Magnolia Mountain - Redbird Green Vinyl Project

This evening I had the pleasure of hanging out with Mark and Jordan from Magnolia Mountain, a roots band based out of Cincinnati. Not only are they great guys, but they also make some damned fine music (see below:)




Now, I wanted to help them get the word out about a cool thing I think they are doing which is putting out their upcoming album on vinyl. Well I should say they are TRYING to put out their upcoming album on vinyl. That's where folks like you and me would come in. See they have a backer system in place where 25 bucks will not only get you a copy of the album on Vinyl (double album I might add), but also helps finance the making of said album! How sweet is that. There are other backer levels such as the $100 level which will get you a producer credit, the $300 level which will get you a homecooked meal and a private acoustic set, or the $1000 level which will get a song in your honor on a future Magnolia Mountain record.

The way I see it is if you are going to buy the album on vinyl anyway, might as well throw down now and be a backer. Better hurry though, there are only 18 slots available for the $25 vinyl album level. Go to the site either below or here for more info.

Official - Facebook

Drive By Truckers - After The Scene Dies (vid), and news

Here's a great vid of one of the new songs from The Big To-Do, due out March 16th. The band starts their Big To-Do tour tomorrow, and they are also offering a free download of the first single, a song called This Fucking Job. In even more DBT news, they will be screening the first ever DBT documentary entitled The Secret To A Happy Ending in Feb. I can't wait to see that!

FINALLY!, a (real) Last Rites of Ransom Pride teaser

So you guys know I've been waiting for this movie to come out since I heard of it. I mean, it's a western starring Kris Kristofferson, & Dwight Yoakam, and it's written by Ray Wylie Hubbard. Also soundtrack by Ray Wylie himself. Did I also mention the gun totin' dwarf!!??

View the trailer here at the official website http://lastritesfilm.com/  Make sure to poke around the site to see some more goodies, and more vids can be found here. Apparently this is some kind of viral marketing thing too, so if you go to http://whokilledthedwarf.com/ you can sign up to get a peak at another teaser. (I haven't got mine sent to me yet....waiting on "the siamese twins" or some mess)

Word is that this will be a digital download some point early this year.....which I hope means the within the next 6 weeks. A shame this thing will not see nationwide release, but fuck I can't even find Crazy Heart playing at any theater within 100 miles.

In related Ray Wylie Hubbard news, look for his latest album A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkment, Hint: There is No C. next tuesday at your music vendor of choice (pre-order at Raywylie.com and get an autographed copy).

News Roundup: new DBT, new Reckless Kelly, and new Ray Wylie Hubbard!

How bout a quick news blurb? Just wanted to tell you guys about 3 albums I'm excited about next year.

• Got official word yesterday that The Drive By Truckers' new album, titled "The Big To-Do", will be out March 16th on ATO records, their new record label. What does Patterson have to say about it? “It’s very much a rock album, very melodic and more rocking than anything we’ve done since disc 2 of Southern Rock Opera.” Read more here
• Speaking of DBT, they have just recorded a tribute to Muscle Shoals session man Eddie Hinton on 7" vinyl for Shake-It records that features two Eddie Hinton songs. More info here
• Reckless Kelly have a new album due out Feb. 9th called "Somewhere in Time". The album is slated to feature "hardcore cowboy songs" of Idaho music legend Pinto Bennett. More info (and streaming music) here, or watch the below video

• Now my favorite piece of news, Ray Wylie Hubbard has a new album coming out Jan. 12th. The much anticipated album is called "A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkment (Hint: There Is No C) (a line taken from one of the songs on the album) and is now available for pre-order (autographed). More info here

Guy Clark post shut down = Guy Clark news, & more news

• I was asked to pull down the Guy Clark post because Dual Tone is actually planning to release a proper pro mixed version of that show at some point. Can't wait for that to come out, and hopefully it will have a DVD with it!

