Great Bands At Farmageddon Fest This Week

If you live out west and need something cool to do, damn this looks like a good time. Cold beers, great music and the mountains, what is not to enjoy. Get out to this show!

Farmageddon Fest

Farmageddon Festival July 20th to 22nd - West Yellowstone, MT

Billy Don Burns & Aaron Rodgers At The Exit Inn Nashville

The squared circle is known for brawlers, titans, miscreants, heels, baby faces, tag teams and many more larger than life personalities. We have been posting on Billy Don Burns since we first met up with him. Billy Don's presence is felt wherever he roams and he treats a recorded song like his personal squared circle, doing battle with the grit characters crafted from hard living stories. This approach attracts quite the talent and this past weekend in Nashville proves the point. Have a look at the photos taken by Cadie Calhoun during the show at the Exit Inn.

Here is also a great quote from J.B. Beverley about Billy Don:

"Bill Don Burns is the perfect blend of saint and sinner.... like finding Jesus in a shooting gallery. It was a totally spiritual experience for me. He is an old-world outlaw, the last of a true breed. I am proud to call him an influence, a mentor, a friend, and my brother. If you want from the heart songs done right, look no further than ol' BDB, baby!"

Buy Billy Don Burns new album

Aaron Rodgers, Billy Don Burns and Robby Turner - © 2012 Cadie Calhoun

Mickey Sandora, Aaron Rodgers and Billy Don Burns - © 2012 Cadie Calhoun

Billy Don Burns, Aaron Rodgers and Cory Adair - © 2012 Cadie Calhoun

Aaron Rodgers and Billy Don Burns - © 2012 Cadie Calhoun

Mickey Sandora, Aaron Rodgers, Billy Don Burns and Cory Adair - © 2012 Cadie Calhoun

The Green Lady Killers Rocked The Dwarves

The time is right for an explosion with the Green Lady Killers and we know its going to happen in mid August. Why mid August you ask? Well dear readers, in mid August the Green Lady Killers are about to release a new single from their forth coming album.

Not only is this new single dirty, raw and exemplifying exactly what these femme fatales have in store for their new full length release, but it is also a game changer for them. Enjoy seeing them now in the dives and pubs because after early next year, they will be on big tours and on their way to becoming a house hold name.

Below are some great photos from a recent gig they did with the Dwarves in Oakland, CA at the Uptown Nightclub on July 7th, taken by the Owl Mag. Also be on the lookout with the Green Lady Killers to be a feature interview on Blag Dahlia's podcast Radio Like You Want.

Link to photos on Flickr

The Green Lady Killers live in Oakland with the Dwarves and the Fleshies

The Green Lady Killers live in Oakland with the Dwarves and the Fleshies

The Green Lady Killers live in Oakland with the Dwarves and the Fleshies

The Green Lady Killers live in Oakland with the Dwarves and the Fleshies

The Green Lady Killers live in Oakland with the Dwarves and the Fleshies

Flyer for the Dwarves, Fleshies and Green Lady Killers

Carolina Still, It's Hog Killin' Time

If you have been lucky enough to catch Carolina Still live, then surely its easy to understand how infectious their sound is. Their boot stomping and harmonizing has been winning them large crowds and a rabid fan base primarily rooted in the south east, but I have a feeling that is about to change.

Carolina Still recently cut a new 7" vinyl record over at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis and it's damn good. Hell, just listen to one of the tracks right here with Hog Killin' Time. Now here is the good part, you have to get out to their shows or contact them directly on line to get the new 7" vinyl. So whatcha waitin' for...

Check out Carolina Still on ReverbNation

Carolina Still's new 7" vinyl record - Hog Killin' Time, recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis, TN

Hellbound Glory At Hill Country BBQ New York City

On their recent tour hitting much of the east coast, Hellbound Glory played a killer show in New York City at Hill Country BBQ. Check out some great footage from the show with special guest on vocals Jessie Wagner

Watch more videos on Vimeo

Check out more photos by Grayson Dantzic

Leroy Virgil of Hellbound Glory with Jessie Wagner as guest vocalist

Hellbound Glory with special guest vocalist Jessie Wagner

Antiseen And Billy Don Burns Featured On New Releases Now

July 10th was a great day here at Rusty Knuckles Music with two amazing albums being unleashed on the world. Antiseen's, Falls Count Anywhere along with Billy Don Burns, Nights When I'm Sober... Portrait Of A Honky Tonk Singer. Check out the write ups on New Releases Now.

