Friday, April 29, 2011
Coming soon Ride the Johnny Cash bus
Y'all: The Times is taking a bus to the Johnny Cash Music Festival in Jonesboro on Thursday, August 4. George Jones, Roseanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Rodney Crowell are headlining.
Our package deal includes admission to the concert, transpo to and from, dinner before the show in Jonesboro, a live concert on the bus en route by Bonnie Montgomery, complimentary keg beer and general fun. For $99.
We'll leave at 3 p.m. and get back late.
We can all agree that it sucks it's on a Thursday, in Jonesboro, in a venue that doesn't sell alcohol. But at the same time, it's hard to argue with the line-up and the cause. If you agree, the Times bus is definitely the way to travel.
Call 501-375-2985 to reserve your seat today.
Posted by Lindsey Millar on | Permalink | Comments (1)
Bow down to the kings
Yep. This is the only royalty I give two hecks about today.
Jerry "The King" Lawler and Jim Dickinson looking younger and maybe just kind of a little bit drunkish.
[via the Ardent Studios tumblr]
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (1)
What's going on Weekend: 'Blues on the River,' 'Big Brown is Dead,' 'Jazz vs. Hip-Hop 2'
Battery, a Metallica tribute act, rides the lightning all the way to Revolution, 9 p.m., $10.
Mediums Art Lounge pits two of America's greatest contributions to music with "Jazz vs. Hip-Hop 2," a night featuring Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers backing local emcees, including 9th Scientist, Osyrus Bolly, members of the Bully Gang and more, 9 p.m., $10 general, $15 reserved seating.
Thick Syrup Records hosts a showcase in Hot Springs when three bands from its roster, The Reparations, San Antokyo and Brother Andy and His Big Damn Mouth, take to Maxine's Pub, 8 p.m., $5.
And, at Bear's Den Pizza in Conway, the Toad Suck Review literary review hosts a night of rock music featuring Don't Stop Please, Es Lo Que Es, The Sesh and Still Reign, 8 p.m., $5.
SATURDAY 4/30
The annual Blues on the River concert at Riverfest Amphitheater includes Floyd Taylor, Sweet Angel, L.J. Echols, Ms. Jody, Gwen White, the always-great Bobby Rush and a mystery guest, 2 p.m., $25 adv., $30 d.o.s.
DJ Big Brown will, apparently, die or be raised from the dead at Discovery for "Big Brown is Dead," a night bringing the long-time club DJ back to the booth alongside a slate of others, including DJs Death, Justin Sane, Cybertribe and more, 10 p.m., $12.
The Weekend Theater hosts its annual "Breaking All the Rules" fund-raiser during which attendees are encouraged to "break all the rules" by cross-dressing for cash prizes, 6 p.m., $50.
And the Arkansas Travelers, at press time a respectable 7-7 after a rough start on the road, take on the 8-6 division leaders, the Northwest Naturals at Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m., $6-$12.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Saturday To-Do: T-Model Ford
T-MODEL FORD
10 p.m., White Water Tavern. $10.
You may wonder how it's possible that a 91-year- old man recovering from a recent stroke is going to put on one of the most energetic, fun shows of the month, but one, with the rate T-Model Ford is going, he's probably going to live longer than either one of us and two, shut up. To quote the man himself, the Taledragger is "gonna remember you sorry fuckers how it's done." He can summon dirty Mississippi blues out of his totally metal Peavey Razer as well as he can drink whiskey. He can wink as well as he can cuss. The man may not write the bulk of his blues, but he sure can make the classics his own, turning (relatively) courteous standards into slobbering, slurring juke-joint jams.
Fellow fans may be worried with a few points during his newest album, which features a nod or two towards death ("I Worn My Body for So Long," "Someone's Knocking on My Door), but as long as he keeps licking his lips towards big-legged women ("Big Legged Women"), I'm going to keep believing those nods are just defiant winks behind big, hard middle fingers.
Raw, acoustic guitar virtuoso Eric Sommer provides a great, last-minute opener for the night.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on / Music Saturday To-Do: 2 Live Crew
2 LIVE CREW
9 p.m., Revolution. $20.
Nope: Luke's not going to be here. He's busy running for mayor of Miami on a "tax strippers" platform — a stance that would be the stupidest economic plan in America if it weren't for Paul Ryan. In fact, just to spare you the disappointment, the bulk of the "Nasty As They Wanna Be" lineup won't be getting nasty on Saturday, either. But Fresh Kid Ice and Brother Marquis, the two emcees keeping 2 Live Crew alive, will take a break from being the house band for the traveling, adults-only Exxxocita convention to swing to the River Market.
