LLB to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Los Lonely Boys will be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC on Wednesday, November 11th!
Click here for more info about the show, as well as show times and channels:
Los Lonely Boys will be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC on Wednesday, November 11th!
Click here for more info about the show, as well as show times and channels:
Billboard.com caught up with Los Lonely Boys to find out more about the soon to be released EP 1969.
Click Here To Read
Los Lonely Boys have teamed up with the Austin, TX-based Community TechKnowledge, to present the “Heart and Soul” Grant Award!
This program is a national competition for non-profit organizations. The winner of the competition will be awarded a $10,000 prize, along with a professionally produced, original song by the Boys, featuring the winning poem set to music by the brothers Garza!
To compete, non-profit organizations may submit a 4-8 line poem with the accompanying application, from July 1-August 15, 2009.
The application can be found here:
http://www.communitytech.net/ctkfoundation/517/the-ctk-foundation
Runners up will receive a signed guitar from First Act.
This is a great opportunity to help out a great organization with great music and exposure. Please pass this along to any non-profit organizations you know of that are doing good things and could benefit from this award.
Good luck to everyone! We can’t wait to read all the poems!
By KYLE MUNSON • kmunson@dmreg.com • January 23, 2009
Fifty years ago, Graham Nash stood on a street corner in his hometown of Salford, England, with his best friend, Alan Clarke, and wept.
The source of their sadness was news from 4,000 miles away and across the Atlantic Ocean – a frozen field north of Clear Lake, where the airplane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “the Big Bopper” Richardson crashed on Feb. 3, 1959, killing the three rock stars from the Winter Dance Party tour as well as their local pilot, Roger Peterson.
“It was very traumatic for me,” said Nash, who was only 17 years old that day. He went on to form the Hollies with Clarke in 1962. They found themselves among a rising tide of ’60s rock musicians on both sides of the pond who owed a huge musical debt to the innovations of the Winter Dance Party artists.
Today it might be tempting to sum up the musical legacies of Holly, Valens and the Bopper in terms of Don McLean’s landmark 1971 tune “American Pie” (that forever dubbed the tragedy the Day the Music Died), the biopics (1978’s “The Buddy Holly Story” and 1987’s “La Bamba”) and the annual “oldies” rock tribute concerts at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, site of the trio’s final performance on Feb. 2, 1959.
But today’s musicians still continually claim Holly as a primary songwriting influence; celebrated indie singer-songwriter M. Ward, for instance, releases a new album Feb. 17 that includes a cover of Holly’s “Not Fade Away.” And younger music fans are discovering classic rock in greater numbers as the songs flow freely from iTunes and other online, digital sources.
Valens is revered for his guitar technique and as the prototypical Latino rocker who anticipated the careers of everybody from Santana to Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys.
The Bopper wrote country music hits for other artists and is credited with creating the first distinct music video.
“They are all different but of the same era – pioneers, artists that really did catch the ear of the world, not just America,” said Terry Stewart, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. The Bopper has yet to join Holly and Valens as an official Rock Hall inductee, but the museum is co-producing a series of events Wednesday, Feb. 2 at the Surf to commemorate the enduring influence of all three artists.
Back in 1959 the Winter Dance Party served first and foremost as a teen dance that left the adult world unmoved – much in the same way that today’s Disney heartthrob chart-toppers, the Jonas Brothers, while not poised for artistic impact on par with Holly, play to a predominantly teen fanbase.
Now that the teens of 1950s rock have long since grown up and are retiring, the likes of Buddy and the Beatles have in a way become canonized as classics. And it’s no great stretch to imagine that Bruce Springsteen might even cover a Holly song during his halftime performance next weekend at the Super Bowl.
Posted Friday, January 23, 2009, at 7:10 PM
On February 3, 1959, a small airplane crashed in a field near Clear Lake, Iowa. The pilot and his passengers, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson, all perished. It was the day the music died.
“I can’t remember if I cried… When I read about his widowed bride… But something touched me deep inside… The day the music died.” (from American Pie by Don McLean)
A group of rock ‘n roll bands, known as the The Winter Dance Party, was in the middle of a three-week tour covering 24 cities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. On February 2, they had performed at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake and were scheduled to perform at the Armory in Moorhead, Minnesota, the following evening.
Buddy Holly had grown tired of riding the bus and decided to charter a flight to Moorhead. There was room for three passengers in the single engine plane — his two band mates, Tommy Allsup and Waylon Jennings.
