Hillgrass Bluebilly Comes to Southern California.

We are proud to welcome a new Hillgrass Bluebilly chapter in southern California!

This event marks the kickoff of the Hillgrass Bluebilly Southern California Chapter and we are thrilled to have 2 of our favorite bands from the area, LOS DUGGANS and RESTAVRANT! Also
just added! Soda Gardocki, RT N' the 44's and Peewee Moore & the Awful Dreadful Snakes!

Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 at Alex's Bar at 2913 E. Anaheim St, Long Beach, California 90804. There will be a limited edition CDs available at this show that features RestavRant and Los Duggans
covering the songs of Johnny Cash & R.L. Burnside.

The CD art was made courtesy of Erika Jane Mallette, an artist out  of Austin, TX. The songs on the limited edition are "Apache Tears" and "Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down" by Los Duggans, and "Ballad of a Teenage Beauty Queen" and "Poor Black Mattie" by Restavrant. We are pretty sure  you havn't heard Cash / Burnside cover tunes like this.... we guarantee it.

 
Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/347760091977034/

 

Hillgrass Bluebilly in August and September 2012

Hello Dirtyfoot Family. Is everybody ready for the Muddy Roots music festival? We will be there Labor Day weekend and can hardly wait and we hope to see you there. This last Tuesday, Aug 21, 2012... "The Bootleg Beginnings from the Shack Out Back" by the Boomswagglers had it's official worldwide release and we also announced the official worldwide release date for "Mighty Lonesome Man" by James "Slim" Hand on Tuesday October 16, 2012.


 Hillgrass Bluebilly will have our official release write-up by Tressa A. Burns posted on "Mighty Lonesome Man" by Texas Country & Western music legend, James Hand, in the next week or so. Until then, the folks over at savingcountrymusic.com did a informational on it and you can see that, at this link here http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/james-hand-to-release-mighty-lonesome-man-oct-16th .

After the Muddy Roots Music Festival, Restavrant will be on tour with Scott H. Biram, the dirty old one man band. Our own Tressa A. Burns at headquarters released the offcial tour bio for this SHB tour, have a looksy......

 "Restavrant (Rest^vRant) is junkyard high art. A catapult that soaks in a wealth of contrasting influences and Pollacks back the mash obscuring any predictable template of genre. Electrocana, roots, punk, country and slide blues would seem to be rough acts to merger but through the mad science of front man Troy Murrah the formula hits the nail.

Murrah, a thirty something Los Angeles based Victoria, Texas native possesses a restless wiring that lends dimensional creativity to his projects incorporating visual art and a compelling asthetic in live shows as well as promotional materials. Troy got a late start musically but hit the ground running. During a moderate "social hiatus" he shacked up with a Silvertone and cut his teeth on the works of Mississippi Fred Mcdowell. He began as a solo one man band act until joining forces with J State who expanded the dynamic and provided percussion, Korg and back up vocals on the 2008 Narnack records realease 'Returns to the Tomb of Guiliano Medidici' and the 2011 album ' Yeah I Carve Cheetahs' under Hillgrass Bluebilly Records. In the current incarnation, Murrah is backed by a rotating cast of talent that captains the elaborate salvage lot trash kit that serves as the driving force of the bands overall sound.

Rest^vrant's hybrid of big belt buckle break loops, slide, banjo, vox and harp have been well received over the course of two full length releases and an extensive west coast and european tour. The band is currently in studio recording what will be their third release and a U.S tour with veteran "dirty ol' one man band" Scott H. Biram has been confirmed for the fall."

Thank you again folks. Pre-sales are up for "Mighty Lonesome Man" at www.hillgrassbluebillyrecords.com. All Trucker Hats are in stock, plus we have a new design. Check out the store, and stock up on everything you need.

What's up in July 2012 at Hillgrass Bluebilly?

How goes it Dirtyfoots? We have been busy here at headquarters, and would like to catch y'all up on a few thangs. First off, we signed up to Pinterest, where we have quite a few different boards started up like "Dirtyfoots", where we showcase different Dirtyfoots around the world in Hillgrass Bluebilly gear. Other boards include "The Extra Mile", where we will showcase folks who go that extra mile and "Real Deal, Nothing Less" which showcases anybody who we think is the real deal and "Music We Love" which showcases all kindsa folks, not just the Hillgrass Bluebilly roster.

James "Slim" Hand is just about finished up with his new record, due out soon on Hillgrass Bluebilly Records. We believe the new all original release will be titled "Mighty Lonesome Man", produced by Deborah Perry and co-produced by team Hillgrass Bluebilly. The album features an all-star line-up of folks like Will Indian, Speedy Sparks, former Weary Boys Cary Ozanian and Darren Sluyter, Beth Crissman, Alvin Crow, Bobby Flores, Gary Carpenter, grammy award winning Cindy Cashdollar and more! Chris Burns at Burns Audio in Austin, TX has been the recording / mixing engineer  and it will soon be sent off to our mastering guru, Mike Vizcarra, at the Cove in Laurel Pass, California. We will be releasing "Mighty Lonesome Man" on CD and Vinyl! This will be the 1st Vinyl release for James Hand and Hillgrass Bluebilly Records. Up next for James Hand is a Gospel album, to be released on Hillgrass Bluebilly Records. We will announce a release date and presales link to the website in few weeks for "Mighty Lonesome Man".

This Thursday in Austin, Texas, Hillgrass Bluebilly will feature a Country Music Showcase at Antone's. A local legend, Cade Callahan gets things started off at 9PM, followed by Hellbound Glory, then The Boomswagglers. It is a CD release party for the Boomswagglers and the CD comes with an emergency fishing kit. We could tell ya all about it, but the folks over at Saving Country Music (.com), did a few bang-up write-ups on the boys and you can check it out by clicking that link.

