Since he was in high school, General Norman Johnson has been giving musical marching orders to beachgoers. Before it became known as beach music, Allen Toussaint recorded Johnson’s first big hit, “It Will Stand” as swamp pop. Since then the General and his board of directors have changed the meaning of shagging from something the […]
Grant Britt
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in other birthdays
He was a Fabulous Knob who became a Woodpecker. When the Georgia Satellites made ‘Pecker singer Dan Baird famous, he became a Woods. When Baird got loose again, he became a Yayhoo. At home, he fronts the Olympic Ass-Kicking Team from behind the kit. Christmas Day is also Terry Anderson’s birthday and he’s gonna celebrate […]
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Tunes for a cause
When you get a bunch of alt-country fans together and name yourself after a Steve Earle record, you’ve got to expect some trouble. Guitartown founder Alison Williams decided she needed some damage control after hosting the second annual Christmas party for the Web site and news group at her house in 2000: “That’s when I […]
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in heavy metal mandolins
“If you go to a Hank Jr. show, then go to an AC/DC show, you’re gonna see the same people,” says Hayseed Dixie frontman Barley Scotch, aka John Wheeler. “It’s all kind of rebel music.” Wheeler, with Don Wayne and Dale Reno, sons of legendary bluegrass banjoist Don Reno, made a career setting AC/DC and […]
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Bringing down the house
Unless you’re related to the band, married to one of ’em or distributing your favors freely for backstage access, it’s often difficult to see your favorite musicians up close and personal. But if you’re an only child, have an aversion to commitment or just don’t care to be a musical slut, there is a better […]
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Tony Joe White
When it comes to the tools of songwriting, Tony Joe White favors the basics–air, fire and beer. “I couldn’t just sit down and write a song–something has to come, like a title or a guitar lick or a line or something,” White says of the method that created “Polk Salad Annie” and “Rainy Night in […]
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Hits and misses at the early show
“What a drag it is getting old,” Mick Jagger sang when he was young and spunky in ’66. “Hope I die before I get old,” a 23-year-old Roger Daltrey proclaimed on the bands’ ’65 debut “My Generation.” But as they got older, aging rockers discovered that even though they were chronologically challenged, they could still […]
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in quick change artists
How do you get from Skid Row to Broadway? Practice your scream. It worked for Sebastian Bach , who’s taken his metal scream and rock ‘n’ roll attitude from the arena floor to the footlights of Broadway, starring in the hit musical Jekyll & Hyde in 2000. After his turn in Jesus Christ Superstar, some […]
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Blues with a feeling
For those of her generation who don’t want to hear the blues, 25-year-old Shemekia Copeland has harsh words. “I say you should kill ’em.” She’s joking. Daddy Johnny Clyde taught her better than that. Daughter Shemekia has become a worldwide ambassador for the blues. “I’m always very happy to have young people come out to […]
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in bluegrass class
If Bill Monroe is the father of bluegrass, then Ralph Stanley’s the godfather. His distinctive clawhammer style of banjo and ability to hit the high notes and hold ’em made him and brother Carter’s band, The Clinch Mountain Boys, one of the best-loved bands in bluegrass. His popularity faded, then came back with a vengeance […]
