Nashville, Tenn. — The Americana Music Association is proud to announce that eminent Austin City Limits producer Terry Lickona will receive the Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for an Executive at the organization’s 7th Annual Honors and Awards ceremony, slated for September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

It is impossible to overstate the profound cultural effects of Terry Lickona’s dedication, passion and vision. A native of Poughkeepsie, New York, Lickona made the move to Austin, Texas, in 1974. Originally an employee of Austin’s public radio station KUT, he migrated to PBS and assumed the helm of the still nascent Austin City Limits in 1978. An innovative new breed of televised concert, Austin City Limits first sought to capture key figures propelling the musical renaissance in Texas’ capitol during the 1970s, but the show’s borders quickly expanded to absorb and uniquely celebrate musicians from all over the world. Thirty years later, Lickona has produced more than 800 episodes of the iconic series, and artists featured represent an aesthetically diverse and internationally farmed collection of music’s elite: Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Juanes, Roger Miller, Van Morrison, Townes Van Zandt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Guy Clark, The Killers, Neil Young, Lyle Lovett, the Dixie Chicks, B.B. King, Coldplay and Roy Orbison hint at the depth and prestige of the show’s alumni.

The longest running popular music series on American television, Austin City Limits was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence, in 2003, while this September marks the 7th anniversary of the overwhelmingly successful Austin City Limits Music Festival. Today, Terry Lickona is the Chair Emeritus of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, member of the Latin Recording Academy Board of Trustees and veteran producer of numerous other specials and series for public television, cable, domestic and foreign syndication, home video and DVD.

The 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center by day, while each evening brings more than 80 stacked Americana showcases. The capstone of the festival will take the form of the annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, scheduled for September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the ceremony will toast winners in six member-voted categories and also recognize iconic troubadour John Hiatt with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting and Jason and the Scorchers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Tickets are available at $45 for the Americana Honors & Awards show at Ticketmaster and the Ryman Box office.

Showcase wristbands granting admission to all four evenings of invigorating live music showcases are now available for only $35 via www.americanamusic.org and Grimey’s New and Preloved Music, 1604 8th Ave. So., Nashville; wristbands will also be attainable at additional Nashville music retailers and other locations in early August. Registration for the Americana Music Festival & Conference is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members until August 13th. Fees will increase after that date. Registration includes access to all panels and presentations, the trade show, select meals, invitations to all sanctioned parties, a conference program guide, goody bag, a ticket to the Honors & Awards ceremony, showcase wristband and more.

For the latest additions to showcase lineups, ticket purchasing and more information about the Americana Music Festival and Conference, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

About the Americana Music Association

The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially.

Share This

The Band of Heathens - “The Band of Heathens” (BOH Records)

As one of the writers for this website I have the privilege of checking out new music on a regular basis. Some of that new music is astonishing and some is less than desirable. There is much of it that fits in-between. It is an absolute thrill when I slide in a new disc, in my car or at home, and have a desire to crank it up from start to finish because it sounds so darn good. The debut disc from The Band of Heathens is one of those discs I have had an opportunity to crank up on numerous occasions since first listening.

The first point to cover is the disc is very adequately produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard. Ray is still best known for writing the classic song, “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother.” That bluesy, rowdy, rootsy sound is still very much prevalent on this disc.

The next point is how much this disc sounds like wonderful bands I have embraced throughout the years, without ever sounding plagiaristic. At times I hear Beggars Banquet era Rolling Stones. I hear the Black Crowes at times. Even more interesting is how much they sound like Little Feat… a really good Little Feat. A band that is really popular now is Drive-By Truckers and those fans would embrace this disc as well.

For fans of acoustic guitars, Dobro, and lap steel, you definitely will love many of the songs on here. For fans of Faces style of loose, raucous, and groove-ridden rock you’ll get plenty of that. I am always a sucker fora great Hammond B-3 sound. If you love that sound, you’ll be glad to know there’s an abundance of that also.

Another point to touch on is the excellent songwriters these guys are. Many of these songs sound like an old classic song that would have blasted through FM stations back about 30-some years ago. From the PR sheet that accompanied the disc, it sounds like these guys are a terrific live band as well. They pack in the crowds in the Austin area clubs and I am here to proclaim, they appear to be on the verge of packing clubs all over the place.

The Band of Heathens offers up plenty of loose, raucous, and groove-ridden rock on their self-titled studio debut.

There are some very nice appearances on from Patty Griffin on vocals, Ray Wylie Hubbard on slide guitar and vocals, and Stephen Bruton playing mandolin on a couple songs. Bruton has played with Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton, Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings and many more. His list of musical accomplishments goes on forever, and he is a fantastic addition to this CD.

I happen to like every song on this disc! Its hard to pick out one that stands above the rest. However, I think I will attempt one song above the throng, “Cornbread.” I find this song irresistible and it makes me smile with an huge grin each time I hear it. Upon repeated listening, I’m not sure they are just singing about cornbread. Their tongues are planted firmly in their cheeks. Check out this song and find out what I’m talking about.