Possessed by Paul James got home successfully, after 2 week tour with his family and 2 dogs and VooDoo Rhythm label-mate, Delaney Davidson. We heard there were a couple van breakdowns after his tour to Deep Blues Festival, but we heard the van problems were easy fixes. We heard it was a successful tour and some good connections made. RestavRant is also due home anyday from their tour to Deep Blues Festival and back, I heard there were some great shows on that tour, after an almost rough start. We suggest youTubin' "Deep Blues Festival" and watchin' any of the videos that pop-up. Ten Foot Polecats are doin' some shows with Molly Gene - One Woman Band, soon.

Muddy Roots Festival is approaching FAST! Last night, founder Keith, and his wife Erika, got their round-trip plane tickets and compact rental car on priceline for a total of $722.21. We hope y'all take the Muddy Roots Festival as a serious thing... you should know why you should be there, or know you need to be there, but dont know exactly why. Either way, your gut and mind should be tellin you to make plans to be at this festival... Ralph Stanley, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Possessed by Paul James, Hooten Hallers, RestavRant, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Lone Wolf, James Hand, Wayne Hancock and MANY MANY more! Holy Moly! Oh yeah, they even have air conditioned bunk houses for a $150 a night thats RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE ACTION!

...and on a final note... if your routing allows French Lake, Minnesota in travels or vacations.. Weber's Deck has officially announced open season at the Deck. Look into it, if ya haven't already.

Thanks,
HBHQ
Keith

Thanks again folks....

Summer 2012 Update

Hello, friends, fans & dirtyfoots,

We have been busy busy since we last posted. To follow up on the last post, we have held about a 7 or 8 events at the Austin Moose Lodge, including our 5th annual XSXSW event, it has been a good start!

We have accepted more submissions for our Cash/Burnside tribute album titled JR & RL. It is shaping up nicely. June 12, 2012 was the worldwide release for "Wreck of a Fine Man" by Tom VandenAvond. We signed James "Slim" Hand for a few albums, and we have been in the studio with him since January. We feel James Hand is the most authentic man living in country & western music today. Possessed by Paul James is also in the studio, we will update you on that as soon as we have some details. The Boomswaggler CD "Bootleg Beginnings....." will be available for purchase in mid- July 2012.  We began the year on Jan 12 with the worldwide release of "Yeah, I Carve Cheetahs" by Restavrant!

We celebrated our 7 year anniversary in Phoenix (Tempe) with Possessed by Paul James & Dr. Ralph Stanley & his Clinc Mountain Boys in April 2012. We will hop back on here and keep you better updated. Thank you for your continued support.

Change is Gonna Come

Hello Friends, Fans & Dirtyfoots,

We have hosted many events in Austin, since our arrival in 2007. We announced in 2010, that we'd be searching for a way of doing things that would better suit our endeavors & presentation. On Veteran's Day, Friday November 11, 2011 at the Austin Moose Lodge 1735, we present: "Searching For Guy Clarks Kitchen - Tour 2011" featuring Tom VandenAvond, who was nominated for "Best. Alt. Country Album of 2011" at the Independent Music Awards for his latest release "You Oughta Know Me By Now" & Willy Tea Taylor who has been called one of the best songwriters & deliverers of this generation. Yes, they are singer/songwriters.... but I can tell you that NOBODY can put them in that box.

On to the Moose Lodge... Like I said, we have hosted many events since 2007, Scoot Inn, Emo's (inside & out), Jovita's, Ruta Maya, The Oaks, Beerland and of course, Hole in the Wall. Hillgrass Bluebilly "Entertainment" released statements for almost 2 years that we would be looking to host our events, on a national level, at local VFW's, Moose Lodges, Italian-American Halls/Banquet Halls, Country Clubs, Barns, and the like. I feel these places/communities have been on a rapid decline since I was a young boy and was taken to the Tomball VFW, being a part of all the holiday happenins, dances, concerts and run around the property, behind the stage, in the offices and meeting rooms I wasnt supposed to be in, behind the bar, all up in the kitchen, runnin and slidin ' across the sawdust dance floor, playin' pool for the 1st time, Bingo night.... late 70's early 80's... it was a beautiful time. Shit, everyone knew the barber, the dude at the hardware store, grocery store, the local plumbers, AC guys.. the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ..even the owner at 7-11 ... you'd see em all at the V.F.W.

Thanks for allowing me to paint a picture of the community I was privileged to be a part of. I have been looking for a place that resembles things like that this.... I would like to think the Dirtyfoot Family would like to have things like that. Loyalty, follow-through, respect, a foundation to build on... a place we can be a part of, and contribute to when we can.... ACTUALLY be a part of y'all.. a place for our kids a lot of the time, our grandparents and all of us. Places like this STILL exist folks, but barely.... they are on there last leg. They need our help, and we want to give it to them. I believe we all need to embrace a lot of things that are in place and within reach, and we can start right here at the Austin Moose Lodge, when it comes time for you to spend an evening with our time tested and approved of, successful events.... successful to the soul 1st, the bar last mind you. At the end of the day, I am Loyal Order of the Moose, and my wife, is Woman of the Moose, and hopefully a lot of you Dirtyfoots will soon join us down at the Moose, and embrace our contribution/idea/endeavor for a revival of "lost America", for our friends and family to have a place of our own. A place that IMPROVES & BUILDS FOR US as we bring them beautiful, exceptional music that you just flat out cant get anywhere else.

We will host Possessed by Paul James at the Austin Moose Lodge in Mid-December for the Hillgrass Bluebilly Happy Holidays Hoe-Down. Konrad Wert (Possessed by Paul James) took home "Best Alt. Country Album of the Year" at the 2011 Independent Music Awards this year for his latest release "Feed the Family" on Hillgrass Bluebilly "Records". He was also nominated for "Best Americana Album of the Year - 2011", which was won by Pokey LaFarge. Konrad was also one the best, if not the best performance at this years Muddy Roots Music Festival outside Nashville, TN, which also included Wanda Jackson & Don Maddox. We will say goodbye to 2011 in tribute to Possessed by Paul James, who is currently recording his next release, due out on Hillgrass Bluebilly Records in earlyish 2012.