Link to New Releases Now for albums out July 10th 2012

Antiseen and Billy Don Burns featured on New Releases Now

Album Review – Billy Don Burns “Nights When I’m Sober”, Repost From Saving Country Music

Link to album review on Saving Country Music

"What a treasure this album is.

I’ll spare you the lengthy diatribe about what shame it is that Billy Don Burns isn’t a more heralded and recognized elder of the greater country music community. But rest assured, he should be. When you’ve produced albums for Johnny Paycheck and Merle Haggard, and had Willie Nelson cut your songs and appear on your albums, you deserve to be thrown a few more bones than what Billy Don has found at his feet. But you don’t need to drop names to know what a one-of-a-kind talent Billy Don Burns is, all you have to do is listen.

Billy Don Burns, Merle Haggard, Neal James and Johnny Paycheck

Then again, the demons that have pursued Billy Don throughout his life and career, dogging his successes with lapses into addiction and destitution make the start and stutter nature of his career understandable. Those battles are also what have fueled and elevated his status as a songwriter in certain circles. He’s deity-like to the people who know and love him, yet the general public is unfamiliar with the name (though they may recognize music he’s written or produced). Billy Don Burns is a force behind the music.


There are great songwriters, and then there are songwriters that define the apogee of the craft, songwriters like Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt…and Billy Don Burns. There are songs on Nights When I’m Sober that will rip at your heart like nothing else. There’s a great variety on the album with sweet songs and fun songs. And where Billy Don elevates the stakes is in the production and approach to each composition. With producer/guitar player Aaron Rodgers, they reinvigorate the late-era, rock-infused Outlaw sound that had Haggard and Paycheck seeking Billy Don’s services.

Aside from maybe Tom Waits, Hank Williams and a few others, I have never heard an artist be able to pull as much emotion out of a composition as Billy Don Burns does by slowing everything down in the tear-jerking songs that constitute the backbone of this album. “Is He the Writer?” and “Stranger” are two excellent selections that work in the traditional Keith Whitley-style self-referential method that calls on both wit and irony to drive home a tragic story. “When Lonesome Comes Around” is a lot more of a loose arrangement, and takes “darkness” to all new depths as Billy Don tells the story of a man inviting in illusion as the one last antidote to alleviate chronic sorrow.

Billy Don Burns - Nights When I'm Sober... Portrait Of A Honky Tonk Singer

The dark songs are counterbalanced with some really warm offerings, specifically “Gaylor Creek Church” about the by-gone culture of community churches and the warmth they instilled in a child’s soul, and “Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way” with its fun acoustic lead-in and lead-out and its positive take to life on the road. “Wouldn’t Have It…” is awfully fetching and probably constitutes the “hit” of the album. Night’s When I’m Sober is always on the move, with the motorcycle story “Born to Ride” and the touring tale “Aaron Rodgers and Me”.


What elevates this album the most, the intangible of Nights When I’m Sober is the authenticity Billy Don Burns can approach these songs with. The battle will rage on forever about if songwriters and performers have to live what they sing and write about to be authentic, but with Billy Don, the point is moot.


In the song “Is He the Writer?” Billy Don mentions the classic tale of the artist cutting off his ear to suffer so he can draw inspiration. Many artists and their fans love this romantic notion of art and inspiration, but few artists have the commitment to see it through. You get the sense that with Billy Don, if times were tough, he wouldn’t hesitate looking for a fillet knife, and that he’s done the rough equivalent of cutting his ear off many times before, and will again before it’s all over.

Billy Don Burn’s albums Train Called Lonesome and Heroes, Friends, & Other Troubled Souls are also worth picking up, but I think one could make the case for Night’s When I’m Sober being Billy Don’s defining release.


Two guns up!"

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

Purchase Nights When I’m Sober from Rusty Knuckles

The following videos showcase songs from Nights When I’m Sober with luthier Richard Peek making a gas can banjo in the background."

Billy Don Burns, album review on Saving Country Music

Heavy Rebel 2012 Was A Damn Good Time

When we set up our booth at Heavy Rebel every year, it makes us damn proud to be able to talk on all the new projects, the great bands we work with and most of all to be able to hang with so many cool folks. This year was another scorcher of a good time. Whether it be wandering the streets checking out the rides, talking shop in our DIY booth lounge or just catching as many bands as we can, the good times are always at hand.

