Saw this over at The 9513. Hayes talks about Crystal Beach and promotes the upcoming Stingaree Festival. Hilarious!

"I didn't aim at anything except good music." Waylon Jennings

Most people know that when I write something it's generally going to include a few artists I really enjoy like Stoney or Adam Hood. These guys seem to penetrate straight to my soul and for other people.... it may be a variety of others. But there has always been a guy/band that I have never left a show disappointed with... and that is the Bleu Edmondson Band.

The last year has been a bit busy for me and I've been a bit "blah" on music outlook. So I've had to limit alot of shows I love to go see and Bleu happened to be one of them that just never seemed to work into the small amount of free time I had. But about 4 weeks ago I got a little preview of his latest album Lost Boy and I thought to myself... if his shows are taking the tone of this album... I need this guy's music back in my life! I started asking around and reading through some posts in his forum and it seemed like the shows were rocking! So I ventured out one Friday night and couldn't get enough! I had to see him again! So... I packed my crap, settled on a road trip date and made the run to see him again. And now I'm jonesing for another one! I can't put my finger on what exactly is different these days because even a year ago his shows were incredible. I think that's why I choose the word "Resurgence"... because I want to say that I think he's always been a strong force.. but it seems like things are coming on even stronger these days.

I think back to when I first met Bleu 3-4 years ago and he was doing acoustic sets with Stoney and how his shows really changed my views on music. He always brings to the stage a set of music that he wants, and needs, you to hear. Say what you will about his style or whatever.. but you can NOT doubt this man's passion... and I think it's that same passion that has resulted in an album that is, in my opinion, is one of the top two albums released this year. And I wouldn't even say it's in second place... more of... shares the top spot. Most people, when they hear the new album, will try to figure out how it fits into the puzzle of Texas/Red Dirt Music. But here's the deal... they won't figure it out if they compare it to what's already out there. This album.. this band.. this artist... has created a sound that I believe will begin to help diversify this scene in a way that will finally help it grow. We've been static for too long and I'm finally hearing bands that are coming along that have maturity, soul, and passion for life... and as a result, are putting out great music.

So why do I take the time to write an article about Bleu after so long an absence of writing anything? A few personal reasons.. but on the music front it's because I finally see diversity. I finally feel an excitement building. I finally hear a sound that is new and fresh but steeped in the roots of what we are used to hearing. I'm just excited. I hope to start writing more about various things and artists that I hear and see. If you thought Bleu was done or had the same old show.. go out and give it a listen. Pick up Lost Boy when you get a chance... it's a great album with some of the best production I've heard in a while. It'll definitely get you out of that rut your in. I haven't been able to take it out on my player yet!

With a renewed interest,
Tanker

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Freedom is something that dies unless it's used... Hunter S Thompson

When did Texas/Red Dirt music fans start letting themselves be told what was good and what wasn't? Seem strange to read that? I'm sure we all have this thought that no one tells us what to like. I mean, that's why we don't listen to pop country/rock radio stations and preprogrammed crap. We CHOOSE what shows to go to, We CHOOSE who gets our $10 cover, We CHOOSE who we talk about to friends. Isn’t that right? Maybe...

I started thinking, why are the big names getting bigger... why do the guys that aren’t quite as big take so long to get noticed... why are there 5 people watching a show that I think should be sold out? I finally quit complaining about it and came up with just one small part of the answer... I think it’s because we’re being told what to listen to. Sure, it's not the main stream pop radio saying "this" is the top 10 that "we" are telling you is good, but it’s the same story just a different version. I think a lot of it is because of the way venues book talent. I think 80-90% of them out there do the best that they can, but they seem to just go along and for the most part book the big headliners on Friday and Saturday and leave the new guys to do their thing in the middle of the week. If we want to know who's good... we subconsciously look at who’s playing the big name venues as if it’s a who’s who among Texas Music. And there in lies the problem.

So the question is, how do we get venues to recognize up and coming talent? It's really pretty easy... we just tell them. We can’t let them tell us who they think is good. It’s your $10 cover, right? You don’t have to be crude about it... just drop an email when you saw someone good there... drop an email to tell your local venue about someone you want to see there. There are tons "Music Business" things that may keep shows from happening, but at least they know who the people coming in want to see.

