Waylon Jennings: The 'Last Recordings' Of A Dreamer, From NPR.org

Great music is timeless. Real outlaws, never think of themselves as outlaws, as they are simply walking to the beat of their own drum. To understand the motivation and drive for Going Down Rocking, have a listen to this great interview with Robby Turner and Jessi Colter. It is inspiring to hear the soul behind the voice in Waylon Jennings and posthumously knowing these songs would be the final recordings, makes the tracks loom even larger. This album is beyond good. It is one of those recordings you put on for that long solo journey, wherever the road may take you and it just keeps on giving. Thank you Waylon, for being a free thinker and in the terms of chief, a wild onion. The world needs more characters cut from similar cloth.

Link to NPR.org to listen to original airing of All Things Considered

The one and only, Waylon Jennings

"Known for his gritty baritone, Waylon Jennings embodied the outlaw side of country music. He was 64 when he died of complications from diabetes, leaving behind a collection of vocal tracks that remained unfinished until now.

"It was almost shocking when I first heard it," says the singer Jessi Colter, who was married to Jennings for more than 30 years. "It took me several times to be able to listen to it. It sounded like he was there, that he's opening his heart to you, and he's telling you how he feels."

All Songs Considered Blog

How Waylon Jennings Took Over My Family's Life

Colter gave her blessing to her husband's longtime producer and friend Robby Turner to add instruments and finish the songs. The result is Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings. The album sounds like classic Jennings, with a voice that's sometimes a little rough, a little ragged, but never false. Jennings had a lot of physical troubles at the time.

"He wasn't the kind of guy that let on about his pains," Turner tells NPR's Melissa Block. "I remember one time, I said something about redoing one of the takes of the song, and he said, 'I don't think I can get through it, hoss.' And I realized then: That's enough said, right there. Because he wouldn't say that if he didn't mean it. But it was relaxing to him, because we had fun; we sat around and talked. It wasn't like another session for me at all. It was just like spending time with my best friend and my dad.

"We were so much like family that it wasn't a lot of questions asked by me. He started doing these songs, and when he started doing each one, I realized, 'Well, there's 'Belle of the Ball,' so that's one he's recorded before. It's not new. Then he told me to finish them one day, but the conversations that we had were sometimes totally off subject. I mean, he was sitting there one time and listening to the playback of a song, and he hit stop on the 24-track machine, looked at me and said, 'I can almost hear the part you're playing, and you're sounding great.' "

'A Vagabond, A Dreamer And A Rhymer'

"Belle of the Ball" was originally released in 1977 as the B-side to Jennings' hit "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)." Jennings once told Colter that "Belle of the Ball" was his favorite song he ever wrote.

"It's really about his love for the music industry, his trip of life," Colter says. "And his imagery, when you really look into it and listen to it, is stunning, because he could see so far ahead on some things that it would aggravate me. But in this, he came here just a vagabond, dreamer and a rhymer, and a singer of songs. And he's leaving. It's his leaving song."

Waylon Jennings died in 2002, and Turner held on to these last recordings for many years, until he recorded the other parts along with some of Jennings' longtime players. The guiding principle to finish the record, according to Turner, was "What would Waylon do? W.W.W.D.?"

"That was the whole thing; that was what I had written down on all my notes," Turner says. "You know, Waylon didn't really tell people; he took control and commanded his style of music. But he did that with hiring the right players. He would give us the layout of a song and how he wanted it to go, but we would play until he smiled. And that was our thing: playing until Waylon smiled."

"I think y'all were, too," Colter says, laughing. "If he was smiling, you were smiling."

From left to right: Robby Turner, Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter.

'It Was All Worth It'

There were tears, too.

"There were moments when a song would finish, and he'd say something, or [I'd] just hear him play the tail piece of 'Belle of the Ball,' that I would tear up while recording my steel parts," Turner says. "I remember looking down at my steel guitar and seeing the teardrop fall. And I said, 'That'd be a great picture, but I would never let anybody see it but Jessi.' "

Turner says he'd never told that to anybody, not even Colter. After a pause, Turner adds, "But it was all worth it."