We will also host the 5th Annual Hillgrass Bluebilly X(not)SXSW Showcase at the Moose in March 2012. SavingCountryMusic.com, the Muddy Roots Festival, has teamed up with us to present a HUGE 2 day "SAVING (country music) DEEP (blues) MUDDY (roots) HILLGRASS (bluebilly) XSXSW FEST" (more to be announced on savingsountrymusic.com soon). We are very proud to make the connection and call the Austin Moose Lodge our new home in Austin, TX. The Moose has reached out to folks in the past, but we will open up shop for the Moose and start booking folks who we see deemed fit at the Moose Lodge in our efforts to revive "lost America" and prove once again... that you never know where a song might take you! We need your help y'all... can't make a difference... without you!

Thanks a lot, Keith M. / HB

Veteran's Day

Friday 11/11/11Austin Moose Lodge

2103 E.M. Franklin Ave.

Austin, TX 78723

Yeah, I Carve Cheetah's

"Yeah, I Carve Cheetahs"

Every so often something will come along and snap your neck to it, flipping the auto pilot to full attention. A new sound that reconciles the familiar with the foreign, and pulls you into it. In 2008 our own Keith Mallette had such an experience as he caught the captivating bucket thump and grainy slide stylings of REST^vRANT through the trees of the "Enchanted Forest" ( no joke ) in Austin, Texas. Since then Hillgrass Bluebilly formed a lasting connection with Troy Murrah and J State that led to REST^vRANT performing in 2 of the 4 H.B.E SXSW showcases and joining forces with Left Lane Cruiser on the H.B.E Hard Luck Summer Tour in 2009. Today, REST^vRANT and Hillgrass Bluebilly Records & Entertainment proudly announce the upcoming release for the long awaited 12 track opus of an album "Yeah, I Carve Cheetahs" to you! This unique duo delivers a diverse cannon of sonic emotion that reaches rafter shaking, floor stomping heights and dreamlike contemplative depths using an inventive arsenal of unconventional instrumental implements. A guaranteed good listen, whatever your mood! REST^vRANT has the H.B.E middle finger of approval in spades. We encourage you to pick up the album and support this incredible act when they come to your town. Also look for their contribution to the upcoming J.R & R.L, Johnny Cash and R.L Burnside double tribute album from Hillgrass Bluebilly Records coming in 2012! "Yeah, I Carve Cheetah's" is expected for an October release, official release date coming soon.


Tressa A. Burns / Managing Editor / Curator / Creative Consultant
Hillgrass Bluebilly Records & Entertainment Headquarters

The Boomswagglers - The Bootleg Beginnings from the Shack Out Back

We present to you our first installment of the Hillgrass Bluebilly "Bootleg" series in the form of a ten track chunk of hard sentiments spawned from harder living. The Boomswagglers -"The Bootleg Beginnings from the Shack Out Back" is a hopeful window into the next generation of pickers and grinners backed with an all-star cast of accomplished musicians. Formed in 2009, this duo of troublemaking Texas young bucks managed to get themselves thrown out of more venues than they played in, stirred up controversy during their sets with the nature of their lyrics and crammed a lazier mans decade worth of rehab jail time and bar brawls into a short but enthusiastic three year run that sadly, for now, has come to an end. Luckily, before they disbanded they joined with Brian Salvi and Darren Sluyter (former members of the Weary Boys), North Dakotan turned Texas alumni Leo Rondeau and Molly Salvi (who has lent her lovely silky rasp to the likes of Woodsboss , Tom Vandenavond and the Salvi Family band) in Elgin, Texas to make this gem of a record.


I had the pleasure of speaking with Lawson Bennett and Spencer Cornett in separate telephone conversations whose transcripts read like Dukes of Hazard meets Gummo. Bennett and Cornett met in Georgetown, Texas where the south end of the San Gabriel river runs and the city motto is "sincerely yours". They bonded over fishing, catfish noodling and making explosives to collect arrowheads. Lawson was living in a shack in the area and Spencer would come by for picking sessions. Lawson wrote the majority of the songs he and Spencer played and attributes much of their influence to his long time admiration for Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band. "This is kind of a bummer album" said Lawson. " A lot of the songs were written in a house with no running water. We were stealing from a hose from the neighbors place. Shitty girlfriends, shitty jobs , the world treated us like shit and that's the truth. Like that song 'Even Lower Down', that came from a tough time. I came home sad as shit, shits fucked, aint no money, aint no phone, well... just the CB radio, aint no runnin water, hardly any beer, goose shit all over the house and my girl at the time yellin in my ear. Same with 'Morning Pills', Doc told me I had high blood pressure, had me on all kinda medication. I fucked up my knee and they had to set it, they gave me vics for the pain and it fucked up my heart more. wasn't nuthin I could do. Country goes two ways, you got your Willie Nelson hippie folky types and that rich kid drivin daddies truck bullshit. We were listenin to punk rock, fishin and shootin guns. We didn't know country , then we heard Merle Haggard. Most folks didn't figure out shit like we did. We are like an oddity to them , sumthin they read about in books. Thats fuckin life. Bad times. That's why we don't play much anymore. We aint pissed off anymore. People want to hear me upset and I aint tryin to be upset my whole life."

Shame. It's a chainsaw juggle to balance playing and surviving but I have a feeling this wont be the last we hear from the Boomswagglers. Till then, enjoy these tracks and as always... support local music , wherever it may be local to.

1. Low Down
2. Workin' Man
3. Why I Sleep Alone
4. Trailer Park Special
5. Jim & Jack
6. I'm Comin Home
7. Even Lower Down
8. Mornin' Pills
9. Wilco Blues
10. Run You Down

This afternoon, over at http://www.hillgrassbluebillyrecords.com, you can download/have this album for free!

