Dave Alvin

Management

• American Music #62 June 2010 is out here. It includes The Blasters spring 2010 east coast tour, Rick Shea on his ‘Shelter Valley Blues’ CD. Stanley Wycoff on his ‘Swim Into The Whirlpool’ CD, and all the latest news

• The Blasters with Phil, John, Bill, and Keith are booked with special guest Dave Alvin to perform at Fitzgerald’s American Music Festival in Berwyn IL on July 4^th weekend for two shows.

• Monday April 12 Phil Alvin begins a weekly acoustic gig at the Redwood Bar & Grill at 316 W. 2nd Street in Los Angeles 90012. Dave Alvin is expected to make a special appearance as will some other surprise guests.

• The Blasters start today with a pair of Florida shows on 4/2 at Skippers in Tampa and 4/3 in Coconut Creek FL at the Coconut Creek Casino.

• American Music The Blasters/ Dave Alvin newsletter # 61 January 2010 is now online. This issue includes: The Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women 2009 USA Tour and the Blasters 2009 tour of Europe. Also part 2 of Dave Alvin's Discography of digital download songs.
• Note: I am discontinuing the print edition of the newsletter. It will still be viewable and printable online. To receive an email notice when a newsletter is made available online, sign up on the confidential yahoo "Announcement only list" (in the left column on this page) or just send a request to davistb@aol.com and I'll put you on that list.

• On April 4-9, 2010 you can ride 'The Kings of California Train' with Dave Alvin, Tom Russell, and special guests Steve Young and Thad Beckman. The train leaves Los Angeles to Portland OR and returns. For info: trains@sover.net or call 866-484-3669 toll-free US/Canada

• On November 8, 2009 McCabe's in Santa Monica CA will host "REMEMBERING AMY FARRIS,"  a memorial show for the departed Guilty Women fiddle player. Dave Alvin will perform along with Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, I See Hawks, and more.

• American Music #60 is now online. Featuring Dave Alvin song by song on the Chris Gaffney Tribute CD, Musicians comments on playing on the CD, and an interview with the songwriters of Gaffney's last song.

• Hear Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women live on the Etown Radio show airing the week of Oct 14-20, 2009. Click here to find an NPR station near you.

• Downey California's landmark Johnies Broiler restaurant is set to re-open as 'Bob's Big Boy Broiler.' The 50's style decor and interior of a drive-in/car-hop/coffee shop is still there, it's just a different name. The 8 year battle to keep the historic structure from being demolished has been won by the Friends of Johnies. Congratulations! The Broiler Coalition is holding a "Cruise In " on 9/26/09 from 11am-4PM at 7447 Firestone Blvd in Downey. It's free and all are invited. The Blasters will perform at 6 PM. 

• Dave Alvin & Guilty Women on NPR's Mountain Stage, Sept. 18-20, 2009 A complete list of stations that carry Mountain Stage can be found here: Mountain Stage Radio Affiliates
• The following week their set will be posted at www.npr.org/mountainstage and archived for continued access.

• The Blasters will be live on the radio this Saturday 8/8/09 at 12 Noon P.S.T. on 87.9 FM in San Francisco. The Show can be heard live in The Bay area and L.A. You can listen on-line at www.piratecatradio.com or in the alternative section on iTunes. Bay Area Blasters fans are invited to come down to the studio and watch the interview and performance live at 2781 21st Street (cross street is Florida St.) in the Mission District of San Francisco. The zip code is 94110. Later, an archived podcast will be made available.

• Village Records is now handling on-line orders for the Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men DVD "Live at the Great American Music Hall" and the Gen Taylor featuring Dave Alvin CD  "Live!!! 608 Boogie!!!"

YOU COULD WIN !!!! - Dave Alvin Meet & Greet in New York and Philadelphia July 10-11, 2009

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women are doing two highly anticipated concerts this weekend in Philadelphia at the World Cafe on 7/10 and in New York City at the Highline Ballroom on 7/11.

In honor of this special event, 'American Music: the Blasters Dave Alvin newsletter' will host 10 contest winners at each venue for a special after show meet and greet with Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women.

The first 10 contest entrants who have the correct answer to the following question will win the meet and greet opportunity. Note: you must purchase your own admission to the concert

Question: What song on Dave Alvin's new Guilty Women record has he recorded before with the Blasters? Email your answer to davistb@aol.com

Your email subject header should read "Dave Alvin Meet and Greet Philadelphia" or "Dave Alvin Meet and Greet NYC." There will be 10 winners for each show.If you are a winner, you will receive an email with instructions. Contest closes 6 PM day of each show.    Good luck

• American Music #59 is now online. Featuring Dave Alvin's Guilty Women CD, a review of Dave Alvin and the Guilty Mens' Great American Music Hall DVD, and a Blasters discography for record collectors.