"I Do Believe" is a confessional song about man and his troubles with faith. Raised in the Church of Christ, Jennings had a conflict with the church not appreciating music, Colter says.

"I think mainly what he wanted to say was, 'I do believe, and this is what I believe,' " Colter says."

Why Local Bands Don't Get Signed, From MetalHolic.com

How often do you go into a venue to see some act play and stand in amazement thinking on how great a particular band is. They could be on fire that particular show and melt faces and then poof, nothing. This happens more than you think as many fans tend to forget what they did five minutes ago, let alone go online or chase down a band to help support them. 

One huge notion to remember is that if you just had a thirty minute set, there are 23:30:00 hours left for that 24 hour time period. Now is the time to go and really build your fan base. I don't think we will ever see the likes of a band such as the Beatles again. The world wide hysteria, the young kids screaming with excitement by the millions. Well, maybe a few boy bands can do this, but in our specific genres of dirty rock n' roll, real country and punk, it is just not the norm.

If you really want to make a difference and be heard it takes a lot more than just writing great songs. You have to cultivate who you are as an individual relating to your music and sell yourself. Yep, we said it, sell yourself. Fans don't want pussies, they want the dream. They want to live vicariously through the words, the music and most of all the artist. Is there any other reason why individuals are put on pedestals? Take a look at all the Waylon, Pantera, Metallica, Hank Williams, etc. tattoos. Fans want to emulate their hero's. So buckle down, man up and make your career happen. History is written by the winners.

Think on the topics below and see what you can do to further your career. The world is waiting...

Link to original post on MetalHolic.com

11 Reasons Why Local Bands Don't Get Signed

"Dealing with the local music scene these days is very challenging for management, booking, promotion companies and record labels. To be able to get any artist to the next level requires being able to take the package and sell it to the public or other entertainment professionals or companies. Unfortunately, too often the product is rarely worth buying or even helping to promote further. Bands and artists tend to have this notion that, “Without the music you have nothing,” when dealing with industry professionals. While this is true to an extent, it’s not the whole story. In the industry, we can hire songwriters that have a proven track record, hire musicians to record it and make our own successful bands that we own completely and can control. We don’t need local artists with attitudes, little work ethic or strive not be productive in furthering their own careers. We all do what we love for a reason. It’s not always about being successful but for the satisfaction for seeing someone achieve their dreams so we keep diving into the murky waters of local musicians to find those that are worth partnering with.

The package, as we refer to the artist’s business plan or presentation, has to be ready to go and that is the artist’s responsibility to get there. It doesn’t fall on anyone’s shoulders to make this happen except for you. There is no excuse, what with all the free info out on the internet in books and magazines, that an artist can’t figure out the basics of the business, create a presentation and become attractive to the people who can help them get to the next level. Until that happens, it’s hard to get a manager, booking agent or anyone else to be excited about making 0% of 0% because the artist has created absolutely no demand for themselves. The money isn’t available in the industry for developmental deals as it was say 15-years ago. Thus the artist’s chances of getting signed on with professional representations are slimmer if they don’t present an attractive market value. Here are a few of the reasons that artists intentionally shoot themselves in the proverbial foot. This is by no means a comprehensive list, just some very obvious points.

• Not Booking Enough Shows: Most bands/artists want others to do this for them but in truth and reality, the artist should be booking their own shows until they are gigging at least 80-dates a year regionally and making money doing it. Why would anyone in the industry want to waste time booking a band that isn’t willing to do it themselves, does not understand the basics of promotion and end up making a small percentage of absolutely nothing for their work? There are no short cuts here. Pick up the phone and dial for dollars.

