appreciate Wilcox's rare blend of pristine vocals, dynamic guitar play and songwriting that merges the best of music and storytelling. At times, you feel like you're hearing Jackson Browne, at others F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Photo: David Wilcox, who has just released his 16th album, Open Hand

David Card, the owner of Poor David's Pub, just sent me an e-mail that brought a tear to my eye. Card let us know that Rusty Wier, a longtime performer at Poor David's Pub, died Friday of cancer at 65. I never got to meet Rusty or hear him in a live show. I didn't know his repertoire all that well, but I immediately felt sad because hearing the news of Rusty's passing rekindled a fond memory of one of his coolest songs. A long time ago (1975 to 1976), I lived in Anchorage, Alaska, where I had just about the coolest bunch of friends anyone could ever hope for. We sat around in our overheated apartments on below-zero nights listening to a handful of performers whose music seemed so appropriate to our age and time. Over and over, we heard Jackson Browne's first three albums, especially Late for the Sky; Bob Dylan's immortal Blood on the Tracks; and two of Willie Nelson's best, Red-Headed Stranger and Phases and Stages. But the one tune we played over and over on our scratchy record players was Rusty Wier's ... OK, I'm not sure I can actually print the title, even in a music blog for a family newspaper. Let's just say it was a song about infidelity, but far more than that, it was a song that made us laugh. It was, in fact, one of the funniest songs I've ever heard. OK, the first words in the title were "I Heard You ... " I suppose I can get away with that. Uproariously funny. (If you're curious, numerous versions of it appear on YouTube.) When you get to be 57, you end up with a few regrets, of course, and one of mine is not looking up Rusty and hearing him in a live show since my return to Texas in 1997. I saw two great shows at Poor David's in recent weeks, Jimmy LaFave and David Bromberg, and each time, I wondered later why I'd forgotten to ask David Card about Rusty Wier and when he might be playing on Lamar Street, as he had so many times in Poor David's earlier location on Greenville Avenue, where he was almost a fixture.

Photo: The late Rusty Wier, on the cover of one of his best albums

Oh to have been in the planning meeting for the cover of Denton band Bowling for Soup's upcoming album, Sorry for Partyin'. I mean, just look at it. On the one hand, you give it a glance and think, "Guys, put a towel over it!" Then again, you can't help but laugh. Both thoughts are probably the point with this quirky, self-deprecating, good-humored band. Partyin', which follows 2006's The Great Burrito Extortion Case, hits stores Oct. 13. Check out my GuideDaily story on Bowling for Soup sometime next week.

Music City Texas Theater in the Piney Woods of deep East Texas is the Little Theater That Could -- and can. For the second time in its brief history, Music City Texas has gotten Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jackson Browne to agree to play a concert in a town whose population is barely more than 2,000. Linden does have quite a pedigree, though. It's the hometown of Browne's friend and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Don Henley of Eagles fame and Richard Bowden, a Music City executive who played lead guitar for Linda Ronstadt for years and who belonged to the same band as Henley (The Four Speeds, Felicity, Shiloh) all through high school and college (the University of North Texas) and, well, up until the Eagles were formed. Browne last played Linden in 2004 and will appear there again, in another solo-acoustic concert, on Thursday night, Dec. 3. It's a remarkable setting in which to hear such an esteemed artist as Browne. It's a 420-seat venue that offers you the illusion of hearing musical greats in your own living room. And along with Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. in Winnsboro, Music City Texas has helped bring big-name talent to the Piney Woods hinterlands. Tickets go on sale to Music City Patrons on Oct. 5 and to the public on Nov. 2. Prices range from $100 to $195. Info: Call 903-756-9934 or visit www.musiccitytexas.org.

Photo: Jackson Browne, at his last appearance in Linden in 2004

Kudos to the legendary Poor David's Pub for back-to-back weekends of terrific shows. I had the pleasure of being at the Jimmy LaFave-Zane Williams doubleheader on Sept. 12 and again on Friday night, Sept. 18, to hear folk music giant David Bromberg. (Check out the fascinating feature on Bromberg written by my colleague Mario Tarradell.) Poor David's has been around for years, of course, but its new location on Lamar near downtown Dallas is really cool. As John Inmon, LaFave's ace lead guitarist, told me, it has terrific acoustics. The sound is absolutely perfect. LaFave put on his usual dynamite show, with Inmon laying down his amazing licks on lead guitar and Bryan Peterson playing the lights out of the piano. No one can move from Chuck Berry to Bruce Springsteen to his own heartfelt ballads as well as LaFave. And Zane Williams, LaFave's warm-up that evening, is a real find. The Abilene native moved to Nashville in 1999 after graduating from Abilene Christian University.

Photo: David Bromberg

Live Nation has been all about the promotions lately (no-service-fee days and such), and now they're offering the Live Nation Club Passport for $49.99. In Dallas, House of Blues is the venue the program would apply to. Basically, it means you can go to any participating show that's not sold out for the rest of 2009, with no additional fees. Is it a good deal? That depends on if you like the bands, and how interested you are in seeing a wide variety of acts (choices range from Bowling for Soup to Kinky to Kraig Parker's Elvis tribute).

Of course, Live Nation also says, "Participating shows and venues. Based on availability. Parking not included. Cannot be combined with other offers. The Live Nation Club Passport is good for one person only and does not guarantee entry." See the list of shows here.

Play*N*Skillz signed a deal for a record-label imprint with SRC/Universal Records. G4 Muzik is official. The guys are hosting a party tonight at Joyce (723 Pearl St.) in downtown Dallas, starting at 9 p.m. They're going to celebrate with Slim Thug, who is also celebratig his birthday.

G4 Muzik's first new artist Inertia (Dallas' own) will perform with Slim from 112 during the celebratory event. His first single is "Body." This isn't the last we'll hear of the Grammy-winning brothers. Or the last you'll hear of them.

We're not supposed to divulge too many details of movies before they're released, but anyone who loves the music of Bruce Hornsby (as I do) should rush to a theater Sept. 4 to see World's Greatest Dad, starring Robin Williams. I won't tell you how and why Hornsby plays himself, or why he sings one of his signature songs, "Mandolin Rain." But he does, and writer-director Bobcat Goldthwait uses Hornsby to full comic effect. That's right, comic effect. I also recommend World's Greatest Dad to anyone who's ever been a parent. You may not know this, but Hornsby harbors two fascinating ties to the Dallas area: He's good friends with rocker Don Henley, who was born in Linden in the Piney Woods of East Texas and now lives in Dallas. He and Henley co-wrote "The End of the Innocence." And he's good friends with Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle, with whom he shares in common a basketball background and the fact that both play piano. Check out this Eddie Sefko story about that relationship and click the arrow in the video box below to hear Hornsby sing "The End of the Innocence." Lest I forget, World's Greatest Dad has another local connection: It's distributed by Magnolia Pictures, which is co-owned by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and business partner Todd Wagner.

Photo: The great Bruce Hornsby

If you've heard of only one Deep Ellum club, it's Trees. And it's making a comeback with a grand-opening weekend sure to get some attention. The live-music venue first opened in 1991 but then closed in 2005 after financial issues. The Dallas Observer has a nice 2006 write-up of the events leading up to the closure and an overall history of Deep Ellum.

