Autumn Souvenir

I have so many unforgettable memories from South By Southwest. Slobberbone and members of The Gourds at Club de Ville. Being introduced to Apollo Sunshine and feeling as though I was seeing one of the most talented and passionate bands I'd ever seen (a chills runs up my neck just thinking about that set). Running across Austin to get to Elliott Smith's set. Marah at Waterloo. That set by The Brakes. World Party. That once little, but now massive, festival down in Austin has delivered some of the greatest memories of my life. In 2008, after touching down in Austin and dropping my retainer off at the hotel, I charged downtown and walked into an outdoor venue just seconds before South San Gabriel was to take the stage. As the venue door closed, I saw many of my friends in the crowd waiting for the band to arrive. As a friend handed me a drink, the sun seemed to drop as subtle blue lights filled the stage. The band walked out one-by-one and casually took seats. They played the song

A friend just called and let me listen as Oldham's performing at Revolver Records in Pensacola, FL. I then hopped over to Drag City and see this:

While out for my morning Gump, my iPod landed on a song I hadn't heard since the Bush years, a song actually about the Bush years. Son Volt's "Jet Pilot" may not offer the opaque and deep lyrics common of lead singer Jay Farrar, but the hard-charging guitars have always hit that chord inside. Years back, when I couldn't muster a response to the egregious acts carried out by our previous administration, I would often turn to this song. Like the best political songs, this one, at least in fury, represented exactly how I felt inside. "Jet pilot found a way, got a passing grade, made it to the world stage. A hemisphere away, death is on display, the sins that never wash away." After memories of the Bush years subsided, I thought of where we're at today. I thought of the pride I felt back in November 2008. I thought of the accomplishments amassed by our current president. But more than anything, I recognized that the feelings once brought on by this s

Not to be confused with that crap band with a similar name.

Low performs Try To Sleep on Sound Opinions from WBEZ on Vimeo .

I never feel magic unless I am with you Damien Jurado performs "Arkansas" on WBEZ from WBEZ on Vimeo .

Upcoming releases by these chaps are keeping me excited. The Gourds (Evidently recorded at Levon Helm's place in Woodstock.) Centro-matic (Sure to be awesome.) Wilco (First release on their own label. No matter what it sounds like, I will talk about it ad nauseum.) Gillian Welch (First in eight years.) Richard Buckner (First in five years. Today's Townes.)

I'm pretty sure it was the first song to crack through and strike something. I heard it on CBS 101 in my Mom's green and wood-paneled Pinto. She would get excited for The Everly Brothers (her favorite), Buddy Holly and, of course, The Beatles. But I just wanted to hear Norman Greenbaum's song "Spirit in the Sky" over and over. And the day after I made my wish known, as I walked into my bedroom after schooling my buddy in one-on-one hoops, there sat the 7" single on my bed. Nearly 30 years later, I've still got it. Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Considering all of his projects, rarely does Steve Earle get credit for his ability to find talent. In the mid/late 90s, Earle launched E-Squared Records, bringing light to such great acts as Bap Kennedy, Cheri Knight and Knoxville, Tennessee's, The V-Roys. Of the bunch, it was the foursome from Knoxville that had the potential to reach the masses. Combining fantastic songwriting and straightforward rock n' roll, The V-Roys, almost always assembled in black matching suits, had all the pieces to make it. But like many of the great acts lumped into the Americana surge of the decade, they never broke past cult following, if even that. Sometime in the late 90s, the V-Roys played one of their few (only?) shows in New York City. Following a TV performance with Earle, they were set to play the now defunct Wetlands, opening for jam band God Street Wine. As they took the stage, to my left stood Earle and his teen son, Justin. I made some quip to Steve about my love for the V-Roys. Him a

With the '12 election about to take off, it's worth reflecting on a few of Obama's biggest achievements while in office. If you consider the "absolutely no compromise whatsoever" mentality of the far right, and the GOP is nothing but far right anymore, I find it pretty amazing what our president has been able to accomplish. In all, I suppose it's possible that some dynamic third-party candidate could sweep in and potentially grab my vote, but I see this as highly unlikely. Overall, I think our president has done a very, very good job, considering the circumstances. Here are just a few of his major accomplishments: Restoring Our Image Worldwide : After eight years of kicking the world around at our leisure, President Obama almost immediately turned public opinion back in our favor. The United States is, once again, respected. Health Care Reform : No it's certainly not universal health care, which will come in time. However, the legislation the president