Category: Music News

Asleep at the Wheel kicks off 50th anniversary with new EP

The Better Times is Asleep at the Wheel’s new EP. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Founded in 1970, Asleep at the Wheel has been part of the American roots music landscape for more than 50 years. Although the band got its start on a farm in Paw Paw, West Virginia, Asleep at the Wheel became a cornerstone of the Austin, Texas, scene upon its arrival in 1973. Inspired by Western swing and honky-tonk country, the band has received 10 GRAMMY® Awards, was cited by the Country Music Association as the 1976 Touring Band of the Year, and was given the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Americana Music Association. They have released 31 albums and charted more than 20 singles on the country charts. (IV-PR, 2021)

Fifty years ago—before Americana or outlaw or cosmic country ever had a name—Ray Benson and his band Asleep at the Wheel were carrying the torch of some of America’s favorite music into the future with fiery live shows, droves of followers, and a mainstream swing sound all their own. Fast forward five decades to find Benson and crew still bearing that torch, albeit with quite a few more fans and albums under their belt. To begin the celebration of its 50th anniversary, Asleep at the Wheel is releasing new music ahead of a quick trip through Texas and Missouri this June—a preview of sorts for what is to come from their momentous anniversary year. On May 28, the band will release a three-song EP dubbed The Better Times, produced by Benson for Bismeaux Records. Benson takes the lead vocal on the title track, a hopeful original written while riding out the pandemic. Asleep at the Wheel vocalist and fiddler Katie Shore sings “All I’m Asking,” a rousing request to get back together, written by Band of Heathens’ Ed Jurdi, and Gordi Quist. Meanwhile, Benson and Shore harmonize on “Columbus Stockade Blues,” a traditional tune arranged in the spirit of Willie Nelson and Shirley Collie’s 1960s version.

Once The Better Times is out in the world, Asleep at the Wheel will be hitting the road to celebrate—not just the EP, but the fact that they are able to tour again—with a run of shows that will take them from Texas’ legendary Gruene Hall on May 29, up through Texas to Columbia and St. Louis, Missouri, and back down to College Station to end the run on June 20.

Asleep at the Wheel fans are highly encouraged to stay tuned as the band gets further along into their 50th anniversary year—2021 has more exciting announcements in store.

Catch Asleep at the Wheel On Tour:
May 29 – Gruene Hall – Gruene, Texas
June 3 – Birdsong Amphitheater – Stephenville, Texas
June 5 – Starlight Ranch Event Center – Amarillo, Texas
June 6 – Cactus Theater – Lubbock, Texas
June 10 – Rose Music Hall – Columbia, Missouri
June 11 – The Sheldon – St. Louis, Missouri
June 19 – Buck’s Backyard – Buda, Texas
June 20 – Rudder Auditorium – College Station, Texas

2021-05-28T12:29:00

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Release of The Better Times

Krause’s Café & Biergarten presents The Alex Meixner Band

The Alex Meixner Band will perform on May 27, 28 and 29. Photo: Krause’s Café & Biergarten, used with permission.

Due to popular demand, Krause’s Café & Biergarten is excited to add an additional night of music by nationally acclaimed musician and polka music favorite, The Alex Meixner Band, on Saturday, May 29 (the May 27 and 28 shows are almost sold out). Doors open at 5p.m. with The Lederhosen Junkies as the opening act and Alex Meixner will take thehttp://www.krausecafe.comstage at 7p.m. Locals are encouraged to come and enjoy the squeezebox sounds of The Alex Meixner Band while enjoying classic German favorites with a New Braunfels twist, such as Krause’s Bavarian Pretzel and Texas Schnitzel. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online or through Eventbrite. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2021)

Alex Meixner is a nationally acclaimed musician, performer, and a leading advocate of polka music. Alex has cross-pollinated his versatile playing styles through pop music, funk, jazz, and polka. He is an active ambassador for polka music, revitalizing interest coast to coast, resulting in sold-out shows, renewed cultural interest, and growing mainstream acceptance.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten
186 S. Castell Ave.
New Braunfels, TX 7813

Krause’s Café & Biergarten, a New Braunfels historic restaurant, opened in 1938 and honors the previous traditions of the restaurant with the addition of a ‘biergarten,’ live music, and more. The menu reflects New Braunfels’ German heritage as well as South Texas flavors. Over 70 beers are available on tap with local, regional, and international options. The restaurant also features cocktails and wines on tap. Krause’s Café is located at 186 S Castell Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, next to the popular New Braunfels Farmers Market.

