Nashville

Interview: Raul Malo (of The Mavericks @ The Birchmere, 7/13/20)

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Raul Malo (foreground) fronts The Mavericks (Photo by David McClister)

(Editor’s note: This show was rescheduled from March 25 due to the coronavirus threat.)

Raul Malo is best known as the frontman of critically acclaimed band The Mavericks, who uniquely fuse classic honky tonk, rockabilly, Tejano, and pop, as well as his own Cuban background. He also released a number of well-received solo albums, mainly during a period of hiatus for the band.

Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson interviewed Raul in advance of his solo date at The Birchmere on Monday, July 13. They talked about his projects, his approach to production and songwriting, his musical background and influences, and the upcoming concert.

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Live Review: Todd Snider @ Rams Head on Stage — 3/1/20

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Todd Snider - Ram’s Head On Stage - 03.01.20 1Todd Snider performs at Rams Head On Stage on March 1, 2020. (Photos by Casey Vock)

Cautiously emerging from the dressing room, stepping wide-eyed onto the stage at the Rams Head on Stage recently, he seemed unsure if he was even supposed to be there. Or maybe he was given pause by the full venue, either way, the audience might have wondered for a second what was going on.

But as he settled into a couple notes on the guitar and began to blow the harmonica, if tears hadn’t already started to well in their eyes, attentive onlookers were already able to decipher the genius that is Todd Snider.

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Live Review: Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer @ The Birchmere — 3/1/20

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Hayes Carll (Photo by David McClister)

Just under a year into their marriage, singer-songwriters Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer brought their Alone Together Tour to a sold-out Birchmere recently. Allison performed a solo set first, followed by Hayes, who invited her back out for a duet.

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Live Review: Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives @ The Birchmere — 2/27/20

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Marty Stuart performs at The Birchmere on Feb. 27, 2020. (Photo by Rashad Polk)

If you have even the slightest interest in country music, you owe it to yourself to see Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. The Fabulous Superlatives — “Cousin” Kenny Vaughan on guitar, “Professor” Chris Scruggs laying down the bass, and “Handsome” Harry Stinson keeping the beat on the drums — are an all-star team of Americana players. Marty is a former child prodigy who was already playing professionally with bluegrass legend Lester Flatt as a teenager.

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Preview: Todd Snider @ Rams Head on Stage, 3/1/20

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Todd Snider (Photo courtesy Absolute Publicity)

Folk singer Todd Snider had a busy year in 2019! Early in the year, he released Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3, a new album, and later in the year, he published East Nashville Skyline (the “wittiest and feistiest album of his career,” Pitchfork says) on vinyl.

What’s to do no except the touring? And tour Todd does with a show at Rams Head on Stage on Sunday, March 1.

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Live Review: Nora Jane Struthers @ Jammin’ Java — 2/21/20

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Nora Jane Struthers performs at Jammin’ Java on Feb. 21, 2020. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)

A fair number of people who came out to Jammin’ Java on Friday night were already familiar with Nora Jane Struthers. She introduced herself as “hailing from the great country and bluegrass state of…” and the audience chimed in “New Jersey.”

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Live Review: Drew and Ellie Holcomb @ The Birchmere — 2/20/20

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Drew Holcomb (Photo by Ashtin Paige)

Drew and Ellie Holcomb’s recent show at The Birchmere began with a pleasant surprise. The show had been billed as “An Evening with Drew and Ellie Holcomb,” leading me to expect a duo performance. When they took the stage, they were accompanied by Drew’s band, The Neighbors.

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