But Trees is alive again, with the help of Clint Barlow, the touring drummer for Vanilla Ice, and his wife Whitney. Clint told DMN reporter Nancy Visser in this June 8 article that he's focused on catering to both the bands and the audience. "I've been a musician here since '91 and I know what bands want. They want awesome sound and awesome lights, and they should get paid properly."

The catering begins with performances by Slow Roosevelt, Element Eighty, System Overload and Hardway Down tomorrow night (Friday Aug. 14). Then catch Fair to Midland, Moving Atlas, Peacemaker and Black Tie Vendetta on Saturday, and Saliva, Taking Dawn and The Cast on Sunday. Doors open at 7pm and it's 21 and up only.

Sounds like a good time is ready to be had, and is this a sign that Deep Ellum is gearing up to take back the Dallas music scene? I suppose there are concerns out there that that may not happen, or at least not as prominently as in the 1990s. We're now seeing acts that Trees was known for having go to the Granada Theater and House of Blues, which have gotten more notoriety as the big stages for local music since its absence. But it's probably too early to say. Either way it's worth a shot. Anyone plan on checking out Trees' revival this weekend?

Here's info on what the new owners had to go through to get the club up and running along with what the neighbors think.

As promised last year, the 2009 Tejano Music Convention will take place in Dallas Aug. 21-22 at the Hyatt Regency Reunion Hotel. The event features performances by Tejano and conjunto veterans Gary Hobbs, Ram Herrera, Jay Perez, Hometown Boys, Elida Reyna and many others. It will also mark the reunion of '90s group Fandango USA. Comedians Willie Barcena and Gilbert Esquivel are set to serve as hosts. The convention, sponsored by Southwest Airlines, is shorter and cheaper this year due to the struggling economy. Registration is $15-$80; organizers expect 5,000 people to attend. For more information, go to tejanoticket.com. To register, call 913-397-8850 or email info@tejanoticket.com.

Photo: Logo courtesy of tejanoticket.com.

Another piece of news from Idol Records: Label founder Erv Karwelis has launched Exploding Plastic, a boutique imprint of Idol that will cater to "art pop." According to Karwelis, "the bands will have an indie pop/art pop style which would include psychedelic and symphonic type bands." Dylan Silvers, frontman for The Crash That Took Me, will decide on most of the signings for the imprint. Already released on Exploding Plastic: Snow In June, the trippy, soundscape-ish debut disc by Little Black Dress, which is Toby Pipes (formerly of Deep Blue Something) and Nolan Thies. A second Exploding Plastic release, the forthcoming CD by The Crash That Took Me, should arrive in October. Also on tap is a compilation of bands from Iceland, Japan, Italy, England and the US (including Dallas artists). That could emerge later this summer.

See my story on Erv Karwelis and Idol Records here.

Photo: CD cover of Little Black Dress' Snow In June (Exploding Plastic/Idol Records).

After being in a glum mood with all this humidity lately, I decided to try to find some good music with hopes of finding something cheerful. I visited the myspace of local musician Summer Ames, and after about 30 seconds of listening to "Breaking up the Love Scene" the bouncy piano and melodic tune found a way to lift my spirits.

Summer Ames is the epitome of the "coffee shop" musician as she is a frequent performer at The Opening Bell Coffee - South Side and many other places in the Dallas Metroplex.

"Coffee shops are definitely my favorite. I like the style setting because it is so intimate, light and acoustic."

Ames's passion for music started early as she listened intently to her grandmother's old vinyl records of musicians like Ella Fitzgerald. She then went to school and became a "choir nerd" performing in musicals like My Fair Lady and Carousel. Her determination led her to Louisiana State University for vocal performance and then later MediaTech Institute in Irving where she was discovered by a scout.

Ames was fortunate enough to be chosen to record a vocal track for an upcoming animated film which is to be released either late this year or early next year; unfortunately she was unable to comment further on the specifics of the deal. However her main focus right now is promoting her EP entitled Complicated Daydream which is to be released on July 31st at the Prophet Bar and will be available on itunes on August 1st.

Photo: Summer Ames EP cover via Amazon.com

Among the thrills of going to a concert is leaving with one song whose words and melody won't get out of your head. It's usually a new song, and being among the first to hear it is one of the thrills of live performance. I got to hear two on Friday night, July 17, and can't stop thinking about either. The incomparable Gretchen Peters, who headlined that night at Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse, played a new song titled "Mother," which she wrote for a CD tribute to the activist, Mary Harris "Mother" Jones. Despite enormous personal tragedy (she lost her husband and their four children in a yellow fever epidemic and later lost her shop, her home and all her possessions in the Great Chicago Fire), Mother Jones rallied American miners and championed workers' rights like no one ever had. "You were the Madonna of the mines/our Lady of the Picket Lines," Peters sang, to terrific accompaniment by Barry Walsh, her keyboardist, accordion player and fiancé. I'm often skeptical of warm-up acts, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear John Fullbright, whose hometown is Okemah, Okla., the same as Woody Guthrie. The parallels don't stop there. Fullbright looks a lot like Woody, sounds a lot like Woody, and from early indications, writes a lot like Woody. His song "The High Road" is a tale of an extraordinary love. Jack and Suzy are young lovers but share a bond so strong and enduring that it underscores the power of Fullbright's lyrics, which state, "Living comes natural to many/love comes naturally to few ... you take the high road to freedom/And I'll take the low road to you." It was a gift getting to hear such a magical young talent perform. I hope we have many more such chances in the future. Woody would be proud: He could not have a better clone.

Photo: Gretchen Peters

The Riverboat Gamblers have just finished their tour with Rise Against and Rancid and are now gearing up for their upcoming September tour with the Dillinger Four and The Arrivals.

They just released a new music video for the song "Victory Lap" which is featured on their album, Underneath the Owl, which was released earlier this year. Watch as the boys take a victory lap home in a van and reminisce with them with mixtures of clips from live shows and of the band joking around.

After the big Vans Warped Tour show on Sunday, some of the bands are scheduled to greet fans and maybe even have an impromptu jam session at Denny's. Yes, really.

Participating groups include A Skylit Drive, Dance Gavin Dance, Therefore I Am, Hit the Lights and InnerPartySystem. They're scheduled to be at the Denny's at 4400 N. Central Expressway on Sunday from 9 to midnight. (Denny's is a tour sponsor.)

Adorable gymnast-turned-singer Carly Patterson (who's from Allen) was just added to the musical lineup at Fair Park Fourth. The program will also feature the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Hellcats bugle and drum ensemble from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and baritone Alvy Powell. It's July 4 at 8 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park before the fireworks and the whole thing's free.

Because of the stormy weather, the Dallas Museum of Art has canceled its Jazz Under the Stars concert for tonight. The museum will still host its regular Jazz in the Atrium program at 6 p.m., though, and, as usual on Thursday nights, general admission is free from 5 to 9.

Today (that'd be Wednesday, June 10), concert behemoth Live Nation is offering tickets through its Web site without service fees for all the shows at the venues it owns and operates. Locally, that'd be Superpages.com Center. Acts coming up at the venue include Rascal Flatts, Marilyn Manson, Aerosmith and Coldplay. So, if you were planning on seeing a show there anyway, today might be the day to make a purchase.