Tressa A. Burns
Hillgrass Bluebilly Headquarters

The XXX Steel Horse of the Apocolypse

Hey Folks,
Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend! In the spirit of independence I'd like to take a minute to address, well, independence. As you know we run an independent label. In the 7 years we have had this team together, for better or worse, we have had a clear idea of our mission since day one. Every ounce of articulated press from the archive to date, compliments the ideas that got us started and the actions we take that keep us running with the same amount of steam our founders barreled into our creation.

It's a good deal we've got. Promoting what we love, on our own terms for the sake of the music that changed us when we found it, drew us in as individuals and pulled us together. If you have the means I highly recommend it. Whatever you love, you are not alone and there is no better time than now to organize and find an audience to support it with you.

All of us that work in this industry on an independent level have our own views on the society that wired our motives to spotlight whatever frame we built. The "mainstream" has always been run on the buck and now more than ever the generic hit rotisserie files into the five approved genres and cranks out minty fresh sound cubes to the digital breadline of consumers celebrating their individuality through their marketing demographic. That's a bleak dystopian angle but thankfully only a portion of a free market. As long as we have the power of cultural autonomy the music industry version of Soylent green doesn't have to have anything to do with us.

If you follow the message boards on Saving Country Music and No Depression, you have a head start on where this is going. We have hit a crux on the political side of business and some tough decisions have been made. What should have been a private and brief conversation between Adam Sheets of XXX and Keith here at HBE hit the bike racks of the board and sparked a public dialogue that we now have no choice but to acknowledge. It aint' pretty. On a business level, I'd love to call a spade a spade close the door on the badger den and go back to work, but it has gone to far now.

It came to our attention that our logo and a few of the artists we represent were listed throughout the XXX site in a way that made it appear that we were directly affiliated. No one from XXX had approached us prior to this. No glove slap, just a matter of principal we were within our rights to make note of. When we called on them to remove the images only part of our request was granted and the conversation didn't go well, a good portion of which can be found on the SCM public forum. The feed back from the posts had some common themes ; 'What's the big deal as long as the artists are being promoted?' 'This argument is pointless' 'We are all in this together, why can't we just get along?' I'll tell you. Not all promotion is good promotion when it compromises the continuity of our philosophies concerning the greater good. This requires some looking into.

First of all, yes our primary goal is promoting our artists through the HBE cause but the company and artists are not interchangeable. That being said, this is an issue strictly between labels and the observations that follow are separate to the company itself. We do our best to work for our artists but make no attempt to speak for them. In the same turn our choice to draw a thick line between ourselves and XXX as entities falls under conflict of interest between ourselves and XXX's proprietors and not the artists they carry. Our instincts led us to be wary of XXX from the beginning and through revelations over a short amount of time our notions were consolidated and confirmed. We will get to some of the statements that led to this but first let us tell you what this isn't about.

We don't care what XXX calls itself. Weather the moniker conjures ties with porn, moonshine or x-treme snack chips makes no difference to us outside of opinion. Hell, as far as logos having offensive implications one of the main images we use is a middle finger. However in our case there was never any doubt as to the message the symbolism carries.

We don't care about the general career connections or family influence or monetary advantage Shooter inevitably brings to the XXX table. The closing line in Shooters post to us on SCM was " If you really believe music is better without XXX then we can ask the people, but from the amount of positive responses i've gotten from my radio show, I really don't think thats the case." Great Shooter Having a radio station is an excellent way to have listeners. You should use every tool you have to move your agenda. We don't have a radio station. We don't have any of that. You win. We are a small operation but we are here. We've been here. The sudden X-posure of XXX coming in quick with the interest of representing the "underdog" might have sank in a little better with us If they had put the horse before the cart.

Ultimately it breaks down to opposition of mission and method. All over XXX is the desire to put a pretty extensive and varied list of bands that are "Too rock for country, to country for rock!" into the pantheon of media that has its back turned on them. "We want our own genre." "Sign the petition!" "We want the same for XXX that every piece of slop that gets played in other genres gets!" ..........................Woah. Sounds like 'meet the new boss to us. We don't need a boss and I can die just fine without my favorite songs on the top 40 chart. God speed XXX but that aint our fight.

XXX came out with their first compilation yesterday morning. Southern Independent XXX Volume One. With it came a "Warning- This album is intended to ruin the sanctity of roots music. By downloading and or listening to the material herein you are actively contributing to its demise. Despite this it is expected that you will fucking love it." I could keep citing examples of why XXX doesn't work for us, even have a good time on a personal level bashing Shooters "Southern Family Anthem" track, but in a predictable twist It has done that on it's own in a neatly wrapped package. Way to steal my journalistic exposition thunder XXX. Again, though its a mix mash I wouldn't have thrown together, the XXX roster has some great bands that despite their new powerhouse endorsement I will continue to buy their albums and attend their shows. Its not necessary to choose sides when it comes to the music, or the lables for that matter we just wanted you to know where we stand. Any and all feedback is more than welcome and if there are things I may have overlooked in my conclusions please, have at it. Till next time Amigos.....
TAB

--
Tressa A. Burns / Managing Editor / Curator / Creative Consultant
Hillgrass Bluebilly Records & Entertainment Headquarters
http://www.hillgrassbluebillyrecords.com

A small recap of the 4th annual HBXSXSW on 3/18/2011

Thank you to everyone who came out to the 4th Annual Hillgrass Bluebilly Records & Entertainment Showcase (HBXSXSW4) last Friday, March 18, 2011. This may very well be the last XSXSW event we have at the Hole in the Wall, so we are glad you came out! We do not have youtubes of everyone that performed Friday night. "Rose's Pawn Shop" captivated the crowd outside with a very strong performance, as usual. "Shake it Like a Caveman" joined us for his 2nd HBXSXSW event and did not dissappoint. The night was started off by the Harmed Brothers, doing the best start off in HBXSXSW history by takin' the floor over in the front room. This year may have been the strongest set for Uncle Tom VandenAvond & the Say Hey Kids, we hope to find some y'all Uncle Tom videos from that night.


