Galleywinter

LoneStarMusic.com was founded as a tiny internet start-up company by Chad Raney in 1999 after he attended a show at Gruene Hall featuring Jack Ingram, Charlie Robison and Bruce Robison.  The passion he found for the music made him want to create an outlet to get it to fans.  A few years later, Michael Devers took over the operations of LSM and fostered in a new era that included a magazine and retail store.  Last year, Zach Jennings purchased the company with eyes on expanding the LSM brand.  In this edition of 20 Questions, Zach tell us about his plans for Lone Star Music and humorously explains how he once thought Townes Van Zandt was from California.

1.   Y’all always have so many cool things going on, what’s new and exciting at LoneStarMusic?

You mean other than getting to play 20 Questions with Galleywinter?  (laughs).  Well, we’ve got the 3^rd Annual Lone Star Music Awards coming up March 27^th at Texas Music Theater in San Marcos.  Really cool venue and we’re getting to help them break it in…it’s going to be very exciting.  We’ve also teamed with Freebird’s and Gibson Guitars to stage our first SXSW showcase on Saturday night March 19^th at Antone’s.  We’ll also have day parties at St. Vincent de Paul on South Congress on Thursday-Saturday March 17-19.  Our official showcase lineup is Sons of Bill, Cody Canada & Seth James, Joe Ely & Carolyn Wonderland.  Throughout the year, we’ll be looking to branch … Keep Reading

Steve Rice of No Justice first tackled our 20 Questions four years ago.  Now, he is here to take another stab at them on the heels of the release of No Justice’s most critically acclaimed album, 2nd Avenue from which they are about to release their 3rd single, “‘Gone Ain’t Far Enough”.   Steve is known as one of the nicest and funniest guys in the scene and that comes across onstage, off stage and in interviews like this.  In this edition of 20 Questions, we cover the growth of No Justice’s music and their songwriting process; as well as, stories about moonshine with the Stragglers, why Gary Busey is not somebody you’d want in your van, and the musical influence of Justin Beiber.

1.  You’ve recently released your new album, 2^nd Avenue…aside from that what’s new and exciting with Steve Rice?

I have currently been writing for the next studio record and am also about to do a new project with Mike McClure that we are really excited about. It will be something that hasn’t really been touched yet in this genre…I’m very excited about it.

2.  After going the independent route for many years, y’all have teamed up with Carved Records.  What swayed you to sign with them?  Also, in what ways has having a label been most beneficial?

We had gotten to a plateau in the sense that we could really not progress the way we wanted to without some label support. Aside from the financial … Keep Reading

Ryan Beaver is a fast-rising star in Texas Music who effortlessly straddles the line between traditional country and contemporary themes.  He has recently released a fantastic new album, Constant, and is poised for a breakout 2011.  This edition of 20 Questions finds Ryan talking about working with Lloyd Maines and David Grissom, the blessing and curse of his last name, and what Irish drinking song should be added to his setlist.

1.  You’ve got a great new record coming out called Constant, and you’ve been busy gigging all over the southwest…what’s life like for Ryan Beaver right now?

First and foremost life is good and I am blessed. I just released my new album, I’m healthy, and I love what I’m doing. I try to remind myself of that when I get down and stressed.  There is no doubt that like many musicians, I’m just fighting to keep doing what I love.

2.  Let’s get this out of the way right now, your last name is memorable to say the least.  As someone who has also been blessed with a unique last name, I understand some of the challenges it can present.  Did you ever give any thought to a stage name?

(laughs)  It was suggested early on when I began my career, but I have been known as the Beave my whole life. It’s the name I was given and I’m proud of it.  People may not walk away remembering Ryan when they hear me, but they will … Keep Reading

When it came time to relaunch our 20 Questions interview series, I couldn’t think of anyone better to start it off with than Josh Abbott.  He is the hottest act in the scene at the moment and a lightning rod for controversy.  Josh has risen to the top of the Texas Music heap through hard work, business savvy and a knack to write songs that appeal to a wide audience.  As always the 20 Questions are candid, revealing and funny. Josh does not mince words and brings a refreshing honesty to all the questions.  He tackles the Randy Rogers comparisons, the Bart Crow incident, tells us where his music is headed and much more in this edition of 20 Questions.

1.  As your level of success continues to escalate from our regional market to the national stage, what’s new and exciting in the world of Josh Abbott?  I know you’ve been writing a lot, any plans already in the works for the next album?

Well, we still have a long way to go both regionally and nationally but 2010 was a banner year for us I think.  Our album has gotten some really cool recognition, such as iTunes top 15 country album of 2010…and our singles have done outstanding.  “Oh, Tonight” is currently flirting with Billboard and went #1 for us in Texas which was our second #1 from the new album! Crazy…as far as a new album goes, you can definitely expect to see some new material released in … Keep Reading

When I first started this feature five years ago, Cody Canada and the entire Ragweed crew were some of the first people I wanted to participate.  Well, it took five years and I finally nailed Cody down for a few minutes to work his way through our 20 Questions.  At times his answers are brief, many times they are humorous, yet they are always thoughtful.  I think this interview showcases exactly what I’d hoped this series would.  I try to present candid questions that the artists don’t hear with every radio show or newspaper article.  These interviews are to be true snapshots of an artist’s personality.  Cody’s 20 Questions, more than any other in our history captures his personality in great detail without mincing words.  Enjoy.

1.  What’s on the horizon for Cross Canadian Ragweed in 2009?  New record?  Special tour?

No special tour to speak of, but we do have a lot of dates that are on the books, and we look forward to another great year out on the road.  Also, we have a new record in the works right now…so stay tuned!

2.  More than other bands, y’all seem to be a band of brothers.  By all accounts, we will never see you in a Cross Canadian Ragweed:  Some Kind of Monster type of documentary.  With that in mind, what do you admire most about each of the other guys in the band?

I like Randy’s eyes, Plato’s butt and Grady’s guitar.  (laughs)

3.  Name association:

-Ryan … Keep Reading