All right, let's cut to the chase. 2 Live Crew in 2011 is like rap's answer to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2011: Yeah, they were great once, but only a tangential fraction of the original crew is touring under the name anymore and it's hard to make a case that they're not half-stepping for the money. Also, when the two-man 2 Live Crew is hitting the stage, Bobby Rush, that be-all, end-all, hump-all master of dirty ass-shakers, will be yards away at the Riverfest Amphitheatre, almost certainly doing it better and with a lot more energy.
That said, this show is going to sell out and, hell, it's going to be a lot of fun regardless of who's down the sidewalk.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reviews / Music Last night: Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman puts on a pretty damn good show. His appearance at Juanita's last night was like nothing I've seen before. There was music. Friedman played sans band, just the Kinkster and a guitar. There was story-telling. In between songs, the crowd was treated to something along the lines of stand-up comedy. And Friedman read a passage from his new book, "Heroes From a Texas Childhood," which was very well-received. The years and the cigar smoke have been good to Kinky's voice. He played some of the old goldies you'd expect like "They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore," but also broke out some of the lesser known tunes like "No Time for Autographs."
Last night, the man did what he does best: tell stories. Whether it was through song, reading or just shooting the bull. Friedman's got a big personality, and he's got the one-liner down to an art form ("I'm 66, but I read at the 68-year-old level"), which is good for a chuckle. But when he sings, strumming softly on his Guild guitar and letting his stogie-tinged voice fall softly on the chords, there's something very serious about it.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
What's going on / Music Friday To-Do: James Taylor
JAMES TAYLOR
8 p.m., Verizon Arena. $45-$69.
On the singer-songwriter menu at American Music Diner, sure, you can order the Sweet Baby James. It's a standard tuna salad sandwich: a meek, colorless thing that's simple to make and unequivocally lacking in anything close to texture. But it's reliable enough. Tastes just like your mom used to make. Heck, it tastes just like everyone's mom used to make. And everyone's mom made tuna salad. It's a constant, unchanging thing: In 2011 it'll rest shapelessly on your plate the same way it did 40 years ago. It'll get you through the afternoon, but not much more. And it's bland enough not to stir up any base desires. I can almost feel my eyes fogging over just thinking about it. Now, you can look down on this Sweet Baby James tuna salad sandwich because of all the things it's not — crunchy, flavorful, hot, meaty or particularly memorable in any way — but dang it, sometimes the only thing that'll hit the spot is a lumpy dump of fish, egg and mayo on white bread.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (1)
What's going on / Bars and venues Friday To-Do: Foamfest 2011
FOAMFEST 2011
6 p.m., River Market Pavilions. $25 adv., $30 d.o.s.
Here are 20 reasons to go to Foamfest: New Belgium Lips of Faith, Old Rasputin, Brother Thelonious, Ayinger Weisse Bock, Schneider Aventinus Eis Bock, Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale, Kong Ludwig Weisse, Work Truck Wheat, Rogue Somer Orange Honey Ale, Krebs Signature Belgian Dubbel, Moylan's Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale, Saison Dupont Belgian Ale, Moinette Artisanal Blonde, Joseph James' Hop Box and Red Fox, G.K. Skaggs' Alhambra Especial, Schneider Hepfen Weisse, Le Merle, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout and even Sparks.
21: Three hours of all-you-can-sample beer with 140 brews on hand.
22: Diamond Bear will raffle off a year of free beer.
23: Proceeds benefit the Arkansas Arthritis Foundation.
Tip your cab driver.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (1)
Music Friday To-Do: Hi-Balls release "Kerfuffle"
HI-BALLS RECORD RELEASE
9 p.m., The Underground. $5.
On their upcoming debut album, "Kerfuffle," the local music veterans of the Hi-Balls wear their influences well and square on their gingham, Schlitz-spotted sleeves. Ronnie Hawkins, Hank Sr., whatever band did the theme for "Roseanne" — they're all here. Even a little Steely Dan jazz shimmy finds its way into the album on "Whiskey Groovin'." No doubt about it, this is deck music, Arkansas-styled with a splash of south Louisiana boogie for good measure. Think bug zappers, rice paper lanterns and lake breeze. Or think "Foamfest afterparty." The Hi-Balls are joined by local surf band the Reverburritos and blues-rockers Joe Pitts Band.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on / Music Weekend To-Do: Toad Suck Daze 2011
TOAD SUCK DAZE 2011
3:30 p.m., downtown Conway. Free.