This is our 2nd XSXSW showcase with Austin Lucas. He was joined by his sister Chloe Manor, this time & Cory Branan on a song or two.

"Go West" (with sister, Jon Snodgrass & Cory Branan)


"Sun or Snow" (with Chloe Manor & Cory Branan)


"Somebody Loves You"

"Dead Factories" (with Chloe Manor)



Drage the River - This was our 1st time working with Drag the River, here are a few videos of Drag the River at our showcase. They were on stage 2.

"Dancing in the Moonlight" with Cory Branan & Austin Lucas joining them on stage.


"Death of the Life of the Party"


"Medicine"

Our brother, Soda, has performed at 3/4 of the HBXXSW events, maybe all of them. Here is Soda performing "Gutter Queen" at our event on Friday. He took over stage 2 with a 12 string Banjo. Hillgrass Bluebilly will have a Soda release for you, shortly after summer.

"Gutter Queen"


"Possessed by Paul James" finished the night off us again, for his 2nd HBXSXW showcase. Enjoy the video from our showcase that Friday night, March 18th, 2011.


This is the last post by co founder Keith Mallette (me) for awhile, Tressa B is now on detail. She was our writer / pr / editor back in 2007 and 2008 and we are super excited to have the one & only Tressa back on duty.

We would like to leave you with a video from Willy Tea Taylor, the newest edition to the Hillgrass Bluebilly Records family.

Possessed by Paul James & Tom VandenAvond are nominated for BEST ALBUM!

HILLGRASS BLUEBILLY RECORDS HAS 3 NOMINATED ALBUMS IN THE 10TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS WITH "FEED THE FAMILY" by POSSESSED BY PAUL JAMES & "YOU OUGHTA KNOW ME BY NOW" by TOM VANDENAVOND featuring: LARRY & HIS FLASK!



Austin Texas’s Own Possessed by Paul James & Tom VandenAvond, Joins Ra Ra Riot, Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne and David Lindley As Nominees for The 10th Independent Music Awards

Last year about this time, Hillgrass Bluebilly Records was VERY PROUD to announce that "Hiram & Huddie Vol. 1 & 2" was nominated "Best Concept Album" for the 9th annual Independent Muic Awards. WE DID IT AGAIN! "Feed the Family" by Possessed by Paul James has been nominated for both "Best Alt. Country Album" and "Best Americana Album" and "You Oughta Know Me By Now" by Tom VandenAvond has been nominated for "Best Alt. Country Album".

February 19, 2011 – Austin based Possessed by Paul James and Tom VandenAvond joins Ra Ra Riot, Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, Hemoptysis, Darrell Scott, Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne and David Lindley and other self-released and independent label talent as Nominees for The 10th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.


Representing the broad spectrum of today’s global independent music scene, the more than 300 Nominees in nearly 70 Song, Album, Music Video and Design categories were culled from submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe.


Known for celebrating artists that follow their own muse, The 10th IMA Nominees are an eclectic mix of rising stars including Strawfoot (Alt. Country Song), Hemoptysis (Metal/Hardcore Song), and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three (Amerciana Album) and established talent including telecaster virtuoso, Jim Campilongo (Instrumental Album), experimental multi-genre artist, Flying Lotus (Music Video and Dance/Electronica Song), and indie rockers, Ra Ra Riot (Pop/Rock Album). Perhaps better known as major label acts, this year’s Nominees strutting their independence include former Hole bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur (Indie/Alt./Hard Rock Album), and songwriting legend Jackson Browne with David Lindley (Live Performance Album).


Winners will be determined by a panel of 62 influential artist and industry judges including Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Pete Wentz, Bettye LaVette, Seal, Adam Duritz, Ozzy Osbourne, Arturo Sandoval, Martin Atkins, Andrew W. K., Shelby Lynne, Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Pat McGuire (Filter Magazine) and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in mid-March 2011. Music fans have until July 11 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.


Hear the music of all Nominees at: http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/album

If you have a minute, we ask that you please go and vote for both "Feed the Family" and "You Oughta Know Me By Now". We have the opportunity to win BOTH judges vote AND fans vote. Like last year though, if we do NOT win over the judges, the BIGGEST statement we can make as listeners... is to achieve the vox pop vote so we can help push Possessed by Paul James & Tom VandenAvond on to bigger and better things.

GOOD JOB BOYS, WE LOVE YA!

Celebrating the democracy of creativity and meritocracy of talent, The Independent Music Awards honor exceptional independent artists who are, traditionally ignored by mass media and big box retailers. For the past 10 years, artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards. Produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry networking database The Musician’s AtlasOnline, and producers of the original webTV series, Grooveable Feast, The IMAs use its unrivaled access to performance, promotion & distribution opportunities to connect Winners and Nominees to new audiences and revenue opportunities. Earning IMA honors goes beyond a badge of distinction. Artists credit The IMAs with increasing recognition among music fans and industry gatekeepers.

Past winners and nominees include: And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Cursive, fun., The Flatlanders, Spinerrette, Holly GoLightly & The Brokeoffs, Vienna Teng, The So So Glos, Cephas & Wiggins, The Matches, All That Remains, The Cliks, Oran Etkin, State Radio, Lee “Scratch Perry, The Very Best, Tim Easton, Marco Benevento, Kes The Band, Jamie Lidell, Lacuna Coil, The Trews, Joan As Police Woman; Koko Taylor, Miguel Migs; Speech, God Forbid, Lionel Louekee; Jeff Healey, Johnny Dowd, Chris Whitley, Ike Turner, The Apples in stereo, Mary Gauthier, Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland), The Mooney Suzuki, and Denque Fever among many others.

