Do I risk blowing any music cred I might have ever built up on the little blog by admitting that I think this is a pretty cool song?

Oh well, too bad. I think this is a pretty cool song.

It probably doesn’t hurt that he plays off two pretty good songs in themselves.

My friends R and Mr. Hutchison have come up with the PERFECT name for a music tour featuring Kenny Chesney and the Dixie Chicks.

Well done!

Music inspires Kenny Chesney after difficult times (Nekesa Mumbi Moody, AP)

You could say that Kenny Chesney, with a top tour, hit after hit and another multiplatinum album, enjoyed an amazing last couple of years

My friend and guitarist extraordinaire Rick Poss will be playing with Jack Saunders at tomorrow’s Houston Press Music Awards Showcase.

They play at 6 pm at Slainte Sunday.

Saunders is an old accomplished hand as Houston’s folk/acoustic/songwriter scene goes, but I’m really looking forward to hearing Rick play (it’s been a while). He’s as smooth and precise as they come on guitar.

Incidentally, Rick’s just finished a solo project of his own. I’m looking forward to giving it a listen.

UPDATE (07-29-2007): Rick sounded as good as ever. And Houston live music attendees were in their usual form, talking over the performance. The more I travel, the more I’m convinced that Houstonians are some of the rudest, most ill-mannered people anywhere.

Also of note: Downtown was overrun with pushy vagrants, but I didn’t see a single cop. That says a lot about the current state of affairs in the city, really.

A couple of my friends from the (sadly) defunct Dead End Angels are playing with Austin Collins now.

He’s opening at the Firehouse tonight, so I’m planning on checking it out.

I haven’t ever seen the guy live, and have only heard a few tracks off his CD (well before the revamped rhythm section). I haven’t been seeing very many shows of late. I hope the smoke doesn’t kill us. Blar.

Callie just casually informed me a few minutes ago over drinks at Leon’s Lounge that Patrice Pike is playing the Icehouse tomorrow.

As if the Icehouse draws that sort of talent every day.

Or, ever.

Wow.

I just clicked over on the Son Volt tour dates and discovered that Farrar and Crew have a Houston date.

May 6, Continental Club, right here in the Midtown Ghetto.

That should be pretty sweet.

Of course, Houston will turn out poorly for the show — and will likely talk through it, which I don’t think will go over very well with Mr. Farrar.

I’ll probably catch the band in some other venues to get a better experience. But it’s kind of cool to know I can walk to a Son Volt show in May.

John Wagner notes that one of the original members of the Flying Burrito Brothers, “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow, has died. He played steel guitar for the influential group.

In sorta almost related news, my mom informed me about a week ago that her friend and fellow Pawhuska OK resident Ida Mae Quillin had passed away (at the young age of 95). She was the inspiration for the Bob Wills tune “Ida Red.” She was apparently a character.

May the deceased rest in peace.

‘Pavarotti of the Plains’ Don Walser dead at 72 (Michael Corcoran, Austin American-Statesman)

There’s never been a more special relationship between a musician and his fans in Austin than when rotund National Guardsman Don Walser started over in the music business in 1990 at the now-defunct Henry’s Bar on Burnet Road. His improbable rise and signing to Sire Records, the label of Madonna and the Ramones, at age 64 was the feelgood story of the Austin music scene. Dubbed “the Pavarotti of the Plains” for his clear, powerful tenor, Walser was embraced by gray-haired two-steppers and tattooed punk rockers alike, which was the basis of a February 1996 segment on “ABC Primetime Live.”

Walser passed away about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday after a long illness. He was 72.

[FULL STORY]

There’s lots of good live music around town tonight for the Red Dirt/Texas/Americana fan.

I’m looking forward to skipping a few bigger names in favor of catching my Okie Red Dirt favorites, No Justice, over at the Armadillo Palace. If a sorta-country band with more rocking guitars and nice harmony vocals is your sort of thing, then these guys are highly recommended.

Bloggers, readers, or other interested parties are encouraged to drop in, listen to some good tunes, and buy me a beer.