Not only does Larry Crane bring a new solo record back to Indiana this week, the former John Mellencamp guitar player may soon be prepping a return to the studio with John and the band.
Saturday night’s show at Bloomington’s Buskirk-Chumley Theater promotes the Florida-living Crane’s new album Tropical Depression, and is a chance for reconnection for those who might have lost track of Crane, either when he left Mellencamp, or eventually, the state.
“The show will be a storyteller’s-type vibe,” Larry says. “I will have my guitar player Tony Burton, with me. And then I’ll throw in a few surprises towards the end.”
Back with Mellencamp
As he talks from his Sarasota home, Crane also says the old Mellencamp band may take a stab at creating music as a unit again, 20 years after they ceased making together — other than the subdued Big Daddy record – shortly after the 1987 Lonesome Jubilee tour ended.
If not the creator or co-creator, Crane is at the very least the man who helped form Mellencamp’s snarling, rootsy, aggressive guitar attack, on record and on stage.
“When we did Uh-Huh (in 1983), we did it really quickly,” Larry says. “John is thinking about going back to that vibe.”
roots rock twang news
Shooter Jennings live on radio w/ Adam Carolla – Get the podcast
I’ve always liked to listen to Adam Carolla – when he was on with Dr. Drew, as a guest on other radio shows, and a little bit (though not as much) on his TV endeavors. He’s a talented radio guy/communicator in a time when (good/compelling) radio hosts are tougher to find…
So it’s nice to come across a podcast with Adam and one of the Rockforward faves: country rocker, second-generation hellraiser Shooter Jennings. Get Podcast here
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_25BCexy6c&feature=player_embedded#!]
Elizabeth Cook, Jason Isbell hit Indy on same night
Two great alt-country shows in Indianapolis this Friday. Elizabeth Cook’s at Spencer’s Stadium Tavern, while Jason Isbell and his band hit the stage at Radio Radio. Damn tough call to make, because both joints are great. And take the dueling shows for what it really is: Indianapolis (and these two clubs, among a handful of other hard-booking venues) sits in just the right place – close to Tennessee, but South of Chicago – to capture some righteous alt-country music artists.
Indiana Music: The Elms call it quits
An abrupt end to one of the best bands in Indiana – The Seymour-based rock band The Elms announced on their website today that they are breaking up.
on theelms.net – from lead singer Owen Thomas
“It is with equal parts gratitude and humility with which I write you today to say that this July, after ten extraordinary years of life lived closely together, the members of The Elms will very amicably part ways and end our tenure as a rock and roll band. There are no salacious discrepancies between band members to report to you, and no dramatic elements to run through the rumor mill! Simply stated, the time has come to move on.”
Backstage at Letterman: Indiana guitarist Jason Wilber’s night in NYC with Dave, Don Rickles and Paul Shafer
Wanted to follow up on our post earlier this week about Hoosier guitarist and singer/songwriter Jason Wilber playing on Late Night with David Letterman. Wilber, fresh from the performance backing John Prine on Letterman Wednesday night, posted to his blog/website a number of behind-the-scenes moments he experienced as the guitar player, both on stage and off.
Roots-Rock Music Notes: Indiana Americana w/ Jeff Byrd, Gamblin' Christmas. Plus Hank III full of attitude
+ Indianapolis roots-rock guy Jeff Byrd has formed a new band, and we should start to hear some music from them soon. Fans of the Gear Daddies and BoDeans will like what he’s putting together. Byrd’s most recent release was in 2008, an album called Stereoville.
+ Gamblin’ Christmas has been busy recording a third release, and have added hosting duties on the first Friday Hillbilly Happy Hour of every month at the Melody Inn. Watch for the folk duo with the sweet Everly Brother harmonies to be posting songs from the new album as they finish mixing. The website is gamblinchristmas.com.
+ Watch for two good shows June 4 (next Friday): alt-country darlin’ Elizabeth Cook at Spencer’s Stadium Tavern and former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit rock at Radio Radio. More on both shows early next week.
+ Hank Williams III’s new album “Rebel Within” is out. It’s the final record for Curb Records, and the rocky relationship will end.
In an interview with Outlaw Radio Chicago, he said “It’s got the slow ones, it’s got the fast ones, and a little attitude. Hopefully they’ll see that I gave them a good record. I could have gave them nothing but static and noise and been like ‘Ah, here ya go, it’s been nice knowing you.’ But I gave them a good record man.”