Live Review - Boomswagglers & Possessed by Paul James

Live Review: Boomswagglers & Possessed by Paul James
Original Link: http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/live-review-boomswagglers-possessed-by-paul-james











(picture is not from event)

Hillgrass Bluebilly Lunch Party, but because I was too busy managing the live internet audio stream during the Boomswaggler’s set, and the stage was so surrounded by teeming “dirtyfoots” for Possessed’s nightcap performance that I couldn’t steal even a peep, I headed down to Beerland in Austin, TX Friday night to take in the double bill of Hillgrass artists.

The Boomswagglers are a band on the rise people, mark my words. For an act with no formal release, and up to this point no major touring or even residency in a local scene, they have created quite the buzz and following. There were people there that night just to see The Boomswagglers, many of them singing along to songs and screaming out requests.
Unfortunately the sound was pretty muddy, and the beginning of their set was a little rough. But when they were joined on stage by Possessed by Paul James, they rallied:

A similar observation I had seeing them previously is that they are both extremely-talented guitar players, but their use of tones and volume doesn’t always lend to that being translated to the audience. Same could possibly be said for lyrics. But this one song emphasizes both:

And be aware, The Boomswagglers do have a big release and tour coming, but they are making sure to get it right, because they are worth it, so no specific details just yet on either.

Next was Possessed by Paul James, and of the three times I have seen him live, this was by far his most inspired performance. Not that the previous two were bad, but this was just a different, more rowdy energy. Konrad is a school teacher, and my guess would be a damn good one, but he mentioned during the show his frustrations for the red tape involved in teaching, and wondered aloud if his future wasn’t better cast in music. Like I iterated

in my review of Feed The Family:

Possessed certainly has the chops to be a full-time performer if he wanted to, but he’s chosen his path from a belief of what is best for his family, and because of a dedication to service that was instilled in his Mennonite upbringing. I respect Possesessed’s decision, but I hope he understands that his music is a service as well; a touching, uplifiting, empowering experience that the world is a better place because of.

Regardless of the reasoning, Possessed was on fire on Friday. His gear was dogged by technical difficulties, but instead of adding hiccups to an otherwise good show, it created moments of spontaneous beauty, like when he couldn’t get his banjo and amp to work together, so he headed out into the crowd to make sure energy didn’t die:

When I posted this year’s Muddy Roots lineup, there was a reason I put Possessed by Paul James’ name second to the top. He is a headliner, and an elder of the fusion of country, folk, and blues, and has the songs, stories, road time, wisdom, and bald spot to back it all up. The lighting wasn’t good that night, and as per usual of a PPJ show, the front of the stage was crashed by rabid fans and sight lines were few if any. But the music and energy was great as always, and below are a few more vids worth checking out. I don’t know, but for some reason I am really digging what the bad lighting and sight lines created. I think they capture the magic of the night better than a clean video could.

The Deep Blues on Possessed by Paul James

Album Review: "Feed the Family"
Artist: Possessed by Paul James / Konrad Wert
Record Label: Hillgrass Bluebilly
Original Link:http://realdeepblues.blogspot.com/2011/01/possessed-by-paul-james-feed-family.html

Konrad Wert, aka Possessed By Paul James, is a musical iconoclast. As Brian @ Nine Bullets blog (re: PPJ playing The Deep Blues Festival '08) so aptly puts it:

"Watching him was more like watching a person give birth to music than it was watching a person play music".

Live, Possesed By Paul James is an experience like no other. Raw, challenging, literate, thoughtful and free. This recording, while somewhat more controlled than his live show, is no less powerful and just as thoughtful. The intensity of the live performance still shines through bright and clear but slightly more refined. Drawing from the deep well of American roots music, PPJ takes the immediacy, vigor, and grit of old timey country music, melds it with the soul of early gospel and blues, and channels it all thru the power of punk rock.

Feed The Family (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records) is already at the top of many Best Of lists (mine included) and deservedly so. At once unique and original sounding and, at the same time, familiar and inviting, Possessed By Paul James' new release is a powerful document that grows with each listen. In performance, live and otherwise, Konrad lays his heart and soul out on the stage and sings, kicks, howls, grunts, grinds and wails the dirt off 'em until they stand clean, shining, and glowing and on fire. It's real, raw, and wholly honest music played as if it might be the last time. And for me that's what it's all about. If you are not prepared to die for the song then get yr ass off that stage and don't play it. I'm sure Konrad/Possessed By Paul James would agree.

Maximum Ink Magaine reviews "Feed the Family"

Original Link:
http://www.maximumink.com/index.php/reviews/disc_review_permalink/feed_the_family

Possessed by Paul James
Feed The Family
Record Label: Hillgrass Bluebilly Records
Review by: Kaleb Bronson
December 2010

Absorbing the true musical spirit of his father and grandfather, Konrad Wert transforms himself into Possessed by Paul James and does so with a fine-tuned form on his newest album release “Feed the Family,” a more polished yet creatively raw album of realism
Seeing Possessed by Paul James live is one feat that is unbeatable, his transformation from a genuinely kind-hearted and caring man into the maniacally controlled and beast-like man of musical charm is out of this planetary realm. His sound is like no other, mixing instrument switches continuously and fluctuating his style through a gamut of skill sets and mini-freak-outs. “Feed the Family” is Possessed by Paul James’ most crisp album yet, like the first nibble of a fresh fall apple, or a drive through the thick morning fog. Each track leaps bounds through the mental corridor with a mixture of instruments and lyrical content letting the listener hear bluegrass, punk, country blues and pure musical soul.