• Poor Promotion: Most artists spend very little time and effort promoting and usually post a gig once or twice on some form of social media expecting people to see it and show up on such short notice. This is absolutely pathetic. Especially in a band with several members, usually only one person promotes it. In no way shape or form is this acceptable, nor will anyone in the industry look kindly on an artist that does this. You don’t deserve to get paid at all if this is how you sell your band. Believe it or not, we all look at this and notice how well people promote themselves. Also, social media sites are not the only form or promotion needed. You still need flyers, advertisements and many other forms of creative promotion. It is not everyone else’s job to do all your promotion. When you are looking for opportunities with your gigs and no one shows up for your shows, you lose on many levels and miss out on opportunities.

• Misuse Of Social Media: If all you do is complain about the venues, management or any other form of the music business, you are signing your death warrant. Again, people in the industry and your peers see this and who would want to book you back at a venue or assist your band if this is your level of professionalism. You are a business, act like it. Grow up and quit using your bands page to complain. If you want to do that, do it in private where we can’t see it. This is common sense that seems to have escaped many artists.

• Wasting Time Goofing Off On Facebook: If you have time to post a million personal things on Facebook but don’t promote your show then you aren’t serious about this business. Stop spending time goofing off and start making things happen for your music. Facebook is a great networking tool when used right. The excuse, “I am so busy,” is quite weak when we can see your profile. This goes for both sides of the business, not just artists.

• Not Getting Back To People: When you approach someone and ask for their advice, services or whatever else and say, “I’ll get back to you,” then do it.  The usual excuse again is, “Sorry, I was so sick” or “I have been so busy” but again we can see your social media so if you are well enough or have time to do that, you are well enough to practice a common courtesy and get back in touch with people, regardless of the outcome you decide on. This applies to getting back to people on booking a show, a meeting, or any other situation involving your band, music or related promotions. It is also basic good business manners.

• Not Doing Your Research: Approaching people about services they don’t even offer. This happens all of the time. You see a business name and just assume at what they do but don’t even research the company. You are wasting everyone’s time and showing how lazy and unprofessional you are.

• Not Accepting Gigs Because You Don’t Have The Money: “Sorry we don’t have the money to drive that far,” is a ridiculous excuse for a local or regional booking. You don’t have the money to drive to open a new market but you do have money to buy beer, party with your friends, buy drugs, go camping or visit someone three states away. Again, your Facebook page gives this all away. If you do not want to play a show for specific reasons, then politely decline, thus hopefully leaving the door open for future shows. If you aren’t able to be dedicated to your vision and dream by planning in advance and having a band fund for specific use: gear, travel, other expenses then don’t even bother approaching anyone. You can’t build a solid fan base if you aren’t playing out.

• Not Having An Appropriate Press Kit: Everyone has been doing this long enough to know you need one. No matter if you are a band, solo artist or musician looking for extra work. Everyone should have an electronic press kit (EPK) and/or hard copy press kit. Sending someone to Facebook, Myspace, Reverbnation, YouTube or other social music site, while a plus, is not a replacement for a professional media kit. If you don’t have one, you do not show serious business regard for your own career so why should anyone in the industry.

• Sending One Line Emails Saying You Need Representation: Again if you don’t have a press kit and you can’t take the time to compose a proper business letter and introduction about yourself or your band, don’t even bother. All you are doing is showing how lazy you really are. Be professional, always.

• Only Being Able To Play Weekends: We are all looking for bands than can tour, not just play every now and then. It’s hard to break a new market and build a fan base when you can only play one quarter of the year. Not only that, but you are competing with so many other bands for these bookings when weeknights are so much easier to get. This is why people with families often get passed by. It’s too hard to coordinate everything. We all make choices in life and once you decide to get married and have kids more often than not you aren’t able to be on the road enough. This does not apply to everyone, as many do have support systems in place to allow for travel. If you are serious about your career, have this support system in place. No one makes any money if you can’t play so they won’t sign you. It may not be fair but everyone involved has to pay their bills so why would anyone sign a band that can’t make them money? It’s not about the music when it comes to getting signed, it’s about people earning a living.

