Contemporary Artists

Jack Baymoore & the Bandits “A-V8 Boogie” - Tail (Sweden)

Marti Brom & Her Barnshakers “Snake Ranch” - Goofin’ (Finland)

Robbie Fulks “The Very Best of Robbie Fulks” - Bloodshot

Wayne Hancock “Wild, Free & Reckless” - Ark 21

James Hand “Shadows Where The Magic Was” - HonkyTonkTeaxs (98)

Bobby Horton vs. Derek Peterson “14 Jawbreakin’ Hits!” - Texas Jamboree

Cornell Hurd Band “At Large” - Behemoth

Jim Lauderdale “Onward Through It All” - RCA

Red Dirt Rangers “Ranger’s Command” - Lazy S.O.B.

Smith’s Ranch Boys “More Barnyard Favorites” - Summertone

Tennessee Rhythm Riders “Little Red Wagon” - Studio 28 (England)

Justin Treviño “Texas Honkytonk” - Neon Nightmare (98)

Roger Wallace “Hillbilly Heights” - Texas Round-Up

Hank Williams III “Risin’ Outlaw” - Curb

Various Artists “Heart Of Texas Country” - Neon Nightmare (98)

Various Artists “The Texas Reunion” - Skinny

Reissues

Hardrock Gunter “I’ll Give ’Em Rhythm” - Hydra (Germany)

Pee Wee King “Pee Wee King’s Country Hoedown” - Bloodshot Revivial (2-CD)

Ole Rasmussen “Sleepy Eyed John” - Bear Family (Germany)

Various Artists “Swing West! Volume 1 Bakersfield” - Razor & Tie

Various Artists “Lone Star Stomp: Texas Dance Hall Music - Volume 2” - Krazy Kat (England)

Local Artists

Jeff Bright & the Sunshine Boys “She’s A Nail In My Heart” - Rogue

Cari Lee & The Saddle-Ites (45rpm single) - Star Tone

Johnny Dilks & his Visitacion Valley Boys “Acres Of Heartaches” - HMG

The Haywoods “Drinkin’, Cryin’ & Moanin’” Wormtone

The highlights of the many great shows I saw this year:

Viva Las Vegas 2 - April 1—4 at Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

The must show for rockabilly fans! Highlights: Curtis Gordon backed by Hal Peters & the String Dusters produced a great boppin’ hillbilly set. Janis Martin with members of the Fly-Rite Boys showed why is being grandma has not diminished her being a top rocker one bit. Western swing was well represented by The Dalhart Imperials (Denver), The Rollin’ Rocks (Japan), Southpaw Johnny & his Right Hand Men (Orange County, California), and Hal Peters & the String Dusters (Finland). Sweden's Jack Baymoore & the Bandits American debut was oustanding! Their roots rockabilly sound was both authentic and original. Other of many high points included Mac Stevens suprise snake handling, the ever superb Wildfire Willie & the Ramblers, and Robert Gordon with Eddie Angel’s All Star Band.

Hillbilly Hop - October 16 at DeMarco’s 23 Club, Brisbane, California

Terrific show from start to finish! The opening act was new local western swing combo Cari Lee & the Saddle-Ites followed by a great set from honky tonkers Jeff Bright & the Sunshine Boys. The headliner, making their Northern California debut, was England’s Lynette Morgan & the Tennessee Rhythm Riders. Their echoes of Maddox Brothers & Rose were at times uncanny.