Country singer/songwriter Elizabeth Cook made her Grand Ole Opry debut in March 2000, appearing repeatedly thereafter - a remarkable achievement considering that, at the time, she was an indie artist with no radio airplay. But such was the excitement generated by her clear, beautiful voice, strong songwriting ability, and live performances, all of which have drawn comparisons to younger, critically respected artists like Kelly Willis and legends such as Dolly Parton. Now, six years since her critically acclaimed Welder, as well as much ... view more »
Country singer/songwriter Elizabeth Cook made her Grand Ole Opry debut in March 2000, appearing repeatedly thereafter – a remarkable achievement considering that, at the time, she was an indie artist with no radio airplay. But such was the excitement generated by her clear, beautiful voice, strong songwriting ability, and live performances, all of which have drawn comparisons to younger, critically respected artists like Kelly Willis and legends such as Dolly Parton. Now, six years since her critically acclaimed Welder, as well as much personal tumult, there were songs that needed to be born. “If anything, Exodus of Venus is a pledge of allegiance for the bad girls and the Homecoming Queens who got caught in a scandal. It’s a bill of rights, and a testimony for those good girls who got away with more than they should have,” says Cook. Cook’s writer skills — along with her self-awareness, hip hard-country delivery, comedic gifts and ability to project magnetic personality — have made her a treasure of the Americana singer-songwriter scene, not to mention a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry, a beloved satellite radio host and a favorite David Letterman guest.
Considered Austin, Texas’ official musical spokesman, Dale Watson has built a worldwide legion of fans one gig at a time, from Texas honky-tonks to Tokyo performance halls and all points in between. With his new album, Live At The Big T Roadhouse, Chicken S#!+ Bingo Sunday, Watson brings a unique Texas tradition to the world. Live At The Big T is a perfect snapshot of Watson and his ace band, His Lonestars, live in concert at the peak of their performing prowess, all while hosting a Chicken S#!+ Bingo show at Dale’s own bar, the Big T Roadhouse in St. Hedwig, Texas. The ‘bingo” game involves a caged hen strutting across a plywood board divided into numbered squares while betting customers gather ’round the cage, hoping the bird will drop its mark on their chosen numeral. Along with cash prizes for the winners, there’s $2 Lonestar beer, all you can eat hot dogs and live music and dancing. If you’ve never seen Watson live, this album is the next best thing — an intimate show for an audience of mixed ages and backgrounds, all enjoying an afternoon of live honky tonk and classic country music framed by Watson’s hilarious between-song banter.
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