Bluegrass Pride announces Porch Pride

The month-long queer-antine festival will run virtually throughout June. Photo: google

Bluegrass Pride, a Bay Area-based non-profit whose mission is to uplift LGBTQ+ musicians and creators in roots music, is proud to announce the second year of their immensely popular virtual festival and fundraising event, Porch Pride, which will take place all month long during June 2021. Over the course of Pride month, Porch Pride will feature performances by folks like Lavender Country, Rainbow Girls, Gangstagrass, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Jake Blount, Sunny War, and many more, plus a virtual Bluegrass Pride Brunch and open house, a beginner-friendly jam-along, and so much more. (Bluegrass Pride, 2021)

In 2020, after the pandemic forced Bluegrass Pride to cancel their in-person, Pride Parade programming, the organization made the pivot online, hosting a two day livestream festival featuring upwards of 12 hours of music that raised more than $23,000 for the LGBTQ+ and allied artists on the lineup.

This year, the Bluegrass Pride Board of Directors has expanded that two-day festival into a month-long event, kicking off on June 6th with Lavender Country Live with Bluegrass Pride hosted by critically acclaimed musician, scholar, and Bluegrass Pride board member Jake Blount. On the weekend of June 12, join BGP for their ever-popular, informal brunch gathering, open house, and information session – followed by a beginner-friendly jam-along featuring protest songs and movement music led by Nashville based queer singer-songwriter Luisa Lopez on June 13. 

The final two weekends of Porch Pride 2021 will feature two virtual festivals. On June 19, BGP will partner with Brandi Pace and Decolonizing the Music Room on Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival, a three-hour series of performances highlighting the seminal, trailblazing contributions of Black queer folks and trans folks to the Pride movement – and to bluegrass, old-time, and roots music. Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival is proud to be a recipient of the IBMA Foundation’s inaugural Arnold Schultz Fund grants. 

June 26 and 27 will see a return of Porch Pride proper, this time celebrating Bluegrass Pride’s fifth anniversary and once again featuring two days of live music, performances, songs, and fellowship with our members and fans, culminating in sets from Gangstagrass (June 26) and Rainbow Girls (June 27). See the full lineup below.

Porch Pride is the headline fundraising event for Bluegrass Pride, raising more than $23,000 in its first year. All the event’s virtual programs are free to view and attend – and will be available to view on our website and channels after air – but we encourage each one of our fans, followers, and listeners to donate to support the musicians on our lineups and the ongoing work of Bluegrass Pride. You can support Porch Pride here. You can become a member of Bluegrass Pride here.

Bluegrass Pride‘s mission is to recruit, encourage, and support LGBTQ+ bluegrassers of all levels, promoting their advancement and acceptance within all areas of the bluegrass music industry and musical community. We aim to uplift the genre of bluegrass to receive LGBTQ+ folks openly, and to promote allyship with all marginalized peoples within the industry and musical community. We do so by creating opportunities for community building and resources for musical skill development, such as concerts, jam sessions, showcases, festivals, parades, tutorials, recording, and more! Bluegrass Pride is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 83-3224672. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer.

Decolonizing the Music Room is a nonprofit organization using research, training, and discourse to help music educators develop critical practices and center BBIA (Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian) voices, knowledge, and experiences in the field of music education.

Pabst Blue Ribbon to host First Friday event at Southtown gallery

Pabst Blue Ribbon’s First Friday event will feature art, music by Steven Lee Moya, and more. Photo: Pabst Blue Ribbon, used with permission.

Pabst Blue Ribbon will host a First Friday event at its Southtown gallery in San Antonio this coming Friday, May 7 from 4p.m. to 10p.m. The free event will feature music by local DJ Steven Lee Moya, refreshments and more. DJ set by Moya will be from 7p.m. to 10p.m. Guests can hang out, enjoy the music and view art from Pabst Blue Ribbon’s annual can design competition, which highlights the work of emerging artists across America.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Studios
1112 S St. Mary’s St.
San Antonio, TX 78210

Since 1844, Pabst has been American-owned and operated, and is North America’s largest privately held brewing company. Pabst’s portfolio includes iconic brands with deep ties to American heritage, such as its flagship Pabst Blue Ribbon and others such as Lone Star, Rainier and Old Style. Their people and their brands are committed to embracing change and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Legión Alterna’s new single

