It is warming up in Austin. Trees are starting to bud, and the air feels great. There were kids playing in the street after school. This evening, folks were outside grilling in the neighborhood, with clouds of fragrant smoke wafting in the wind. I am so excited about the coming of SXSW®, now just weeks away, because that says spring in Austin more than anything else. It is like a rite of passage. We are busy confirming our Music Fog Marathon four day event at Threadgill’s South. We will be joined by some brand new and some longtime friends, too. Can I name drop? OK...but this is a partial list: Malford Milligan, Ian Moore, Foster & Lloyd, The Civil Wars, Dave Alvin, Dash Rip Rock, Tim Easton, Susan Gibson, Jon Dee Graham, Carolyn Wonderland, Bruce Robison & Kelly Willis, Eilen Jewell, Sons of Bill, The Trishas, just to name some. I could go on and on, but we have to confirm everyone first, and that should be very soon.
I am thinking with delight about the back room at Threadgill’s South. It always feels like home when we get to work there. We love being part of the Austin legacy that Threadgill’s has had such a mighty part in building. I love the coming craziness of Austin at this time of year, after all it IS the "Live Music Capital Of The World," I would add with bells on, and tats and purple hair, or no hair for that matter. Austin is pretty weird, anyway. This event, as the world descends, goes a long way to further illustrate that “Keep Austin Weird” campaign.
Today’s vid is “Too Long In The Wasteland” from James McMurtry, taken from his Threadgill’s performance in front of the Music Fog cameras last year. It is the title track from James' 1989 debut, and also can be found on 2004’s Live In Aught-Three CD. That CD has been remastered and rereleased, including in vinyl. The Childish Things CD was just reissued as well. We had hope to get to see James again this year at SXSW, but alas, he is on a solo tour! Kinda like this video!
- Jessie Scott
