Category Archives: Music

New music from The Who. The Who — considered one of the most acclaimed, most influential and loudest rock groups ever — issued a compilation of their classic singles on Tuesday, including two new songs, the first they have released … Continue reading → Continue reading →

John Nova Lomax continues a good run with his “Racket” feature in the Houston Press by presenting us with the Thirty Worst Texas Songs. Unlike Texas Monthly and their recent Best Texas Songs list, he’s pretty darned broadminded about what … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I just have one question for you, Norbizness: is your rap lyrics to middle management translator a skill you list on resumes? I’d hire you for it. Continue reading →

All right, it’s time to generate some real controversy around here: Via Norbizness and The Agitator comes this list of the 50 Worst Bands in the history of rock. Naturally, one cannot link to such a thing without offering some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

A federal lawsuit in which Clear Channel has been accused of keeping artists of their radio stations unless they promote their tours through them can proceed. On April 2, the judge tossed out part of [Denver concert promoter Nobody in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Came across this article on XM Radio in a magazine at the gym, and it’s pretty interesting. The XM folks went through quite a bit to get where they are. A couple of points of interest, starting with this bit … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Bart Howard, who wrote the song “Fly Me To The Moon”, died earlier this week at the age of 88. FMTTM was the first-dance song at our wedding (we did a foxtrot, for those who care about such things), and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

There are a number of interesting things to contemplate in Clear Channel’s announcement that they would drop Howard Stern from their member stations, but before I get into that, I have to marvel at their official statement. “Clear Channel drew … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Clear Channel has adopted a zero tolerance policy for indecency in order to ensure that none of its DJs expose one of Janet Jackson’s breasts on the air, or something like that. “Clear Channel is serious about helping address the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

After going on an extended rant about Houston’s awful radio scene and the demographics of each rock stations’ listeners, the Houston Press’ John Lomax comes up with a damn fine suggestion for how to create a worthwhile spot on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Last week in San Antonio was the big FCC hearing on localism, number two of six in a series. Judging from the news accounts I’ve been reading, it looks like it was a pretty lively event. Here are some excerpts … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Evil megacorporation Clear Channel is trying to convince critics that it’s not hopelessly out of touch with the markets that it “serves”: In a move to tune into what its critics are saying, radio giant Clear Channel Communications on Monday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

It’s nice if somewhat quaint to read that old fashioned vinyl albums still have a share of the music market, even if it is a tiny one. The reason why is clear to audiophiles. For sound purists, the distinction between … Continue reading → Continue reading →

There was an interesting article in the Chron recently about Christmas music and how there have been almost no songs added to the popular canon in the past 20 or so years. One bit caught my eye: Sure, there are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I found this article in last week’s San Antonio Current to be pretty interesting. Hard to believe that there are four distinct rock stations in San Antone, not counting oldies and mix formats. This bit got me thinking: Early response … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I think we can all agree that what the world needs now is more Latin translations of hiphop music, such as this stunning effort to bring the words of Sir Mix-a-Lot into the realm of Cicero, which inspired an equally … Continue reading → Continue reading →

My buddy Ron sent me a note last week telling me about Wellstone World Music Day, which will be October 25, the first anniversary of the plane crash that killed Paul, Sheila, and Marcia Markuson Wellstone along with campaign aides … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’ve written before about why I think the music industry is in such disarray, and yesterday I came across this Denver Post article (link via Brad deLong) which sums it up as well as anything I’ve seen, starting with the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Boy, suing 12-year-olds sure was a great move for the RIAA, if by “great move” one means “great way to draw attention to their misleading claims and outdated business model”. Let’s take a look at some of the varied and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

This happened a few weeks ago, but I’m just now getting around to finding the URL and listening for myself – Weird Al Yankovic was on Morning Edition for a nice long interview. Check it out here. Continue reading →

The great Johnny Cash died early this morning at the age of 71. Music in general, and country music in particular, is the lesser for it. In March 1998, Cash made headlines when his California-based record company, American Recordings, took … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I just wanted to say that I’m glad I took Brian’s advice and made sure that I caught the rebroadcast of the VH1 special on Warren Zevon tonight. I confess, I’m not very familiar with Zevon’s body of work, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Kevin is pretty happy about this story of how the new Country Legends radio station in Houston is replacing tampon seller KILT as the top-rated country station in Houston. I’m glad to hear it, too, but I still have the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Tiffany and I and a few friends, including Ted, saw Weird Al Yankovic in concert last night at the Verizon Theater. It was the second time we’d seen Weird Al at that theater, the last time while he was on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I’m a season ticket holder for the Houston Comets and have been for four years now. I generally enjoy the experience – the price is right, the fans are into the action, the team is good – but there’s one … Continue reading → Continue reading →

OK, let me see if I’ve got this straight. Country music radio station program managers are upset with Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks because she wore a shirt that had the letters “FUTK” on it while performing at the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

You know, I get the distinct impression that Kevin doesn’t like Kenny Chesney very much. Continue reading →

Amazing: COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Country station KKCS has suspended two disk jockeys for playing the Dixie Chicks, violating a ban imposed after the group criticized President Bush. Natalie Maines told a London concert audience just before the war in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Hot off the presses, as it were: Clear Channel Communications Inc. on Wednesday said it would cut ties with music promoters who are paid by record labels to trumpet songs to radio stations, saying the long-standing practice gives the appearance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

I got this fascinating article about injuries, mostly of the reptitive-stress type, that professional musicians often suffer from a mailing list I’m on for the Rice MOB. Though I’ve played the alto sax for 25 years (once again, for longer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Kevin had noted that all of the poetry of Emily Dickinson can be sung to the tune of “The Yellow Rose of Texas”. I started to write a reply to that, listing a few examples of other such phenomena, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

So the other day I was channel surfing, and an ad played for Time Warner’s high-speed Roadrunner cable modem service. The ad showed a bride who was crying her eyes out because the DJ had just called and said he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Via Christine Quinones, I learn of the sad news that folk singer Tom Glazer died last week at the age of 88. Who was Tom Glazer, you ask? Why, the writer of one of the best songs ever, On Top … Continue reading → Continue reading →

When I’m in my car, I generally listen to what I call “demographically appropriate” music on the radio. Basically, what that means is that there are only two radio stations that play stuff that I generally like – the All-80s … Continue reading → Continue reading →