Huge shout out to Courtney, Dave and Mike for putting on such a great event and most of all to everyone that hung out in our booth or we shared drinks with. The list is long and strong, so to all of yall, cant wait for the next time around. Maybe next year we won't have to get keep getting kicked out of the hotel pool at 5am every morning either.

Some sttand out sets that we were able to catch: American Speedway, Peewee Moore, Cutthroat Shamrock, Southbound Turnaround, Dielectrics, Carolina Still and Kenneth Brian

HeavyRebel.net

Here are some photos taken by yours truly, Mopar Rob and various others by friends on Facebook

Peewee Moore killed it on Saturday Night

Need some leg?

89 Speed Shop Gasser style setup

Ford truck brown and low

Yamaha XS650 by Butchers Chop

Ace Speed Shop with tilt hood

The Wiggle Room had plenty of dancing ladies

Butcher Chop custom leather seat

Clean Shovelhead with Split Tanks

The mud wrestling cooled things off for many

Hot Rods and classic rides lined the street for blocks upon blocks

Carolina Still had a great set

Antiseen Sets The Record Straight, They Are The Titans Of The Squared Circle

On July 10th 2012, Antiseen will be settling the score and proving that they are the titans of the squared circle. Their collection of wrestling songs will finally be available on one amazing disc or batch of songs in a digital download. 

These songs run the gamut of illustrious characters that have entered into death matches, brawls and all out street fights all for the fan's delight. Plus there will be one all NEW and never before released track* recorded especially for FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE!!!

Buy this album now in our store

Antiseen - Falls Count Anywhere, available now!

10 Amazing tracks on gate fold cd digipak

1.EXPLODING BARBED WIRE DEATH MATCH - A tribute to the over the top hard core style of Japanese Wrestling.
2. INVADER ONE MUST DIE - a cover of a tune from long time pals COCKNOOSE about Jose Gonzalez who murdered wrestling great BRUISER BRODY in Puerto Rico.
3. The MYSTERIOUS GREEN MIST - a tribute to the Great Kabuki & The Great Muta and their secret weapon of choice!!!!
4. FROM PARTS UNKNOWN - a tribute to the masked men of Professional Wrestling.
5. SABU - a tribute to the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, human highlight reel!
6. FUNK U - a tribute to the hardcore icon, the living legend, TERRY FUNK!
7. DEAR ABBY - a tribute to the Madamn from the Sudan, ABDULLAH THE BUTCHER!
8. CACTUS JACK - a tribute to the man who's name is synonymous with HARDCORE...before the socks and tie dye shirts...MICK FOLEY
9.BABY FACE KILLER - a tribute to ALL wrestling HEELS!!!!
10.* BADSTREET USA - Not a tribute to Atlanta, GA but to it's favorite sons THE FABULOUS FREEBIRDS with a cover of the song made famous by the leader of the greatest triple tag team in Wrestling history!!!!

Rusty Knuckles Presents - Rock N' Rassle Apocalypse

Billy Don Burns Interview With Outlaw Magazine

Billy Don Burns is a league all his own within country music. His songwriting talent is beyond measure and his new album is about to be unleashed upon the world. Many will come to realize far and wide, his sphere of influence after July 10, 2012. 

Billy Don's songs are epic short stories and take the listener on a journey through a world which is lived by the seat of your pants, focusing on the here and now. You can be rest assured this will be an album to be played for a long time to come. Nashville's manufactured outlaws should be shaking in their brand new and unbroken in boots, Billy Don Burns has crafted an album of Real Country Music.

Buy Nights When I'm Sober... Portrait Of A Honky Tonk Singer

Billy Don Burns new album, Nights When I'm Sober... Portrait Of A Honky Tonk Singer available now

Link to original post over at Outlaw Magazine

"Billy Don Burns is a true Country Music Warrior. He wears his battle scars with honor, depicting the stories of his life in his songs with brutal and beautiful honesty. He’s respected far and wide for his long career in songwriting and performing, and he’s still out there. He’s lived it and breathed it through lifetimes of country music passion and pain. Carrying the guitar like a sword on his back, he battles for the Poet. He battles for the Artist. He battles for the souls who defy modern convention. And every time he strikes a chord in some smoke-filled Honky Tonk, he wins. Billy Don Burns started out in this business working with legends, and somewhere along the way he became one himself.

Below is his interview with Andrea Fennel.