• A Dave Alvin's Fur Peace Ranch concert from May of '09 will air Friday 7/3/09 at 7 PM ET on southern Ohio's WOUB or listen to WOUB-FM's live stream. The taped concert will repeat on Saturday at midnight and Monday at 1:00 a.m.

• Blasters Newsletter # 59 is due out before the end of June. It will feature Dave Alvin going song-by-song thru the "Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women" CD. Stay tuned.

• Check out these original versions of songs the Blasters have covered over the years. Here.

• May 26 is the day Dave Alvin releases two CDs on Yep Roc Records: A Dave Alvin studio recorded album called "Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women" and the Chris Gaffney Tribute album "Man of Somebody's Dreams" which is executive produced by Dave Alvin. Both can be pre-ordered here with a chance to win a limited edition autographed print of the Guilty Women album cover.

• The Gene Taylor Blues band featuring Dave Alvin has released the CD "Live !!! 605 Boogie !!!" today. Buy it here. Read a review of it here.

• Dave Alvin's song "Everett Reuss" is NPR radio's song of day coinciding with the discovery of the 75 year old remains of Everett Ruess in Utah. More

• Listen in on Sunday March 8th to an interview of Dave Alvin on the Juke Joint radio show hosted by Jon Noe.  Tune in to  90.7 FM KSER at 1 PM Pacific. Listen online at www.kser.org

•  Dave Alvin Update: The "Dave Alvin and Guilty Women" CD is due out May 21. The Chris Gaffney Tribute "Man of Somebody's Dreams" is also out on May 21. Dave's long awaited "Live at The Great American Music Hall" DVD is now available for sale at shows and will be available thru DaveAlvin.net soon. The 'Gene Taylor Blues band featuring Dave Alvin' CD "605 Boogie!!!" is due for release soon. The Doug Sahm Tribute CD called "Keep Your Soul" is due out March 24 and includes Dave Alvin's version of "Dynamite Woman." Dave Alvin will be out on tour all summer with the Guilty Women. Look for the next American Music Newsletter in May.

• American Music #58 is out now featuring: Dave Alvin’s HighTone Years CD, The 1st Annual Dog and Pony Show review, and the first Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women show. American Music #58

• The Gene Taylor Blues Band CD titled "Live!!! 805 Boogie!!!" will see an advance release in the next few weeks. It will be available at shows, via mail-order thru yeproc.com and DaveAlvin.net. Watch for updates.

• Happy Birthday to Dave Alvin today! The latest edition of the Blasters Newsletter is due out soon. Read about Dave's new 'Best of the HighTone Years' CD and new CDs by The Gene Taylor Blues Band, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women (yes I did say 'women'), and the Chris Gaffney tribute album.

• On October 28, 2008 Shout Factory Records will release the CD Dave Alvin: Best of the HighTone Years. If you preorder the CD from Newbury Comics, it comes with an autographed promotional booklet. Supplies are limited so order soon. Newbury Comics

• The Knitters are playing a one-off show in New York City at Lincoln Center on Sunday August 24, 2008. The free show is at 5 PM at Damrosch Bandshell on 62nd St between Columbus and Amsterdam.

• American Music #57 is out now featuring Bill Bateman on his return to the Blasters. Also Dave Gonzalez is interviewed about the new Hacienda Brothers CD 'Arizona Motel', and James Intveld on his new record ‘Have Faith.’  American Music #57

• Blasters Newsletter #57 will be out in a few days. It will feature an interview with Bill Bateman about his replacing Jerry Angel as the Blasters drummer. Also an interview with Dave Gonzalez on the Hacienda Brothers new album Arizona Motel And James Intveld on his new 2008 CD Have Faith.

• Dave Alvin will be making surprise special appearances at the coming weekend Dave Gonzalez (of the Hacienda Bros.) gigs In Santa Rosa, San Francisco, and Winters. Tour Dates

• On Labor Day weekend (August 30 - Sept. 1) Safari Sam's in Los Angeles will host the first annual "Dog and Pony show" benefit music festival for sick musicians. Appearing at the 3-day event will be The Blasters, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, The Knitters, The Hacienda Brothers, The Cold Hard Facts, Big Sandy and many more. For more info visit www.musicmenagerie.net/dogandponyshow

• The Blasters announced today that Jerry Angel, their drummer of 14 years has left the band. Jerry has joined a band called Shurman, who will be offering much work and touring than the Blasters. Taking over the drum stool will be 'Original Blasters' drummer Bill Bateman. We wish Jerry all the best and welcome back Bill.

