I’m a jacket reader. In fact, their not really album jackets anymore, but CD inserts, but I’m stuck in my ways. Regardless, I read the credits, thank you notes and the like. Call it an addiction if you will.

Over the years I’ve constantly noticed Tom Littlefield’s name popping up. From Todd Snider, Tommy Womack and Jack Ingram to my classic Steve Earle records, he’s there. Like a bad cold that won’t go away, I developed a nagging need to know more. I worshipped at the trusty alter of Google and was promptly answered with, “Huh? No idea who that is.” I dropped a few hints around folks who know Tom and the only query that proved fruitful only commented that he was known to be “irascible.”

I had to look it up too. Go ahead. I’ll still be here when you get back. And check the pronunciation closely because it’s easy to get wrong.

Well Mr. Littlefield turned up in my hometown this week on vacation and took the time (off the record) to trade stories with me over a beer or three. Not only is he far from irascible, he’s barely surly as he assured me he would be.

So to honor my new friend, who has promised to help broaden my musical horizons here are a few albums on which I know you can find his contributions as a performer (via ArtistDirect): Tom’s performing credits

Here’s an incredible list of his songwriting credits according to BMI:Tom’s songwriting credits

I’ll get to work on a list of the records upon which his songs appear. It’ll take a while…he’s what we call “prolific” in this business.

For all you aspiring Myspace stars out there, let me pass along a nugget of knowledge to add to your PR acumen: you cannot endear yourself to a critic by signing him up for your mailing list without approval.

Let me start by saying that “Cody” as I’ll call this act, surely has learned that self-promotion is critical. Today fans expect a Myspace site, Facebook site, Twitters (whatever that is), and the like. It’s a grassroots thing and that’s cool. Artists claw their way to respect by aggregating as many “friends” and mailing list signups as possible. I get it even though I’m really just pretending to give a damn.

Just leave me the fuck out of it.

Please.

I mean it.

So Cody took the bold move to acquire more readers for his email newsletter by sending me a this little gem:

Please sign up for our mailing list and stay in touch!
~Cody
——————————-
You have been added to the The Cody XXXXX band fan list!

Wait a minute. The first line asks me to signup while the latter message indicates I had already signed up.

This has prompted me to take the opposite action that Cody and his band would prefer: they’ve been blacklisted.

That’s right. When the band accumulates ten million friends on Myspace, you won’t find me among the throng. When the shows are sold out and they release their triple-platinum greatest hits disc, I won’t even listen. When flocks of fornicating teenagers decide to name their illegitimate children “Cody” because they did it to his songs, I will write nary a word about the band. These will be the last words I ever write about this act.

Let this serve as a lesson before you sign me up for your mailing list.

You’ve heard it said that first impressions are everything. If that’s true, then Austin’s The Band of Heathens have found a fitting introduction with their self-titled first studio effort.

The boys are well-worn in the live scene, garnering an avid following in the short years since their transformation from standalone songwriters to an accomplished quintet. With two live discs under the belt and a rising star in the live music capital of the world, the band’s reputation precedes this record. In fact, I was so stunned that this is their first studio disc.

Drawing upon their live album from Antone’s, the disc features a batch of new songs dabbled with old favorites–something of a balancing act producer Ray Wylie Hubbard successfully employs to engage those familiar with the band’s live shows while introducing the rest of us to their energy. From the opening bell (”Don’t Call On Me”) to the finale (”Hallelujah”), Hubbard captures the essential ebb and flow of a live setlist without the usual dilution that studio work can bring.

Something of a songwriting supergroup, the Heathens lent great support to Hubbard by writing every song the record. While this isn’t a prerequisite in an era when good looks are more important than good material, it belies a great confidence. That irreverent buck of the corporate truck is apparent from their willingness to release an eponymous album on their own label filled with material they wrote. Hell, they’re even good country songs which inevitably means Nashville will certainly ignore them due to the lack of a rapping midget or the fact that they don’t bother hiding their intelligence. You’d have to go a long way to find another band with better material on their first record.

The resulting vintage goodness is a nostalgic, familiar feeling for even in the newly-initiated listener. Like a reassuring handshake from a stranger, this introduction might be the start of a long relationship.

The Band of Heathens will be available on May 20, 2008 from their own label. Visit http://www.bandofheathens.com for more information.

BONUS:
Don’t Call On Me

One of America’s most accomplished songwriters has earned the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting. John Hiatt, whose work spans four decades has left an indelible mark upon American culture with popular hits like “Angel Eyes”, “Thing Called Love”, and “Drive South.”

Hiatt “stole out of Indiana” and landed a career that not only made him one of the music industry’s most reliable songwriters. From Bob Dylan to Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Healey to Jimmy Buffett, music’s heavy hitters have covered the masterful works that make up Hiatt’s remarkable catalog. Television and movie producers routinely use his songs as the sonic foundation for their creative works–from the universally recognized theme song from Dawson’s Creek to the Jeff Healey’s claim to fame from Roadhouse, Hiatt’s songs have set the stage for lasting memories for many Gen Xers.