Maybe I’m an optimist that wants anyone that plays music that is good and true to make millions. Maybe I’m wrong. But I do think the first small step in our scene to start answering the question of "Who is the next big thing" is to drop a quick "Loved Ryan Bingham last night" to your local venue.

Spreading the word,
Tanker

"Put my soul in the music and find a different groove" Adam Hood

Are we in sensory overload?

With all the TiVo's, XM Radio, Request Radio, Internet Radio Stations, Regular Radio Stations, Ipods, Podcasts, VideoCasts, Forums for people you like, Forums for people you don't... are we moving too fast to be able to slow down and listen to the music? I was road tripping not too long ago with someone that was having a freakout session on their iPod... I don't think we listened to one full song before they were moving to the next one.

You might say, "So what.. I like moving fast". I'd have to say that I think you're missing out on what music is all about. I'm reading Waylon's autobiography and he talks about growing up in West Texas and pulling their truck up to the window to listen to the radio on Saturday nights. He says that every time his mom heard the song "Wreck of the Old '97" she would have to go outside and cry. Now that's really hearing music and the soul of what it is intended for and I doubt they had much distraction out in Littlefield, TX back then.

You can interpret things any way you want, but I believe there are people that God created that have the gift of singing and songwriting and those are the people I love to listen to. You'll know who they are if you slow down and listen a little... Brad wrote a whole article about in his recent Brad's corner. Check it out and don't be duped by those just wanting to put out noise... like I said before, we have enough of that buzzing around us already.

Turn down the static of life, get a clear focus on a song and just listen,
Tanker

"You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you."-Bob Dylan


Hollywood has the Oscars, we have the GWE's. Each year the nucleus of our music community gathers in Austin in late January to honor the best in our field. The 2007 Gruene With Envy (GWE) Awards were held last night in Austin at La Zona Rosa. These awards reflect material/accomplishments from late 2005 through the end of 2006. Several of the winners were long overdue. Josh Grider taking home the Newcomer Award is sweet vindication for him and those of us who have been in his corner for many years now. Also, it was great to see Stoney LaRue claim top Artist honors as he's finally seizing on the talent we all knew he had. And once again, the RRB take home another round of awards to reflect their work on Just a Matter of Time

Congratulations to all the winners:

Radio Station of the Year- Radio Free Texas
Event of the Year - Red Dirt Music Festival (Awarded To Ragweed)
Producer of the Year - Radney Foster
Song of the Year- "Wherever You Are" by Jack Ingram (Award to Songwriters)
Songwriter of the Year - Randy Rogers
Live Album of the Year- Back To Tulsa - Cross Canadian Ragweed
Album of the Year- Just A Matter Of Time - Randy Rogers Band
Newcomer of the Year - Josh Grider
Band of the Year - Randy Rogers Band
Entertainer of the Year- Cross Canadian Ragweed
Artist of the Year - Stoney LaRue

-Brad

"I'm a book, not a page" ...Ryan Bingham

Hello from Steamboat!

What is it about music that when you hear a certain song, you want to tell everyone how great it is? Since I'm up in Steamboat this week where there is just a ton of music all in one place, I've taken Brad's advice and gone out to see a few new artists that I normally wouldn't go see. I just want to go out and tell everyone about Ryan Bingham, Bonnie Bishop and a handful of others. And it's only day 3.

This is my third year in Steamboat and I can honestly say that it gets better every year. I meet more and more people and this year GW is over 100 strong plus 100's of other people that I only see here every year. I'll have a full report once I get back and recover, but please... start saving now. This is an awesome time because it's more than just a festival of shows. You get to do things like watch the Dedringers next to Randy Rogers, the Brauns and your best friends. And I want everyone that isn't there this year to be standing beside me next year. Seriously. That isn't something I'm saying to just sound good. The Bingham quote I put up really speaks volumes about this music scene and it's depth and you can really feel it here.

Be on the lookout for the short interview I did with ME Television talking about Galleywinter. Anne tracked me down in the snow and asked a bit about what we are doing at Galley.

Wish everyone was here!
Tanker