• Expecting To Work Without A Contract: First of all, one of the main rules of the music business is…always get a contract, so why you would you even consider asking someone to work with you without one? Why would a smart business owner work relentlessly to help you further your career just so you can walk away with the success they brought you? If another agency comes along and offers you a deal and you choose to go with them, without a contract featuring a ‘buy-out clause’ your former manager or agent is screwed and may be liable for future booking, promotions or business deals being worked for your project. The standard industry rap goes that the “industry and music business” people are the ones that screw over the artists but I know from experience that artists are fabulous about breaching contracts because they do not want to pay someone. Our courts are full of artists being sued by companies for breach of contract so it goes both ways. No one should EVER work without a contract, period. No one should risk his or her business on a promise or handshake agreement. You will get the short end of the stick every time.

After years of doing this and dealing with all types and genres of artists, the most common reason for artists not getting signed is that they are not focused on their end goal. They spend money on things they don’t need such as alcohol, drugs or video games instead of putting it into their careers and business package where it needs to go. To be successful means spending money on your career, missing friends because you are busting your butt working hard, and taking your act on the road into new markets. Don’t expect your team to do it for you, to be focused on you and your career when you can’t even do it for yourselves. This makes no sense what so ever. Again, no one in the industry will get involved with an artist that can’t and won’t work as hard as everyone else.

These are also many of the reasons most artists will be let go by a professional company. More often than not, these reasons make it very, very difficult to promote you and sell your package and product or in general, make anything happen for you. This is a business and the artist needs to treat it like one. Be professional at all times, work hard always and get focused. Quit blaming everyone else for what you are not doing for yourself.

Without having a great package to work with and sell, people just aren’t interested in not being able to make any money. It is the artist’s responsibility to build their business to an appropriate level before expecting or seeking help. Remember this is business and everyone needs to make money, not just the artist.

Good Luck!"

Waylon Jennings EPK For Upcoming Goin Down Rockin, Also Featuring Aaron Rodgers

Billy Don Burns new album produced by Aaron Rodgers

We have talking about the presence that Aaron Rodgers has had on some upcoming albums. With the work he did with Billy Don Burns and now as a player on the posthumous album of Waylon Jennings entitled Goin' Down Rockin', you will be hearing a lot more about Aaron. Give his work a listen on Billy Don Burns new album, Nights When I'm Sober... Portrait Of A Honky Tonk Singer.

Get Billy Don Burns new album 

Aaron Rodgers is a force to be reckoned with in Nashville

Original write up from RoughStock.com on the new Waylon Jennings Album

"A new album from outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings will be released this September, filled with recordings the icon made during the last few years before his death in 2002. Jennings spent hours in a recording studio with his longtime accompanist, Robby Turner and together they laid down twelve tracks using just Waylon’s guitar and vocals and Turner’s bass. All songs were personally selected by the country star, ones that resonated in a deeply personal way and reflected his state of mind, his passions, and important statements he wanted to make about his life. The duo planned out the future instrumentation that would be added to the tracks, but Jennings was never able to complete them.

10 years after his passing, Turner returned to the recordings, finishing each song to honor Waylon’s vision of what would turn out to be his very last album. Bringing in musicians who had long worked with Waylon, such as Reggie Young, Richie Albright and tour mate Tony Joe White, Turner painstakingly created the album that Waylon set out to make. "Waylon knows he's surrounded by friends and all that hear this will feel as if they know Waylon in all his authenticity," explains his widow, country singer Jessi Colter. With his family’s blessing,Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings will be available on September 11 (Saguaro Road Records). No one has ever heard these performances before; they are Waylon’s last gift to his fans.

Jennings wrote 11 of the 12 songs that appear on the new album, a testament to the personal nature of the recordings, and they reveal an artist in the midst of a final creative peak. In addition to his own songs, the album includes Tony Joe White’s “Goin’ Down Rockin’” (on which White himself is a guest). In all, the album will feature eleven songs that have never been released before."