Think of Jiminy Cricket meeting Johnny Cash while dining at Charley Patton’s house on All Hollow’s Eve before dancing in the streets to the music of Robert Johnson; this is what Wert has to offer within every track he writes and performs. It’s a true amalgamation of emotion, spirit and spark. On the album’s title track “Feed the Family” Wert lifts his heart into the air to express the importance of ancestry; a refreshing jaunt into his soul, which then calms as he enters “When it Breaks.” This track shows the importance to always continue no matter the scattered bone trail offers you. “Go ahead all and crucify the only innocent man, go ahead and justify all of the hate you have, all of the hate you can,” Wert bellows with elegance.

Each track has the depth of the ocean floor yet the emotional capability to grasp the sounds like a floating lily pad. “Oh the Rhythm” enters a journey into Wert’s inner sanctum, the listener can absorb his emotion beyond a song, the song becomes an experience; a calming tool for the heart and a soothing ring to the ear, “Oh the Rhythm” has politics and love all in one. As any man grows old in any form, the body ages right along side, whether humans like it or not. Possessed by Paul James explains this transformation on the track “Older in my Body,” where he sings, “I’m much older in my body than my heart.” The lyric is simple but everyone can resonate with the beautiful agony.

One of Paul James’ (Konrad Wert's) most glorious songs live he takes to this record, “Take Off Your Mask.” This song and record is filled with questions about oneself; life, love, religion, family and so many more, all for the listener to choose from.
So many tracks are combined into this album of wonderful wisdom, which come to an end at “Color of my Bloody Nose.” A beautifully harmonious track of love splattered with torment; a superb ending to a labyrinth of an album.

The movement of “Feed the Family” flows like a Montana stream. Possessed by Paul James may not be headlining at the Coliseum, nor would his fans want him to, his charm, poise and skill will last as long as people notice that he is a true ‘roots’ gem in the rough.

The Boston Blues on Hank Sr. & Lead Belly

The Boston Blues Society reviews Hiram & Huddie vol. 1 & 2
Author: Elliott Morehardt
Original Link: http://www.bostonblues.com/features.php?key=cdHuddle-Hillbilly
Dec. 2010

This isn’t the typical throw-away compilation you’ll find in the two-dollar bins of your local CD outlet. Four years in the making, this Hillgrass Bluebilly recording brings together some of the best young talent to pay homage to the masters Hank Williams Sr. and Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter. The Hiram and Huddie double tribute CD brings true authenticity, while feeling like a trip down memory lane via a Twilight Zone episode of Hee Haw! The vast archives of Hank and Huddie have provided some scratchy vinyl stimulus to these bluebilly/punkabilly/psychobilly musicians who seem hell-bent on raising those legendary spirits from the ground and giving us renewed faith in real American music. You may have to go to a back-alley club, vintage hot-rod meet, or some other nostalgia event to hear them, but that’s where you’ll find these bands that are so heavily influenced by great American traditional music.

The first CD contains covers of Hank Williams’ tunes and starts off with the classic, “Ponchartrain,” done beautifully by Possessed by Paul James. The next tracks, “Lost Highway” by Scott Biram and “Ramblin Man” by Soda, show off some outstanding vintage-style production. “Mother is Gone” by William Elliott Whitmore has enough depth to make the most hardened soul shed a tear. Another gem is “Howlin at the Moon” by Truckstop Honeymoon, adding some talented comic relief. The last tune of the Hank tribute, “Settin the Woods on Fire” by Bob Log III, brings us right back into the twilight zone with some cool Beefhart-esque timing.
Leadbelly gets into my gut about as deep as deep blues go, and there are some real treasures among this 2nd CD. Every band does their own unique tribute, not by copying the master, but delivering their own inspired vision. “Gallis Pole” by Willam Elliott Whitmore is in the true story style Leadbelly would be proud of. “In New Orleans” by C.W. Stoneking reminds us just how beautiful those lyrics are. “Bourgeois Blues (Town)” by Possessed by Paul James, is a heartfelt and angry ode to racism, as relevant as ever. “Goodnight Irene” by Wayne “The Train” Hancock still haunts us with some superbly tight vocals and instrumentals. A dose of psychobilly is in order with “Bottle Up and Go” by Jawbone, while Soda performs a dark gothic, industrial-tinged rendition of “Old Riley” guaranteed to give one a few chills. The CD ends with a super clean and fast production of “Pick a Bail of Cotton” by Flathead, leaving you ready to get on the Ol’ Ponchatrain with Hank all over again!

Watch for the Hillgrass Bluebilly folks to do this all again with a tribute to Johnny Cash and R.L. Burnside coming up in 2011!

New Album Review: "Gettin' Down On It" Left Lane Cruiser

REVIEW: "Gettin' Down On It" 2010 Hillgrass Bluebilly Records
BAND: Left Lane Cruiser
ORIGINAL LINK: http://www.examiner.com/indie-music-in-philadelphia/re-release-of-left-lane-cruiser-s-debut-gettin-down-on-it-review
BY: James G. Carlson
More Links to this Review:
Tin Shack Music Blog: http://tinshackmusic.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/hillgrass-bluebilly-re-releases-left-lane-cruisers-debut-gettin-down-on-it/
No Depression Roots Community: http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/hillgrass-bluebilly-rereleases

Re-release of Left Lane Cruiser's debut "Gettin' Down On It"

When it comes to the vast and crazy wilderness that is today’s underground music scene, there occasionally comes along a band or singer/songwriter that turns out to be an entirely different breed of animal than we are accustomed to. Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Left Lane Cruiser (often stylized as LLC) are just such a band, with a big sound that can floor you as sure as a full-on punch at a bare-knuckle boxing match.

Speaking of Left Lane Cruiser’s sound, it’s definitely a raw, gritty, heavy and aggressive take on traditional country and blues, venturing into down n’ dirty roots rock and hell-raising swamp-punk territory. Fredrick “Joe” Evans IV plays bottleneck slide on electric guitar with distorted amplification, while delivering hoarse, frayed wire vocals like one who puffs two packs a day and drinks a bottle of hooch for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As Evans does his thing, Brenn “Sausage Paw” Beck mans the drum kit and junk percussion, pounding his way through the songs like a wild man.