Richardson had the flu and asked Waylon Jennings for his seat on the plane. Jennings agreed to do it. When Holly found out about it, he told Jennings, “Well, I hope your bus freezes up.” Jennings replied, “Well, I hope your plane crashes.”
Though the remarks were made in jest, Jennings was haunted by the incident for years.
Richie Valens then asked Allsup for his seat. They flipped a coin. Valens won the seat and sealed his fate.
The plane went down a mere five miles from the airport. It struck the ground at 170 mph. The three main attractions of The Winter Dance Party were thrown from the wreckage and on their way to rock ‘n roll heaven.
“And as the flames climbed high into the night… To light the sacrificial rite… I saw Satan laughing with delight… The day the music died.” (from American Pie by Don McLean)
But the show must go on.
Dion & The Belmonts (the fourth headliner) and Frankie Sardo finished the entire tour, but Bobby Vee & The Shadows left the troupe after the Moorhead performance. Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Jimmy Clanton were brought in as the new headliners. Ronnie Smith took over as vocalist for The Crickets.
Buddy Holly (1936-1959), singer and songwriter, was considered to be one of the pioneers of rock ‘n roll. He’s ranked #13 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Ritchie Valens (1941-1959) was a Mexican-American (and part Yaqui Indian) from Los Angeles. His music career had just begun, lasting only eight months. His songs “La Bomba” and “Donna” were huge hits.
J.P. Richardson (1930-1959) was a disc jockey, known as The Big Bopper. He had a rich voice and an exuberant personality. He recorded a song called “Chantilly Lace” and soon became a one-hit wonder.
Having given up his seat to Richardson, Waylon Jennings (1937-2002) went on to become a successful country singer. He, along with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, started the “outlaw country” movement.
Buddy Holly’s revolver was found by a farmer plowing the field in April of 1959. An autopsy performed on the pilot and the Coroner’s examination of the four bodies failed to find a bullet wound.
On March 7, 2007, a forensic examination of the remains of the Big Bopper, requested by his son, put certain rumors of foul play to rest.
A decade after the accident, Don McLean wrote and recorded the song AMERICAN PIE — the classic music tribute to Buddy Holly.
The song is also a parable on how music changed in the 1960s with the loss of pure rock and the coming of non-danceable pop music (The Beatles, etc.) and folk music (Bob Dylan, etc.).
American Pie was a stunning achievement in songwriting; layered with meaning, innuendo, and a fascinating historical perspective of a musical era. The rocking 1950s had ended and the helter skelter of the 1960s rolled in.
Various interpretations of the lyrics of American Pie can be found on the Internet, from the obvious meanings all the way down to what Billy Joe McAllister threw off the Tallahatchie Bridge.
“And the three men I admire most… The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost… They caught the last train for the coast… The day the music died.” (from American Pie by Don McLean)
Of course, the music didn’t really die in the winter of 1959 — it died when they invented Rap and Hip-Hop.
On January 28, 2009, the 50th anniversary of the Winter Dance Party will hold a tribute concert in the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, where Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens played their final concert. Sirius XM Radio host Cousin Brucie will be the emcee. Some of the entertainers will include Los Lobos, Graham Nash, Los Lonely Boys, Wanda Jackson, Tommy Allsup, Bobby Vee, Joe Ely and others.
One of my old high school classmates named Greg, along with the ghost of Waylon Jennings, will be in attendance. But I couldn’t make it this year. I have an appointment to have my legs waxed.
Bye, Bye Miss American Pie.
—-
Quote for the Day — “Yesterday is just a memory, tomorrow is never what it’s supposed to be.” Bob Dylan
Posted by Eartaste at 7:46 PM
BY BRIAN PASSEY • When it comes to Christmas music most people likely think of songs like “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells.” • December 19, 2008This year’s Christmas music selection is exceptionally diverse. Melissa Etheridge and Los Lonely Boys bring some rock and blues to the holiday season while the soundtrack to “A Colbert Christmas” offers plenty of humor. And Yo-Yo Ma gets together with some superstar friends for an album that celebrates the spirit of the season more than the holiday itself.
Submitted by Bloggerhythms Blog
2. She & Him – Volume One
Actress Zooey Deschanel proves that music may actually be her first love and where her talents may truly lie. On Volume One she teamed up with singer-songrwriter M. Ward and issued a truly wonderful debut disc. Paste Magazine’s 2008 CD of the year explores early 60s girl group pop, country, and a love of older music in general. Both Deschanel’s vocals and songs are superb. Ward, who leads the band, also does a fine job. Look for a full review early in 2009.
