Calvin Russell – Fighting Sorrow in Modern Times

American blues/rock musician Calvin Russell died April 3, 2011, from liver cancer at the age of 62. He was sick for a couple of years before he died. Russell’s given name was Calvert Russell Kosler, the son of an Austin, Texas waitress and a cook. He had a hard-scrabble life, having difficulty in school and doing time in prison for forgery and drugs.

Although he learned to play guitar when he was young, and was in his first band The Cavemen at 13, he didn’t become famous until 1989 when his song “Crack in Time” was released in France and became a hit in Europe. He had given a demo tape to a French record label representative after he played at a house party. Russell spent years before that hanging out with the likes of Rich Minus, Jubal Clark and Townes Van Zandt, writing songs, then he spent years in Europe, before he came back to Texas.

Over the course of his musical career, he released more than 15 albums, with raw tunes like “Rats & Roaches,” “Wagon to Stars” and “One Meatball.” His hit “Crack in Time” was on several of his albums. His lyrics were as hard and unique as his leathery physical appearance that is a large part of his popular mystique. Critics and fans alike are attracted to his rebellious streak and raging fire and admire his ability to craft his life experiences into his songs.

Russell blended melancholy blues and rock into a roaring hybrid of country, roots, blues and rock that was all his own. He called himself “an outlaw rock and roll soldier fighting sorrow in modern times.” It endeared him as a son of Texas. He wrote and sang of love and longing, hard reality and gritty lifescapes, and gripped his audience with his loud and lyrical musical style.

Popular Music Venues in Austin

Come visit the many live music venues in Austin, Texas, where every night is show night. Here is a sampling of Austin nightlife.

A favorite of the Austin music scene is The Continental Club. Opened in 1957, the current Austin venue is a throwback to that era in atmosphere, but is not limited to its music. Everything from rock, country, jazz, swing and blues music is performed, mostly by local artists. If you do stop in however, don’t be surprised to see a big name in the crowd or better yet, on stage jamming with the band. Some popular Austin music is performed by Junior Brown accompanied by his wife Tanya Rae, and Adam Johnson and the Pay Me’s.

Stubs Bar-B-Q began as a small restaurant in 1968 but quickly became a popular live music venue. Stars such as Stevie Ray Vaughn and Willie Nelson have performed here. With an intimate indoor stage, and an outdoor venue able to accommodate 3000 music fans, Stubbs Austin is home to Gospel Brunches every Sunday and a variety of live music acts, such as Achachay, every night of the week.

One of the best country music venues is The Broken Spoke. Opened in 1964, famous performers such as Tex Ritter, Kris Kristofferson and George Strait have graced its stage. Now a prime venue for locals such as Alvin Crow, The Derailers and Dale Watson, as well as newcomers like Cowjazz and James Hand, The Broken Spoke offers live Austin music at its best.

B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub features traditional Irish music, but this Austin club does not limit itself to this genre. A popular Austin event here is Open Mic Mondays featuring new local artists. The Suzanne Smith Band, playing country and R&B, performs every Tuesday night. Live bands perform here 365 days a year and there is never a cover charge.

Jamie Lee Bradford

Jamie Lee Bradford is no rookie in the music industry. On the contrary, Bradford is a veteran singer/songwriter in the Austin area. His style is a little bit of blues, a little bit of rock and a whole lot of soul. Bradford understands how to place his emotions in every piece of music he performs. He is able to identify with the meaning of every song, whether the song is his or not.

Would you believe me if I told you that Bradford was popular in Europe before he became well known in the US? It’s true; Bradford released his album, In this Carnation, in Europe, where it received heavy radio play.

Jamie Lee Bradford was born Orange County, Virginia. Church singing and the radio were the only two reference points for Bradford’s musical inspiration. Perhaps the Church music reference is the reason why Bradford puts genuine emotion into every one of his songs.