1. Goin' Down Rockin (Featuring Tony Joe White)

2. Belle Of The Ball

3. If My Harley Was Runnin'

4. I Do Believe

5. Friends In California

6. The Ways of the World

7. Shakin' The Blues

8. Never Say Die

9. Wasting Time

10. Sad Songs & Waltzes

11. She Was No Good For Me

12. Wrong Road To Nashville

Produced by Waylon Jennings and Robby Turner, and to be relased through Saguaro Road Records

Aaron Rogers, Billy Don Burns and Waylon Jennings Are All Linked...

In a matter of weeks, Billy Don Burns new studio album will be hitting the shelves and playlists world wide. There is also a key ingredient to this album, who has been an unsung hero and worked with Billy Don on the album over quite a period of time and who is also appearing on the upcoming posthumous Waylon Jennings album. Folks, if ya haven't heard the name of Aaron Rodgers, well remember it now.

Aaron is a guitar pickin' and slingin' magician along with one hell of a producer and engineer in the studio. Oh yeah, he is a stand up individual more importantly. Don't let us try to convince ya though, even Billy Don wrote a song about him that will be on the album.

Order Billy Don Burns new album now

Along with Billy Don's album he also was played guitar on the new Waylon Jennings record that was recorded right before he passed on, with greats such as Reggie Young, Richie Albright and Tony Joe White. With his body of work and reputation growing like gang busters, Aaron Rodgers will surely become a beacon of light in Real Country Music. A few major new projects are in the works with Aaron and we will keep ya posted on whats being cooked up.

Aaron  Rodgers plays guitar on the new Waylon Jennings album due out in September

Link to writeup on RoughStock.com

"A new album from outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings will be released this September, filled with recordings the icon made during the last few years before his death in 2002. Jennings spent hours in a recording studio with his longtime accompanist, Robby Turner and together they laid down twelve tracks using just Waylon’s guitar and vocals and Turner’s bass.  All songs were personally selected by the country star, ones that resonated in a deeply personal way and reflected his state of mind, his passions, and important statements he wanted to make about his life.  The duo planned out the future instrumentation that would be added to the tracks, but Jennings was never able to complete them.

10 years after his passing, Turner returned to the recordings, finishing each song to honor Waylon’s vision of what would turn out to be his very last album.  Bringing in musicians who had long worked with Waylon, such as Reggie Young, Richie Albright and tour mate Tony Joe White, Turner painstakingly created the album that Waylon set out to make.  "Waylon knows he's surrounded by friends and all that hear this will feel as if they know Waylon in all his authenticity," explains his widow, country singer Jessi Colter.  With his family’s blessing,Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings will be available on September 11 (Saguaro Road Records).  No one has ever heard these performances before; they are Waylon’s last gift to his fans.

Jennings wrote 11 of the 12 songs that appear on the new album, a testament to the personal nature of the recordings, and they reveal an artist in the midst of a final creative peak.  In addition to his own songs, the album includes Tony Joe White’s “Goin’ Down Rockin’” (on which White himself is a guest). In all, the album will feature eleven songs that have never been released before."

Goin' Down Rockin' - The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings Tracklist:

1. Goin' Down Rockin (Featuring Tony Joe White)

2. Belle Of The Ball

3. If My Harley Was Runnin'

4. I Do Believe

5. Friends In California

6. The Ways of the World

7. Shakin' The Blues

8. Never Say Die

9. Wasting Time

10. Sad Songs & Waltzes

11. She Was No Good For Me

12. Wrong Road To Nashville

Produced by Waylon Jennings and Robby Turner, and to be relased through Saguaro Road Records.

Hellbound Glory Busy Recording In Nashville...

This past week, Hellbound Glory has been busy recording some new tracks over in Nashville with Shooter Jennings. Cannot wait to hear the new material and the overall sound. Also included is a video clip of them playing Waylon Jennings birthday bash show in Nashville with Shooter Jennings and Jamey Johnson in attendance.