• The other day I mentioned that Scott Miller was going to be releasing a new song on his site to help fund his new album (similar to what he did with Appalachian Refugee Demos). Well it's going to be a series of songs and the first, Lo Sienta, Spanishburg West Virginia is now available for $1.49. The Scott Miller newsletter included a great essay about this song which I can't seem to find on the site. Anyway, just know it's very much in the vein of the Appalachian Refugee Demos and it's about a real town called Spanishburg. Hey Scott, how bout next time your drive up to Athens, WV you stop off and do a show in Princeton? Even better drive 30 min. east to Pearisburg and the beer's on me! (not that we would have any place to drink other than my basement)

• This is just news I forgot to include in the other days post. The much anticipated new Gillian Welch album is not happening. What? Well we are getting a Dave Rawlings Machine album instead. Can't say what the difference will be, perhaps dave is taking more lead vocals. Anyway, that album is called A Friend of A Friend and will be out Nov. 17th. Pre-order at Amazon

McMurtry winner, Ray Wylie Hubbard movie, Wrinkle Neck Mules, new Scott Miller track, Carolyn Mark & NQ Arbuckle, etc

• jridgeway was the winner of the McMurtry CD/DVD. Thanks all for commenting and entering. Some great lyrics posted, some I have overlooked and will now be listening to more closely

• Ray Wylie Hubbard's Last Rites of Ransom Pride has found a distributor and is getting close to having a release date. Unfortunately they are tweaking the soundtrack, does this mean no killer Ray Wylie soundtrack? God I hope not!

• Wrinkle Neck Mules latest album Let The Lead Fly was pushed back to to October 20th release date. That's next Tuesday. It says in that story that it's a great album for fall driving through the mountains.....true statement, as I have come to the same conclusion.

• Scott Miller has a new track that will be available for download on his site and help fund his upcoming album. I don't have the specifics cause dammit I lost the email. In the meantime, enjoy some of the killer vids he has made on his site.

• Just wanted to give a heads up for the Carolyn Mark and NQ Arbuckle album Let's Just Stay Here which comes out tomorrow. Carolyn is half of canadian supergroup The Corn Sisters (with Neko Case), and as you know, NQ Arbuckle made one of my favorite albums of 2008. The album also features an unexpected cameo from fellow canadian Corb Lund.

• In Drive By Trucker news, according to Patterson they have recorded material for 2 upcoming releases. Can't wait

Harry Potter for the chemically unbalanced...

Anticipation.....Chuck Prophet......Let Freedom Ring.......Oct. 27th

News: Todd Snider, Scott Miller, Wrinkle Neck Mules, etc...

Well there's a lot of stuff to talk about here. First off, that Ribbonpigeon album from the last post, well they emailed me to let me know that they just changed their name to The Only Sons and are working with a label for a distribution deal with that album and the one prior. Can't wait for that.

How about some Todd Snider news? Todd's new album The Excitement Plan is now available for pre-order. Due out on June 6, the $40 dollar deluxe pre-order box set features some cool items. Like each set will be signed and numbered by Todd (limited to 500), a DVD of the Peace Queer movie, a bonus disc of songs, 3 stickers, and even a Todd Snider flag! Pretty sweet.

Now on to Scott Miller. Those of you like myself who got the Appalachian Refugee demo CD AND pre-ordered the new album back in december (or was it november?) may have noticed a glaring omission from the album.....that omission was the sublime song Appalachian Refugee. Well Scott has heeded his fans call and decided to include the song on the street version of the album (due out Next Tuesday). Now here is the cool part, since the folks who pre-ordered the album did not get this track, he made it available for download on his site. This is a highly recommended download. Also while you are there check out his new site, he finally updated it to reflect the computer age :P

Wrinkle Neck Mules....I know there are a few fans of them out there :). Well good news as they have recorded over 30 songs and are thinking of releasing possibly a double album or some kind of box set sometime this year. Read about it here.