Of course, his reference points didn’t just stay with Church singing and radio. Bradford developed an interest for Tin Pan Alley writers and writers like Dan Penn, Doc Pomus and Carole King.

Jamie Lee Bradford is also known to contribute his talents to other performer’s work. For example, you can find Bradford on Nancy Apple’s CD and Cornell Hurd’s Song of South Austin.

Jamie Lee Bradford is well known in his area. So much in fact that other artists cover Bradford’s songs. Of course, no one can put the raw energy and emotion into Bradford’s songs like Bradford himself. Bradford claims that the reason he can put those kinds of emotions behind his music is because he genuinely lives every word he sings. That is a fine testimonial to every aspiring musician.

If you want others to believe you, you have to believe in yourself first.

Accomplished Guitarist and Singer Shawn Colvin

Singer-Songwriter Shawn Colvin in an accomplished guitarist, an acclaimed singer, and a Grammy Award winner in 1998 for “Sunny Came Home” (Record of the Year and Song of the Year) and in 1991 for “Steady On” (Best Contemporary Folk Album).

Colvin began her career in Austin, Texas, before moving to New York, where she began a long association with producer/multi instrumentalist John Leventhal. Leventhal has produced many of Colvin’s records, as well as bringing her into a circle of other stellar American female singer-songwriters, such as his wife, Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Suzanne Vega, and Cheryl Wheeler. Her supporting vocal credits include work with Richard Thompson, Bruce Hornsby, Buddy & Julie Miller, Lisa Loeb, and others.

For years, she had a small but loyal following, and critics praised her records, like “Steady On” and “Fat City.” Her mid 1990’s break out record, “A Few Small Repairs”, contained the single, “Sunny Came Home” which scored major Grammy Awards and was a Top 10 chart hit. Curtailing her touring and recording for motherhood, Colvin has continued to record sporadically (including songs for children’s films like, “Stuart Little 2”) and has made a few television appearances, such as on “Live From Abbey Road”, “The Larry Sanders Show”, and in animated form on an episode of “The Simpsons.”

As a solo artist, Shawn Colvin worked continually and built a reputation for being an entrancing and riveting performer, full of pristine vocals, witty lyrics, humor, and impeccable guitar playing, Like one of her personal role models, Joni Mitchell, Colvin uses a variety of altered guitar tunings to create sonic colors to support and counterpoint her singing. Her instrumental prowess was recognized by the Martin Guitar Co., who honored Shawn Colvin with a signature model designed to her specifications. A 2009 release, “Live” was recorded in San Francisco and shows that Shawn Colvin has lost none of her abilities during her parental hiatus from the stage.

The Pauline Reese Band

Pauline Reese has been praised by Willie Nelson, grandfather of country music, as his “favorite female artist.” Pauline and her band certainly live up to this high praise, performing live and recording music that is know for big vocals, quality lyrics and traditional country feel. In 2010, the Texas music awards named Pauline their “Entertainer of the Year.” In the same year, Pauline and her band released their 6th album, “Just Getting Started,” on the Front Porch Music label.

Reverbnation calls Ms. Reese an “alt-country angel” and speaks highly of her energy on stage. Pauline Reese and her band certainly bring their best, with rocking live performances that have made them quite popular in the Austin, Texas live music scene. As a country musician, Ms. Reese has broken into a male-dominated genre and succeeded with flying colors. She has toured with acts like Cory Morrow, Jack Ingram and Kevin Fowler, to much acclaim. Behind such performances are hundreds of live shows played with her band, and quite a few studio albums.

Pauline Reese writes honest, bold lyrics about life and love, and isn’t afraid to use her big voice to showcase her thoughts in a soaringly melodic fashion. Her music is edgy and traditional all at once, seamlessly blending genres with her Dolly Parton-esque singing style and alternative guitar lines. She gives Carrie Underwood a serious run for her money when it comes to the best-looking female country star, and is magnetic and witty both on and off the stage.