This is a very solid, enjoyable disc from an equally talented band. Do yourself and The Band of Heathens a favor and check them out. Musically, lyrically and performance wise this band has it all going for themselves. You will not be disappointed.

Share This

Darrell Scott “Modern Hymns”

Nashville, Tenn. — Darrell Scott is a successful and acclaimed songwriter, but on his new album the gifted musician turns to his heroes to find inspiration of his own. Out August 19 on Appleseed Recordings, ‘Modern Hymns’ is Scott’s honest, imaginative take on 12 songs from masters like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen and many more. Some of Nashville’s leading lights came out to help Scott with the project, including Del McCoury, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, David Grier, Mary Gauthier, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, and Stuart Duncan.

“’Modern Hymns’ is a collection of songs and artists/songwriters whose music shook me as a kid (with ears nearly as big as my heart). They guided the way to my own path as an artist and songwriter. These songs still inspire me and are a watermark held to the light: how an honest, open life brought to music can resonate with and move people. These songs are the truth; they are spiritual…and i do not know what more we could ask of any hymn?” Darrell Scott

Darrell Scott

Produced by Scott himself and recorded with the help of Grammy-winning engineer Gary Paczosa, the album was recorded almost entirely live in studio, giving it a pure, down home feel. At times it sounds as effortless as a group of friends over for an impromptu jam session.

A former ASCAP and NSAI songwriter of the year, Darrell Scott has written Grammy-nominated songs for the Dixie Chicks (“Long Time Gone”), and “Hank William’s Ghost” (from his 2006 album ‘The Invisible Man’) won him Song of the Year at the 2007 Americana Awards. Scott has had songs recorded by over 75 artists including: Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Hayes Carll, Kathy Mattea, Keb Mo and Guy Clark, for whom he co-produced two albums. He’s also collaborated with an amazing variety of artists including Bill Frisell, Steve Earle, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Jim Lauderdale, Joan Baez, Orchestra Nashville and many others.

‘Modern Hymns’ tracklisting:

1. All The Lovely Ladies- (Gordon Lightfoot)
2. Urge For Going- (Joni Mitchell)
3. Out Among The Stars- (Adam Mitchell)
4. Jesus Was A Capricorn- (Kris Kristofferson)
5. The Devil- (Hoyt Axton)
6. James- (Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays)
7. Frisco Depot- (Mickey Newbury)
8. American Tune- (Paul Simon)
9. Nobody Eats At Linebaugh’s Anymore- (John Hartford)
10. Joan Of Arc- (Leonard Cohen)
11. I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Met)- (Bob Dylan)
12. That Old Time Feeling- (Guy Clark)

Share This

Donna The Buffalo releases “Silverlined” on Sugar Hill Records July 8.

Nashville, Tenn. — Donna the Buffalo is twenty years young this year and as energized as ever. Their 7th record, Silverlined, which will be released on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 on Sugar Hill Records, builds on Donna the Buffalo’s signature sound — a bedrock of traditional mountain music infused with elements of Cajun, rock, folk, reggae and country. Throughout Silverlined, these undulating rhythms carry the original lyrics, and alternating vocals, of founding members Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear along a powerful, mesmerizing current.

Donna the Buffalo represents one of most respected ‘brands’ in the world of touring roots acts. The band has put countless miles on their vintage biodiesel bus playing the country’s most prestigious festivals and clubs. Their fervent fan base, nicknamed The Herd, follows the band with zeal and has created a unique and supportive community online and at DTB shows across the nation. As an extension of this community and the band’s own dedication to live roots music, Donna the Buffalo started its own annual event — The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance — in upstate NY which draws more than 15,000 people every year.

Unlike their last record, Life’s a Ride, which was recorded in DTB’s home studio, (The Tracking Shack, in Perry City, New York) Silverlined went many miles, and has many hands in its making. Only one track was recorded in their home studio; two were recorded at Yes Master studio in Nashville, Tennessee, ten at Echo Mountain in Asheville, North Carolina, and several vocal tracks were laid down at Sound Cell Studio in Huntsville, Alabama. Silverlined was co-produced with — and engineered by — New York-based recording engineer Joe Blaney, whose eclectic list of clients includes the diverse talents of Keith Richards, Prince, and Blues Traveler.

Rounding out DTB with Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion) and Puryear (vocals, guitar) are Tom Gilbert, drums (eleven years with DTB), David McCracken, keyboards, and Jay Sanders, bass (he recently replaced Bill Reynolds who’s off with Band of Horses). Silverlined also includes the talents of such well-known guests as Béla Fleck, Claire Lynch, David Hidalgo and Amy Helm.

Silverlined Track Listing:

1. Temporary Misery 3:20
2. Tomorrow Still Knows 4:51
3. Locket And Key 3:20
4. Garden Of Eden 3:52
5. Broken Record 3:18
6. Meant To Be 3:48
7. Biggie K 3:26
8. Silverlined 3:08
9. The Call 5:03
10. I Don’t Need A Riddle 2:53
11. Blue Eyes 4:03
12. Beauty Within 3:03
13. Forty Days And Forty Nights 3:55

Share This