The dynamic “norteño alternativo” ensemble from Chihuahua, Mexico presents their new single. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Legión Alterna, a norteño group originally from Chihuahua, México, continues their successful musical journey after their debut during the COVID pandemic. The quartet has introduced a new and singular music style, giving honor to their name – “Legión” means group and “Alterna” means alternative. Each of the group members has strong musical backgrounds, which have converted Legión Alterna into one of the most unique ensembles of today. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

Each member draws influences from different genres, including classic rock, funk, reggae, and progressive Regional Mexican. These diverse elements add to the group’s alternative approach to the Regional Mexican genre. Moreover, the members have also been part of other musical groups and have experience in recording studios. Legión Alterna performs a variety of styles, but unlike other artists in Regional Mexican music, they do not perform songs with lyrics that mention drug trafficking and organized crime.

Legión Alterna’s goal is to present songs with socially conscious lyrics that the public can identify with. Their upcoming single, “Te Va A Doler” (“You Will Feel Hurt”), is a ballad with pop-rock influences, and their full-length album will be launched this fall with 10 original songs bringing classic norteño and alternative rock influences together.

After observing the musical preferences of younger generations, Edwin Reyes (Bajo Quinto and Vocals), Richi Ibarvo (Accordion and Vocals), Gio Ramírez (Bass), and Martin Parra (Drums) decided to create a new norteño project featuring a diversity of other musical influences, resulting in the formation of Legión Alterna. Each member carries norteño music in their veins but also loves other genres, giving the group an alternative touch.

Their most recent single “Pasajes De La Vida” (Stages of Life), is a socially conscious corrido about a man who grew up impoverished but succeeded in life via hard work. Another one of their singles “Dos Caminos” (“Two Paths”) invites listeners to reflect upon the story of a young man and his bad decisions, which ultimately change his life. The lyrics also truly give justice to the song title, conveying how we all face the reality of having to choose between good and bad paths.

Legión Alterna is an original, alternative norteño group whose focus is to produce and perform socially relevant songs with impeccable execution.

Banjoist and songwriter Justin Hiltner releases Dolly covers

The openly gay banjo player and songwriter’s two-song single release features popular arrangements of two Dolly Parton classics. Photo: google

Justin Hiltner is a queer, disabled, IBMA Award-nominated banjo player, songwriter, and music writer most recently heard on the Peabody Award-winning podcast Dolly Parton’s America. His debut record, Watch It Burn, made with longtime co-writer Jon Weisberger, was released in 2018. Hiltner is Associate Editor for The Bluegrass Situation, where he co-founded and produces Shout & Shine, a showcase, column, and video series celebrating representation in bluegrass and beyond. He also currently serves as chair of the board for Bluegrass Pride, a non-profit with a mission of uplifting LGBTQ+ folks in roots music. Hiltner’s solo debut, 1992, will be self-released in the fall of 2021. (IV-PR, 2021)

He will release an A side/B side single on April 30, 2021, featuring two Dolly Parton covers, as heard on WNYC Studios’ Dolly Parton’s America in November of 2019. Country Queer premiered the second track on the Silver Dagger release, “Wildflowers,” which features folk, bluegrass, and children’s music legends Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer on harmony vocals. Stream “Wildflowers” on Country Queer here. Both tracks will be available to stream everywhere on Friday, April 30, 2021.

The two songs not only hearken back to the extremely popular sixth episode of Dolly Parton’s America, “The Only One for Me, Jolene,” which highlighted the queer narratives and homoerotic themes present in Parton’s body of work, they also preview Hiltner’s upcoming debut solo album, 1992, which was tracked during the same recording sessions at Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer’s mountaintop studio in Western North Carolina. 

As he pointed out on Dolly Parton’s America, Hiltner sees “Wildflowers” as oozing with queerness, a story about migration and relocation, living one’s truth, and trying to find a sense of belonging – all themes so easily related to queerness. “Silver Dagger,” the first and titular track of the single release, is less directly connected to Hiltner’s experiences as an openly queer person in the more traditional spaces of American roots music, and speaks more to his own coming out journey and the barriers he and his family experienced during that journey.

Hiltner signals that these songs are merely the beginning, his first forays as a true solo artist – and his first ever recordings backed by solo banjo, alone – with more singles and his debut full-length solo LP due in the Fall 2021. “Dolly Parton’s America was such a wonderful introduction to the world, in a way,” Hiltner continues. “I’m so excited to reconnect with fans of the podcast and with new fans, listeners, and queer family members, too, as we all go on this new journey together – the journey of Justin the solo artist!” 