Over the years, the two-piece band formula has proved a difficult one to get right for most artists that attempt it. There have been exceptions to that rule, however, such as Two Gallants, The Black Keys, Restavrant, Uncle Scratch’s Gospel Revival, and of course Left Lane Cruiser. Each of those outfits has mastered the two-man band endeavor in their own way. And though I count myself among the fans of all four, Left Lane Cruiser has commanded more of my attention than the others lately, as I just can’t get enough of the recent re-release of their debut album “Gettin' Down On It” from Hillgrass Bluebilly Records.

Now, Left Lane Cruiser weren’t always part of Hillgrass Bluebilly’s Dirty Foot Family. Before the re-release of “Gettin' Down On It” they were releasing albums exclusively on Alive Naturalsound Records beside such notable labelmates as Two Gallants (before they transferred over to Saddle Creek Records, anyway), The Turpentine Brothers, Trainwreck Riders, Black Diamond Heavies, and T-Model Ford. Of course, the Hillgrass Bluebilly roster is nothing to sneeze at either, with such artists as Possessed by Paul James, Ten Foot Polecats, and Tom VandenAvond. Hopefully LLC continues to work with both labels, since they are hands down two of the best of today's independent record circuit.

Having been molding and shaping their sound for the better part of seven years now, and with two albums under their belts on Alive Naturalsound Records – 2008’s “Bring Yo’ Ass to the Table” and 2009’s “All You Can Eat!”– their debut “Gettin' Down On It” remains a favorite of both press and fans alike. With great songs like “Big Mamma,” “Mountain Top,” “Truck Song,” and one of my personal favorites “Pork N’ Beans,” how could it not? And now, re-released four years later, it seems to have not only renewed the appreciation of the original’s fans but also captured the interest of a whole new audience of roots music enthusiasts and record collectors.
If you like your country and blues on the greasier, raunchier side, with the mighty movement of a freight train, the muddy depths of the Mississippi River, and the heavy goodness of a six-pack of cheap beer sloshing around in your guts, Left Lane Cruiser is probably the band for you. And the re-release of their first album “Gettin' Down On It” is no doubt the place to start.

Album Review - "Feed the Family" by NineBullets

click link below to view the original article:
http://ninebullets.net/archives/possessed-by-paul-james-feed-the-family

Album Review: "Feed the Family" / Hillgrass Bluebilly Records 2010
Artist: Possessed by Paul James
Blog: Nine Bullets / Autopsy IV
Writer: Bryan Childs

Nine Bullets / Autopsy IV writes another review for us. Nine Bullets is one of our favorite writers. We suggest you read his other reviews and comment on them.

Album Review - "Feed the Family" by Saving Country Music Blog

click below to view the original article:
http://www.savingcountrymusic.com/review-possesed-by-paul-james-feed-the-family

Album Review: "Feed the Family" / Hillgrass Bluebilly Records 2010
Artist: Possessed by Paul James
Blog: Saving Country Music
Writer: Kyle "The Triggerman" Coroneos

This is another article that will be propped up on the all-time favorite shelf. "The Triggerman" is the TMZ for good stories, reviews on america and country music news.

Album Review for "I Get Blamed for Everything I Do"

click below to see the original post:
http://therealbigrockcandymountain.blogspot.com/2010/05/couple-more-miles.html



Album: "I Get Blamed for Everything I Do" / Hillgrass Bluebilly Records 2010
Artist: Ten Foot Polecats
Blog: The Real Big Rock Candy Mountain
Writer: bigrockcandymountain

Album Review for "Feed the Family": Texas Hillgrass Country

click link below to view the original article:
Texas Hillgrass Country

Album(s)/Artist(s) Review(s):
"Feed the Family" by Possessed by Paul James
"You Oughta Know Me By Now" by Tom VandenAvond
"Hiram & Huddie" by Various Artists
Blog: The Squawker - A Best of Texas Blog
Writer: Kelly Dearmore

We urge you to read another honest review on Hillgrass Bluebilly Records and our 2 newest releases, "Feed the Family" by Possessed by Paul James & "You Oughta Know Me By Now" by Tom VandenAvond. (click the link at top) We are proud to announce in over 5 years of operation..we have never had one bad review on the entertainment or records portion of our company. Thank you to all the listeners out there... thank you DirtyFoot Family.

John Carter-Cash says we'll turn the world of music upside down!

"Hold on to your rattlesnakes everybody, looks like we're in for a twister! We live in a world of music where the undercurrent can move the whole stream. Thank God for that! Elvis, Johnny, Roy, Bob Dylan… These guys were unconventional and brought an uprising. They changed things. They rattled the boat. Can the artists on this album and the folks at Hillgrass Bluebilly be hip enough to turn the whole world of music upside down? I think it is not only possible but also probable. This music holds to its timeless roots but also lets us hear what is going on at the bottom of the stream, down where the mud sweeps and the darkness dwells.

Where did so much of the good music we all love come from? It came from pain, my friend. It came from the dark netherworld beneath, where so many choose not to look. It came from long nights of whiskey driven remorse and heartbreak extreme. It came from the dire need to let that pain out. Who better to pay due tribute to for this pain inspired music than two of our greatest music gods, Leadbelly and Hank Williams (the original). These guys suffered so we can enjoy their songs, so that we can wake to our singing alarm clocks and to our blissful busy days with their tunes ringing in our ears. They suffered for us, folks, and that needs to be appreciated.

So dive in and take a swim with me, eager and hopeful music fan. Let's go down and investigate the darkness where few ever look. Let us take a hold of the grey and shadowy things that dwell in the murk at the bottom of the river and wrestle them for all they've got. Let's battle them for the songs they hold within their scaly, frigid hides. If we survive, we'll break the surface with some great music."

John Carter Cash