• Blasters Newsletter #56 is out now. It's the All Chris Gaffney Tribute issue. Featuring 19 pages of comments from just a few of Gaff's friends and band mates. Also reviews of the April 30, 2008 Gaffney memorial concert. American Music #56

• Blasters Newsletter #56 is due out soon. It will be an all Chris Gaffney Tribute issue with words from the musicians in these pages who knew him. While you wait, take a look back at this very-fun interview I did with Chris back in 2000 for his last solo album. American Music # 26

• The Chris Gaffney Memorial -- April 30, 2008 Long Beach, CA -- Comedian Andy Kindler and the Gaffney family will be hosting a night of stories and music at "The Cellar." Special guests include Dave Alvin and The Guilty Men, The Hacienda Brothers, The Cold Hard Facts, The Blasters, Bill Kirchen, and many other friends.
• The Cellar’s information is available at: www.myspace.com/thecellarlbc Address: 201 E. Broadway, Downtown Long Beach, located on the Promenade at Broadway
• The memorial celebration begins at 3pm. Donations are graciously accepted and deeply appreciated.

• Chris Gaffney, a beloved husband, revered entertainer, precious father, dear uncle, trusted friend, cherished brother has succumbed to liver cancer
• Chris Gaffney passed away this morning, April 17, 2008 in the Orange County hospital in California with his wife Julie at his side. He suffered a fall at home last night and died in his sleep after being admitted to the hospital. Further details are unavailable at this time. Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.

• Johnies (Harvey's) Broiler Is To Be Rebuilt
• Downey CA - Bob's Big Boy signed a lease and the operator intends to rebuild the structure trying to uphold the integrity of the 1958 building. This is amazing everyone!!! Simply historic that this has occurred. All of your support and efforts all of these years have paid off in a huge way. We are indebted to all of your efforts over the past seven years. This is a huge win for our community and for American culture. ---- Analisa (Friends of Harvey's/Johnie's Coalition)

• Our good friend Chris Gaffney has been diagnosed with liver cancer and has been forced off the road. Please visit his web site to leave messages for Chris and his family and donate to the 'Chris Gaffney Recovery fund.'

• Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" with Chris Gaffney and the Gene Taylor Blues Band On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net
• This month's song is very, very special for me. Last December, Chris Gaffney joined me on stage with The Gene Taylor Blues Band and sang Earl King's classic 1955 blues ballad, "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights." As great as Earl King's original recording is, Chris and I have always loved the version by Johnny "Guitar" Watson also cut in '55. Besides a typically passionate vocal, Watson's version features one of my favorite guitar solos of all time - as simple and effective as a Zen haiku or a punch in the face (I try to replicate Watson's furious, one note attack in the first chorus of my solo before heading off in my own direction). Needless to say, Chris sings the hell out of it. As some of you who are fans of his solo recordings and his CDs with The Hacienda Brothers already know, Chris is one of contemporary roots music's greatest singers. Whether the song is country, soul, blues, rock and roll, norteno or even Sinatra pop, Chris delivers the musical and emotional goods like few others can these days. All this brings me to some very sad news. My best friend Chris Gaffney is seriously ill and requires some costly medical treatments. Unfortunately, most of us understand the tough financial reality of the health industry these days and know that every little bit helps in paying the various bills. To help Chris cover his medical expenses, his family has put together a website where all of his friends and fans around the world can donate to the Gaffney cause. The webpage will be up and running in the next week or so, as soon as the doctors give his family an estimate of what his treatments will cost. Please check back at my website, davealvin.net, in the next week or so in order to be directed to the family webpage. You'll be able to make a donation there through Pay Pal as well leave get well messages for Chris and get updates on his situation. I know times are tough for just about everyone right now, but any contribution you can make would be deeply and sincerely appreciated by Chris, his family and me.

  Our version of "Those Lonely, Lonely Nights" with Gaffney is another outtake from the upcoming Gene Taylor Blues Band live CD, and whatever income is generated from the downloads of this recording will be going directly into the Gaffney medical fund. I'd like to thank the members of The Gene Taylor Blues Band (Gene the piano monster, bass specialist John Bazz and drum deity Bill Bateman), genius recording engineer Mark Linett, visionary executive producer Hudson Marquez and the good folks at Yep Roc for their generosity and help in making this possible.