Today we have a story on local hip-hop duo DMG$ (a.k.a. Damaged Goods) possibly leaving the States for Europe, where they see better chances on making it.

It's a little sad to hear that they want to take their brilliance elsewhere. I got a copy of their CD Hello World when it came out in early March, and I recommend picking it up if you haven't yet. It's like listening to your favorite party mix, but this one you can actually rap along to and you'll want to with its fun and real lyrics. The album, produced with the help of England's Xrabit, reminds me of Mike Monday's Songs Without Words (especially DMG$'s track "Are We Friends") and a little bit of Black Eyed Peas.

If you're 21 or older, catch DMG$ live at 8 tonight at The Lounge in Deep Ellum (2810 Elm St.). Dallas booking operation Parade of Flesh presents the guys plus a couple of other acts performing.

North Texas Public Broadcasting, Inc. (KERA) has purchased 91.7 FM and will begin broadcasting a full music schedule in the fall. The station doesn't have a name yet, but it will be "within the public radio 'Triple A' (Adult Album Alternative) music format with diverse, adult-oriented playlists covering a broad spectrum of music such as folk, acoustic, world music, alternative and indie rock and country."

For years, KERA's 90.1FM mixed news and music, but in 1996, it went strictly news. Mary Anne Alhadeff, KERA's president and CEO says in the press release that listeners missed the music component.

"I arrived at the station in late 2005, and right away I heard from long-time listeners who said that they appreciated the expanded public radio news schedule but missed the music programs," she says.

Programming under consideration includes: World Café (distributed by NPR), Echoes (from Public Radio International), Undercurrents (from Native Voice One) and American Routes (from American Public Media).

I spent the morning hanging out with The Jonas Brothers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. OK, it's not like the JoBros and myself are buds or anything, but I did interview them in person at the venue shortly after a press conference to announce the kickoff of the group's upcoming tour. That show is, of course, June 20 at Cowboys Stadium. Anyway, expect a cool triple-octagon, in-the-round stage, lasers, lights, a 360-degree crane that takes the brothers out over the crowd, and opening acts Jordin Sparks and Honor Society.

"We want this show to feel really interactive with the fans," Kevin Jonas told a small crowd of reporters, photographers and cameramen. "We hope they go home happy," added Joe Jonas.

Oh, one more piece of news: The sibling trio's fourth studio album, Lines, Vines and Trying Times, will be released June 16. Kevin Jonas says it will feature a horn section, a "funk feel" and rapper Common on one track.

Look for my full story on The Jonas Brothers in GuideDaily soon.

Photo: From left to right -- Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas (Disney Channel).

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington makes its debut as a Dallas-Fort Worth music venue Saturday with a concert from George Strait, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough. Our music critic Mario Tarradell did a nice write-up on the importance of these country singers and their futures in the business.

For Dallas ticket-holders, traffic shouldn't be much of a problem. The Tom Landry Highway (I-30 Westbound) HOV lane will be open between 2:30 and 7pm just for this concert, which begins at 5:30 pm. The lane will be open eastbound from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.

Remember, these lanes are only for vehicles with two or more persons or motorcycles. Pickups are welcome, but leave the trailers at home, requests DART officials.

When it comes to music, we all have our favorites. And Jimmy LaFave has rapidly become one of mine. I first heard his name a few years back from Abby Goldstein, whom I've never had the pleasure of meeting. Abby once hosted a dynamite show on KERA-FM (90.1) called Lone Star Saturday Night. She played LaFave, Robert Earl Keen, Billy Joe Shaver, Lisa Loeb, Rhett Miller, The Derailers, Slaid Cleaves, Guy Clark and many other Texas heavyweights. I was driving around on a rainy night when I first heard her play LaFave's terrific cover of "Walk Away Renée," a hit single in 1966 by The Left Banke. Judging by the way he handles it, only LaFave was meant to record that song. Sadly, Abby moved to New England in 2006, spelling the end of Lone Star Saturday Night. I have since learned, however, that LaFave makes frequent trips to North Texas for live shows, one of which he performed Thursday night at a gorgeous little venue next to the pool at the Belmont Hotel in Oak Cliff. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: Jimmy LaFave and John Inmon during a past show at Bend Studio in Dallas

I hadn't heard of Dallas native Becky Middleton until her debut CD was sent my way a couple of weeks ago. But she's not new to the scene. She has been singing and playing piano for such bands as the Jeff Berry Band, and Tim Ward Band over the last five years.

So much of her first solo venture, No Trouble, reminds me of Jewel's 1998 Spirit, but it's not fair to peg Ms. Middleton to just that. Becky is a true talent who can take on almost any genre, be it folk ("You Never Speak"), country ("There's No You (Austin)" and "You're a Stone"), rock, soul or blues ("Lost My Heart"). And she proves all that on this album. She's a singer-songwriter who understands the power of soft, clean, innocent and emotional melodies and lyrics. And her range is worthy of applause. Seriously, you should hear me try to sing along in the car - there's no reaching those high notes for me, but oh how I try because that's just how much her music overpowers me.

I'd have to say my favorite track on the 11-song disc is the catchy "Abilene, Tx," especially when the full band kicks in. I could easily see that song extended past its 3 minutes, 20 seconds and not mind one bit. I just wander around, with my feet on the ground ...

Dallas musician Carter Albrecht was accidentally shot and killed by his neighbor, who thought he was a burglar, on Sept. 3, 2007. The 34-year-old guitarist and keyboardist was best known for his work with Dallas rock band Sorta, as well as Edie Brickell & New Bohemians.

Seventy-five percent of Jesus Is Alive ... And Living In London was complete when Albrecht was killed. But according to CBS 11's story, the musician's father, Ken Albrecht, couldn't let it remain unfinished. With the help of New Bohemians' Edie Brickell and "some of the best producers and musicians in Los Angeles," the CD's background music was completed and released today. All proceeds from sales will go to the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation.

Tonight at 6pm there will be a CD listening party at Bryan Street Tavern (4315 Bryan St., Dallas), and check out the official CD release concert at the Granada Theater at 8 pm tomorrow, May 27.

We've taken a lot of your feedback and have made several changes to the new GuideLive.com, including adding "GUIDELIVE IT!" sections at the top of each tab (Events, Movies, Restaurants and Performers) to help you search for things that matter most to you.

GUIDELIVE IT! PERFORMERS is where you'll able to find listings for that night's live music options, and DJs spinning, plus a list of popular places to hear that live music in case you're looking for somewhere new to check out.

We encourage all of you musicians out there to create your own Performer's page where you can tell people about yourself and your music, as well as link to your own sites. Another benefit of creating a Performer's page is that you can add it to concert listings and other events where you are featured, so people interested in going to the show can quickly find out more information about you beforehand.

Just remember to search the Performers section first, because you might already be in there, in which case you can click "Report an error with this listing" and claim it to gain control over it. Also, if you're a local and want to be included in our list of Dallas-Fort Worth musicians and artists, tag you page "dfwlocal" and enjoy the exposure.

Give us a shout or leave comments below if you run across any other concerns regarding the new GuideLive.com. Searching for music news and reviews? You can find all that right here.

