Burkablog »
And now a discussion that really matters (Fri Nov 20 at 5:02 PM)
In the Pink »
The Wrecking Coup (Fri Nov 20 at 1:33 PM)
Page Break »
Supreme Court to Rehear Exxon Case. Yes, That Exxon Case. (Sat Nov 21 at 1:45 PM)
Eat My Words »
Talking Tamales (Thu Nov 12 at 11:12 AM)
Alan says: I am in favor of limiting the governor to two consecutive terms. But blacklisting someone after eight years altogether, regardless of how good or bad they did their job, can needlessly force an effective public official out of public service. Many state governors throughout history have served well over eight years without their constituents regretting it. I would point out that such a system is wholly unworkable in twenty-first century America: we live in the era of the permanent campaign and the 24-hour news cycle. A governor facing re-election every other year would essentially do nothing but fundraise (which is close to what most do anyway even with four-year terms). (November 19th, 2009 at 11:09pm)
Stories on Music
Tony Rancich’s Recording Studio »
Tony Rancich’s recording studio.
by Kristie Ramirez [November 2009]
Bob Schneider »
[November 2009]
From the Hip »
Fun Fun Fun Fest and its post-punk indie sound.
by John Spong [November 2009]
Tom Russell »
[October 2009]
The Time of His Life »
The original dirty dancer, Patrick Swayze, died Monday at the age of 57.
by Eileen Smith [September 2009]
Tanya Tucker »
Tanya Tucker on life on the road and her new album.
Interview by Evan Smith [September 2009]
Pitch Perfect »
What’s the secret to writing a great country song? Which comes first, music or lyrics? Looking to answer these and other questions, we gathered a group of singer-songwriters—Guy Clark, Robert Earl Keen, Sonny Throckmorton, Patty Griffin, and Jack Ingram—set out a couple guitars, and let the tape roll.
by John Spong [August 2009]
Music Makers »
Contributing photographer Wyatt McSpadden narrates a slide show of images from a day on the set with singer-songwriters Guy Clark, Robert Earl Keen, Patty Griffin, Jack Ingram, and Sonny Throckmorton.
by [August 2009]
G-L-O-R-I-A »
When the legendary Liberty Lunch club closed in July 1999, senior editor and musician Michael Hall came up with a way to say goodbye to an era—play “Gloria” for 24 hours straight.
by Michael Hall [August 2009]
Singin’ the Blues »
Gary Clark, Jr., the 25-year-old blues musician, goes Hollywood. When he’s not opening for an Etta James concert.
by Christopher Holcomb [May 2009]
Last Call at Poodie’s Bar »
Poodie Locke, longtime stage manager for Willie Nelson, died Wednesday at the age of 60.
by Michael Hall [May 2009]
Mad to Play »
Famed Texas-based guitarist Stephen Bruton was a man who knew how to count his blessings.
by Michael Hall [May 2009]
Erika Wennerstrom »
by Jeff McCord [January 2009]
Erika Wennerstrom »
Interview by Jeff McCord [January 2009]
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis »
by Jeff McCord [December 2008]
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis »
An extended interview with Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis.
by Jeff McCord [December 2008]
Warren Hood »
A web-only interview with the Austin violinist.
by Jeff McCord [November 2008]
Jimmy Carter »
What Jimmy Carter loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Lyle Lovett »
What Lyle Lovett loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Jerry Wexler »
What Jerry Wexler loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Norah Jones »
What Norah Jones loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Ray Benson »
What Ray Benson loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Woody Harrelson »
What Woody Harrelson loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Patty Griffin »
What Patty Griffin loves about Willie Nelson.
by [May 2008]
Michael Hall »
Evan Smith talks to Michael Hall about his story, an oral history of the music legend.
by [May 2008]
KGSR Podcast 1 »
Jody Denberg interviews Willie. Courtesy of 107.1 KGSR, Radio Austin.
by [May 2008]
KGSR Podcast 2 »
Jody Denberg interviews Willie. Courtesy of 107.1 KGSR, Radio Austin.
by [May 2008]
Whiskey River »
Willie sings “Whiskey River” from the pilot program of Austin City Limits. Courtesy of Austin City Limits, KLRU-TV, Austin, Texas.
