Fender Stratocaster

The Search for the Perfect Guitar, Part II

Editor: In last week's music feature, Christian McPhate began his search for a guitar. Not just any guitar, but his Trigger, his missing part. In that story, he went north to our weird music utopia, Denton, and came away with nothing. Here, he tries his hand in Dallas. I'll start you with his opener ... More >>

One Man's Search for the Perfect Instrument

Eric Clapton at American Airlines Center, 3/19/13: Review

Last night, Eric Clapton and Dallas-born guitarist Doyle Bramhall II set fire to their Stratocasters' fretboards. Their fingers slid across the neck, bending strings until they bled the blues. Feeding off a musical energy straight from the Crossroads, the talented guitarists empowered some of Clapto ... More >>

Now's Your Chance to Get Guitars Seized In Tony Rand's $100 Million Oil Fraud Scheme

Tony Rand and his two boys, Greg and Bill, owe the government money, and a lot of it. Last year, they admitted that their humble family business, Aspen Exploration, was more of a Ponzi scheme that leveraged the company's supposed oil and gas holdings to raise $100 million from investors. Rather than ... More >>

The Seven Sexiest Guitars

If there's one thing that starts a guitarist's heart thumping, it's the heat from the fretboard as his or her fingers slide across the strings. It's a sordid love affair that leaves fans screaming for more, and the guitarist's soul longing for more. In fact, B.B. King loved his $30 guitar so much t ... More >>

Q&A: Nick Lowe Talks Songwriting, Being Covered by Costello and Finding Inspiration

At 62, singer/songwriter Nick Lowe can justifiably claim to have just about seen it all. From his days fronting the pub rock band Brinsley Schwarz in the '70s to his heralded production work for Elvis Costello to his fascinating, recent solo efforts, Lowe has always maintained a remarkable commitmen ... More >>

Frank Hill Runs His Own Company, Manages The Likes of Fair to Midland and Ha Ha Tonka

Welcome to Local Music 'Mericans , where we meet some of the people behind the local music scene -- those who aren't necessarily members of local bands, but more the people who make the scene move.Frank Hill​Frank Hill's story is essentially that of a music scene kid wh ... More >>

At The Dallas International Guitar Festival, The Vintage Guitar's Stock Was Back Up Once More.

Danny HurleyGuitars to drool over. See a full slideshow from this weekend's Dallas International Guitar Festival right here.​Nothing says "American" like the electric guitar. For decades, the sculpted lines, illustrious finishes and unique tones of these instruments have inspired a variety of musi ... More >>

UT-Dallas Researchers' Potential Tinnitus Cure Rings Loudly in Scientific Community's Ears

​First I'd ever heard of tinnitus was when Who guitarist Pete Townshend announced the ringing in his ears had gotten so bad he might have to hang up his Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster for good. Then I became a music critic, stood too close to too many stages and speakers for too many years, and ... More >>

Cray-zy Train

All aboard for a night of modern blues

What It Was Like: Beach House, The Paper Chase, Tricky, Devo

Jesse HugheyDevo at Austin Music Hall Friday night. Act: Beach HouseWhere: Cedar Street CourtyardWhat It Was Like: Packed. There were obviously quite a few fans of Beach House's mellow, cheery songs. Also, judging by all the "Who are these guys?" I heard, many badge-holders were taking advantage of ... More >>

Che Guevara's Hair Sells for $119,000 to Houston Man Who Loves to Shop

Know Dick?

Dale's much more than just that "Miserlou" guy

Bob Dylan for Sale

A local auction house gets its hands on a differet sort of basement tapes

Strat-Tastic

Those about to rock should attend the Dallas Guitar Show

Robert Randolph & the Family Band

March 28

Jeff Beck

You Had It Coming (Epic)

Scene, Heard

Where there's glass, there's theft

Frustrated

You got the Knack a long time ago, but Doug Fieger thinks you need it again

Letters

Out Here

Batter up

In the midst of a silver age, the Light Crust Doughboys are swinging for the bleachers