ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, DEC. 10, 2008 By Steve Newton On the cover of his self-titled 1993 debut CD, Ian Moore is pictured perched on a Fender amp, his arms folded over a Stratocaster, wearing jeans with cuffs turned up over well-worn cowboy boots. It’s the archetypical image of the Texas Strat-slinger, and with his … Continue reading Ian Moore finds his own voice
Randy Bachman Revives the Spirit of BTO and the Guess Who
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT STRAIGHT.COM, JAN. 25, 2009 Backstage at the Commodore after Friday's sold-out show, Randy Bachman gazed in wonder at an undated concert photo that an autograph-seeker had brought to his dressing room. It pictured Bachman jamming with Elvin Bishop and Steve Miller sometime during the '70s. "I bet that was at the Cave!," … Continue reading Randy Bachman Revives the Spirit of BTO and the Guess Who
Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dead at 56
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 28, 2009 By Steve Newton Original Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell died early this morning at his home in Orange Park, Florida, apparently due to a heart attack. He was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. after paramedics responded to a 911 call in which Powell, who has a history of … Continue reading Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell dead at 56
Sonny Landreth’s smokin’ slide heats up the Yale in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, FEB. 20, 2009 A sell-out crowd of slide-guitar freaks converged on the Yale Hotel last night (February 19) to take in one of the world's most amazing bottleneck players. Louisiana's Sonny Landreth kept the audience entranced with a set that focused on material from his star-studded new CD From the Reach—which boasts … Continue reading Sonny Landreth’s smokin’ slide heats up the Yale in Vancouver
Loyal following keeps Big Head Todd going
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 18, 2009 By Steve Newton The day before Todd Park Mohr called the Straight from a friend's place in Chicago, an armed teenager in Germany walked into his former high school and began a suicidal rampage that would claim 16 lives, including his own. Twenty-four hours before that horrific event, another 10 … Continue reading Loyal following keeps Big Head Todd going
Black Label Society goes on a Wylde ride in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MARCH 18, 2009 Boy, those metal maniacs sure can market the goods. At its sold-out Commodore show last Monday (March 15), Los Angeles–based Black Label Society had a merch table set up that was pushing everything from licence-plate holders ($15) to drumsticks ($25 a pair), from tote-bag sets ($50) to “Brewtality” … Continue reading Black Label Society goes on a Wylde ride in Vancouver
Justin Townes Earle is clearly his father’s son
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, MAY 13, 2009 By Steve Newton When Steve Earle paid tribute to his friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt by naming his first son Justin Townes Earle, he bestowed the child with a moniker that would take some living up to. But by all accounts, the younger Earle has proven himself … Continue reading Justin Townes Earle is clearly his father’s son
John Fogerty stays true to his rock roots in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 8, 2009 It was quite a surprise to step into GM Place last for John Fogerty last night (June 7) and find that it was set up in “Pontiac Theatre” mode, where only a portion of the capacity is used. You’d think that a rocker of Fogerty’s stature would draw … Continue reading John Fogerty stays true to his rock roots in Vancouver
Booker T. Jones gives in to his urge to rock
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 17, 2009 By Steve Newton In the music business, having the right manager is huge, as Hammond B3 legend Booker T. Jones recently learned. Before recording his latest album, Potato Hole, Jones found a new manager in Dave Bartlett, who hooked him up with the Drive-By Truckers, the raggedy southern-rock outfit … Continue reading Booker T. Jones gives in to his urge to rock
The Jonas Brothers leave the kids caterwauling in Vancouver
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 30, 2009 At 4 p.m., three hours before yesterday's (June 29) Jonas Brothers concert was supposed to start, a black luxury SUV slowed to a crawl in front of GM Place’s Gate 9. A window rolled down, and the face of lead singer Joe Jonas—“the cute one”—appeared as he waved … Continue reading The Jonas Brothers leave the kids caterwauling in Vancouver
Cracker’s David Lowery finds fresh inspiration
ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, JUNE 30, 2009 By Steve Newton Inspiration isn't always an easy thing to come by, especially if you're a 48-year-old rocker who's been leading the same band for 17 years. So what is it that fuels the fire of Cracker singer-guitarist David Lowery on the songwriting front? Is it all the … Continue reading Cracker’s David Lowery finds fresh inspiration
Vancouver rocker Rich Hope cranks up the reverb on his vintage amp to whip it on ya
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 5, 2009 By Steve Newton It's a tad surreal visiting the Commodore Ballroom in the light of day, with no one around but the coming night’s performers and a handful of staffers. I’ve seen countless shows here since my first, KISS, in ’76, but the historic venue seems totally foreign without … Continue reading Vancouver rocker Rich Hope cranks up the reverb on his vintage amp to whip it on ya
Legendary guitar creator Les Paul dies
Ir ORIGINALLY POSTED ON STRAIGHT.COM, AUG. 13, 2009 Les Paul, famed guitar player and creator of the solid-body Gibson guitar that bears his name, died today (August 13) at the age of 94 in White Plains, New York. Paul, the electronics mastermind who also created multitrack recording and tape delay, first gained popularity in the … Continue reading Legendary guitar creator Les Paul dies