3. Los Lonely Boys – Forgiven
More great harmonies, more fine pop songs, and best of all, more smokin’ electric leads from guitarist Henry Garza prove, that nobody can play mainstream rock better than this trio of brothers.
4. The Mother Truckers – Let’s All Go To Bed
With their third CD Austin’s country-rockers turn up the volume. This is their loudest album to date and it’s also their best. Songs with an obvious Rolling Stones influence (”Streets of Atlanta”) mix it up with a cover of Billy Joe Shaver’s “When I Get My Wings.” Your best chance to see this quartet is by visiting the Texas state capital but The Truckers made a surprise visit east this summer, rocking out at the Bethlehem Musikfest in Pennsylvania, where I caught them for the second time in less than a year. This is ear shredding country music at it’s best.
5. Robert Lamm – The Bossa Project
Chicago’s heart and soul proves again that he deserves a successful solo career instead of semi-obscurity. This CD is a fine homage to one of jazz’s less respected sub-genres but the disc has received accolades from critics everywhere. It was even considered for a jazz Grammy, but unfortunately, it didn’t make the cut to the famous award show’s final five nominees.
HONORABLE MENTION
Bett Butler – Myths & Fables
If it hadn’t been released in November 2007, too late in the year for me to have heard it, the second disc from this fine jazz and blues singer, pianist, and songwriter from San Antonio, TX would have made last year’s top five. Butler’s work is so good it needs to be on a “best of” list somewhere. This is not lounge lizard music, nor smooth jazz. It’s the real thing.
The Cat Empire – So Many Nights
While it’s not quite as eclectic or as rewarding as it’s predecessor, Two Shoes, these Aussies prove that they are still one of the most original party bands in the business. There is no need to apologize for the letdown because Two Shoes was so outstanding. This year’s #4 only pales by comparison.
REISSUE OF THE YEAR
Dennis Wilson – Pacific Ocean Blue
Despite the limitations of Wilson’s voice this lovingly repackaged solo disc from 1977 shows surprisingly excellent production, songwriting, arranging, and at times a strong Beach Boys influence. Many people were shocked that, of all the Beach Boys, such a quality piece of work came from the man who most people considered to be the least talented Wilson Brother.
BEST OBSCURE FIND OF THE YEAR
Tim Pierce – Guitarland (1995)
Unfortunately, sometimes music doesn’t come into our lives until many years after it’s release. Studio guitarist, Tim Pierce, whose superb resume includes playing on the recordings of many outstanding stars, recorded his one and only solo album in 1995. Guitarland is a rocking, instrumental album that leans toward the melodic, pop side of rock and roll. It’s worth finding this long out of print CD. Bloggerhythms will be posting a full review soon.
Pop goes Christmas
Cooke takes one last spin of this year’s seasonal offerings, from Neil Sedaka to metal rockers
STEPHEN COOKE SOUNDSCAPES
Sat. Dec 20 – 10:06 AM
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IT’S BEEN A bonanza year for Christmas CDs, seeing as it’s taken three separate articles to cover them all.
Now comes a look at this season’s pop-rock offerings, after jazz-blues and country, and looking at the stack in front of me it’s hard to think of a musical subgenre that’s not capable of coming up with something jolly. Although I haven’t come across it yet, I’m sure there’s even some heartwarming and headbanging solstice song out there by a pagan metal band.
But in lieu of that, there’s still We Wish You a Metal Christmas and a Headbanging New Year (Armoury), with an all-star array of shredders like the Kulick brothers Bruce and Bob (both formerly in KISS), Ratt singer Stephen Pearcy, dueting with L.A. Guns’ Tracii Guns on Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, of all things, and Styx’s Tommy Shaw doing John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War Is Over).
The track that really sleighs me is an over-the-top rendition of Chuck Berry’s Run Rudolph Run with Motorhead’s leather-lunged Lemmy, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl pounding the skins. Not far behind that for volumes of fun are Alice Cooper’s Santa Claws Is Coming to Town, and a version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Ronnie James Dio, who really sinks his teeth into the line “to save us all from Satan’s power.”
