The Twang Dang Doodle was held on Sunday – October 11th.
Artists Bios, and the Final Performance Schedule, Below
A SongSet of All Performers (1.5 hrs)
Dear KUT Listening Community,
SaveKUTAustin is concerned about the commercialization, or “focus,” of our public radio station. We feel we have achieved the initial goal of communicating our concern to the general public through an ever-growing Facebook site and dedicated website, the local media, and a blogosphere extending far beyond Austin’s city limits. In addition, thanks to the hard work of a small army of volunteers and the willingness of club owners, we pulled off a successful Twang Dang Doodle with some of Austin’s finest musicians—in spite of the depredations of Texas weather. As we look to the long term, we plan additional events to further expand local awareness of the situation.
We have met with Dean Rod Hart of the School of Communication and are seeking a continuing engagement with KUT management, though it is clear they don’t believe we have reached a “threshold ” for negotiations. The perception, though, is that in some manner they have responded to expressed public discontent.
We will continue to engage in a public-information campaign to further examine different aspects of the current focus at our public radio station. We do encourage KUT listeners to become actively involved in attempting to influence programming. It is our hope to ultimately set up a mechanism whereby there can be significant input by the listening community.
SaveKUTAustin cannot advocate a boycott of the
2009 KUT Fall Pledge Drive or its business underwriters.
Sincerely,
SaveKUTAustin
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Band’s and Musician’s Bios:
Saxon Pub (was moved from Threadgill’s World Headquarters )
Beto y los Fairlanes
Beto and the Fairlanes began in the late 70s as a dance-party-jam-band that mostly performed the compositions of Robert “Beto” Skiles, the group’s leader. With an early start on KUT, dancing to Beto beneath the stars became a truly Austin experience. This incredible hotbed of artists inspired the creation of the groundbreaking music show Austin City Limits.
From these fertile beginnings, the popularity of Beto and the Fairlanes continued to grow with their unique blend of Latin Jazz, Swing and World Beat music. As The International Band Of Texas, they have remained one of the most original groups to come out of Austin. Their sixth CD Conga Dog is classic Beto: a fun mix of original music that will delight concert audiences and pack the dance floor! Viva Beto!
Extreme Heat
Extreme Heat is Austin’s own funky music ensemble which has been described as a cross between Steely Dan and James Brown. Their compelling rhythms and biting Neil Pederson-written lyrics have been rocking Austin since 1977. Original members Bruce Spelman, Neil Pederson, and Mike Barnes have been described by Cleve Hattersley as Austin’s “School of Funk.” Extreme Heat alumnus have gone on to play with Chris Isaacs, Kelly Willis, Lee Greenwood, Faith Hill, Joe Ely, Monty Montgomery, Eric Johnson, and Abra Moore. Extreme Heat will still pledge allegiance to the groove, and their audience still clamors to get funkified.
Greezy Wheels with Toni Price
Greezy Wheels’ music is a raucous blend of rock, blues, and country. At one time, they were the only band with a female fiddler, Sweet Mary Hattersley. Sweet Mary consistently brings the crowd to a screaming frenzy with her version of Orange Blossom Special. A recent review said, “Greezy Wheels … go way, way back in Austin music history, all the way to Armadillo World Headquarters days. Yet their new songs — sometimes satirical, sometimes spiritual — feel right at home in the 21st century.”
Toni Price
Austin knows her magical, soulful voice which can transform folk and blues songs into a connection with the audience, always impressive as her crowds heap adoration on the venerable singer. Price has recently returned to her Tuesday evening time slot at the Continental Club. Welcome back home, Toni!
Papa Mali with Bill Kreutzmann (drummer for the Grateful Dead)
Papa Mali’s New Orleans swamp and funk rock guttural vocals and his guitar explorations transport an audience. Bill Kreutzmann’s drumming is strong and distinctive, displaying that certain looseness of swing, yet solidly centering on the general beat that underscored the Dead’s music so well. They play familiar Dead material which Papa Mali has put his own original stamp on, music with a rougher, edgier sound. Kreutzmann, who anchors things well with his original style, creates an authentic extension of the Dead’s tunes. Come hear some Dead music that is well, not dead!
