‘Tis the Season, Everybody! I’m sure that you’re busy getting ready for the big day ahead, but I wanted to stop and take a few minutes to send some end of the year cheer to you and yours. This would be a wonderful gift to pass along to other music lovers in your life, too, because after going out shopping for just the right thing, it is refreshing (and a relief) to find something so cool and yet so unique that you can be sure they don’t already have it . . . And IT'S FREE!
A word about The Bluegrass Special: This is, by far, my favorite music source these days, due to its integrity, stunning depth and breadth of coverage (not just bluegrass!) and quality of writing (not surprising since their editor in chief was a Rolling Stone music critic for twenty five years, as well as the Country Music Editor for Barnes and Noble.com, plus writing/editing for several of the most reputable trade magazines in the business and having published critically-acclaimed books on Steve Earle, BB King, and Carl Perkins). I am sincerely honored to have been featured in this fine and unique e-zine last January when my album, Perfectly Legal: Songs of Sex, Love and Murder, was released:
http://thebluegrassspecial.com/archive/2011/jan2011/indexjan2011.html
And I’m flattered that they decided to showcase my song, “Be My Valentine (On Christmas),” this month in their fourth annual holiday issue! In this new world of blogging hacks, the Bluegrass Special stands out as a shining star, a beacon of hope for the future in an industry that has been dominated by the closed-network, payola system that has demeaned mainstream, commercial music for decades now. I encourage you take a walk off the beaten path, to click and discover a plethora of the most incredible independent musicians in the business who’ve been hand picked for display by a true aficionado who has devoted much of his time to creating this invaluable, one of a kind go-to source for music and more.
In this special December issue you will find a wealth of wonder to while away the downtime during the holidays. To quote the editor’s introduction to this month’s issue, there’s “more cotton pickin’ Christmas music than you’ve heard outside of Santa’s workshop; Christmas fiction; Christmas in verse (including seasonal sentiments from the Immortal Bard himself); stories behind some of the great Christmas songs, including the one about the tragedy that spurred Robert May to write “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”; a Jewish writer’s perspective on Christmas and Hannukah; five 20th Century animated Yuletide classics from the Walt Disney Studios; the complete Johnny Cash Christmas Show from December 23,1970, with guests including Mother Maybelle Carter and Ike Everly; and the story of the real Virginia O’Hanlon of ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus fame.’ We got DICKENS, we got TOLSTOY, we got LONGFELLOW, we got MAYA ANGELOU, we got RALPH KRAMDEN, we got LOUIS ARMSTRONG, all bringing glad tidings. Plus interviews with RICKY SKAGGS, about his wonderful Skaggs Family Christmas Volume Two CD/DVD set, and with ANONYMOUS 4’s MARSHA GENESKY about the early music quartet’s ever expanding Christmas catalogue (this is a slightly abridged version of our December 2010 cover story). And much, much more . . ."
And that’s not all, Folks . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEOoBDLbUXo
This charming video was shot at historic Sugar Hill Studios here in Houston, and presents an up-close live performance, including short interviews, with two of the most inspirational Texan singers in music today: Johnny Bush who wrote Whisky River (most recognized as covered by his long-time friend, Willie Nelson) and Roy Head (best remembered for his 1965 hit, “Treat Her Right,” as well as his dancing and live stage antics that are compared to Little Richard and Elvis!) Speaking of Elvis, on this Youtube video, Roy tells a priceless story of meeting The King back in the day. Hah! And on top of that, he includes some witty “uncut” lyrics in this special Sugar Hill rendition of the song.
I was certainly pleased to be included on the new Sugar Hill Studios 70th Anniversary CD/book that features Roy Head, Johnny Bush, and over forty talented artists who covered hit songs that were originally recorded at the studio through the years. And I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the CD since the release on December 4 at the Continental Club. Click on the link above, and I’m sure you will agree that Johnny Bush and Roy Head have proven that, as they say, age is nothing but a state of mind. These are two of the most energetic, passionate, and riveting performances that I’ve ever seen, and I feel more determined than ever to continue to follow in their gigantic footsteps, day by day, and year by year to the end. Now, THIS IS TEXAS.
Some tracks from Hits from the Hill that I find myself revisiting again and again include JP Richardson’s “Running Bear” covered by Kevin Ryan, Freddy Fender’s “Think About Me” covered by The Children with Gaylan Latimer, “Garner State Park” covered by The Triumphs (BJ Thomas’s band), “Apple of My Eye” covered by The City Kings, “It’s Raining” covered by the Champagne Brothers, “Miles and Miles of Texas” covered by Clouseaux, “Don’t Stop the Music” covered by Don Sanders, “Chantilly Lace” covered by Herschel Berry, “Tore Up Over You Medley” by Sleepy Labeef, “Too Far Gone (To Turn Around)” covered by Love Street, and Joli Blond covered by Classical Grass – Heck, there’s so many good songs on this CD! A picture paints a thousand words, so see and hear for yourself at
http://www.zenhillrecords.com/70-years-of-sugarhill-hits-on-cd
The show at the Continental Club two Sundays ago was a moment in my music journey that I will never forget. It felt like a family reunion, and I was reminded of the lasting friendships that have developed through the years without even really realizing it. Nothing can ever replace the memories and moments shared with kindred spirits. I’m wishing you and yours another Happy Holiday season and many moments and memories to cherish for the future.
Y’all come!