Melissa Etheridge gets in the spirit with A New Thought for Christmas (Island), and despite the evocative cover image of a peace symbol etched on a frosted windowpane, this is not an ethereal, wintry recording. Mixing original compositions with a few rock and roll favourites, Etheridge strikes a passionate note on the topical Christmas In America, while Light a Light says a not-too-silent prayer for the hope and change we’ve been hearing so much about over the past election year.
San Angelo trio Los Lonely Boys make like three wise men with two original tunes on Christmas Spirit (Epic/SonyBMG), the soulful ballad I’ve Longed for Christmas (bearing a slight resemblance to the aforementioned Lennon tune, especially with children’s voices in the background) and the Texican shuffle She’ll Be My Everything for Christmas. The rest of the disc is standards like Carol of the Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Feliz Navidad, but the Boys put their own modern Tex-Mex stamp on them to keep fresh and frosty.
By Thomas Staudter | ||
Los Lobos, three-time Grammy Award winners from Southern California, popularized a border-crossing sound in the early 1980s that fused elements of Mexican and American cultures while maintaining a respect for traditional musical forms and genres. Meanwhile, the three Garza brothers known as Los Lonely Boys, whose hit song “Heaven” from their eponymous titled debut album scored them their first Grammy Award in 2005, were all born in the years when Los Lobos was beginning to release its first albums. “It was a dream come true to be on tour with Los Lobos,” said Henry Garza, the Los Lonely Boys’ guitarist and vocalist. His band will headline the Paramount Center for the Arts, Thursday, Sept. 4, in Peekskill. “For as long as we have been listening to music, they have been our teachers. When [Los Lobos front man] David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas first asked us to back them on some of their songs on stage, I couldn’t believe it. Then the other members of the band wanted to jam with us during our set. It was beautiful; something I’ll never forget.” While it may seem that success has come somewhat quickly for Los Lonely Boys, they are actually musical veterans in their own right, having spent nearly two decades honing their craft. Born in Snyder, Texas and raised in nearby San Angelo, a small city in the middle of the state’s cotton growing region, the three Garza brothers – Henry (now 30), bassist and vocalist Jojo (28) and drummer Enrique, known as “Ringo” (27) – were surrounded by music from the start. Their father, Enrique Garza, Sr., co-founded the prominent conjunto group Los Falcones in the 1970s and 1980s, also performing with his brothers, and when the band broke up he set out on his own, backed by his three sons, who were all still in middle school at the time. “Our parents got divorced when we were all young, but my brothers and I spent a lot of time with him,” said Henry Garza. “He basically taught us how to play our instruments. I started on guitar when I was about four, playing along with Ray Charles and boogie-woogie records, and imitating the ‘Peter Gunn’ riff. We all wanted to grow up to be just like dad, though. He sang all kinds of songs, and we thought he wrote them all.” Working behind their dad throughout their teens, traveling for weeks at a time and playing one-nighters at one roadhouse or social hall after another, taught the Garza brothers a lot about the music business and gave them quite an education to boot. “By the time I was in sixth and seventh grade, I really didn’t have much in common with the kids I was sitting next to in class,” said Garza. “They would be hanging out at dances on the weekends, listening to hip-hop, and I’d be riding around with my dad and brothers, heading to a gig. We literally struggled to survive, and came through it all as a family. Believe me, nobody has your back like a brother.” After moving to Nashville in the late 1990s, Los Lonely Boys were discovered by none other than Willie Nelson, who brought the band to his recording studio in Austin to record their first album in 2003. By then, the group’s sound was a smart mix of hard rock and roots, with Henry’s sizzling guitar work earning comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The first album was actually released on independent Or Records in 2003, and then picked up by the Sony affiliate Epic Records the following year. “I didn’t know anything about girls, but that’s what my dad seemed to be always singing about,” he said. The album spotlighted a band that produces gritty blues-drenched rockers and melodic ballads, with vocal arrangements that feature all three brothers singing, often together. Many of the songs shift between lyrics in English and Spanish, which, Garza, said, is a deliberate attempt at bridging cultures. “We’re also trying to keep our roots alive,” he said. “We like to thank our parents for letting us experience the big world out there from an early age,” said Garza. “There were also a lot of other opportunities we missed out on, though, because of our circumstances. More and more, we see it as our job to teach people how to help each other.” |
December 31st, 2008 at 12:48 am Great list and I’m really pleased to see The Incredible Los Lonely Boys included on your favorites list for 2008. And, Henry Garza should be on the top of every critic’s list as one of the BEST guitarists today. He is earning his place along side SRV, Hendrix, Clapton, Jimmy Page, Santana….!