Tex Thomas and the Danglin’ Wranglers, with guest R.C. Banks
The conception of the Danglin’ Wranglers in the 80s brought together a band of musicians that will inspire you, make you laugh, and even make you cry. The power of Harvey ‘Tex’ Thomas’s lyrics has never been denied. The skill in Danny Levin’s fingers, whether floating the ivory keys or sliding along the strings of his violin, is talent few possess. Jon Blondell’s musical soul is best heard through his trombone. And Frosty Smith is as skilled and passionate a drummer as there is. For ten years Tex Thomas and his Danglin’ Wranglers entertained at Hut’s Hamburgers in Austin every Sunday night. True to Texas form, Harvey’s music has never been fit to categorize. His songs range from ballad to soul, from country to jazz.
Now at Güeros on S. Congress the first Sunday of every month, the band is strong as ever. Fans who have been listening for 20 years often attend. If caught on the dance floor you’ll be able to waltz, two-step, tango, salsa, swing and jive. A patriot of his country and his heritage, a messiah with a microphone, a 1960s hippie ready to up the revolution, a family man, a believer in God, a partier, a rock star…Tex comes in many forms. For him, however, one thing has never changed, which is that it’s always been about the music, about the ability to touch hearts and change minds, to invoke thought and feeling, to instill passion and hope, understanding and acceptance. It’s these qualities that keep his fans coming back for more. Tex Thomas and the Danglin’ Wranglers is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Big Circle Tx
Based in Austin, this three-piece group presents an acoustic, americana and folk rock sound that pleases Austin audiences every time.
Kalua
Kalua is comprised of four young, charismatic, Latin men from Austin — Juan Diaz (Mexico), vocals and guitar; Andres Junca, (Columbia) guitar; Andres Delgado, (Venezuela) drums; and Andres Acevedo, (Columbia) bass. Their sound, which combines rock, reggae, punk and Latin, is sung mainly in Spanish. In August, Kalua’s new video, La Novedad, was released in the US and Venezuela simultaneously as part of the promo and media tour.
M.C.Overlord (last show)
Ten Time Austin Music Award Winner M.C. Overlord is playing his last show! Known as Don Robinson, he came to Austin in 1987, taking his name from the cartoon show Blackstar. Renowned in the 1990s for his great shows, he was one of the only local MCs at the time using a live band to back him instead of just a DJ. He is talented, gives a great show, and his magnetic stage personality has been well embraced in Austin. Everyone will have a good time at his final public appearance.
Vallejo
Heard frequently on KUT, Vallejo is one of the most popular bands to hail from Austin. Growing up of Mexican and Guatemalan descent, Vallejo’s music includes the Latin sounds of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Tito Puente, and Santana, to name a few. They have combined their Latin sounds with sounds of rock and funk bands like Aerosmith and James Brown, creating a melting pot of great sound. They have won many awards, including “Best Rock Band” two years in a row at the Austin Music Awards. Austin’s “Aguila Award,” which recognizes achievement in the Latin Community, awarded the band their own “Vallejo Day.” Vallejo’s songs have been featured in several TV shows, such as WB’s Roswell, MTV’s Road Rules,and UPN’s America’s Next Top Model.
Luis Banuelos
Exposed to music at an early age in LA, Luis Banuelos found a guitar in a trash dumpster when he was 14. Since then he has woven a sound from classical and flamingo to hip-hop, rap, jazz, soul and Hindu. He is a rising Austin star.
Del Castillo
Del Castillo began in the fall of 2000 as a Latin flamenco-style project between two brothers, Rick and Mark del Castillo. After expanding the band line-up, they began writing material, fusing many styles and influences, all while retaining a solid Latin element. The band released their debut CD Brothers of the Castle in 2001, which received rave reviews. “Absolutely some of the best Spanish guitar that I have ever heard!” wrote AustinExperience.com. They then crafted their follow-up release, Vida. The Austin Chronicle said, “If Vida is proof, their road to fame will be as short as an I-35 entrance ramp.” Recognition, if not fame, came calling in the form of an invitation to appear on the soundtrack of director Robert Rodriguez’s “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” as well as the honor of winning “Best Austin Band of the Year” at the 2002-2003 Austin Music Awards. Del Castillo’s signature non-traditional sound has been igniting clubs, radio stations, festivals, and stages all over Texas for eight years. Del Castillo draws from an infinite well of sonic landscapes, gracefully fusing old world gitano and new world flamenco with rock & blues.
