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Happy Birthday Larry McMurtry

Happy Birthday to great American novelist Larry McMurtry. He's one of my favorite writers and Dad to one of my favorite singer-songwriters, James McMurtry. Read a few pages from Larry, listen to a song or two from James, rewind the Lonesome Dove miniseries and have a piece of cake in celebration.

Review: Eaglesmith Plays House Concert in Bend, Oregon

Whether it's an opera house, old church, dance hall, tavern or house show, Fred always delivers. This two-set stand at a home in Bend, Oregon sounds like another legendary Eaglesmith evening. (The Bulletin)

Eaglesmith Preview: Live in Sisters, Oregon Tonight

Nice article in the Bend Bulletin previewing tonight's Fred Eaglesmith show in Sisters, Oregon as part of the Harmony House Concert Series and providing a brief overview of Fred's career.  

Eaglesmith's latest release, Tinderbox, was in my top 5 last year and its songs of despair and faith still resonate as among my favorites in 2009.  

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Willie P. Bennett, Rest in Peace

Willie P. Bennett died on February 15, too young at age 57. Willie was an amazing roots and bluegrass  artist. He's already missed.

I first became acquanited with Willie and his music through his work with Fred Eaglesmith as a member of Fred's Flying Squirrels.

I'll miss Willie's maniac mandolin solos and his lean, lonesome background vocals.  I was always amazed how Fred's live shows sounded straight out of the Ozarks instead of Ontario. Willie was a big part of the reason.

If you haven't had the pleasure of listening to Willie play, check out his work with Fred or his solo releases:

Donate to Willie's family.

Krauss and Plant: Folks new fun couple?

Robert Plant and Jimmy Page brought new attention to American blues music in the 1970s. Will Plant and Alison Krauss to the same for traditional Americana music and roots folk?

Hear for yourself on their new release Raising Sand. Produced by Americana icon T-Bone Burnett and due out October 23.

Song of the Week: July Blues by Joe Ely

Planning music for your summer barbecue? Be sure to include large helpings of Joe Ely, particularly selections from his latest release, Happy Songs from Rattlesnake Gulch.

My pick for song of the week is track eight, July Blues, a sultry, guitar driven tune that unwinds like a sweat-soaked Texas afternoon.

Put it on a mix tape with an another Radio Barz song of the week from earlier this year, Ray Wylie Hubbard's Snake Farm. Add ice and tequila, shake and enjoy.