With so much going for her, it’s no wonder Pauline Reese and her band have become such a popular country group on the Austin live music circuit. For a rocking good time, Ms. Reese is sure to deliver.

Gene Ramey

In 1976, after an illustrious musical career, Gene Ramey returned to Austin, Texas from New York, where he had stayed for thirty-two years, and announced his retirement. But after giving lessons to local bassists had led him into a few live shows, Gene was bit by the performance bug and became a full-time musician once again. Though he often talked about becoming a “gentleman farmer,” he continued his true passion by promoting jazz in Austin.

Born in Texas, Ramey attended Anderson High School, where he played trumpet and sousaphone during his years up to college, and performed with George Corley’s Royal Aces. In the early thirties, he made rendezvous with Terrence Holder’s band and the Moonlight Serenaders before he settled in Kansas City. Taught to play string bass by Kansas City’s famous bass player Walter Page, Ramey began to take command of his own bands with his newfound talent.

Gene Ramey was associated with more than a few of the music world’s greats throughout his career. In the thirties, he played with Margaret “Countless” Johnson and Oliver Todd’s band, and worked with Jay McShann between the later thirties and mid-forties. He also worked closely with the most famous and innovative jazz soloists greats, Charlie Player, who also played alto sax in McShann’s band. Ramey moved to New York in the forties and began traversing with many of the era’s legendary performers and prominent bandleaders, such Miles Davis, Ben Webster, Dizzie Gillespie, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Luis Russell, John Hardee, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Tiny Grimes and Oran “Hot Lips” Page.

In the fifties, Gene Ramey did many studio gigs as a freelance bassist, and continued rounds with some of the music world’s greats, including tours throughout Europe. In 1984, Ramey passed away from a heart attack. His name eventually became an addition to the Austin Music Memorial in 2009.

Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Blues Revival

Stevie Ray Vaughan was responsible for the blues revival of the mid-1980s. Blues had slowly been fading as a popular music style until Stevie’s first album, “Texas Flood” came out on Epic Records. Stevie had been noticed by John Hammond, a legendary folk, jazz and blues talent scout and Hammond was blown away by the “Texas Flood” masters, which were recorded on a Thanksgiving weekend in Jackson Browne’s studio. Hammond lacked the resources to distribute Stevie’s album himself, so he took it to Epic.

Stevie’s blues was derived from a number of sources–especially Jimi Hendrix and Albert King. He was also seriously influenced by Freddie King as his early live sets included familiar Freddie King tunes like “Hideaway.”

For his first album, Stevie preferred the power trio that performed a memorable concert at the El Mocambo in Canada with Tommy Shannon on bass and Chris Layton on drums. While Stevie added keyboardist Reese Wynans toward the end of his short career, he was always loyal to Shannon and Layton even though record company execs advised him to find different players.

Big time music acts many times operate in a culture surrounded by easily available drugs and alcohol and the Double Trouble experience was no different. Stevie’s favorite cocktail was a mixture of cocaine and Crown Royal.

Severe stomach problems in Germany finally led Stevie to believe that he needed addiction help and by the late 1980s he was healthy and dried out.

Some of Stevie’s most powerful performances occurred during this time and culminated with an all-star show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy Wisconsin, featuring Eric Clapton and Buddy Guy. Stevie was so amazing that Eric Clapton asked Buddy Guy, “how am I going to follow that?” Four hours later Stevie was dead when the helicopter he had boarded crashed into the side of steep hill. He was 35.

Aliah Selah

Aliah Selah began her musical/artistic career as a child. By the time she was 3, she took dance lessons, and began playing piano at 7. She quickly started improvising and creating her own music. When she was in high school, she began playing the saxophone, and decided to devote her life to music. She started attending Phoenix College full time, playing saxophone and practicing yoga. She later earned a vocal scholarship from Berklee School of Music, which enabled her to follow her passion even more. She incorporates spirituality, depth, inspiration, and intimate details about her life in all of her work. Before she made her current residence (Santa Cruz, California) her home, she lived in Berkeley, San Francisco, Boston, Austin & San Diego.

