By Paul T. Mueller Singer-songwriter and Texas native Hayes Carll launched his Grateful for Christmas Tour with a couple of sold-out shows at Houston’s Heights Theater. The second, on Dec. 2, was a great time for all concerned. Carll, in fine voice and fine humor, performed only a couple of actual holiday songs (his own “Grateful for Christmas” and Buck… Read more The post Hayes Carll holiday-flavored set makes for a great time appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Ken Paulson – Singer-songwriters are plentiful these days. Have a guitar, smartphone and social media account? Suddenly you’re giving concerts. There was a time, though, when anyone stepping on stage at a coffeehouse had to truly engage an audience with songs, stories and a sense of humor. If you wanted to work, you had to entertain. Ellis Paul is… Read more The post Thirty years on, Ellis Paul’s songs and stories delight audiences appeared first on Americana One ..read more

It might sound like an unlikely pairing for a singer-songwriter show - a famously curmudgeonly Anglo man in his early 60s and a Korean-American woman in her mid-40s. Read more The post Perfect pairing: James McMurtry and BettySoo in concert appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Paul T. Mueller – There’s a belief in some quarters that everything coming out of Nashville these days is formulaic dross, but Lori McKenna and Brandy Clark put that idea to rest in their Sept. 28 co-headlining appearance at Houston’s Heights Theater. The 90-minute show, the first on an 11-date tour, amounted to a two-person guitar pull that drew… Read more The post A brilliant showcase from Lori McKenna and Brandy Clark appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Ken Paulson – It’s always a joy when an artist and songwriter is an unabashed music fan like the rest of us. That’s certainly the case with Kent Blazy, whose new album From The Beatles to the Bluebird, is fueled by a love of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Blazy, a 2020 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of… Read more The post Kent Blazy Meets the Beatles appeared first on Americana One ..read more

The Eastside Bowl in Nashville is hosting fundraisers for well-known sound engineer Frank Sass, best known for his work at the Exit/Inn. The first, held this afternoon and evening, featured Gretchen Peters, Bill Lloyd, Kim Richey, Dave Pomeroy, the Shazam and Homemade Sin. The second, set for August 20 beginning at 2 p,m., will feature Tommy Womack, Tim Carroll, Walk… Read more The post 2nd Nashville Fundraiser for Frank Sass set for August 20 appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Ken Paulson — Jason Wilber was among friends and family as he took the stage in Fort Myers, Florida on June 24. There was his wife Michelle in the second row. Sitting next to her was Jason’s father. On the left side of the room were friends from Bloomington, Indiana. And pretty much everywhere there were fans who loved… Read more The post Time Traveler: Jason Wilber’s engaging musical journey appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Paul T. Mueller — Gretchen Peters, wrapping up a long touring career, gave her fans in Houston a fine show to remember her by. The prolific singer-songwriter and her husband and musical partner, Barry Walsh, performed for a nearly full house at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on June 22, the final show in the church’s Coffee House Live spring… Read more The post Gretchen Peters’ graceful exit from touring appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Paul T. Mueller – Georgia-based singer-songwriter Michelle Malone brought decades’ worth of songs and showmanship to her May 13 show in Houston. The show at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, featuring Malone on acoustic guitars and Doug Kees on electric, included a career-spanning 14 songs. All were fueled by Malone’s powerful vocals, ranging from a delicate croon to an all-out roar.… Read more The post Michelle Malone spans decades in Houston show appeared first on Americana One ..read more

By Paul T. Mueller The Mastersons – guitarist/singer Chris Masterson and multi-instrumentalist/singer Eleanor Whitmore – finished up their current tour March 12 with a matinee show at the Old Quarter Acoustic Café in Galveston, Texas. The duo, longtime – and now former – members of Steve Earle’s band, The Dukes, got rhythmic support from Eleanor’s sister Bonnie on bass and… Read more The post Mastersons’ folk with a rock ‘n’ roll heart appeared first on Americana One ..read more