  Get well brother Chris. I'll see you in Cuervo!

  - Dave Alvin, March 17th, 2008

  "Those Lonely Lonely Nights" is the 8th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others are: "Drunk"  "Perdido Street Blues" "Two Lucky Bums" "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61"

• Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Drunk" from the Gene Taylor Blues Band On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net
• Who says a song needs more than one chord? Rhythm and Blues pioneer Jimmy Liggins didn't think so and his 1953 jump blues hit "Drunk," a tribute to the joys and travails of inebriation, certainly proves it.
  
  Jimmy Liggins was the guitar playing brother of another R+B legend, pianist / singer /songwriter Joe Liggins (composer of blues standards like "The Honeydripper" and "Pink Champagne") and Jimmy was also a boxer who fought under the name Kid Zulu. The Liggins brothers were mainstays of the fertile 1940s and 50s Central Avenue music scene in Los Angeles. Joe Liggins was still performing in the 1970s when my brother Phil, Gene Taylor and I would catch him playing piano and singing in little dive bars around LA and Long Beach. He was an extremely talented and nice man. I wish I would've have also met Jimmy. I bet he could've taught me a lot about the complex mysteries of a one chord song.
  
  Over the years Jimmy Liggins' one chord classic has been a staple in therepertoire of many barroom blues, western swing and rockabilly bands (I've even sung it once or twice with my band, The Guilty Men). This version of "Drunk," though, was recorded live last December at the Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, California when I was part of a short west coast tour with The Gene Taylor Blues Band. Keyboard master Gene Taylor is singing and rocking the piano, Bill Bateman is swinging the drums and John Bazz is walking the stand up bass while I imitate some honking saxophone riffs on my electric guitar. The gigs were a special holiday reunion with my hometown pals and I had a blast to say the least. Our off the cuff take of "Drunk" was recorded and mixed by the genius engineer, Mark Linett and executive produced by noted R+B scholar Hudson Marquez. This track is a bonus outtake from a live CD by The Gene Taylor Blues Band that will be available later this year. Until then, I hope you enjoy "Drunk" and remember to always drink responsibly. - Dave Alvin, February 23, 2008

  "Drunkl" is the 7th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others: "Perdido Street Blues" "Two Lucky Bums" "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61"

• Dave Alvin releases new digital single, "Perdido Street Blues" On YepRoc.com and DaveAlvin.net
• There are many ways of playing the blues and this is one of them. Back in the early days of jazz they would've called this approach to blues, "viper music." That term always sounded pretty good to me. "Perdido Street Blues" was composed by the under appreciated Lil' Hardin Armstrong (the one time wife and pianist for Louis Armstrong) and was originally recorded back in 1926 by clarinet master Johnny Dodds and his New Orleans Wanderers. I was 14 when I first heard his version and, besides being blown away by Dodds' clarinet virtuosity, what captivated me was the minor/major key modulations that make up the song structure. With its low down almost spooky groove and melody, "Perdido Street Blues" is definitely some old time, back-in-the-alley viper music. For many years I've toyed around with the idea of cutting the song as a guitar based piece but never got around to doing it. Recently, after playing a few gigs with blues/boogie woogie piano master Gene Taylor, I thought it might be fun to finally cut "Perdido Street Blues" with Gene doing what he does best on the keyboards. Besides Gene, I was thrilled to be joined by another fellow Blaster, John Bazz, thumping mean stand-up bass. Rounding out this unique group are Greg Leisz (my longtime producer and guitar hero) on the slippery electric lap steel guitar and current Guilty Man drummer Steve Mugalian on the snazzy drums and percussion. For this track I played my beloved 1934 National steel bodied guitar while Craig Parker Adams did his usual expert job recording everything live at his Winslow Court studio in Los Angeles, California.

  I can't explain what a big kick it was to go back into the studio with Gene and John for the first time together since when we were in The Blasters years ago. Time and fate permitting we can hopefully do some more recording in the future. Until then I hope you enjoy our little bit of viper blues. - Dave Alvin, January 9th, 2008

• "Perdido Street Blues" is the 6th digital single available exclusively on-line :The others: "Two Lucky Bums" "Mobile Blue" "Earl's Rhumba" "Peace" and "Highway 61"

• The latest edition of the Blasters Newsletter is out now. American Music # 55 January 2008 - Read about: The Gene Taylor Blues Band goes on tour. Also, American Music on Youtube.com. Plus all the latest news.