Cedar Street Courtyard
(doors open at 5:30 pm, show at 6 pm)
Ephraim Owens Quintet
The Austin Chronicle has named Ephraim Owens The Best Horn in Austin. As a bandleader who plays trumpet and flugelhorn, he and the group are a mainstay on the Austin jazz scene, often seen at the Elephant Room on Congress.a musician,
Monster Big Band
The Monster Big Band is a collection of 23 of the the finest jazz and commercial musicians in Austin. Members of the local area bands Mingo Fishtrap, Los Jazz Vatos, The Lucky Strikes, The Atlantics, Duck Soup, Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes,The Stingers and The Scabs all come together to play hard driving swing with an a great local attitude.
Salaman, featuring Ben Marines
This is a contemporary and traditional mariachi and conjunto band that has a rich history in Austin and Central Texas.
Joanna Barbera
Joanna Barbera’s style is a haunting fusion of introspective folk and ethereal pop. Reminiscent of the songwriting styles of Tori Amos and Cat Power, her debut album Carnival Beginnings is a richly textured rumination on love, death and religion. Since its release in January 2009, six of its eleven songs have been placed on MTV productions such as “College Life” and “16 and Pregnant.” While she resides in Austin, hers is a universal voice.
Aimee Bobruk
“Nothing less than a work of art” is what Performing Songwriter says of Aimee Bobruk’s latest work. In what she terms indie/ambient/folk/rock, this Austin-based songstress presents listeners with rich orchestral melodies, crisp lyrical images, and non-traditional instrumentation with ambient textures. Frequently compared to Margo Timmins of The Cowboy Junkies, Bobruk entertains a modern pop edge in combination with her confidently sensuous voice. The result is what Brad Houser from the New Bohemians calls “hauntingly beautiful.”
Two Nice Girls (reunion show!)
The Austin reunion of Two Nice Girls will offer a mixture of sounds. “At one moment they’re a ferocious loud-rock outfit with screeches of guitar feedback and a tough backbeat; at another, it’s a neo-folkie ensemble with beautiful three-part harmonies sung with exquisite timing and grace,” said the New York Times. “Two Nice Girls has a knack for taking other people’s material and turning it into their own, often equaling or transcending the power and aesthetic value of the original,” said Puncture Magazine. It’s easy to pigeonhole this former Austin group as the best all-women rock band ever. Truth is, they are one of the best rock bands regardless of gender. Welcome back to Austin, Two Nice Girls!
Shelley King
A veteran of the Texas music scene with nearly two decades of professional music experience, Shelley King now travels all over the US, Canada and Europe and plans to tour Australia and Japan soon. Last year she was chosen the 2008 Official State of Texas Musician, following in the footsteps of Johnny Gimble, Ray Benson, Billy Joe Shaver, and Dale Watson. She has the unique honor of being not only the youngest but also the first woman to be the Official State Musician. Shelley King is about to release her new CD Welcome Home.
Carolyn Wonderland
Carolyn Wonderland has for years been one of the best kept cultural secrets in Texas. She’s known primarily for two astonishing gifts: her lion-esque singing voice and her aggressive, soulful guitar playing. This Texas blueswoman has jammed with Bob Dylan, is a favorite of Willie Nelson and has been compared to Janis Joplin. In 2009 she won Best Female Vocals and Best Blues Band at the Austin Music Awards. Some say she is the best female guitar player in America. Heard on KUT often, she is a big support of rising new artists.
Antone’s Nightclub
(doors open at 6:30 pm, show at 7 pm)
Trio Del Rio
Combining blues, rock, folk, western swing, Latin, jazz, R&B, Texas Swing, hillbilly and show tunes, Trio Del Rio, featuring MaryAnn Price, MariLisa, and Tanner Swain, with bassist George Brown-Lohr will open the Antone’s show with a bang! The trio fuses their swingin,’ bluesy Texas sound with jazzy Latin stylings. Folks coming to The Twang Dang Doodle will not want to miss this opener!