The two albums that Aliah Selah has released are Living In The Shade, which leans towards a funky/blues sound, and Shades of Images, which falls under an alternative/pop genre. She has always written and performed her own songs. She has performed in concert in countries throughout the globe and the U.S. During the 2008 Music Awards, she was nominated for her unique spoken word/vocal song “Little Shelf.” After pursuing music even further, she met Paz, her soulmate and bandmate. His talents include guitar, bass, flute, and hand drums. They have one child together, and his name is Zach.

Aliah continues to follow a very spiritual path, practicing (and teaching) yoga, eating a vegetarian diet, acupressure, and practicing holistic healing. She has over 25 years of experience in the art of natural healing, and continues to teach wellness consulting and holistic healing. Aliah Selah is truly a multi-faceted artist who keeps true to herself and continues to share her knowledge and compassion with others.

Beth Williams

Beth Williams is an inspirational woman. Though many would view her as a typical singer-songwriter from Texas, she is much more than that to the people who know and love her.

Williams’ journey starts as a young child. At ten years old, Williams remembers walking down the isle of her Church in San Antonio, TX. She gave her life to Jesus, accepting Him into her heart that day. Little did she know back then just how important that decision would be to her years from then.

Williams was born on the Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, destined to live a nomadic lifestyle for the majority of her childhood years. Though the traveling was tough on her, she remembers her father’s singing making the moments more enjoyable. However, it wasn’t until she saw a lonely GI play his guitar on the bleachers of a deserted baseball field that she decided that music was what she wanted to do with her life.

Beth Williams’ career started with local fairs and talent shows. Williams won 1st place and $75.00 at the Kubasaki High School Talent Show after performing My Lord’s Song, one of her many original compositions.

Williams’ career really started right after she graduated from high school. She received calls to lead worship for various Church groups, as well as play her own music in local Churches.

From there, Williams started touring Central Texas, military bases and even overseas. Paying her dues eventually paid off as she started to be recognized by commercial publications. Three of the songs from her first album, First Class, appeared in BILLBOARD and CASHBOX magazines. She was nominated by the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC, as “Best New Female Vocalist of the Year,” “Best Female Performer,” by the INDEPENDENT NEWS, and “Best Independent Female Vocalist” by CASHBOX.

54 Seconds

Spencer Gibb moved from Florida to Texas because of a dream he had – a dream he would fulfill. In 1997, after arriving in Texas, he began to sing with a group called “Jez Spencer”, consisting of Gibb, JJ Johnson, Stewart Cochran Johnny Goudie and Einar.

Goudie had eventually left to begin his own band and after a few months, Einar decided to perform with the same band Goudie was with. The other members of Jez Spencer developed their sound, playing shows and searching for a manager. Eventually they ran into Mark Chaplin, an old friend of Gibb’s. Chaplin wanted to play their music for his partner in London, John Wadlow, known as Seal’s former manager.

Wadlow and Gibb were not suited for each other and banged heads from the beginning. Wadlow felt a bit unimpressed that the band didn’t have a real name and only one song stuck out for him – “In A Box”. Even in the song, “In A Box”, he felt the chorus came too late, informing them that a good pop song would begin the chorus at around 54 seconds. With that, Gibb told Wadlow that they would name the band 54 Seconds and you can go (censored).

Chaplin liked the name, even though Gibb was only kidding when he said it, although after talking it over with the group, they decided it was the band name for them. 54 Seconds was born and ready to play their soothing ballads and mellow sounds for the world.

From there, Gibb became a favorite, with his voice that sounds as though it’s a cross between Barry Gibb and Bono of U2, with some verses more like a unique blend of his own. While sounding like other legends, he has a unique voice that carries most any song to perfection. 52 Seconds creates a journey through their music, lyrics and genius. They are a group that can take you on an emotional roller coaster in concert, however they leave a memory of an enjoyable evening.