When it rains in Russia these days, it worries local musician Armand Lencheck. For the past six years, Lenchek has helped resolve problems like the current one–a leaky roof–at the Russian-based Kamensk Uralski Baby Home, where Lenchek adopted his son, Aaron Alexander, in 1998. Each year Lencheck has given back with an annual concert, enlisting […]
Grant Britt
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Psalm grove
Going about the Lord’s work in song would seem to be a noble, glorious quest. Gospel music uplifts the soul and makes life easier to bear. Or at least that’s the theory. In practice, it’s not that easy, especially if your goal is to set the Bible to bluegrass music. “The Bible will offend anybody, […]
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in honky-tonking
“Joe six-pack has no idea who we are. He’s listening to Top 40 radio, and that’s all he knows.” But Dale Watson hasn’t let that little setback bother him. Roaming the world from his homebase in Austin, Watson leads what just may be the world’s best honky-tonk band. This year Watson and his band the […]
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Zydeco sweetheart
For a lot of kids growing up in rural Louisiana in the ’70s, Zydeco wasn’t cool or hip. That screechy accordion music the old folks hopped around to certainly didn’t impress young Mary Rosezla Bellard Ledet–she preferred the raunchy rhythms of Z.Z. Top. But when she attended her first dance at 16 and witnessed firsthand […]
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Steelin’ souls:
He started out in church, but what he’s doing now makes some say that he’s playing the devil’s music. Sacred steel guitarist Robert Randolph doesn’t pay it any mind. “I’m the one out there, and I’m seeing how the music has uplifted so many people and so many people are now feeling better about life […]
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Homebrew
Sounds like Brother Duane wandered back into the building to jam with the Funky Meters. But the guys making these sounds are not from out of this world, nor even from out of town. Local talent is the backbone of guitarist Cyril Lance’s band, The Outskirts. Lance, drummer Kelly Pace and bassist Chris Carroll are […]
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Homebrew
It’s not a bluegrass band. Although the name might mislead you, it’s obvious from the first note that high and lonesome is not their thing. But once you’ve determined what SpencerAcuff isn’t, getting a handle on what it is ain’t that easy. Opening cut “Far From Here” on Chasing Windmills could have been taken from […]
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Blind ambition
the Blind Boys of Alabama Tom Waits and Ben Harper have written songs for them. They’ve recorded songs by Prince, Stevie Wonder and George Clinton. But since they left the Talladega Institute for the Negro Deaf and Blind in 1944 and hit the road singing, there’s only been one path for The Blind Boys of […]
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Heavenly voices from Soweto
For most people, there’s only one South African vocal group. Ladysmith Black Mambazo set the standard for South African vocal music, but the 32-member Soweto Gospel Choir is ready to challenge their position. Although the harmonies are similar, there is a difference. “We got ladies; they only got guys,” laughs assistant choirmaster/musical director Lucas Deon […]
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King me
“I guess you would say that I’m pretty true to the 1972 Elvis,” says Russell Brooks. Brooks is Elvis Encore, from the jewel-encrusted jumpsuit down to the white boots. “I loved Elvis as a little kid,” Brooks says. “He’s actually why I started playing music in the first place. I’ve been doing Elvis for almost […]