Van Wilks
Van Wilks has long been lauded as one of the city’s master players. In his third decade on the Austin music scene, Van Wilks “continues to make some of the city’s hottest guitar rock,” says The Austin Chronicle, “creating music that brings his blues roots to the cutting edge with funk, hard-rock and melodic undertones.” His band, also known as Van Wilks, has topped music polls and The Austin Chronicle’s “Best Hard-Rock Band” four years in a row. The French magazine Guitarist has placed Van’s records in the editor’s top picks for two years running.
Bruce Robison
By any standard, Bruce Robison is among the first rank of Texas songwriters. Bruce is also a prolific recording artist. For his eighth studio release, Bruce co-produced a collection of new classics reflecting the love and respect he has for the traditions of country music. Bruce’s craft is admired by his peers, and his creations have been covered by a variety of artists, including Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan, wife Kelly Willis, and brother Charlie Robison. Additionally Tim McGraw (Angry All The Time), The Dixie Chicks (Travelin’ Soldier), and George Strait (Wrapped) each achieved #1 status for their versions of his songs. Bruce continues to churn out over 100 live shows each year. This year, he takes on the independent world by self-releasing his latest single, Born to Roll, to the Texas Country radio market. Fans and admirers can anticipate the full-length album to be released in 2010.
Blues with Malford Milligan, Chris Layton, Roscoe Beck ,Riley Osborne, Derek o’Brien and special guests Toni Price and James Cotton
Malford Milligan Monday Night Blues Jams was the beginning of Milligan’s life in music. His local band, The Stick People, launched his career as a talented singer. As a session singer, Milligan is in great demand. He has toured and worked on albums with other outstanding musicians, including Hal Ketchum, Marcia Ball, Alejandro Escovedo, Sue Foley, Eric Johnson and Chris Smither.
Chris “Whipper” Layton was the drummer for the electric blues band Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble. Chris has played with various artists since Stevie Ray Vaughan’s death in 1990, including the Arc Angels with Charlie Sexton, Doyle Bramhall II and fellow Double Trouble alum Tommy Shannon; Storyville, also with Shannon, vocalist Malford Milligan and guitarists David Grissom and David Holt; the Laura Love Band; Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Jimmy D. Lane, and most recently a Double Trouble recording with various guest stars. In 2004, Whip joined old friends Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar) and “Big” Ben Richardson to form Grady in Austin. In early 2006, Chris left the band to pursue multiple music projects. He and Tommy Shannon played on Jimmy D. Lane’s It’s Time.
Derek “Big House” O’Brien is a Texas-style blues guitarist, sometime bassist and record producer based in Austin. A stalwart of the
famous Antone’s House Band, O’Brien is most often found backing up other Austin frontmen, including Delbert McClinton, Lou Ann Barton,Toni Price, The Texas Tornadoes, and almost anyone recording on the Antone’s Records label.
Roscoe Beck, bassist and record producer, is currently serving as musical director on Leonard Cohen’s 2009 World Tour. He has recorded with Cohen (DVD: Live in London), the Dixie Chicks, Joe Ely, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Jennifer Warnes (as co-producer of Warnes’ highly acclaimed collection of Leonard Cohen songs (Famous Blue Raincoat and many others).
Roscoe designed two signature basses for Fender Musical Instruments: the Fender Roscoe Beck 4-string and 5-string models and has made three instructional videos (and book/CD) for Warner Brothers/REH Video: Blues Foundations for Bass and Beginning Blues Bass, volumes 1 & 2. His solo CD on AusTone Records is Walk On.
A longtime Austin resident, Roscoe has been on the KUT and KLRU airwaves since the 1970s.
JAMES COTTON celebrates his 65th year in the entertainment business. What an amazing adventure this man has experienced with his little harmonica. Congratulations, SUPERHARP, and welcome to The Twang Dang Doodle!
