We got some early word on who’s coming to Linden, Texas, for the 5th Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest on June 18 and 19 at Music City Texas Theater. Some of the acts lined up: Johnny Winter, Zac Harmon, Guitar Shorty, Malford Milligan, Diddley Squat, Emily Elbert. The Bluebirds, Buddy Flett, and Honeyboy Edwards. We’ll be doing advance coverage down the road. Looks like another superb lineup of blues.
- Aaron Brand
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East Texas-based bluegrass buddies Hickory Hill have been forging their own distinctive touch with this unique form of American roots music for 30 years through several albums and just a few personnel changes. Their fortitude and success therein give them cause to celebrate, which they’ll do at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, at Music City Texas Theater in Linden. They’ve achieved plenty of critical kudos over the years and are still releasing new work; their latest CD is “Old School.” John Early, guitarist and vocalist for the band, attributes their success to the friendship they have for each other and their approach to music as a hobby, one they love to share with others. I interviewed Early a few days ago and will have the story in tomorrow’s Gazette on the Accent page. Tickets for the show are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets: Musiccitytexas.org or 903-756-9934. Oh, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and Early invites folks to come down then for free chicken and dumplings while the food lasts.
- Aaron Brand
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Music City Texas continues its individual talent competition series at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, with three area performers on tap to take the stage. Rather than the notable national acts MCT draws in to perform, this night is chance to shine for locals. Jordan Todd of White Oak and both Brian Grundon and Kelli Knepp of Linden will compete to impress the audience and judges.
Tickets: $10. More info: 903-756-9934 or www.musiccitytexas.org.
Other upcoming shows are Rick Derringer with The Wolf Tribe on Saturday, Freddie & the Falcons on June 6, the T-Bone Walker Blues Festival on June 19-20, and Brandon Rhyder on June 27.
- Aaron Brand
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Jordan Todd
Brian Grundon
Kelli Knepp
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Guy Clark is quite a storyteller in his wonderful songs, and he told me last week during an interview that it’s part of being from Texas. (He grew up in Monahans and Rockport.) Clark, a singer-songwriter known for his chiseled, plain-spoken songs and great live shows, will be performing at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas, on Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Clark’s last album was “Workbench Songs,” which was nominated for a Grammy, and he’s just finished another he plans to release later this year. More info on the show: www.musiccitytexas.org.
- Aaron Brand
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I had an interesting conversation last week with Patti LaFleur, the bassist for Acousticatz. They’re a central Arkansas bluegrass band coming to Music City Texas in Linden for the Winter Bluegrass Show headlined by East Texas-based Hickory Hill Band. LaFleur said they have a harder time finding bluegrass-friendly venues in their area and points east and west seem to have bluegrass festivals where they find larger crowds. Acousticatz has a different approach to bluegrass, more non-traditional and with a little country, jazz, and pop thrown into the eclectic mix. See tomorrow’s Gazette for the full story. The show is on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
- Aaron Brand
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Got word today that Music City Texas down in Linden has unfortunately canceled this Saturday’s “Battle of the Bands” event due to events beyond their control, the folks at MCT say. They plan to reschedule the event at a later date.
Next up for Music City Texas is the Winter Bluegrass Show on Saturday, Feb. 21, with Hickory Hill Band and The Acousticatz. More info: www.musiccitytexas.org.
- Aaron Brand
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For the last Saturday of the month, Music City Texas will prep the stage for talented musicians in the area. MCT holds its Spotlight Series Talent Show final competition on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m., featuring thee local men who are up for the top prize. Two Linden performers, Blake Hall and Kevin Lee, and Seth Parker from Atlanta are competing for Spotlight Series Champion. You can vote on the winner. A few former contestants will also perform: Jlynn Adams, John Dylan, Rodney Williams, and Daniel Jones. Tickets: $10. Doors open at MCT at 5:30 p.m.. For more information, check out MCT’s Website at musiccitytexas.org or give them a call at 903-756-9934.
Also on tap soon at Music City: on Feb. 7 it’s Battle of the Bands with Mark Cooke and the Cooke County Band, Framed, and The Blackwater Band; and on Feb. 21 it’s the Winter Bluegrass Show with Hickory Hill Band and Acousticatz.
- Aaron Brand
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I talked with East Texas blues guitarist Wes Jeans today for a story we’ll run on Friday’s Accent page. He’s celebrating his birthday and inviting you along for a Jan. 17 celebration show at Music City Texas Theater. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. This isn’t your typical birthday bash, though, as the concert also serves as the recording for an upcoming live CD and you could be part of it all. More ticket info is up at www.musiccitytexas.org.
- Aaron Brand
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Wes Jeans is ready to rock your blues, East Texas-style.
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Reuters has an interesting story about Merle Haggard, who played at Music City Texas Theater back in August. It looks like the Hag has no plans to slow down—quite the opposite, in fact—after weathering some challenging months recently.
Story: Merle Haggard Beats Lung Cancer…
Excerpt from the story:
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Merle Haggard is not letting a bout withlung cancer get in the way of his ambitious touring and recording plans.
Seven weeks after the 71-year-old country legend had a lemon-sized tumor removed in what he calls “the greatest test of my fortitude,” he said on Wednesday that he expects to work harder in 2009 than he has in 20 years.
- Aaron Brand
Staff file photo by Tanner Spendley:
Staff photo by Tanner Spendley. Merle Haggard performs to a sold-out crowd in Music City Texas Theater Sunday in Linden, Texas.
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Music City Texas has George Jones in town Sunday. Show starts at 6 p.m. Info: 903-756-9934 or www.musiccitytexas.org. Tickets are $225 for premium seating and $135 for reserved seats.
Just a week after appearing in Linden, Texas, Jones will be honored Dec. 7 at the 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. Other honorees this year are Morgan Freeman, Barbara Streisand, Twyla Tharp and both Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who. It’s an incredible honor for Jones to receive.
Here’s what Jones said on his Website:
“I am completely overwhelmed to be the recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor,” said Jones. “I can’t believe that I have been included in the same company as previous winners that are country music legends: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Roy Acuff and Willie Nelson. Since I was a young man, I have just done what I love and that is sing country music, and I never dreamed that something this special would happen to me. I am completely humbled and will be proud to accept the award!” (http://www.georgejones.com/news.php/2008/09/09/george-jones-to-receive-2008-kennedy-cen)
Here’s a statement from the Kennedy Center:
Gala will be broadcast on CBS
Washington, D.C.—The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selection of the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2008. Recipients to be honored at the 31st annual national celebration of the arts are: actor Morgan Freeman, singer George Jones, director, singer, actress, composer and producer Barbra Streisand, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.
“With their extraordinary genius and tenacity, the 2008 Honorees have redefined the way we see, hear and feel the performing arts. We will forever be thankful for the great gifts they have shared with us,” said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. “Morgan Freeman’s name is synonymous with great screen acting and is one of the most respected performers in American cinema. With his unique voice and extraordinary career endurance, singer George Jones has been instrumental in making country music a vital force in American life. Barbra Streisand’s trailblazing career in music, theater, films, and television is one of the most thrilling spectacles of our culture. Choreographer Twyla Tharp is an American original, whose work has indelibly enriched the vocabulary of modern dance, contemporary ballet, and the Broadway musical. As the heart and soul of the seminal band The Who, songwriters and singers Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey transformed the sights and sounds of rock and roll.” (http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/honors/home.html)
- Aaron Brand
(Submitted photo.)
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04 14th, 2010| 