Here's a bit of music news from our golf writer, Bill Nichols:

Country singer Jack Ingram will kick off Memorial Day weekend at the HP Byron Nelson Championship with a May 22 performance. The concert is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. in the Pavilion at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas. Jockersdeck will open at 7 p.m.

The show will be free to all ticket and badge holders at the May 21-24 tournament. Tickets will be sold at the tournament's main entrance and on Ticketmaster.com. Ingram, who attended SMU, won the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male Vocalist award last year.

The Nelson's "Pavilion After Dark" post-play entertainment series features concerts after the first three rounds. Emerald City will play on May 21 (7:30) and Professor D will perform on May 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.hpbnc.org.

Photo: Jack Ingram (Courtesy of Big Machine Records).

I'm still all pumped from Saturday's Dave Matthews Band concert, so I know you guys are probably shaking in your seats waiting to use your hot concert tickets this summer. Guide has issued their top picks for summer concerts May through August. I asked GuideLiveMusic's Twitter followers: Which summer concert on this list are you most excited to see? This by no means is a complete list of concerts this summer, but it's a good starting place.

See who they chose and let us know who you're most excited about. I'm thinking about No Doubt, Aerosmith, Vans Warped Tour and Coldplay myself.

We're happy to announce Quick's Big Thing, Quick's second-annual concert and awards show to recognize the talented bands in the local music scene. It all happens Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m. at the Granada Theater. Read on for nominee and ticket info, along with the performers lined up for the event. Click here to vote online; pick up a print copy of Quick for more details. And come join us on the big night.


THE PERFORMERS: Grammy Award winners Play-N-Skillz are planning a headlining hip-hop set with a little help from their friends. Also on the bill are leading award nominee Dove Hunter, Damaged Good$, and a "Duo Deathmatch" featuring Smile Smile, RTB2 and The O's. Sober will serve as the house DJ.


THE HOST: Our dear Quick columnist and Ticket radio personality Gordon Keith will return as the host of Quick's Big Thing. Prepare yourself for his witty banter and flowing locks.


TICKETS: Admission to Quick's Big Thing is just $5. Tickets will go on sale May 14 at QuickDFW.com. Proceeds benefit the North Texas Volunteer Challenge.


THE NOMINEES: Click on the jump to find out who's up for the trophies!

Beyoncé is everywhere. She's got her manicured nails touching just about every aspect of mainstream entertainment these days. And come July 5, she'll be on the American Airlines Center stage. The Houston native begins her "I Am..." tour June 21 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Her trek will end with a four-night stand July 30 through Aug. 2 in Las Vegas at the Encore at Wynn. Tickets go on sale April 25 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets. By the way, Beyoncé is making 2,000 seats at each venue available for $20 a pop. Gracious, isn't she?

Photo: The ubiquitous Beyoncé works it at the recent Oscars (Mindy Schauer).

Big D Opry will premiere April 30 at Fellowship Dallas, and local musicians are encouraged to take part.

Three finalists will perform in a talent competition as part of the show; to enter submit a sample of your music (music file or video link) by e-mail by April 28 to info@atexasstyle.com. For more information about Big D Opry, go to www.atexasstyle.com.

Your soon-to-be favorite band, Graham Wilkinson and the Underground Township, will be playing their 23rd show in 25 nights tonight at The Green Elephant (5627 Dyer St.) from 9-11:30. The Austin-based band is ending their tour behind their soon-to-be-released CD, Yearbook, right here in Dallas.

Yearbook includes help from friends such as Alejandro Escovedo, Hayes Carl, and Grammy Award-winning producer and pedal-steel player Lloyd Maines.

If nothing else, you have to salute the band's fortitude. They've been traveling across the country -- Denver, Chicago, New York -- in a van. A van, mind you, that's carrying eight people -- and two dogs!

So, of course, the band will be ready to jam until they're told they can't jam no more since this is the last night of the pre-release tour. The guys also have a group of loyal fans (I'm one of them), who will be there dancing the night away.

From the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, The Basement was a home away from home for thousands of local and national bands. The Greenville Avenue rock club closed in January of 1995, but now it's back for a one-night reunion.

Recently, the former manager of six years, Jeff Schattle, noticed Facebook users posting photos and comments reminiscing over the music venue. So he created the Facebook group The Basement Rock n Roll, and within days the group had almost 500 members. Now he's taking it a step further and organizing the first annual Basement reunion this Saturday, April 18, at the Lakewood Theater. Doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets are $15-$20. Free hot dogs 5-7 p.m.

Scheduled to perform: LORD TRACY, Sweet Savage (featuring original members, Joey C. Jones, Laine Sheridan, Chris Sheridan and Randy St. John), July Alley, Lowside (featuring Ron Taylor and Darren DeLatte of Lillian Axe), the return of BONE CIRCUS, and Dallas' Red Leather.

Follow the jump to read the Dallas Morning News article about the Basement's final show before closing its doors in 1995, and share your memories from the historic club.

(File photo: Ed Killmer outside The Basement the last night it was open)

The Tickets' Gordon Keith hosted a Bono sound alike contest for fans to win tickets to the upcoming U2 concert. Cliff McClelland of Dallas won the contest which was held at Reverschon Park in Dallas.

Watch the video and listen here.

That's right. It's the second annual "Hot and Fresh Week" on Quick's Nightlife blog. That means that we're streaming new and unreleased tracks from our favorite local acts, and previewing their albums and singles that are coming up in the next several months. If you want to be ahead of the curve and hear music from RTB2, Robert Gomez (above), Smile Smile, Nervous Curtains and many more, join us.

Lindale's fiery country-rocker Miranda Lambert is one of three vocalists (along with Jazmine Sullivan and Zooey Deschanel) reinterpreting the memorable "the touch, the feel of cotton" music that was retired in 2001 and has now been relaunched. The campaign, dubbed "The Fabric of My Life" features television commercials that began airing April 5. Lambert, still promoting her awesome 2007 CD, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, has this to say about cotton: "My style in three words is comfortable, funky, my own. Cotton is a big part of that style so I was very excited to be part of this campaign. My favorite outfit is jeans, T-shirt and a great pair of cowboy boots but on a summer day, there is nothing like throwing on a cotton sundress and boots."

Photo: Miranda loves her cotton (Ben Torres/Special to DMN).

Texas Nite Life Talent Search is looking for talented singers for an upcoming country music competition. Auditions will be held at Rodeo City Music Hall in Mesquite on April 17 a 6 p.m. and are $10 per person. The competition will be at Willie Nelson Place in Hillsboro on May 27 and runs through June 17. Finals are June 19.

Make sure you're prepared, because you'll perform in front of Indie Record companies, booking agents and others. For more info, call 972-658-9688 or 1-866-241-9688 or visit myspace.com/txtalentsearch.