Leroy Virgil of Hellbound Glory recording in Nashville with Shooter Jennings

Worn the hell out after recording for hours on end

J.D. Wilkes of the Legendary Shack Shakers and Leroy Virgil of Hellbound Glory

Leroy Virgil channeling Waylon Jennings in the studio

At the studio in Nasvhille

“Go Ready” Bands in Country Music Right Now, from Saving Country Music

Triggerman over at Saving Country Music has a pure voice, when it comes to speaking his mind and backing up his words. He is a solid source of country music news, anecdotes and most of all a beacon in the night, when it comes to state of things in what we refer to as roots or underground country. 

Below is a mighty depiction of the bands that are ready to roll in the realm of country music. We all know this and these bands are the future, but many more folks need to hear about them so we can grow the genre with "Real Country Music" and not the watered down pop crap that fills radio stations nation wide.

Go out and see these bands live and help to support the future of country music.

Link to original article on Saving Country Music

"Hollywood seems obsessed with finding talent among the masses with their silly reality show contests like American Idol and The Voice, when in reality there’s a boatload of talent just sitting there waiting to be discovered right under their surgically-crafted, cosmetically-sculptured noses. But of course they don’t want to actually find any talent, because then what would they have to sell commercials for boner pills and high fructose corn syrup in the next season?

So here’s a list of some bands that are go ready, right now, no excuses. These are not fey, artsy acts, goat worshipers, or punk gone country screamo shows. These are performers that even using Music Row’s shallow approach to music, are marketable, young, hip, with hit-caliber songs ready for country radio, excellent live shows, and would immediately improve the quality and appeal of the genre.

This is just my list, admittedly short, so if you have another artist in mind, please use the comments section to share. And no, this is not about selling out stadiums, it is about creating financial sustainability for talented artists that deserve it.

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Sunday Valley

If music was roulette and Sunday Valley were a square, I’d push my pile of chips and bet on them all in. Sturgill Simpson and the boys are in the studio as we speak making the “Album of their dreams” as Sturg puts it, that will include a guest appearance by Hargus “Pig” Robbins among others, just announced as a 2012 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. But what puts this band over the top is their live performance that harkens back to how one must have felt when Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn took the stage before their break: an unbelievable, dynamic, jaw-dropping experience that leaves you awe-stricken from the combination of originality and sheer talent. Buy your Sunday Valley stock now and watch it rise.

“2012 will be the year of Sunday Valley”. –that’s my quote.

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Hellbound Glory

Hellbound Glory stock has been slowly rising over the last few years, but is still nowhere near where it needs to be. Leroy Virgil is like the Chris LeDoux and Keith Whitley of our time all wrapped up into one. The sideways smile, the legendary-caliber songwriting, there’s no excuses why Hellbound Glory shouldn’t be selling out mid-sized venues and making a fair living playing the type of country music that country music needs. At the least Music Row is a fool for not poaching the Hellbound Glory discography and Leroy Virgil’s brain for his songwriting gold to slot with their already established artists. Every day that goes by that Hellbound Glory remains mired in the underground is another day that country music isn’t putting its best foot forward, and is not making the best case of why it is an important, relevant genre.

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

Turnpike Troubadours

One of the best bands to see live, and Red Dirt DJ’s will tell you songs like “Every Girl” are great for radio. They have a new album coming out on May 8th called Goodbye Normal Street, and let’s hope this is the one that puts them over the top, and past the boundaries of the Texoma corridor. Unlike some of the other artists on this list who find themselves in their mid 30′s, where it feels like the window could be closing for them in the coming years, the Troubadour’s window feels like it is just opening. Potential has always been one of their best assets. Now it’s time for that potential to be cashed in for solid growth and success.