by [May 2008]
Always on My Mind »
Willie sings “Always On My Mind” from his most recent ACL performance, taped in 1999. Courtesy of Austin City Limits, KLRU-TV, Austin, Texas.
by [May 2008]
One Hell of a Ride »
A discography of Willie’s music. Used with permission from Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
by [May 2008]
Charlie Jones »
38, concert promoter, Austin
[February 2008]
Number One With a Bullet »
Miranda Lambert likes guns, but there’s more to her than that, just as the sultry pouts on her album covers don’t tell the whole story of an East Texas girl who always wanted to be Merle Haggard.
by John Spong [October 2007]
Ray Benson »
Ray Benson on Wills, weed, and the Wheel.
Interview by Evan Smith [October 2007]
Singing Gospel »
The gospel according to Yolanda Adams.
Interview by Katharyn Rodemann [August 2007]
Sounds Like Teen Spirit »
Each year, some 55,000 talented high school musicians try out for 1,500 chairs at the Super Bowl of band geekery: the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention in San Antonio. Once upon a time, I made the cut.
by Cecilia Ballí [June 2007]
Let There Be Lightnin’ »
Twenty-five years after his death, Sam Hopkins is still one of the most influential bluesmen in history—that much we know. But we don’t know nearly enough about who he was.
by Michael Hall [June 2007]
The Songs Remain the Same »
And for these 8 one-hit wonders, including Balde Silva, of Toby Beau, that’s a good thing: Thanks to wildly successful singles they released many years ago, what might have otherwise been forgettable careers are anything but.
by Michael Hall [March 2007]
75 Things We Love About Texas »
Including: the sopa azteca at El Mirador, in San Antonio; the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park; the humidity; elbow room; free advice at White Rock Lake, in Dallas; county courthouses; boots-and- jeans-clad Academy Award–winner Larry McMurtry; and—seriously— quail hunting.
[April 2006]
Since She’s Been Gone »
The L.A. life of a girl from Burleson (or, You can take Kelly Clarkson out of Texas . . .).
by Skip Hollandsworth [May 2005]
Return to Splendor »
From humble Oak Cliff roots did a hip intellectual giant grow. In this oral history, friends and fans remember the late Grover Lewis, one of the great magazine writers of our day.
by Katy Vine [March 2005]
He’s Daniel Johnston, And He Was Gonna Be Famous »
He was, for a while, and look what happened: Today one of the great songwriters in the alternative-rock universe is a 44-year-old manic-depressive living with his parents in Waller. And the worst thing about it is, he’s about to be famous again.
by Michael Hall [February 2005]
Almost Famous »
Senior editor Michael Hall on musician Daniel Johnston and writing about mental illness.
Interview by Katherine Sands [February 2005]
Paradise »
Musician Ian McLagan survived the British rock explosion of the sixties. Now he lives in Austin, a place he loves to
call home.
by Charlie Llewellin [August 2004]
His Mickey Mouse Ways »
In a world full of evil dudes pretending to be good guys, Waylon Jennings was a good guy pretending to be an evil dude and never quite succeeding.
by Dave Hickey [June 2004]
It's a Family Affair »
For all her talent and poise, Beyoncé didn't become the biggest star in the world without help. And she got plenty of it from the people who know her best.
by Michael Hall [April 2004]
The Voice of America »
Is Clear Channel, the San Antonio-based radio behemoth, as patently evil as everyone says? Don't touch that dial.
by S. C. Gwynne [April 2004]
Spoon at a Fork »
According to Time, the Austin rock-pop trio Spoon "just might be your next favorite band." But Britt Daniel and the boys have been burned by such pronouncements before, so this time they’re carefully considering their options—and, as always, putting their music first.
by John Spong [April 2004]
King of the Accordion »
You may never have heard of Ramòn Ayala, but to his four generations of fans in South Texas and Mexico, he's music royalty. He revolutionized norteno, a genre that reigns along the border, and—after more than one hundred albums—is till going strong.
by Cecilia Ballí [April 2004]
Guitar Man »
"I'm the one who introduced guitar boogie-woogie in this country, with a song I called 'Gatemouth Boogie.' It was a big hit."
As told to Katharyn Rodemann [April 2004]
