Upcoming Texas/ Americana Music CD Releases

Here are a few notable upcoming spring release dates on some CDs of some Texas/ Americana artists I am looking forward to.

April 1st
Willie Nelson - One Hell Of A Ride (box set)
South Austin Jug Band - Strange Invitation

April 8th
Hayes Carll - Trouble In Mind

April 15th
James McMurtry - Just Us Kids

May 6th
Eleven Hundred Springs - Country Jam

May 13th
Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity

May 20th
Cory Morrow - Vagrants & Kings
Band of Heathens - Band of Heathens

May 27th
Adam Carroll - Old Town Rock N Roll

Another ACL Confirmation

According to Pollstar Shooter Jennings, the son of country legend Waylon Jennings, is scheduled to play on Sunday at Zilker Park for the Austin City Limits Festival. With three albums under his belt, Shooter has had some good success bringing brand of country rock music. Shooter plays a high energy show that will fit right in.

Check out his web site or MySpace

ACL Music Festival Rumored Confirmation

While we are still about a month or two away from the ACL line up being officially announced. However over the next few weeks slowly but surely bands will start leaking out. The couple of the first few are two bands from the great state of Texas. They are Kevin Fowler and Eli Young Band this is according to Poll Star.

Eli Young Band is a great band that consists of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson. Since their 2005 debut album LEVEL they have gained a lot of steam and have one the fastest growing fan bases in the South. They have been compared to the Jayhawks and Counting Crows. In 2006 they released ELI YOUNG BAND LIVE AT THE JOLLY FOX . Look for a new album in upcoming future. Check them out at their web site or MySpace

Kevin Fowler is one of the top artists in Texas. His 2007 release BRING IT ON was one of the best country albums I heard last year. Known as the king of Rednecks after his first hit “Beer Bait and Ammo” in 2000, while he still embraces and has really capitalized on the redneck label packing out venue after. He is really one of the most underrated songwriters out there because his lyrics sometime seem simple. However his song “Don’t Touch My Willie” is really a song of genius in the fact it has multiple meanings. Check out Kevin's web site and MySpace

Drive By Truckers on Conan Tonight!

Set your Tivo or DVR tonight for Late Night with Conan O'Brien as The Drive By Truckers will be appearing as the musical guest. They are sure to play a song off the newly released album "Brighter Than Creation's Dark". By the way if you have not gotten the new Truckers album go get it. It is packed with 19 solid tracks.

Sam's Concert: Austin Collins & the Rainbirds w/ Sleeper Car

Last night at Sam's Burger Joint was the Austin Collins CD Release party for his brand new sophmore CD "Roses Are Black". If you have not seen or heard of Austin Collins music at all, well all I can say is you are missing out. Austin and his band the Rainbirds rocked Sam's Burger Joint with there blend of Americana/ Alt-Country music. They played most of the songs from the new CD. Look for Austin coming to your town and go out and catch one of his shows.

Look for my review on "Roses Are Black soon.

Check Austin's web site and MySpace for tour info.

The openning band for Austin at Sam's last night was a band from Chicago called Sleeper Car. After hearing them in sound check I knew this would be a very good night. They will be touring with Austin Collins in Texas through the end of March so go check them out.

Check out their web site and MySpace