Hiatt will be honored in Nashville at the AMA Awards and Honors on September 18, 2008.

After years of believing that protest music was dead, George W. singlehandedly revived the genre with gusto!

Now you can participate in the fun by creating a video to accompany James McMurtry’s fait acompli “Cheney’s Toy” from his latest release Just Us Kids from Lightning Rod Records:

From the entries, McMurtry will choose the best videos and post them on his official MySpace page and website. If needed, fans can create videos using slideshow applications at RockYou.com. Creators of each of the top five videos will receive t-shirts and autographed copies of McMurtry’s new album, Just Us Kids (in stores April 15, 2008). McMurtry’s choice for the best overall video will also receive an 8 Gb Apple iPod Nano with video capabilities.

Here are a couple of video examples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sesZ4LRia7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKUE0RTuw24

To enter visit http://jamesmcmurtry.com/4contest.html!

BONUS:
Cheney’s Toy

Heralded for his willingness to write anthemic protest music during a time when one’s patriotism is measured by his willingness to wear a flag lapel pin, James McMurtry carries the banner for the people that seemingly have lost their will to revolt: the middle class. It’s clear he identifies most with the blue collar values of yesteryear. From the aging pickup he drives to his fondness for fishing, he’s an everyman with common sense and a healthy distrust for politicians. His songs are about the odd fellows who bend their elbows in taverns rather than microbrews, drink Maxwell House instead of Starbucks and who joined the armed forces to serve an ideal that didn’t include political gain.

Just Us Kids is the tenth release from the oft-ballyhooed son of one of America’s literary legends. Like his father Larry, James describes the essence of people living life in the world rather than on top of it. From a story of a May-December love that shows shades of Ruth Popper’s story to the wry “Cheney’s Toy” and “God Bless America (pat mAcdonald must die),” the disc revels in stories from the ragged edges of life and never shies from the tough situations the average Joe faces. From the travails of struggling relationships to America’s burgeoning drug problem, Just Us Kids addresses the reality we try best to ignore including McMurtry’s favorite target: the Bush Administration.

While today’s mainstream music echoes the glossy world that shopping malls ply about this country and Hollywood produces with unparalleled hubris, McMurtry stands amidst a small, but growing crowd of brave voices willing to trumpet the cause of middle America.

Just Us Kids rallies the troops just in time for tax season. It’s available on April 15th from Lightning Rod Records.

BONUS:
Cheney’s Toy

And now for another sign that the apocalypse is upon us:

MSNBC reports [via the AP] that a upscale men’s clothing boutique has opened in the former home to CGBG.

Selling t-shirts for $130 is a far cry from The Ramones.

Last year a friend of mine moved back to his native Ohio, near Akron to be more precise. Yesterday, I received an email from said friend who has discovered The Beach Ballroom–an Americana mainstay.

This prompted me to check in on Akron’s funky Americana duo, The Black Keys.

For those of you not in the know, The Black Keys feature a drummer and guitarist much like the White Stripes, but bring it roots-rock style. Heck, it’s really just rock but we all know radio forgot what that sounds like.

Well the boys have a new album (Attack and Release) and a kicking website. Best of all, they’ve got a few great videos from past releases that help you understand the gritty goodness that they offer. My favorite is “10 A.M.” from Rubber Factory–watch the looks on the old folks’ faces as the guys rock out.

But the best news is that MTV has the video for “Strange Times” on their website! Yes, it is strange but weren’t all the great videos of our youth a bit odd?

So go check out The Black Keys!

PopMatters has a terrific installation of “20 Questions” with James McMurtry as we approach the April 15 release of Just Us Kids. McMurtry, one of the most well-spoken musicians I’ve come across, states quite unequivocally his political views:

Who is the leader of my country? Does he have a name? Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that Dick Cheney is our leader. To him I would say, kill all the pheasants you want, but please quit killing so many people.

McMurtry is of course a fantastic poet-warrior doing battle armed only with his wit and willingness to actually write protest music. I can’t believe anyone would dare produce such works today!

American Idol hasn’t done it for me this year. Gone are the nights spent giggling at the early woeful hopefuls and cringing as the crooners butcher classic songs. No longer do I know the contestants names or even care that they’re all really professionals already. Heck, until I see a bald guy with no teeth or a chubby chick with

But I just might tune in for Dolly Parton. The country music diva (whose cosmetic work is limitless) is set to mentor the remaining hopefuls this week. Past history (Carrie Underwood) suggests that there may be a new country star among those left standing, but a week with Dolly should ferret out any pretenders. I’ll probably watch just so I know whose craptastic country album to avoid next year (Kristy Lee Cook).

Anyway, tune in or tune out!