Over the course of the last few years, the Sunday before Labor Day has seen some really good times take place on the dusty plot of land next to Billy Bob’s in Ft. Worth’s Stockyards district. Day-long festivals headlined by acts such as Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Black Crowes and…

To call a place a honky-tonk is almost as nebulous as labeling a place a dive bar. Ask five different people what one is, and you’re more than likely to get six different answers. Of course, North Texas has dozens of places that complement any of them. The earliest published…

When Dirty Projectors’ 2009 album Bitte Orca was released, it was treated as the second coming. Of course, there seems to be a new Album of the Decade crowned on a yearly basis. Even though I write about music on a regular basis for multiple outlets, I get annoyed with…

If it seems like we’ve been bringing you plenty of news about many of the fine regional country artists who are quick to lend their names and talents to causes whose worthiness can’t be questioned, well, that’s because there’s often a compelling story behind it. On Monday, July 23, treasured…

Last year, we detailed five fantastic post-rock bands that scoff at the term post-rock and, more or less, pissed on the very thought of being tagged as such. With Luna’s Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips conquering the grassy hill at the Belmont Hotel tonight as a part of KXT 91.7’s…

As we look upon the massive Texas country machine that’s been chugging along over the past several years, it’s easy to see 1997 as a pivotal one. In college towns and major metropolises alike, the masses were demanding more music from people that shared their pride, enthusiasm and thirst for…

As we look upon the massive machine Texas country has made chug along over the past several years, it’s easy to see 1997 as a pivotal time. In college towns and major metropolises alike, the masses were demanding more music from people that shared their pride, enthusiasm and thirst for…

I was fortunate enough to speak with legend Merle Haggard for this week’s print edition of the Observer. Aside from being in awe each time he mentioned Willie Nelson, Lake Shasta (his home for many years, which he refers to in multiple songs) or Johnny Cash, I was particularly struck…

At the age of 75, country music legend Merle Haggard is unafraid. Whether the topic is the environment, immigration concerns or the state of country music in the new millennium, Haggard hardly needs an invitation to share his opinions. During the course of a half hour or so, Haggard easily…

A couple of weeks ago, we told you how Red Dirt stud Stoney LaRue decided to follow other big names and host a charity golf and poker tourney in Grapevine, with the help of some his famous friends from the world of sports and music. That specific event, which benefited…

Visit any area honky-tonk or college-town pizza joint and ask five people what “Texas country” or “Texas music” is. Chances are, you’ll get two thoughtful answers describing the way in which the artists that fall under the nebulously defined category are linked by spirit more than sonic similarities, one blank…

Now that 2011’s The Harrow & the Harvest has been out for close to a year, questions about a new Gillian Welch album abound. But one also must consider that she and her musical mate David Rawlings placed an eight-year gap between that album and 2003’s Soul Journey. Welch is…

The country music community of Texas and Oklahoma has been a fantastic supporter of children and their families battling various medical issues. Over the past few years, Ft. Worth DJ Justin Frazell has been a driving force behind the all-star Pickin’ for Preemies series of Labor Day concerts, with proceeds…