As the data wrangler for our print-edition lists of local and touring concerts, I get exposed to vast varieties of band names. I'm trying out a new feature for the Playlist blog: Silly Band Name of the Week (SBNW). The band names I'll highlight aren't necessarily new -- just ones that catch my attention. Congratulations to the Exploding Chihuahuas for making me laugh out loud this week.
Exploding Chihuahuas will perform Wednesday April 15 at 8:30 p.m. at Tolbert's restaurants in Grapevine; no cover.
-Nancy Moore

Why rewrite great news? Lisa Endicott, who gives me the scoop on happenings at the Granada, sent this to me today "via Blackberry":

"Brit singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 play Granada Theater Apr 4 at 8 pm. What you need to know is that the Venus 3 consist of three members of R.E.M. -- sans Stipe -- namely Peter Buck, Bill Rieflin, and Scott McCaughey -- who have played on tour and the last five albums for R.E.M. If you missed R.E.M. at their last concert this is a chance to get up close and personal for this intimate show.
Tickets are still available at www.granadatheater.com."

I love technology! Don't you?

Ever listen to Lucinda Williams, Pixies frontman Frank Black's solo stuff, or John Prine? Then you've probably heard Duane Jarvis' guitar work. Samples of his songs are available on his myspace page. Jarvis passed away this morning in Marina Del Rey, California, after a battle with colon cancer. Jarvis played in Dallas many times at venues such as the Gypsy Tea Room, most recently with Black. His latest solo album Delicious is available on CD Baby. Read about him on the L.A. Times' music blog here, and also in The Tennessean here.
Jarvis had a reputation for helping fellow musicians, especially those just starting out in the business. One would be hard pressed to find a country-rock music aficionado in Nashville or Los Angeles who didn't know him and speak highly of him. For Americana music fans, there is a "disturbance in the force."

Denton's Eli Young Band, currently enjoying a Top 20 country hit with "Always the Love Songs," makes its Jimmy Kimmel Live debut Thursday at 11:05 p.m. central on ABC-TV (Channel 8). "Always the Love Songs," by the way, is from the group's way cool major label debut CD, Jet Black & Jealous. These are hometown guys making us proud.

Photo: Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, Mike Eli and James Young get all jet black and jealous for a professional portrait by photographer Kristen Barlowe.

Twitter Poll Guidelines: We, that's GuideLiveMusic, ask our followers on Twitter a question every Thursday. We're hoping these polls will not only help us get you know you better, but also help you get to know the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene better. The polls close around 4 pm every Monday, and shortly after we'll post the question and results here on our Playlist blog for everyone outside of Twitter to respond.

I've yet to make it to Austin for the annual South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival, but I do know that those badge prices are a bit high for me. I mean, really? Nearly $700? And so this week we asked: Has SXSW gotten too big to break new acts, or just your wallet? Continue reading to see the results, then comment and tell us your thoughts.

Also, check out all of our SXSW coverage, and tell us about your experience at the festival.

Read about performances from local bands the Paper Chase and Fight Bite, and go inside a top-notch hip-hop affair featuring Asher Roth and the Cool Kids -- all right here.

Yesterday's blog entries are right here for your reading pleasure, including blips on Tori Amos, Micachu and the Shapes, Vivian Girls and more. We've also got performance videos of Wavves and Roy G and the Biv.

Be sure to visit us over at Quick's Nightlife blog to read our up-to-the-minute coverage of South by Southwest's music fest. Right now, you can read all about yesterday's highlights (Janelle Monae, St. Vincent, Department of Eagles, Damaged Good$) and you can also get ready for today with a music playlist. Enjoy!

Spring will soon be sprung, and Poor David's Pub is announcing all sorts of cool shows. Brave Combo will appear there March 28, followed by the Wailers on April 4, Scottish-Gaelic folksinger Juliet Fowlis on April 16, the one-and-only Kinky Friedman on April 17 and Iris DeMent on April 24. DeMent is a real catch. She hasn't toured in years, but on previous tours, she has opened for John Prine and Mary Chapin Carpenter. When fall arrives, the good shows continue, with Jimmy LaFave appearing Sept. 12 and John Gorka on Dec. 3. The complete schedule can be viewed by clicking here. And for anyone who wants to hear Iris sing one of her classics, in this case "Our Town," click below to hear her duet with Emmylou Harris:

Photo: Iris DeMent

Twitter Poll Guidelines: We, that's GuideLiveMusic, ask our followers on Twitter a question every Thursday. We're hoping these polls will not only help us get you know you better, but also help you get to know the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene better. The polls close around 4 pm every Monday, and shortly after we'll post the question and results here on our Playlist blog for everyone outside of Twitter to respond.

This week's question: Would you go to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium for concerts? Tell us your thoughts on how it will do as a music venue. Continue reading to see the results, then comment and tell us your thoughts.

Staff writer Mario Tarradell recently talked with Dallas' own hip-hop heavyweights for a story in Monday's paper. Of course, there was more to be read from the duo:

On Latinos and mainstream rap music

"Hip-hop seems to speak to all of us in a language that we all understand," says Play. "I think the colors are put to the side. They are stories that all of us can relate to for the most part. And let's just be honest, most of the Latinos that come here, third world countries, second generations, immigrants and what-not, we don't come here with a lot of money and a lot of opportunity. So we're stuck in the 'hoods, the barrios and in poverty. What helps us through that is things like hip-hop music. Most of the time in the barrios and most 'hoods, it's all Latins and blacks. The majority of the people are black and Latin. We grow up intertwining with each other. With Latinos and hip-hop, it's a struggle for us right now. We're almost forced at times to rap in Spanish or do reggaeton. These are the executives behind the desks that don't know what ... they are talking about. They don't understand that Latinos are the biggest buying power in entertainment, period. I don't care what it is. We go to the movies more than anybody else, we buy DVDs more than anybody else, we buy music more than anybody else. I feel like we're being pushed to the side and not being paid attention to. There's no marketing dollars to go attract the Latinos."

On the racial barrier

"It's like the little guy in the basketball court that gets pushed around and pushed around. 'Man, you can play no ball.' He's on the court with a bunch of tall guys. But then he makes one basket, two baskets and he runs the game that week. Next week, he's probably going to be picked first. That's where we are at. We have to prove ourselves. It's not just our music. It's African-American music at the end of the day. You're going to have to earn that right to do that."

Read the second -- admittedly shorter -- night of mobile blog entries at Quick's Nightlife Blog. Included: the rockin' soul of RTB2 and the weird ways of New Science Projects.

We featured Arlington resident Mark Glasmire last year in this story and this video when he won the B.W. Stevenson Memorial Songwriter Competition at Poor David's Pub, and now he's gone and won another.

The Dallas Songwriters Association announced Friday that Glasmire won grand prize in its 2008 Song Contest with his ballad "Missing You."

From the press release:
"Winner Glasmire chose cash over a new Gibson guitar while also getting a dedicated website sponsored and maintained by Broadjam. In addition he can have the song of his choice produced as a premier demo by Beaird Music Group, Nashville, Tenn., adding up to a total value of almost $2,000. ... Roy Elkins, founder and CEO of the music community website Broadjam and the contest grand prize judge, said of Glasmire, "This is a very good songwriter from whom I'd love to hear more. His song "Missing You" is simply a nice song that could be played on any instrument with vocal or even as an instrumental. It's very easy to listen to, and everyone who hears this song can share the writer's experience."

You can hear "Missing You" on Mark's Web site, where he says the song is about the loss of his father.

Here's more information on the winners.