Will Sexton with the Wine and Nut Revue
Will Sexton, Randy Weeks, and Ray Bonneville make up the Wine and Nut Revue. Sexton knows his way around everything from rock to folk to music production. The well-traveled Bonneville is a first-rate guitarist, a harmonica player with considerable chops and one of the best songwriters of today. Weeks was a member of the excellent country/rocking band, the Lonesome Strangers. He’s based in Austin. Weeks’ latest CD, Going My Way, was produced by Sexton.
Oz Noy with Roscoe Beck, Anton Fig (of the Letterman Show)
Israeli-born guitarist and based in New York, Oz Noy is an in-demand session player with numerous television, film, and album credits on his resume. His solo albums are where he really gets to spread his wings, though. Noy has a distinctive style as a soloist. Drawing from both jazz and blues influences, Noy often improvises with an “edge-of-his-seat” sense of abandon, as though he’s hanging on for dear life and could lose the reins at any moment. Noy’s greatest strength is his rhythm guitar work. He is simply one of the best funk rhythm players you are likely to hear. Though he’s certainly a great soloist with a mature jazz vocabulary, Noy is a rare guitarists who will also grab your attention with his rhythm playing.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Anton Fig, known as “The Thunder from Down Under,” is a session drummer in David Letterman’s house band, the CBS Orchestra. During this tenure he has played with scores of great artists, including Miles Davis, James Brown, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, and Tony Bennett. The CBS Orchestra has also backed up a host of artists in other venues, such as Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Little Richard, as well as B. B. King at the closing ceremonies of the summer 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Additionally, they were the backup band for The Concert for New York City where they performed with David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy, Macy Gray, and James Taylor.
Border Blasters
Veterans of the Austin music scene,Todd Jagger and Jimmy Ray Harrell are The Border Blasters! Kerrville New Folk Winner Jimmy Ray and Austin Music Award Winner Todd have been making music together since their first gig at Gruene Hall in 1975. Taking their name from the border radio stations that shaped their musical styles, the Border Blasters’ sound is a melting-pot of blues, real country, Western swing, bluegrass, and folk — all sewn together with tight harmonies and raw musicianship. Their music connects with people of all ages. The Austin-American Statesman says: “You can’t get enough!”
Robert Johnson’s Soul
Outlaw Texas Blues…….Loud n’Hard. Robert Johnson’s Soul is exactly what it sounds like, except imagine the innovator of what would become the Blues on Steroids. Johnson has the mojo to become the next great Austin guitar great. He burns up the stage as though he were the ghosts of Jimi Hendrix and Cream. Be sure to catch him closing of the 2009 Twang Dang Doodle!
Final Performance Schedule (after rain reschedule)
Antones
7:00 to 7:30 Trio del Rio w/Maryann Price
7:40 to 8:10 Van Wilks
8:20 to 8:50 Bruce Robison
9:00 to 9:40 James Cotton, Malford Milligan
w/Chris Layton, Derek O’Brien, Roscoe Beck and Riley Osborne
& special guest Toni price
10:00 to 10:30 Will Sexton and the Wine And Nut Revue
10:40 to 11:10 Oz Noy w/Roscoe Beck and Anton Fig
11:20 to 11:50 Border Blasters
12:00 to 12:30 Robert Johnson’s Soul
Saxon Pub (Moved from Threadgill’s)
4:20 to 5:00 Tex Thomas & the Dangling Wranglers
w/Rc Banks
5:10 to 5:50 Papa Mali w/Bill Kreutzmann
6:00 to 6:30 Big Circle TX
6:40 to 7:10 Phoenix Hart
7:20 to 8:50 Ginger Leigh
9:00 to 9:30 Kalua
9:40 to 10:10 M.C. Overlord
10:20 to 11:10 Vallejo
11:20 to 11:30 Luis Banuelos
11:40 to Till Del Castillo
Cedar Street
6:00 to 6:30 Ephraim Owens W/Rich Harney, Chris Maresh, Elias Haslanger
6:50 to 7:20 Monster Big Band
7:40 to 8:10 Salaman w/Ben Marines
8:20 to 8:50 Aimee Brobruk
9:00 to 9: 30 Joanna Barbera
9:40 to 10:10 Two Nice Girls
10:20 to 10:50 Shelley King
11:00 till Carolyn Wonderland