“Working with Cathy & Marcy was a dream on so many levels. But getting to add their harmonies to this queer reimagining of ‘Wildflowers’ was especially poignant to me, as we strive for a more equitable present and future in bluegrass, country, and roots music, we have to be looking to the folks who went before us and blazed the trail!” – Justin Hiltner

Upcoming new album release: Room to Dream by Ryan Kinder

Two new singles from the album, ‘Hell Is’ and “Blame’ are available now. Room to Dream will be out July 30, 2021. Photo: google

Ryan Kinder launched his performing career as a teenager in the clubs around his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. His music has since carried him to Nashville and a tour with two of his musical heroes. Kinder uses his tour dates to bolster his charitable organization, Kinder’s Kids, that provides toys to children in the aftermath of national disasters. In his tour riders, Kinder asks each venue to supply a toy for the foundation. About his debut album, “It’s a riff-roaring rock with a sweet side of Southern soul” – that is how country music’s newest renaissance man Ryan Kinder describes the sound of Room To Dream. Two new singles ‘Hell Is’ and ‘Blame’ are available now. The album will be out Friday, July 30, 2021. (IV-PR, 2021)

Last week, Sounds Like Nashville premiered ‘Hell Is,’ a radio-ready heartbreaker inspired by an argument overheard in a YMCA locker room. “‘Hell Is’ brings to life the raw, agonizing emotions that follow a heartbreak,” the Sounds Like Nashville article reads. “With its genre-blurring arrangement, Kinder’s soul-crying delivery is augmented as he recounts his insufferable emotional state.” On the other hand—and further illustrating the ground Kinder covers on Room To Dream — Raised Rowdy shared a video for ‘Blame,’ a huge-sounding, guitar-laden rocker driven along with stomps, claps, and thick background vocals. Raised Rowdy praised the track, stating, “It’s loud, hits hard, and gets your attention from the start,” before claiming, “the track highlights just how powerful his vocals truly are while giving listeners a taste for his range at the same time.” Fans can hear both of these singles now at this link.

Today, Kinder is a proudly independent artist and he is ready to share Room To Dream. “I had a lot of time to figure out what I wanted to do after a certain time in my life, and all these songs came together with different aspects of who I was when I wrote them,” he concludes. “It was a beautiful realization that some of the bad things and not-so-fun situations led to the opportunity for me to have the room to dream, and to really be myself.”

Room To Dream Track list:
Something
Hell Is
Room To Dream
Tangled Up
Blame
Southbound
Want
Friends
Jane
Nothing But Time

‘Blame’ – one of the new singles from the new album

Mexican rock and pop-punk band The Supuestos release second single and video

The Supuestos’ ‘Apuesta En Mi’ is an animated video inspired by love lost during the pandemic. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Mexican rock and pop-punk trio The Supuestos are excited to present their second single and animated video “Apuesta En Mi.” Featuring energetic guitar riffs and heart-pounding drum lines, the song takes listeners on a musical roller coaster ride while the video immerses viewers deeper into the vibrant, animated world of The Supuestos, with the band being trapped by the same group of aliens that captured the woman in their first video. It also depicts a fight against a succubus-like demon inside a casino and other out of this world imagery. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

The single’s lyrics explore the themes of love and relationships, emphasizing how we occasionally need to take chances. Founder Kenio Chavero comments, “I once had a girlfriend who was scared to take our relationship to the next level. My feelings of longing for her to take a bet on me came out while writing the song.”

Chihuahua based The Supuestos was born during the COVID-19 pandemic and includes members of the Mexican punk band Seis Pistos. With no venues to perform live, Kenio, Yorsh and el Shinobi found refuge by rehearsing and recording, giving birth to The Supuestos. The new band is driven by two universal powers: rock ‘n’ roll and love. These two pillars serve as both emotional and artistic sustenance for the members as they continue developing their sound.

Their first single, “No Me Digas Adiós,” is a fast-paced, headbanging song that reflect upon the difficulty of ending a relationship and is accompanied by a colorful animated video by the illustrator Manuel Fermont and Sergio Jaso featuring aliens, milkshakes, skateboards, and a re-kindled romance. Tight guitar lines and drum rhythms sustain the drive from start to end.

Music, animation, and virtual reality are equally important for The Supuestos. The band’s goal is to immerse listeners and viewers in a cartoon-like world with a wild and fun soundtrack. Each of their videos are chapters of a longer story.

