Stone River Boys "Love On The Dial"

The Stone River Boys grew out of the Hacienda Brothers, the Dave Gonzalez/Chris Gaffney led outfit, which ended with Chris' untimely and unexpected death from liver cancer in April of 2008. Gonzalez assembled an all star band to play Hacienda dates that were on the books for that summer. The new band, like the old, is steeped in country, soul and 60's R&B. Now, there are buzz bands in Austin, TX, as I am sure there are in other music scene cities. But many times in Austin, they enjoy club residencies. The Boys do the Wednesday happy hour at The Continental Club, which is simply THE place to be.

The Stone River Boys legend is growing; look for their album Love On The Dial later this spring. I saw them a few weeks ago, and was immediately captivated. Mike Barfield, formerly of The Hollisters is magnetic. Dave Gonzales is a guitar hero. Scott Esbeck is a monster bassist. There is super solid drumming in Mark Patterson. On masterful steel, Gary Newcomb. And just pure fun! I challenge you not to boogie to this! And don't miss the dance steps, from the stage at Threadgill's WHQ!

-Jessie

Uncle Lucius "Now"

I just deleted 90 emails, and feel like I can face the world again. Well maybe not the world, as we had them in our space yesterday, the back room at Threadgill's South, from 11 am on for day one of the Music Fog Madness---our unofficial showcase at SXSW. And all this on 4 hours sleep...10 bands, countless people in the audience, occasional forays into the sunshine for some world class squinting. Austin is perfect this time of year. California-style sunshine, low humidity, chill mornings and warm afternoons.

The Fog rolled into action early. We filmed Troy Campbell, Rosie Flores, The Wronglers, Uncle Lucius, The Trishas, Sahara Smith, James McMurtry, Jess Klein, The Winchester Twin, and Rykarda Parasol. They were all different, it was a delicious smorgasbord of sounds. The room ebbed and flowed, there was chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken, Dr. Pepper, and LOTS of vegetables. Sitting here thinking back on day one, it is hard to even decide what we should bring you first. So here is one that blew us away. Promise, there will be many more!

Last year we got turned on to this band for the first time. They are Uncle Lucius. They have had quite the year, with a new CD coming out, and of late, have been opening for Leon Russell on some dates! They were solid when we recorded them last year during SX. This year, they have polished it to a high sheen. I love the way they infuse the edgy guitar rock flavor into the feel good Southern jam band boogie. See if you don't agree. Here's a new song that hasn't been released yet, "Now."

-Jessie

Suzi Ragsdale "I Found Jesus"

Some folks are "to the manor born." Enter Suzi Ragsdale. Her website is interesting: Music, Yoga and Cooking. She made her debut with the kiddie chorus on her father, Ray Stevens, recording of "Everything Is Beautiful." She has appeared on a glittering list of other people's albums. And she has been collaborating with one of my heroes, Darrell Scott, since 1991. Her label is called Stark Raven Records, I like that!!!!! And her latest project is called Best Regards.

Now, we had had all kinds of instruments on the bus during Folk Alliance. Upright basses, mandos, dobros, fiddles, weird percussion; we take it all in stride and anticipation. Then Suzi Ragsdale brought the first keyboard. And we realized we didn't have the proper cables for this particular unit. It became a mad scramble through gig bags to get the right converters, and voila, it took three different cables, but we got it done. Mind you three cables from three different people. And satisfied with ourselves, we rested, grins on our faces. Suzi said she wanted to get a prop out for the song she was about to play, and she scruffed around in her gig bag, and pulled out a Jesus figurine. And the tale ensued, and then this song.

-Jessie