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

Whitey Morgan & The 78′s

When the question is posed of who is gonna fill the shoes of the true Outlaws and honky-tonkers, from the ones passed on like Waylon and Paycheck, to the ones going gray like Dale Watson and Marty Stuart, trust me, the answer is not going to be Justin Moore. Whitey Morgan & Co. are the true connection, the current torch bearers of the ballsy, twang-heavy true country sound that would expose all the pop country laundry list fluff from the first listen if only given a chance. Similar to how Bloodshot Records label mate Justin Townes Earle has popped in the last few years, now it is Whitey’s turn. Dues have been been paid. Now it’s time to cash in.

Young Up-And-Comers to Keep an Eye On

Paige Anderson

Paige Anderson’s ceiling is limitless. Amazing voice with natural pitch and control, and a highly skilled flat-picking guitar player, there’s nothing naturally holding Paige back. And as one of the young leaders in West Coast bluegrass circuits, and the leader of her family’s band “Anderson Family Bluegrass”, she’s shown the ambition and drive an artist needs in this competitive music environment. Young, beautiful, talented, there’s no excuses here, Paige Anderson is ripe to capture America’s heart.

Wyatt Maxwell

Another heartthrob and superpicker bound for great heights and who started out in a family band, Mad Max & The Wild Ones. A natural leader, he’s been out before paying dues by playing lead guitar for the legendary Wayne “The Train” Hancock and can slide into just about any band or vintage style of music and make it shine. The look and technique are all there, but what puts Wyatt into elite company is his sense of style and taste. As a guitar player or as a band leader, the sky is the limit for young Maxwell.

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

Another name I must mention is Ruby Jane, who will unmistakably be huge in music someday, so unmistakably in fact it doesn’t even seem germane to put her on this list. She has moved more into the jazz and singer/songwriter world in recent months and years after her time touring with Willie Nelson and Asleep At The Wheel, but is still a name all lovers of great music should keep up with.

Also the beautiful and talented Rachel Brooke may be a little fey for the wide masses, but her voice and talent is nonetheless undeniable. Just like how Emmylou Harris was the hottest commodity in female harmony singers to put on your album for so many years, Rachel could fulfill this role with the pain in her voice and such mastery of taste and control, while exposing her great original songs to the greater world."

SXSW 2012 - Another Banner Year

When attending festivals such as SXSW, the general modus operandi is to get out and meet up with as many folks as possible to network and see new acts. As life would have it, our batch of miscreants did just the opposite. We rolled out fifteen deep and created our own party wherever we went and never looked back with Rory Kelly, She Rides, Hellbound Glory and many of our local friends in tow.

Best Bloody Mary's in Austin

Leroy and Rico of Hellbound Glory with Billy of Rory Kelly

Hill Country Live at SXSW 2012 with Hellbound Glory, Billy Joe Shaver, Shooter Jennings, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Lukas Nelson, Chip Taylor, Roger Alan Wade and more

At the Hill Country Live showcase on Friday night, we had to break up bar room brawls (leave that to proud Texan Preston), we were to hush up so he could actually be heard by Ray Wylie Hubbard, as we were having to good of a time and they wouldn't even allow Jamie Johnson in the side door by the stage, saying it was too packed. Add in Dan from She Rides standing on tables and dancing, Hellbound Glory blowing away the stage and the one cool mofo that is Shooter Jennings and friday night will be going down, as a night of legend.

Billy Duffy of the Cult on the big screen

Local wrassler Cowboy James Claxton's koozie

Saturday brought about an easy laid back day in which we all decided to chill out at our mother hen's house in Austin with Tammy. Hospitality is known throughout the south but what we witness every year in Texas is beyond comprehension. Tammy's humble abode turns into a band camp and the beer and whiskey flow like a wild river. With that type of good time already on tap, who needs the crowds of sixth street or the cool factor. 

Zeke's leg is a living canvas of late night tattoo's

Rory Kelly rockin' the Headhunters stage

Once we had finally decided to leave the creature comforts we embarked on a mission to catch the Cult. Legendary act and rightfully deserved through Billy Duffy's supreme mastery of the guitar and the commanding presence of solid rock n' roll chops. Our main goal for the night though was to get over to the XSXSW Showcase at the Austin Moose Lodge for the weekend showcase put together by Hillgrass Bluebilly, Saving Country Music and Muddy Roots folks. We were able to catch the sets by Hellbound Glory, James Hand and Sunday Valley, but most of all we got to hang with Keith over at Hillgrass and talk shop on some new projects we are going to team up with. 