Twitter Poll Guidelines: We, that's GuideLiveMusic, ask our followers on Twitter a question every Thursday. We're hoping these polls will not only help us get you know you better, but also help you get to know the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene better. The polls close around 4 pm every Monday, and shortly after we'll post the question and results here on our Playlist blog for everyone outside of Twitter to respond.

Last Thursday we asked, Which local North Texas musicians/bands would you like to read more about? The results:

The first time I saw Bonnie Raitt, she was opening for Jackson Browne. It was 1974, at McFarlin Auditorium on the campus of my alma mater, Southern Methodist University. He was in the midst of his Late for the Sky tour, and she was the only woman, surrounded by 13 guys from two bands on the same tour bus, en route to 50 American cities. I also saw her live in San Diego in 1987, when she appeared as the surprise guest for a concert featuring Jackson and David Lindley. As great as they are -- as much as I love their music -- Bonnie more or less blew everybody off the stage that night. I soon learned there was a reason for that: She was feeling fantastic, having become clean and sober and fit. And in two years, she would release Nick of Time, her breakout album, and the first of a string of Platinum recordings. I next saw her live in Santa Cruz, Calif., on a bitterly cold night in December 1998, and again, her ability to seize the stage left me amazed. Well, now, it's your turn to see Bonnie Raitt, simply by going to Meyerson Symphony Center on Monday night. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: The great Bonnie Raitt

If you're looking forward to the Beach Boys concert scheduled for April 11 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, don't get worried about something you may read in news headlines today.

According to a press release we received, "Earlier today, Lone Star Park's parent corporation Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) and some of its subsidiaries announced that they have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court ..."

But according to general manager Drew Shubeck, " ... Lone Star Park is not among the parties filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection" ... and that the Grand Prairie race track is proceeding with business as usual. " ... there should be no immediate implications for Lone Star Park, our employees, horsemen, vendors or customers."

So, pull on your boots, and dig out your bangora summer straw hat for some Texas music fun: Other upcoming concerts at the horse races include: Randy Rogers band April 10; Stoney LaRue May 1; Gary Allan May 22; Cross Canadian Ragweed June 12, and Eli Young band July 24.

In the hopes of helping you discover a new place to see live music, we asked GuideLiveMusic's Twitter followers: Where's your favorite place in D/FW for live music?

Thanks to those who replied (I wished there were more, but maybe next time), and comment below if your fave isn't mentioned here. Your results:

The Alabama-born Brightblack Morning Light performs at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio in Denton at 9 tonight. Play this video of "Hologram Buffalo," from the folk rock/psychedelic music group's latest CD Motion to Rejoin, for a preview of their sound. $10 at the door.

Also performing is folk group Rio en Medio, whose limited edition deluxe CD Frontier will be released tomorrow.

It's a sad moment for the devotees of acoustic music. Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne, co-founders of Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co., in the Piney Woods town of Winnsboro in East Texas, announced Friday that they will close the venue in mid-May. Crossroads served as a beacon of terrific music for more than three years in Winnsboro, about 100 miles east of Dallas. Adler and Hearne brought to its backporch-like stage such names as Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, Ruthie Foster, Kinky Friedman and Steven Fromholz. The venue's final show will be Saturday, May 16, with a concert by John Gorka. Adler and Hearne recently released their own album, To the Heart, and Adler says it was less the economy and more the desire to pursue their own music that led to the closing. "It was a very organic feeling," she said of the decision to close the venue, which operated in a turn-of-the-century hardware store on Winnsboro's Main Street. "It was like a season. It was our season to do that, in terms of our own personal story."

Photo: The great Radoslav Lorkovic plays the accordion during a Crossroads concert by Jimmy LaFave

Not sure what to do tonight? Dallas' Jason Bayles & The Charmers will be playing at Opening Bell Mosaic Cafe and Bar (300 N. Akard #300, Dallas, TX 75202; 214-665-2355) at 8 tonight.

Opening the show is Eastwood, promoting their new country album Everything's Personal, which Quick's Hunter Hauk reviewed in November.

$5 at the door.

Let us know here what you think of them.

(Photo of Jayson Bales)

Check out our video of D-FW residents auditioning to sing the national anthem at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie yesterday.

Did you perform? See someone on the video you know? Tell us what it was like below.

That's right. Now that awards season has officially come to an end (thanks to all that Oscars business last night and the Grammy Awards two weeks ago) we can focus on more important things. SXSW is March 18-22 and it's not too late to register and book a hotel for the annual Austin music festival.

You should probably start planning your days there now, because there's just no way to see every one of the bands on this schedule. Maybe this will help:

Following is a list of D/FW area bands at SXSW 2009 sorted by the day they're scheduled to perform. This is all according to the SXSW Web site as of today, so be warned that anything can change.
(Each name links to their MySpace or Web site so you can preview their sound.)

Comment below and tell us who you're most excited to see.

The "Movin'" format, which featured rhythmic hits from the '80s to the present, has moved on out at KOAI-FM (107.5). CBS Radio, which owns the station, has flipped it to Spanish-language "Mega 107.5" Judging from the Web site, you can expect to hear Luis Miguel, Shakira, Juanes and other pop sensations.

Back in 2006, longtime smooth-jazz station "The Oasis" flipped to the "Movin'" format.

Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood will tour 14 American cities this summer, Dallas included. The tour was prompted by the duo's collabo at the Chicago Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2007 and three "supergigs" at New York's Madison Square Garden. Now, they'll bring that show to our very own American Airlines Center on June 23. (Those MSG shows will also be available in a 2 CD/2 DVD set this spring for those of us who think our couches feel better than arena seats.)

The two first started working together in 1969 in Blind Faith. Yep, it's been a long time ... Expect Cream, Blind Faith and Traffic tunes. Clapton must be in a collaborative mood; this weekend, he's set to perform a couple of shows in Tokyo with Yardbird compatriot Jeff Beck.

Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets and the AAC box office.

Jason Aldean was announced as the opener for Keith Urban's "Escape Together World Tour" when it stops in Dallas on July 11 at American Airlines Center. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale Friday, Feb. 13.

The tour of North America will hit 58 cities. Urban will release a new album on March 31, Defying Gravity. The single "Sweet Thing" is already a hit.

Georgia native Aldean will release his third album, Wide Open, on April 7.

(Photo by JIM COOPER/The Associated Press)

So I had a great time as a guest today on Richland College's KDUX, the campus' web radio station. I was on program director Charlie Vann's hour-long entertainment show that started at 1 p.m. It was a stimulating, intelligent and passionate conversation about music -- both national and local. We waxed about Metallica, AC/DC, Britney Spears, Guns N' Roses, the defunct Gypsy Tea Room, House of Blues Dallas, Deep Ellum, Aerosmith, the Killers and so much more. It was cool to meet Charlie, a 20-year-old wearing a vintage Doors T-shirt. Thanks for making me feel welcomed, Charlie. A thank you to Hunter, as well. I'd be glad to do this again, guys. So just let me know.

