I'm back from the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis and the fabulous Johnny Cash Bash at the Continental Club in Austin, and gearing up for a few Houston shows before SXSW. Tomorrow night (Saturday, March 1) from 9-11:30, I'll be at Bohemeos on Telephone Road (http://www.bohemeos.com), and there will be a feature story by Music Editor, Joey Guerra, in the Houston Chronicle first thing tomorrow morning. In the meantime, this exciting and beautifully-written piece is already posted online at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/music/local/5579727.html along with a podcast of a whimsical interview with Joey Guerra at http://blogs.chron.com/handstamp/. I really hope that you will take a few minutes to read the article and listen to the podcast (just click under the picture of my album cover)--and leave comments, too. The Chronicle is aiming to make it interactive (like my set at the Continental Club the other night!), and of course we want to hear what you have to say . . . And there's even more good news today--a splendid review of my new release, The Road Less Traveled, by Mike Jurkovic for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange--Fame (http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p04689.htm). Here's what Mr. Jurkovic has to say: "The road less traveled, indeed. I say that simply because any number of singer/songwriters sound like some guitar wielding predecessor. Glenna Bell goes beyond a list of influences. She doesn't sound like the usual suspects--Lucinda, Gillian, Iris, Mary Gauthier, etc. She sounds older than that. Way older. Like Texas is old. The Road Less Traveled plays like an old field recording. You're listening to songs like the gritty prison ballad Outside The Bars and the mournful, yet redemptive Johnny Bush duet The East Side expecting to hear the pops and skips of old vinyl. With her arrangements raw, production back-porch sparse, and a haunting, halting vocal style, Bell fixes your attention on her songs and not the tired who-does-she-sound-like guessing game that gets in the way of a good listen far too often. It takes a strong will to sing about trying to win a father's love and respect without sounding maudlin and weepy, but The Texas Aggies Win Again accomplishes just that. Another bold move is covering the Carter-Cash standard Jackson a song recorded too many times by all the wrong people for all the wrong reasons. And lest you conclude that Glenna Bell is all backwoods hard time and misery, check out her kick-up-the-dust ode to married life How I Found Out I'm Insane. Though mistrust for politicians is at an all time high in our broken land, the 2007 Texas House of Representatives honored Bell's music with a House Resolution, read in a ceremony at the Capitol in Austin. The House Speaker personally congratulated her for her musical contributions to the Lone Star State. She has opened for likes of Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez, Hayes Carll, Two Tons of Steel and other prominent Texas performers. People are listening. You should too." Well, I certainly feel lucky to have had two such talented writers work so hard to represent my music with so much insight and grace. I appreciate their time and yours, and I thank you for joining me again today for a few minutes here on "the road less traveled." Until next time, y'all come! http://cdbaby.com/all/glennabell (Listen & BUY the music of Glenna Bell.) Check out latest news, show dates, and brand new songs: http://www.glennabell.com http://www.myspace.com/glennabell http://www.sonicbids.com/glennabell