This morning dawned with rolling clouds, rumbles of thunder, and pelting rain in Austin. Perfect for reflecting on an amazing Labor Day Weekend of music.
Started Thursday night at Whitewater Amphitheater with Mike McClure of Great Divide fame. An unsung hero for sure. He has a string of CDs out under his name, and The Mike McClure Band moniker, the latest being Onion. In his "spare time" he has garnered some impressive producer credits, as his most recent effort is the new Cross Canadian Ragweed CD Happiness And All The Other Things.
Friday night, it was the former Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash, who have changed their name to Mark Stuart and The Bastard Sons. (He is not the same Mark Stuart who is Stacey Earle's partner….) This Mark has a mellifluous baritone and honky tonk sensibility, and they have a new CD coming out, Bend In The Road. They were in fine form as they opened for Chris Knight at Gruene Hall. Chris just might qualify as an honorary Texan, as folks just GET his music here. There is the darkness and the intestinal fortitude written into the DNA of his songs that makes this Kentuckian totally relatable. Chris is just releasing his second album of demo versions, Trailer II, which contains three never before heard songs. I got to talk to him after the show, and he shared that he, having the earliest stirrings of knowing, has to get back into the studio to record a new album. And BTW, his band TOTALLY rocks!
Saturday night was jam packed at Whitewater Amphitheater, as the Band Of Heathens (new CD is One Foot In The Ether) opened for Cross Canadian Ragweed, who have fine tuned their act to the pure energy that is a rock and roll show, and then Americana icon and poet laureate Robert Earl Keen, who also has a new CD coming out September 29 called Rose Hotel.
- Jessie -