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November 02, 2003

November 2, 2003

Summer 2003 - did it officially start and end without a friggin column? That's gotta be wrong!! You'd think as much as I yammer on and on about things, I'd have a thing or two to say about a thing or two!

Well low and behold, Ol' Everlovin' has found his soapbox and I think I'll hop up on it.

One of the best things I did this spring was join The Sugar Hill Records Street Team - I urge all of you to do the same. I hope it goes with out saying that, on a grassroots level, we can and do affect Reckless Kelly's success. I'm not going to dwell on that but suffice it to say that slapping up posters, calling radio stations and emailing program directors will keep you young, wear you out and after all is said and done, give you a huge amount of satisfaction.

The benefit for me was much broader and a HUGE learning experience about what a record label and its personnel are willing to do for its artists. Peeps like Steve Gardner - check out his site over at www.clinkmagazine.com. Lindsey Reid - the Cosmo Kramer of falling bassackwards into Radio Promotions at Sugar Hill. I'm sure I hate you - GIMME A JOB!!!! Last but not least, my boss over at the Hill, the irrepressible Holly Lowman. I'm not sure how to spell the sound Austin Powers makes when he says “REEEEEEOOWWWW” but that's the sound I'd make about her. She's forgotten more about being cool than I'll ever know - pass the shine, ya hayseed.

I was fortunate this spring/summer to catch a ton of really great shows and some of the Sugar Hill cadre were among the standouts. I am a bit biased but being that it is my column, like it or not, I'm gonna ram my advice down your throats and tell you to go spend money an independent record store (or better yet, the merchandise table at a show - when you buy a CD at a show about 50%, give or take, of the money goes to the artist vs. about a buck fifty when you buy it at mega-store). Let’s try to put some bread on the table shall we?

Every time I catch a show. I’m amazed at the fine line between inspiration and angst that overcomes me after each performance. I find that more often than not I really, REALLY want to be apart of what’s going on up on stage and can get kind of lost in the “what if that was me?” scenario. A bit selfish I know, but really who doesn’t want to be a rock star? On the other hand, there’s another part of me who wants to be involved in the behind the scenes aspect, the grooming (if you will) of a soon to be significant artist(s) and all the different idiosyncrasies that are involved there – it’s so intriguing to me.

Luckily I've been able to, on a very small level, get my feet wet in both areas. These opportunities have been some of the most satisfying times of my life. Steve Earle said, “I'm lucky. I know exactly where I was when my dreams came true." I gotta say.... I know it’s not the same, but man I sure feel lucky and blessed. A TON of y’all have helped get me to where I am now.

Bottom line: The sky is the limit and I'm going for it and any of y’all that want to come along, c'mon with yer c'mon!

I'm gonna go off on a rant now - Shocking isn’t it?

Speaking of Steve Earle, if you haven’t listened to Steve's new live record, It catches me where I live and his boy Justin's song at the end of the CD is ripping my guts out right now. He along with a TON of other great artists, have been a GODSEND as far as my life is concerned. I hope some or all of you get a small taste of some of these great, great people:

There are a few bands and musicians that I'm still rolling around on my palate and I think might have a clue and truly bust their collective asses every nite. Ya might want to check them out too:


Lord knows I can go on, and Lord knows I forgot a ton of obvious and not so obvious choices and man...I'm sorry. If you think of any, send 'em in!

There might be a point to all this but that’s doubtful. Some of the best things that happened to me this year have had very little to do with what was happening up on stage that nite and some times it HAD everything to what happened on stage:


Some of the many, many peeps that inspire me, motivate me, and mostly put up with me (I'll never understand why, but thanks):

Last but not least, thanks to Halling Ass and The Ringers for giving me the opportunity to live a dream and for about 2.5 months. For being the best opening band in Houston! Special thanks to Matt Ling for sticking with me through it all so far (and bailing my ass out a few times - Thanks man).

Thanks to The Motorcars, Mike Ethan Messick, Hi- Ficus, The Redstick Ramblers, Joe Parsons and Blanco’s) and to Jazz for all the great advice on playing my snare drum and only the snare drum.

Thanks to Gordy for believing and giving me a shot. The Gougers too...

Rm 34's teach for putting up with my Ran'ness (glad I kept ya around. Oh wait, is it the other way around? See ya in Columbus, heh heh heh...).

The Twins for being Twins and one of them for knowing I'm a dirty ol’ man (me???????...fairly harmless without my walker)!

Jay-Dub and Stogie for proving a touch of Texas will make almost any OKIE bearable... or is it a touch of Okie makes a TEXAN bearable? (65-13)

All the Jimmie’s and Blanco’s crew: Grayson (I can stand up Bitch!), Mr. Parrish, Tenspeed, DIX (pretty boy bitch!!!!!), Mr. Hall for believing in my writing and for letting me run with it at the MMC show.

Kitten - as long as I'm in there somewhere.

Dirty Girl and "He's All Boy" for making REK's Uprising a Buh-Last! (Girls who like cheeseburgers =Crush)

Motorgirl, for being... well her-own damn self!

Junebug and HG for being cuter versions of Roaddawgs (seriously ya'll take the cake - ought to be a best fan category over at Greune with Envy).

Cajungirl, for being so reserved

Lil Teach, for keeping my soul intact.

Grid, for the mi casa es su casa.

JDA, for the Fightin Irish (Bangers, not brats. Words to live by).

Becca, for housing my Slacker ass.

Kell (You had Logs?), Gina and Gina, for being OK and being my MMC/RK bud!!

RKFCJ, for being cooler than most and making it to Stanley (A drinking town with a rafting problem).

Simon Beck - you rock my friend. As much soul as I’ve seen... I need to hang with you ASAP. NOLA is spring I hope!

Doc, don’t do it... I know ya will.

Kimberly, fer asking me to play Patty with ya. Really an honor. Glad you're part of my everlovin’ life!

Austin Vintage Guitars, for letting me… browse, every time.

ACL Festival - Until you go, you’ll never know.

Abbi, for the floor and the Delivery

Malibu, for coming back to Texas. My baby worships me.

And folks, just recent I got to play my 1st ever solo show thanks to Walter’s and The Motorcars for letting me get up there and bang away for a little while. We'll see what happens. It was AMAZING to be up there.

What the hell? I guess I just finished my liner notes. Pass the reality pills. Did I forget anyone?

Oh yeah, House Salad and Big Book I love ya!!!!!!!

Ugh... Fanboy needs food.

Oh yeah, "Uh....Possum...."

Gonna be a great fall. Get off yer butts and vote on CMT for our boys and get out there and support live music!!!! See ya'll everywhere.

What a mystic sound ...








Posted by reh at November 2, 2003 10:55 PM

Comments

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Posted by: CLIFF at December 30, 2004 10:53 AM