Email Author William Michael Smith

2007 Stories by William Michael Smith

• Playbill: Eliza Gilkyson

  published Apr 04, 2007

  In a town filled with great songwriters, Eliza Gilkyson certainly sits somewhere near the pinnacle of the Austin Americana scene. Across a stunning four-album span, she has consistently manage... More >>

• Jack Saunders

  published March 29, 2007

  Like the bumper sticker says, Jack Saunders wasn't born in Texas, but he got here as quick as he could. The southern California-born Saunders... More >>

• Rotation: Jon Rauhouse

  published Mar 24, 2007

  Jon Rauhouse Steel Guitar Heart Attack Bloodshot Records Ace sideman and session player Jon Rauhouse almost left us a couple of years back. Guys as young as Calexico collaborator Rauhouse aren... More >>

• Southern Culture on the Skids

  published March 22, 2007

  These gasoline-soaked, chicken wing-slingin', Little Debbie-sailin', banana puddin' connoisseurs and self-described "bards of downward mobility"... More >>

• Dead Rock West

  published March 15, 2007

  Honey and Salt reaches for the jagged edge of country rock that brought such acclaim to Los Angeles legends X in the '80s. A collaboration... More >>

• Playbill: Matt "The Electrician" Sever

  published Mar 10, 2007

  Matt "the Electrician" Sever is one of those Beaver Nelson-ish Austin artists who always get more respect than money. On his fourth self-released collection, One Thing Right, Sever continues... More >>

• Rotation: Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods

  published Mar 10, 2007

  Bill Kirchen Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods Proper Records Any time Telecasting twangbanger Bill Kirchen gets together with his old boss Nick Lowe, I'm in. Recorded mostly in London wit... More >>

• 3/13 Playbill: Vienna Teng

  published Mar 09, 2007

  A graduate of Stanford, a former employee of computer giant Cisco, and a classically trained pianist, Vienna Teng shortens the distance between Beethoven and 'Sixties folk, delivering a mix... More >>

• The Silos

  published March 8, 2007

  In one configuration or another, The Silos have teetered along the abyss of fame since they broke into the national consciousness in 1987. By... More >>

• Bill Kirchen

  published March 8, 2007

  Any time twangbanger Bill Kirchen gets together with his old boss Nick Lowe, I'm in. Recorded mostly in London with ringers like keyboardist... More >>

• Playbill: Hilary Sloan

  published Mar 07, 2007

  Like her sister Miss Leslie of The Juke Jointers, Hilary Sloan was raised on hardcore country and has never really been tempted by much else. Childhood lessons as a bluegrass fiddler — bluegrass... More >>

• Playbill: Jimmy Lafave

  published Mar 01, 2007

  (c) 2006 Jimmy Lafave Jimmy Lafave I recently talked with Jimmy Lafave about one of his favorite subjects, Oklahoma songwriting legend Jimmy Webb. The longer the conversation went on —... More >>

• Mark Germino

  published Mar 01, 2007

  In the span of four weeks back in 1984, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, and Mark Germino were all signed to major label record deals. Historically this watershed event was a rea... More >>

• Big Chris Gates and Gatesville

  published March 1, 2007

  Big Chris Gates's bands, particularly Big Boys (1979–84) and Poison 13 (1984–85), have sacred status in the worlds of hard-core punk, skate pu... More >>

• Playbill: Albert & Gage

  published Feb 23, 2007

  Along with folks like Dana Cooper, Albert & Gage could be poster children for the Kerrville Nation. Christine Albert and Chris Gage are exactly the kind of folk duo you'd imagine if someone aske... More >>

• Rotation: Trailer Tapes

  published Feb 19, 2007

  Chris Knight The Trailer Tapes Drifters Church Records In the summer of 1996, Houstonian Frank Liddell and a 22-year old engineer named Joe Hayden took some beer, guns, fishing poles, and a p... More >>

• Playbill: Jake Hooker

  published Feb 15, 2007

  How many cowboys do you ever see in sunglassesr Jake Hooker has a classic honky tonk jones as big as Fort Worth. Across a four album span, it's hard to tell Hooker's own songs from covers of Ray... More >>

• Spencer Durham

  published February 15, 2007

  Much More Than Words Cavender Castle More >>

• Bruce Robison

  published February 8, 2007

  Bruce Robison is one of the classiest acts in the Texas music genre. The tall father of four could probably have a much higher-profile career if... More >>

• Kevin Carroll

  published February 8, 2007

  Guitarist-for-hire Kevin Carroll has earned his keep playing with Charlie Robison and Jimmy LaFave. But fans might be surprised to know that on... More >>

• Playbill: Bob Wayne

  published Feb 03, 2007

  Liza Orozco Someone answered the phone on the second ring. Then dropped the phone. Scrounging sounds. The voice that came from the other end sounded like a very hoarse alien. "H... More >>

• Playbill: Two High String Band

  published Feb 02, 2007

  Bill Ellison Pristine, clear, Rocky Mountain high air surrounds much of what the Austin trio Two High String Band throws down as bluegrass. For the most part this banjo-less ensemble that cal... More >>

• Playbill: John Egan

  published Feb 01, 2007

  Unless you follow the local music scene closely, John Egan probably just seems like another obscure local talent who would move elsewhere if he had good sense. If Egan lived in Atlanta or LA or... More >>

• The H-Town Blues Festival

  published February 1, 2007

  Whether you like your blues wrapped in velvet or in something more X-rated, there's something for everyone at the H-Town Blues Festival. Many of... More >>

• Shawn Colvin

  published February 1, 2007

  It's hard to resist comparing Shawn Colvin's These Four Walls to Darden Smith's brilliant Field of Crows. Both albums are filled... More >>