A "Bastard" sportster chop we saw outside of the Cult show

Zeke is a good buddy of ours and master spoons player, cigarette roller and metal fabricator

Guitar legend in the making, Rory Kelly never fails to smoke every band playing with them

As things are shaping up, 2012 is going to be a banner year in our camp. After hanging out with quite a few friends and making many new ones in Austin, be on the lookout for quite a few new projects coming out to the masses and for all the rowdy ones in Rusty Knuckles Music to be invading your local clubs sooner than later.

Billy Miller and Pops of Rory Kelly bringing the thunder to Texas Rock Fest

Andrew the drummer from She Rides

Hellbound Glory smokin' the packed house at the Saxon Pub for Hill Country Live

Rico of Hellbound Glory's pedals

KNCY Country - Digs Jay Berndt And Hellbound Glory

We are damn stoked to be working with such a station as KNCY Country in Nebraska City, Nebraska and especially their morning DJ and Program Director Patrick Monaghan. In a time when its hard as hell to cut through the clutter, getting the bands we work with to be heard on the airwaves is an uphill battle. Progressive stations such as KNCY are putting artists such as Hellbound Glory and Jay Berndt in steady rotation and proving that great Country and Americana doesn't have to come from Nashville. Thanks to Patrick for believing in the music and playing great acts that are helping to shape the airwaves.

Patrick Monaghan, morning DJ and Program Director of KNCY Country, Nebraska City, NE

If you are a college station, mainstream radio, blogger or podcaster, we are glad to get our music out to ya in any format needed for promotion. The bands we work with are breaking through the clutter, but we need the fans help, to open many more doors which will fill clubs far and wide. Become active and help to promote quality music. Get in touch and we would dig talking with those interested in helping out with our upcoming street team. Whether it be bands in the punk or country genre, Rusty Knuckles is about true grit, get in touch.

ralph.knuckles at gmail.com

Hellbound Glory © Juan Two Three photography 2011

Jay Berndt in his studio in Providence, Rhode Island

Original General Lee - 1969 Dodge Charger for Sale

Hard to imagine finding someone who hasn't seen or heard of the General Lee. You know them, the famous Duke family comprised of patriarch Uncle Jesse, smokin' hot Daisy along with rowdy cousins Bo and Luke. The Dukes of Hazzards influenced generations and made this particular Dodge Charger legendary. To have the money to roll around in this gem would be a dream come true.

Link to Barrett Jackson site for more auction details

"Lee 1 was purchased by a California movie studio in 1978, soon to become "The most famous television car in the world." Lee 1 was featured several times in the first episode of CBS' hit television series "The Dukes of Hazzard." This episode titled "One-Armed Bandits," aired on January 26, 1979 and was filmed in the Covington, Conyers and Oxford area of Georgia. The show's opening sequence, featuring Bo and Luke Duke, included the clip of Lee1 jumping over a Hazzard County police cruiser. That jump, for which Lee 1 is most famous, was made by a stunt man on the campus of Oxford College on Saturday 11, 1978. Lee 1's first and only jump was 16 feet up and over the cruiser, landing 82 feet from the take off ramp. The only cast member that ever drove Lee 1 was John Schneider, who played Bo Duke. After 23 years in a junkyard, in Metro Atlanta, Lee 1 was rescued and professionally, passionately restored to pre-jump condition over a 16 month period. Lee 1 is truly an American Icon." General Lee #1 up for sale by Barret Jackson 383ci Mopar Four Barrel Engine with 4 Speed Automatic Transmission General Lee #1 up for sale by Barret Jackson General Lee #1 interior complete with cb for calling in Cooter on missions General Lee #1 up for sale by Barret Jackson