Some odds and ends. The new Steve Earle album kicks all kinds of ass, The Steeldrivers are in the studio working on their followup, Magnolia Electric Co. have a 7" EP coming out April 18th featuring 4 unreleased songs, and Jimbo Mathus just put out a new album called Jimmy The Kid that is somehow impossible to buy but you can listen to samples on his myspace page.

News: Ray Wylie Hubbard talks about his upcoming movie

Yes that's right....movie. Now he's not starring in this movie (sadly, cause he would make a great cantankerous old cowboy), but he wrote the screenplay, and if it's anything like his music you know it's going to be fucking good. It's a late era western, set in 1911 and who did he get to star in it? Well 2 of my favorites Kris Kristofferson and Dwight Yoakam to name a couple. Also stars W. Earl Brown of Deadwood, and strangely.....Jason Priestly. I can not fucking wait for this movie.....it is the thing I am most excited about in 09!

Read more about The Last Rites Of Ransom Pride here

Now the reason for this post, is this great interview where RWH talks about the movie, and he then plays a song from the movie.....and damn I'm loving this song.....can't wait for his next album, whether it's a soundtrack to this movie or a real album.....can.....not.....wait!!!!

News: Neil Young, Todd Snider, and some upcoming releases

First off, notice I've added little reaction thingies to the bottom of each post. This is so you guys can let me know what you like or don't like so I can do more of what you like, and hopefully less of what you don't :). I also put a button there for people who don't care but still want to click a button....

OK, so remember back when I told you about the upcoming Neil Young Archives Blu-Ray only box? Well seems Warner Brothers decided they like money and now have a DVD version available, for a little less moneys too (well....$13).

Now on to other news. Todd Snider has announced his new album "The Excitement Plan" will be out in late April. He has also just put out Peace Queer the Movie available exclusively on his website for a mere 8 bucks. Download the movie and you will get 3 exclusive unreleased tracks bundled with it. Here is the trailer for Peace Queer The Movie:




So some upcoming and just released albums you folks might be interested in:
(OK So I started out linking everything up but quickly got tired of it...you guys know how to use google I'm sure :) )

Out Now
The Gourds - Haymaker!

Jan. 20th
Bon Iver - Blood Bank
Calexico - Live From Austin Texas (DVD)
Ben Nichols (of Lucero) - Last Pale Light In The West (Official Release)
North Mississippi All Stars - Do It Like We Used To Do It (Live)
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast

Jan. 27th
Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream
Mark Olson (of The Jayhawks) - Ready For The Flood
Buddy Holly - Down The Line: The Rarities

Feb. 3rd
Graham Nash - Reflections (Box Set)
Willie Nelson & Asleep at The Wheel - Willie and The Wheel
Heartless Bastards - The Mountain

Feb. 10th
Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys) - Keep It Hid
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique 20th Anniversary Edition (wow that makes me feel old!)
Roger McGuin - Live At The Basement (DVD)

Feb 17th
William Elliot Whitmore - Animals In The Dark
Jason Isbell - Seven Mile Island
The Fox Hunt - America's Working So We Don't Have To
M. Ward - Hold Time

Feb. 24th
Neil Young - Archives Vol. 1
Neko Case - Middle Cyclone (click this link for more info)
The Decemberists - Hazards of Love
Nashville Pussy - From Hell To Texas
Last Days of The Fillmore (DVD)
JJ Cale - Roll On

In 2009 I resolve to.....

Buy more Neil Young of course (hope you guys got the blu-rays from santa :P)




Neil Young Archives, potentially the greatest box set in the history of box sets (yes, could be better than Sojourner), is set to be released in less than 2 months....on Feb. 24th, 2009. And buddy, it ain't cheap either, here's the listing here http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Young-Archives-Vol-1963-1972/dp/B001B8PV4U (make sure to watch the video)

Now Neil has always been pretty vocal about his disdain for the compact disc, and he thinks he has finally found a media that it better than oh so sweet vinyl.....that's right, Neil is going out of the black and into the blu (oh God....sorry about that people....). I'm pretty excited about this myself as it is uncharted water for any artist and a HUGE.....I mean GRANDIOSE project. I am not however excited about the price tag, but if this thing delivers....it just might be worth it. One of the coolest aspects I think is the ability to update the data on the Blu-Rays much like one would update software or a video game. Hopefully with such a hefty price tag, the updates and extra material will not incur additional fees.