Some of the coolest things around Arkansas were born from benders: Hoo-Hoo (formally The International Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo), a lumberman's fraternity based in my dear ol' Gurdon, was conceived over booze, I understand. Also, the larger part of Glenwood. And thanks to a few pie-eyed, riverboating scamps from decades past who would drink during Faulkner County stopovers until they "swelled up like toads," we have — voila! — Toad Suck Daze.
In name at least, it's the best festival in all of America and, by default, the whole dang world. You know what to expect: toad races, three-on-three basketball, a golf tournament, a petting zoo, fried food, dudes who want a truck, touching a truck. Ankle-biters armed to the teeth with stink bombs and silly string. Leather belt vendors. People who walk slow. And it's all worth it (particularly since it's free).
This year's entertainers include locals Adam Hambrick, Riverbilly and Wes Jeans playing beside Mr. Bojangles himself, Jerry Jeff Walker (Saturday, 9 p.m.), and zomgswoon! Kris Allen (9:30 p.m., Friday).
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Fayetteville's upcoming Lucinda/Billy Joe show moved
Sunday's show with the female Kris Kristofferson and the outlaw country legend has been moved from the Arkansas Music Pavillion to the Fayetteville Town Center on the Fayetteville Square. It's just going to be too dang cold and wet, says the Walton Arts Center.
A few more general admission tickets are still available at $25 through the Walton Arts Center box office.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (2)
Al Bell to receive honorary doctorate
The soul music mogul, former CEO of Stax Records during the Memphis label's heydays and one-time head of Motown Records is set to receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from his alma mater, Philander Smith, this Saturday, April 30, during the college's annual Alumni Association Convention. Bell also served on the school's Board of Directors and, 40 years ago, was awarded an honorary Doctorate (although not of Humane Letters) from the local college.
In February, the "Mayor of Soulsville" was given the 2011Trustees Award Grammy by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (those Grammy folks).
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on Thursday: 'Honky Tonk Angels,' 'One Heart,' Big John Miller
Bluesman Big John Miller lands in Markham Street Grill and Pub for a night of 12-bar boogie, 8 p.m.
White Water Tavern hosts a night of local singer/songwriters of the female persuasion: Elise Davis, Bonnie Montgomery, Amy Garland, Corrine Spero and Mandy McBryde all bring Arkansas-tinged folksiness to the bar for "A Night With Arkansas's Honky Tonk Angels," 10 p.m., $5.
Hot Springs' Muses Creative Artistry Project takes to the Hot Springs Convention Center to raise money for those affected by the recent earthquakes in Japan with "One Heart: Songs of Love and Life for the People of Japan," 7 p.m.
Soulmotor, a new project from Tesla bassist Brian Wheat and UFO guitarist Tommy McClendon, brings classic metal to Downtown Music Hall, 8 p.m., $15.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on Kinky Friedman rambles into Juanita's tonight
Kinky Friedman is completely full of bull. He's also a truth teller. It's a good thing the two are not mutually exclusive. The leader of the now-infamous Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys and former independent candidate for governor of Texas is coming to Juanita's tonight as part of his "Springtime for Kinky" tour, a 17-show run that will conclude with a performance in Woodstock, N.Y., alongside Arkansas native Levon Helm.
Friedman promises to play some of his favorites, including classics like "They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore," read passages from his new book, "Heroes from a Texas Childhood," take questions from the audience, sign books and probably kick back a couple shots of "Mexican mouthwash" along the way.
Check out our interview with the "Asshole from El Paso" after the jump.
Posted by John Tarpley on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Reviews / Music Last night: Bob Seger
Bob Seger
April 26, Verizon Arena
Bob Seger first took the stage in 1961, and 50 years and countless tours later the Detroit rocker says this is probably his farewell run across America. So how apropos that this tour ends late next month with three shows in Detroit and a final concert in Cleveland, another blue-collar town that has always gone nuts over Seger and his Silver Bullet Band.
Count Little Rock as another Seger hotbed. More than a quarter-century removed from his hit-making run through the 1970s and ’80s, almost 14,000 turned out for his February 2007 concert at Alltel/Verizon Arena, and 7,720 braved a stormy night Tuesday, April 26, to flick their Bics, sing along and generally rock out to the vast array of hits and non-radio faves.
Two of the 13 musicians who joined Seger on the uncrowded, expansive stage are original Silver Bullets — bassist Chris Campbell and saxophonist Alto Reed — and this seemed like a show aimed at those who caught onto the group in its earliest days.
Posted by Kelley Bass on | Permalink | Comments (3)
Event Calendar
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Re: Willie Nelson to Johnny Cash Music Festival
Yes, good point Pygface. I'll inquire about all that and give an update when we…
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Pictures from the rocker's first ever performance in Arkansas on April 21 at Verizon Arena.
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