Renowned producer Fausto Juárez launches new regional Mexican music project

Fausto Juárez proudly presents his latest project, Legión Alterna. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The renowned producer, arranger and composer Fausto Juárez proudly presents his latest project Legión Alterna. Launched under his recording label Lamat Records, the new project has been Juárez’ primary focus the past year. He has been working full time on their new material, practicing, studying music, composing, and choosing songs for their productions, which they have been releasing every few months. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

In 2009, Juárez independently opened Lamat Studios, his own recording studio which has since grown in fame among celebrated artists and the important recording labels of the moment. Thanks to his unique producing style, Juárez dominates the Regional Mexican genre while adding his distinct influences that come from other music styles and his experience as musician with a contemporary, academic background.

One of his major contributions to Regional Mexican music has been the new subgenre corridos progresivos, a mixture of corridos and progressive rock. Both respected musicians and industry players such as Ángel Del Villar and Jimmy Humilde have sought out Juárez as an in-demand producer.

In 2005, Juárez arrived in Los Angeles to begin learning music production and sound engineering while he was culminating his final tour throughout Europe, México, and United States as both an active musician and music director.  During his time as a touring guitarist, he obtained the support of important sponsors, including Gibson Guitars, becoming the first sponsored Latino by the legendary brand. Due to that sponsorship, the company began a Latin division dedicated towards guitar greats from Latin America. His other sponsors included Rocktron, GHS strings, and Marshall Amplification.

Juárez has produced and worked with Regulo Caro, Alfredo Olivas, Grupo Codiciado, Luis Coronel, El Dasa, Fidel Rueda, Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso”, Chiquis Rivera, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz, El Potro de Sinaloa, Graciela Beltrán, Helen Ochoa, Patricia Manterola, Banda Machos, Myriam Montemayor, Beatriz Adriana, and other emerging and established artists.

Juárez has received two Latin Grammy nominations, both for Mejor Álbum de Música Banda (Best Banda Music Album). He received his first in 2018 with Luis Coronel and the other in 2019 with Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso”. His soundtrack to the series El Vato (season two) won an Emmy Award, and the series itself went on to win an International Emmy in 2018. Fausto also produced the main soundtrack for the series El Hijo Del Desierto, which was performed by Mexican singer El Dasa.

“My plan is continue developing the new project until next year, and eventually I’ll go back to the recording studio to continue producing for other artists. In the meantime, I’m 100% focused on the music production and the artistic evolution of Legión Alterna.” – Fausto Juárez

Las Hermanas García perform ‘Pobre Tierra Mia’ as Earth Day tribute

Las Hermanas García, ‘Pobre Tierra Mia.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Days before ‘International Earth Day’ (April 22), Las Hermanas García, two young singers from Guerrero’s Costa Chica, at just 19 and 20 years old, express with music and lyrics their concern for the destruction of the planet by singing a ‘Chilean’ song entitled ‘Pobre Tierra Mia’ in traditional music from their region. The video for ‘Pobre Tierra Mia’ was filmed in a dumpster near their village to highlight the destruction brought about by consumerism. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

For the new single to have an impact, they decided to record the video in an illegal dumpster, a place that symbolizes both ecological neglect and the uncontrolled use of plastics. These young women want  the current generation, of which they are both a part of, and future ones, to continue to enjoy the beauty of the coast. Las Hermanas García asked their father Mariano García, a poet and musician, to write both the lyrics and music of ‘Pobre Tierra Mia.’ 

Celia and Laura García, known as Las Hermanas García, are native to Ometepec Guerrero, Mexico, where there is almost no access to recording studios, stages, or music schools.  Despite this, the talented duo has been able to attract the attention of a worldwide audience with their interpretation of boleros and ‘Chileans,’ music native to Guerrero and Oaxaca. These artists have performed on prestigious stages in Mexico and Europe and have received millions of visits to their YouTube channel and other renowned music platforms.

Due to the popularity in their region of boleros with romantic lyrics, Laura and Celia began singing in public at an early age. The duo is reminiscent of the famous classics of the 40s, 50s, and 60s performed by popular artists such as Alvaro Carrillo and Indalecio  Ramírez. Las Hermanas García represent the Costa Chica and their success is bringing countless optimism to their region. Songs such as ‘Qué Sepan Todos’ and ‘Sabor A Mi’ both sung in ‘Amuzgo,’ their father’s native language, have received more than 6 million views on Spotify.