Now for those worried about this being a blu-ray only release, I wouldn't worry too much about it. First off I'm sure some of the music is bound to see CD release....if not, you know it won't be a week before someone has ripped the audio and leaked it to the internets. So don't fret folks....I for one am going to start saving....

Scott Miller's new album now available for limited pre-order

Butter my butt and call me excited! Scott is making his latest album (not due out officially until next march) available for pre-order on his website. This is the same album that Appalachian Refugee demos helped fund (I got mine, didja get yours?). Act fast though, the info states only 1000 pre-order copies will be available. Not only will you get the new signed and numbered CD before Christmas (least that's what the site says) he's also going to throw in a making of a making of video available on the enhanced CD!!! hot damn!!

More info and samples below (check out the vid, for a killer preview)http://www.thescottmiller.com/forcryingoutloud.html

Kinda dissapointed however that I don't see "Appalachian Refugee" on that tracklist (by far my fave track off the demos)....cool to see a Tom T. Hall cover though. Oh and also nice to see a duet with Patty Griffin on Right Here My Love

Bad news from the Drive-By Truckers

From the DBT website

Y'ALL:

It's with a wide range of emotions and feelings that I'm announcing that we have parted ways with Jason.
The split, which I consider extremely amicable is the result of a period of personal and artistic growth from all sides which has left us with differing dreams and goals.

Jason joined our band, mid-tour, in the fall of 2001, shortly after the release of our 4th album (Southern Rock Opera). His impact on the band was immediate and profound, bringing an awe-inspiring combination of vocal range, guitar dexterity, and amazing songwriting and leading us into an era of creativity that has resulted in three albums that I will be proud of for as long as I live.

Life in a band is always a delicate balancing act of personal and musical chemistries. Having been in bands for most of my life, I still marvel that any band stays together for longer than a year. Especially if the band in question spends anywhere from 150-220 days a year on the road, as our band has done since 1998. That said, I have also likened this band to a family. A big, messy, sometimes dysfunctional one, but a family full of love all the same. It is in this spirit that I plan on Jason continuing to be a part of our lives wherever our roads and dreams take us in the immediate future.

Jason is about to embark on a tour (including a leg of dates with Son Volt) with his stellar band and will be releasing (finally) his amazing solo album "Sirens of the Ditch" <> . We all are wishing him nothing but the absolute best on every step that plays before him.

Cooley and I will have played together for 22 years this summer and DBT is about to begin it's 12th year of existence on the very day that we will be going into the studio to begin recording our 8th album. Cooley recently sent me a demo of five new songs and yesterday I demoed nine new ones for consideration. In addition to Shonna and Brad (who is coming up on ten years in the band) John Neff will be playing with us full time, playing both guitar and pedal steel. John was a founding member of the band in 96 and has already played on four of our albums and has been on the road with us, full time for going on two years.

It is my sincere and and adamant hope that everyone will support all of us, and by that I mean our band and Jason's, as we deal with this transition. Jason's tenure in this band has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me on a personal and musical level and our love for him and his music is in no way changed or endangered by our collective decision to move into different directions.

In addition to the upcoming THE DIRT UNDERNEATH tour and the recording of our next album, we will also be playing some special ROCK SHOW dates this summer and hope to do another leg or two of THE DIRT UNDERNEATH in the fall.

As always, the bond that we have with each other, as well as with the folks that come to our shows and listen to our records has always been one of the things that has set this band apart. We plan to continue on in that tradition and spirit and hope you will come with us as we attempt to tell another tale and Rock the nights away a little while longer.

Sincerely Yours,
Patterson Hood
Drive-By Truckers
April 6, 2007