AF: It is obvious you live your music with fierce determination and passion, Billy Don. When did you first realize music was the life for you?

BDB: I entered this talent contest when I was in the Army, mostly to get out of all the hell in basic training. There were several acts and the whole post was there on the big night. Don Grady, TV star of My Three Sons, presented the winner with a big trophy. When I won that, I thought maybe I do have something going on for me. It was a pretty big deal. When I got out of the Army, I knew for sure this is what I was going to do.

AF: Who were your influences growing up?

BDB: I grew up in Stone County Arkansas, in Mountain View. I was into Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. Jimmy Driftwood, who won a Grammy and wrote some great songs, was my mother’s school teacher. Jimmy always encouraged me. Those guys would be my first influences. There were many more before I figured out who I was.

AF:  Tell me about when you received your first Publishing deals…

BDB:  When I got out of the Army, Merle Haggard was becoming the hottest country act on the planet. It was 1971 and I had a band living in the Palm Springs area of California. I told the guys that I was going to go to Bakersfield and meet Merle. They said “you ain’t gonna meet him.” I had read that Merle had a Publishing company called Shade Tree. He couldn’t write for it at the time because he was under contract to write for Buck Owens. So, I go to Bakersfield and look in the phone book and there was Shade Tree listed on Niles Avenue. I went there and said I was a songwriter and would like to play them some songs. The lady running the office said I needed to see Roy Nichols as he was in charge of that. Roy was a star to me. He was a big part of Merle’s sound, playing lead guitar in his band. I met Roy and played him a couple of songs. He said “yeah, man, we will publish those.”  Then he asked me if I wanted to meet Merle who was in an office with Bill Woods. I said Yes. He called Merle and and we went in his office. Roy introduced me to Merle. It was so great. He autographed two of his albums for me. Then, he said to Bill Woods “why don’t you get him on Jimmy’s TV show this afternoon, Bill?” Bill Woods was a piano player on the show that was on Channel 32 there in Bakersfield. That was my first time to do a TV show. It was all so great. Then some 18 years later, I got to produce Merle on one of the Johnny Paycheck albums.  The great Harlan Howard signed me first as a staff writer in 1972 in Nashville.

AF: Who was the first artist besides yourself that cut one of your songs?

BDB: Connie Smith was on Columbia Records and she recorded my first song the year 1973. Of course, she is now Mrs. Marty Stewart.

AF: What was it like working with Johnny Paycheck and tell me how all of that came about…

BDB: I liked Johnny Paycheck. He was not easy to work with in 1988 – the cocaine and the booze pretty much had him a lot then. However, I am not saying anything bad about Johnny. Hell, it has whooped the hell out of my ass a bunch of times, too. When it was good- it was good. But, it was not an easy gig. When Johnny’s manager went to federal prison in 1988, I became his producer and manager and, hell yeah, it was a pretty rough ride, but I loved him.

AF:  Any good road stories you want to share?

BDB: I think I will pass on the road stories. Most of mine are either X-rated or incriminating, so I better pass on that for now.

AF: What has been one of your favorite moments in your career?

BDB: My biggest moment in the business would be when Johnny Cash sent me a one page letter. That was the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. I gave it to the Stone County Museum in Mountain View, my hometown in Arkansas.

AF: On your CD Heroes, Friends and Other Troubled Souls, you have several guest stars. Who would be your dream person to cover one of your songs?

BDB: I guess I wanted a Willie Nelson record more than anyone else. He has always been such a great writer. So when that happened, it was so good. My first one he did was on his Sony Records Born for Trouble CD. My song was “I Don’t Have A Reason To Go To California Anymore.”  I would have loved to have had a Johnny Cash cut and I think if he would have lived longer that may have happened. He had just found out who I was not too long before he died.

AF: What has been happening with you lately?

BDB: This kid from South Carolina, Aaron Rodgers, ran me down and told me he was a big fan and wanted to produce a new CD on me. We did that and I am proud of it and I think it is one of my best ones. The CD is called (Nights When I’m Sober) Portrait of a Honky Tonk Singer and will be out soon.

AF: What about Music means the most to you?

BDB: What I love about this business the most is expressing myself and then have people write all these great things about what my songs mean to them. That makes me feel like a success. That is the best and it humbles me when I hear the nice things that people say about my music.

It is not easy being Billy Don Burns, but that is who I am and the only part that I know how to play.

Billy Don Burns, album cover photo shoot by Lance Dawes © 2012