Eliza Gilkyson is one of those Austin-based singer-songwriters who learned long ago that the late Woody Guthrie knew exactly what he was talking about -- and warning about. Like Jimmy LaFave, Gilkyson celebrates the music of Woody Guthrie as a telling commentary on American life, how the rich get richer and the little get squeezed. So, is anyone's music more relevant now than Woody's? Gilkyson's 2004 release, Land of Milk and Honey, received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Album and included contributions from Patty Griffin, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Iris DeMent and Slaid Cleaves. And now Eliza is headed to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a pair of weekend concerts. She will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Greenville Avenue Music Sanctuary at the Unity Church of Christianity, 3425 Greenville Avenue in Dallas. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Info: 214-826-5683 or visit www.dallasunity.org. (Please click below to read on!)

Photo: Eliza Gilkyson

In news that's completely unrelated besides the fact that both are musicians with Dallas ties and both things happened over the weekend:

Lisa Loeb got married to Roey Hershkovitz, a music supervisor for Late Night with Conan O'Brien, on Saturday.

And Erykah Badu and Jay Electronica have welcomed a daughter, according to the Celebrity Baby Blog.

Sorry guys, looks like the the Canadian indie rock group has canceled tonight's show at House of Blues. The group sends out an apology to fans on its site, citing illness as the culprit. It's not the same as a live show, but you can learn more about the band and listen to them on their MySpace page.

Let's get right to it. Fans of Burleson's favorite American Idol Kelly Clarkson should read the gist of this press release sent today from her record label:

Pop rock sensation Kelly Clarkson and AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets are teaming up to bring fans her highly anticipated new video. AT&T will present a sneak peek of the video during a commercial break of American Idol on Wednesday, Jan. 28 (7-8 p.m. central) on FOX. Following the preview, AT&T will make the full video available to watch online and via AT&T Mobility phones and AT&T U-verseSM TV.

Kelly Clarkson's newest 19 Recordings/RCA single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," debuted earlier this month. The song was the No. 1 most added at Top 40 and Hot AC and currently holds the No. 1 position at iTunes. Wednesday night's commercial break sneak peek on FOX will be the first time fans will have a glimpse of the video.

After the preview airs, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets will offer exclusive access to the full-length video for 24 hours:
* AT&T Mobility customers can get a link to watch it on their mobile phones by texting KELLY to 8008.
* AT&T U-verse customers can access the video for free through the U-verse TV Video On Demand (VOD) library.
* All fans can watch it online at www.att.net.

Photo: Kelly at Grand Prairie's Nokia Theatre in late 2007 (Rex C. Curry/Special to DMN).

So Harley Husbands, lead guitarist of Dallas' roots rockers Macon Greyson, tells me that his group's tune, "Black Light," is featured in the lauded Mickey Rourke movie, The Wrestler. Check out Tom Maurstad's review of the film here. According to Husbands, the track is "in the scene where Mickey Rourke's character and Marisa Tomei's character go on there first date to a bar where our song is on the jukebox." Pretty cool. "Black Light" is from Macon Greyson's 20th Century Accidents CD released in 2007. Husbands says the band, which also includes drummer Badger Vass, lead singer Buddy Huffman and bassist Fred Kousal, is currently working on a new disc. Oh, the group plays Adair's Saloon Thursday night and Jan. 29.

Photo: The four Macon Greyson players (John Patillo).

Soprano Olivia Harris and alto Jazzmeia Horn, both students at Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, have been chosen to sing in the 2009 Grammy Jazz Choir, it was announced today. According to the press release, "the ensembles will perform at various Grammy week events including public performances at Spaghettini's Italian Grill & Jazz Club on Feb. 2 and the Vic on Feb. 4. For the first time ever, the ensembles will perform at the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute on Feb. 6, which this year will honor Neil Diamond. As a grand finale, they will attend the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 as guests of The Recording Academy and will perform at the Grammy Celebration After Party."

Pretty cool, huh?

Photo: The golden Grammy.

Dallas band Somebody's Darling snagged a recording contract with Shiner Records after winning the 2008 Shiner Rising Star competition. The group, fronted by lead singer Amber Farris, prevailed among 24 bands and through 16 weeks of live shows
judged by recording artists Deryl Dodd and Darryl Lee Rush as well as former Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano. Somebody's Darling will record in Nashville with noted producer Dan Baird, formerly of Georgia Satellites. The CD is expected to be released in late spring. In addition to Farris on lead vocals and guitar, Somebody's Darling features David Ponder on lead guitar, Nate Wedan on drums and Michael Talley on bass. Catch Somebody's Darling Jan. 16 at Sue Ellen's in Dallas; Jan. 31 at City Tavern in Dallas; and March 22 at the KHYI 13th Annual Texas Music Revolution in Parker. Also, check out Somebody's Darling on myspace.

Photo: Somebody's Darling (Courtesy of the band).

Local songstress Kelly Clarkson, who will go down in the history books as the first American Idol winner, has a new single set to hit the airwaves Jan. 19, reports billboard.com. "My Life Would Suck Without You" launches her upcoming fourth album, due out March 17 on RCA. That disc will be her follow-up to the controversial My December. The 2007 CD found the outspoken singer-songwriter publicly feuding with RCA honcho Clive Davis over creative control. My December, by the way, has sold 780,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Photo: Miss Kelly performing in Los Angeles in November 2007 (Matt Sayles).

Local luminary Erykah Badu's New Amerykah is No. 19 on Rolling Stone's top 50 albums list for 2008. And "The Healer" came in at No. 43 on the top 100 singles list.

The lists appear in the January edition of the magazine (the one with Brad Pitt and the terrible mustache--yeah, yeah, for a role, I know).

So Pam Minick at Fort Worth's Billy Bob's Texas is excited. She reports that two recent main stage concerts -- Eli Young Band Friday night and Pat Green Saturday night -- were both sold-out. "We were at capacity 6,000 people each night," she says. "It was the first time in the history of Billy Bob's that we can remember completely selling out two
consecutive shows." And pretty cool that both are local artists. Pat lives in Fort Worth and the Eli Young Band is Denton-formed. Pam says it's "Good for Texas music!" I agree.

Photo: The Eli Young Band guys (Kristen Barlowe).

This from Pam Minick at Billy Bob's Texas regarding the Pat Green concert Saturday night:

"Pat Green concert is sold out, no more reserved seats OR general admission tickets are available. That means if you don't already have a ticket, you won't get in! There are still tickets for Eli Young Band on Friday, or Randy Rogers and Stoney Larue next week, so don't be left out on those."

Photo: Pat at Smirnoff Music Centre in Oct. 2007 (Jason Janik/Special to DMN).

Talk radio station KLLI-FM (105.3) "Live 105.3" played college fight songs this afternoon--and nothing else, except an occasional station identifier. I heard "I've Been Working on the Railroad"--er, I mean, "Texas Fight," a couple times.

Update on this: They're now billing it as a station "where you, the fan, have a say." They're calling it "105.3 The Fan." Ben and Skin say they're going to talk a little more sports. They say "The Jagger Show" isn't changing. Of course, that makes you wonder what's happening to Russ Martin?

Update: Dallas Morning News reporter Dan X. McGraw has confirmed with David Henry of CBS Radio that longtime radio host Russ Martin has been fired. Full story here.

Here's a few who are playing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area Monday through Sunday. Get the details, check out what they sound like, then get your concert tickets here.

