Cross Canadian Ragweed's CD party

John Goodspeed: Robison heads lineup at Botanical Garden

Web Posted: 09/26/2007 06:38 PM CDT

San Antonio Express-News
Big stuff is happening this weekend and next week with Gardens by Moonlight, Emerson Drive's show and Cross Canadian Ragweed's CD party.

First, there will be a little "Barlight" shining at Gardens by Moonlight.

Charlie Robison will bring his twisted nursery rhyme (think "Star Light, Star Bright" set to a honky-tonk rounder's lyrics) and more to the elegant event at the San Antonio Botanical Garden at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Seven other artists are on the bill, too, from cool jazz and Texas blues to hard-core honky-tonk with Dale Watson, the Band of Heathens, Shawn Sahm and the Tex-Mex Experience, Joe Posada, W.C. Clark, The Accidental Trio and Mike New.

Watson is touring with new tunes from his April release, "The Cradle to the Grave," which has a feel of Johnny Cash, one of his idols. He recorded it at a Tennessee cabin once owned by Cash.

With harmonies and a rock feel reminiscent of the supergroup Alabama, Emerson Drive is a band on the move. Earlier this month, it scored at the Canadian Country Music Awards with group of the year and single and video for "Moments," its first No. 1.

Meanwhile, at the Country Music Association awards, the band is nominated for group and video for "Moments."

Emerson Drive will perform Friday night at Cowboys Dance Hall.

"You Still Own Me," a tune about still being in love despite a breakup, is its current single from the latest album, "Countrified." It was co-produced by Alabama's Teddy Gentry, which was a shot in the arm for the band to work with one of their idols.

Things keep hopping at John T. Floore Country Store.

Friday night it's Jason Boland & The Stragglers, some of the hottest honky-tonkers around with cool tunes from the latest CD "The Bourbon Legend."

Floore's will be closed for a private event Saturday but will more than make up for it at 9 p.m. Wednesday, when Cross Canadian Ragweed makes the San Antonio area one of only five stops for its CD-release parties for "mission california," the rocking Red Dirt band's ninth album and the fourth on Universal South.

Admission costs $15, but is free with a copy of the CD, which will hit retail outlets Tuesday.

"mission california" finds the quartet pumping out more top-shelf rock/Southern rock set to country/Americana lyrics, mostly written by frontman Cody Canada.

Once again, they cover a wide range of topics, from a poor kid on the street ("Lawrence," with background vocals by Lee Ann Womack ) and partying on the road to self-pity and love. The songs, though sometimes dark, seem hopeful and the band sounds great.

The quartet of buddies from Yukon, Okla., got together in 1994 and have been touring hard ever since. Besides Canada, they are Grady Cross , guitar; Jeremy Plato, bass; and Randy Ragsdale, drums.

Out and about

Music, history and the Lone Star State will collide at Texas Heritage Living History Day with events from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. today on the campus of Schreiner University in Kerrville. Sponsored by Schreiner and the Texas Heritage Music Foundation, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the free event offers learning through music.

And there will be plenty of it. Performers will include Rodney Hayden, Brennen Leigh, Karen Abrahams and Dusty Britches along with storytellers, chuck wagons and more. Click on www.texas heritagemusic. org for the schedule.

The group's founder, Kathleen Hudson, also will celebrate the release of her second book, "Women in Texas Music: Stories and Songs," which features interviews including Lee Ann Womack, Emily Robison, Terri Hendrix, Rosie Flores and Marcia Ball.

Hayden will make his first appearance since canceling shows in the wake of the death of his mother, Atascosa County Clerk Laquita Mathis Hayden. He also is set to perform from 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Gruene Hall.

The Comal County Fair at the fairgrounds in New Braunfels will continue at 8 Friday night with country traditionalist Bobby Flores. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Robert Earl Keen's former fiddler will be front at center with the Bryan Duckworth Band. Taking over at 9 p.m. will be Billy Mata & The Texas Tradition.

Tommy Alverson's 10th annual Family Gathering will feature dozens of artists at Bosque Bottoms, on the banks of the Bosque River near Meridian, northwest of Waco. It will run from Thursday through Oct. 6.

Here's a quick preview: The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Johnny Bush, Rusty Wier, Eleven Hundred Springs, Terri Hendrix, The Derailers, Cornell Hurd, Mike Blakely, Kevin Deal, Jason Allen and Walt Wilkins.

Check it out at www.tommy alverson.com.