R&B singer Anthony Hamilton. Listen to his sound.

Rock/operatic singer and UNT grad Shara Worden, better known as My Brightest Diamond. Listen to her sing.

Pop/rock Texas quintet Blue October. Listen to the band.

Country/rock singer-songwriter Holly Golightly. Listen to her sound.

Country singer Tracy Lawrence. Listen to him sing.

Soft-rock singer-songwriter JD Souther. Listen to his sound.

(Photo of Anthony Hamilton)

House of Blues Dallas took home Top Club honors at the recent 2008 Billboard Touring Awards, which were presented Nov. 20 at the Roosevelt Hotel Ballroom in New York City. The local venue, which opened its doors in May 2007 and has staged more than 400 concerts, bested House of Blues Chicago and The Fillmore in San Francisco. Anthony Nicolaidis, HOB talent buyer, had this to say about the news: "It is great to bring a Billboard Award home for the Dallas venue. Our entire team has worked really hard this year. Dallas, Texas continues to be one of the top live music markets in the country."

Photo courtesy of HOB.com.

Dalworthington Gardens resident Melissa Lawson, the 2008 Nashville Star winner, performs a benefit concert for ACI Academy at Fort Worth's Pantego Bible Church, 8001 Anderson Blvd., December 12 at 7 p.m. Surely, she'll sing her first single "What If It All Goes Right," which is still available via iTunes. The wife and mother of five sang earlier this year at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. Her first album with Warner Bros. Records is due out next year, according to the label.

Tickets for the show are: General admission $8.00 (ages 13+), $4.00 (ages 3-12), free (ages 0-2). Limited Reserved Seats available for $10.00 (ages 13+) and $6.00 (ages 3-12). There are only 1, 700 seats available.

For more info go to www.melissalawsonmusic.com or www.pantego.org.

Photo: Melissa Lawson upon winning Nashville Star (John Russell).

Vinnie Paul Abbott, co-founder of local rockers Pantera and brother of the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott, will be signing copies of a commemorative book honoring his sibling. Dimebag Darrell: He Came to ROCK! details the life of his beloved brother and band mate. Mr. Abbott will be meeting, greeting and autographing Thursday at 6 p.m. at Best Buy's Midway/Lyndon B. Johnson Shopping Center, 4255 LBJ Freeway. For more info, call the store at 972-239-9980.

Photo: Dimebag Darrell painting titled Dimebag's Raging Heart by Lamberto Alvarez.

In the better-late-than-never department, Dallas rapper B Hamp has scored a minor hit with "Do the Ricky Bobby,'' a song inspired by the 2006 Will Ferrell comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The tune recently hit the upper reaches of Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop charts, and B Hamp's dance-happy video has inspired several YouTube imitators.

Cool new concert venues are popping up all over the place. I, for one, have written extensively about Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Co. in Winnsboro and Music City Texas Theater in Linden. Both are sweet little venues that give new meaning to musical intimacy. Last Friday night, I found another one when I drove to Grapevine, where Jimmy LaFave was playing the Palace Theater. It's a restored movie house in the heart of downtown Grapevine with fabulous acoustics. It's always a pleasure to hear Mr. LaFave, whose songs are greatly enhanced by such gifted bandmates as John Inmon (lead guitar) and Glenn Schuetz (bass). Mr. LaFave was once described as the Van Morrison of Texas, and it's easy to see why. He's remarkable at covers, putting his own special spin on Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" and the 1966 hit by the Left Banke, "Walk Away Renee."

Photo: Jimmy LaFave, left, with lead guitarist John Inmon

For those who haven't been to Music City Texas Theater in Linden, you don't know what you're missing. And for those who would really dig hearing Don Henley in the intimate setting of a 420-seat venue, well, here's your chance: At 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, Mr. Henley will perform a benefit concert for the Cass County Courthouse Restoration Project in Linden. Tickets are $1,000 each, but a portion is tax-deductible. The ticket price also includes a private, after-concert reception, which organizers say will be "an opportunity to meet and speak with Mr. Henley." Proceeds from the show will help supply matching funds to supplement the $4.4 million grant the Texas Historical Commission recently awarded Cass County to restore its historic courthouse. To purchase tickets, go to www.tix.com or www.cassconservancy.org.

Photo: Mr. Henley during a recent Eagles show

Get ready to click and drag. This coming right from Texas country icon Robert Earl Keen's mouth:

Robert Earl Keen and the Robert Earl Keen Band did this show in Marfa,TX at the Ballroom Marfa on January 19th 2008 and will be giving the entire show away for free, as an mp3 download. This is not just a board tape of another live show, this is a mixed and mastered version of an intimate fun performance, exactly the kind of show people ask for at the merchandise table when I am signing. Yep, it's free - just another way of saying thanks.

For the free download, go to www.robertearlkeen.com.

Photo: Robert Earl at Fort Worth's Bass Hall in late December 2006 (Jason Kindig/Special to DMN).

Grand Prairie's Nikki McKibbin, who placed third on the 2002 inaugural season of American Idol, checks into the second season of VH1's reality series Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew. Rocker Nikki is joined by fellow rehabers Jeff Conaway, Sean Stewart, Amber Smith, Rodney King, Steven Adler and Tawny Kitaen. Actor Gary Busey, 13 years sober from a cocaine addiction, will be along for moral support. The upcoming season, which begins Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. on VH1, will consist of eight hour-long episodes. For more info on the show, go to its website. For more info on Ms. McKibbin, go to her Wikipedia page.

Photo: Rocker Nikki in a 2007 photo taken at Hot Rods and Hoggs in Arlington (G.J. McCarthy/DMN).

The Dallas duo Smile Smile loves to make videos - for proof, check out YouTube for its various music clips and wacky "video blogs." Now Ryan Hamilton and Jencey Hirunrusm have posted a brand new video for "Anymore," just in time for their show tonight at 8.0 in Fort Worth and their gig Saturday at Hailey's in Denton.

Five years ago, the L.A. label Now Again released the 1970 South Dallas Pop Festival on CD. Now director Rob Tranchin has turned the fest into a documentary film: You can see a screening Oct. 17 at the South Dallas Cultural Center, followed by performances by Wendell Sneed and Roger Boykin, who performed at the festival all those years ago.
"The musicians in Dallas were playing just as funky and singing
just as well as any of the national groups,'' Boykin told The News in 2003, when the CD came out. "We just didn't get the same opportunity people did in Memphis or at Motown."
For ticket info, song samples and a clip from the movie South Dallas Pop, click here.

Most Delta bluesmen are long gone, but one notable exception is 93-year-old David "Honeyboy" Edwards. The singer-guitarist (and old pal of Robert Johnson's) will perform two shows Nov. 7 at the Meyerson for school kids who'll undoubtedly brag one day about seeing an old-school bluesman. The shows are the brainchild of Dallas' Jeff and Mike Dyson, the father-and-son team who produced the Grammy-winning CD Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas. Tickets for Mr. Edwards' shows are also available to the public: For more info, visit www.blueshoelegends.com

This week, Mike Shoder closed both his CD World stores, at Mockingbird and Greenville (which opened in '92) and Belt Line and the Tollway ('94). But rather than moan