What's happening in Twang Nation?

Here's the latest news from DeSoto Rust: 

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We're pleased to announce that some of our tunes have been picked by the NASCAR RaceHour Show on TalkRadioX.  This evening's show (#15) opened with Backyard.  The show also featured Morgan Rhule and 5 on 7.  In the future, tunes may be used on The James Madison Show, as well as RaceHour LIVE.

RaceHour is a syndicated broadcast on radio stations across the United States and Canada.  A huge thanks to show producer/host Frank Gordon for selecting our music!

To listen to a podcast of the show (the Christmas special), go to RaceHour and click the banner.

Congratulations to Ray and Amy on the birth of their son, Wesley Paul.  He arrived at 5:22 PM and weighed in at 6 lbs. 13 oz.  Ray says he has long fingers - a natural piano player!

A big thanks to Cowdog Kelly for including Morgan Rhule in his podcast #73 on October 18.  (We were featured with other new artists in the first half of the show.) The Texas Blues Cafe features blues-inspired material embraced by the good folks of Texas - everything from the classic blues artists to bands like DSR.  If you're a blues fan, you have to check out the Cowdog's show.

WCBP, an internet radio station based in Maple Shade, NJ, launched in September and is playing our tunes.  We came in #8 in the October 13 poll based on plays and requests.  Thanks to the folks at Casa Bonita Productions for their support.

DJ Randy Now hosted promoter Kurt Hesse and some of the artists on the lineup at the Just Plain Janes' Jersey Jamfest on his Capital Garage radio show on WTSR (91.3 FM).  Ray and David performed an acoustic version of Stronger Than the Knife.  Also performing were Sheli Aarden and her daughter Melissa, and Michael Brett.  Kicking off the hour-long interview/performance was a phone-in from George Frayne, AKA Commander Cody.  Randy's show runs from 6:00 - 9:00 PM Wednesday nights.  Last night's show featured an eclectic mix of everything from old Commander Cody to the Rezillos.  Thanks so much to Randy for the opportunity!

Dan Herman featured Day Like No Other Day on the August 19 edition of Radio Crystal Blue out of New York.  Dan's Live365 broadcast features one of the most eclectic mixes of music anywhere.  Interestingly, two songs earlier, he featured Christine Havrilla's Wire, from her newest CD.  Dan, did you know that Christine performed on our tune?  Thanks again for the airplay.  We dig your show immensely!

In advance of August 25th's Just Plain Janes' Jersey Jamfest, Greg G  hosted DSR's Dave Reeve, performer Michael Brett, and promoter Kurt Hesse on his Roots Rock Review show on WBZC.  During the show, Greg also dialed in George Frayne, AKA Commander Cody for a short interview.  Greg played Morgan Rhule and Backyard, as well as tunes by the Commander, Michael Brett and Michael Patrick and the Suburban Hillbillies.  Greg's show is broadcast between 6:00 and 10:00 on Wednesday evenings and is probably the best local showcase for roots-based and Americana music.   Thanks again to Greg for his support.

Jordan Mitchell and Jesse Lee spin Swept in It Again on their Music for a Porch Life show on KDVS (90.3 FM), the freeform radio station at UC-Davis.  Their show runs from 1:00 to 2:30 PM on Tuesdays  and features music for "front porches, dark bars, and dusty roads.  Thanks so much to Jordan and Jesse!

One of our earliest supporters, Gerd Stassen, hosts Hillbilly Rockhouse on Country Music 24 (Berlin) and Radio EVW (Ems-Vechte-Welle, Germany).  Gerd played Headin' Down to Georgia on his July 19 show (#85.)  Thanks again for the airplay, Gerd!

Thanks to WRIR in Richmond for featuring Close Up the Honky Tonks on the July 2 edition of Mother's Milk Radio!

Di, one half of the DJ team Razor and Die, played our cover of Close Up the Honky Tonks on their May 24th show.  The Razor and Die show runs on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Thanks to Di for the airplay!

Greg G, one of our earliest fans, interviewed us on his Roots Rock Review show on WBZC.  Greg's show is broadcast between 6:00 and 10:00 on Wednesday evenings and is probably the best local showcase for roots-based and Americana music.  Greg interviewed us during his 8:00 hour, playing tunes from both CDs:  Morgan Rhule, Recluse, Backyard, One Step, Five on Seven, and I'm Goin' Home.  We also gave away copies of GCT, t-shirts, and two pairs of tickets to the March 3 Whiskey Dix show.  It was a blast.  We are extremely grateful to Greg, not only for the interview, but for all the support he's given us and other local bands over the past three years.  You rule, dude!

The ice and snow storm which hit on Valentine's Day caused the postponement of our interview on WBZC's Roots Rock Review, hosted by Greg G.  We'll be rescheduling this interview.  Thanks again to Greg for inviting us.

Johanna Bodde of Radio Winschoten's Alt.Country Cooking is scaling back on her DJ duties to write reviews and do interviews for Insurgent Country, the comprehensive alternative country website run by Germany's Hans Settler.  Johanna asked us to talk about the making of our CDs, the inspiration for the tunes, and how we approached the recordings.  Click the link to go directly to our "page".  Thanks again to Johanna, one of our earliest and most ardent supporters, and best of luck.

Thanks much to Wyn Machon for playing Morgan Rhule on his Whitestone Country Show.  Wyn's show is featured on Oamaru Heritage Radio (88.3 and 107 FM) broadcasting from Oamaru, NZ.  Wyn has excellent taste in tunes, by the way, playing the rare recording of Miller's Cave by Gram Parsons.

The guys at AmericanaOK played I'm Goin' Home on podcast #43.  The show is produced in Leith, Scotland.  (Check it out - Solomon Burke covering Tom T. Hall!)  AmericanaOK reports to the Euro Americana Chart.  Thanks for the airplay, guys!

DeSoto Rust is pleased to announce that Steve Savage has joined the band as our new bass player.  Steve and drummer Dave Reeve have known each other for years as part of the South Jersey music scene.  They also play together in the country cover band, Gritzz, where Stever plays lead guitar and lap steel.   We're rapidly working Steve into the mix and expect to be gigging again by February.

American Music Belgium, featured on Mol, Belgium's Radio M.I.L.O, has selected Greene Country Towne for inclusion on it's list of Recommended Albums of 2006.  The show can be heard in Northern Belgium, southern Holland and on the internet.  Thanks again to American Music Belgium and all the other European DJ's who've played our stuff!

We've gotten together with a couple of bass players in the last two weeks and are excited over the prospect of bringing new musical ideas into the mix.  (Not that we won't miss Mike!)  Ray, David and Dave are continuing to work on new original material, as well as a some killer covers.  More later.

After falling off during the summer, we're happy to report that Green Country Towne is back on the Freeform American Roots Chart at the #23 position (chart #86 - September 2006.)  The chart is compiled by 140 freeform DJs (no mandated play lists) reporting to 3rd Coast Music.  Thanks again to the DJs who are spinning cuts from the CD!

If you read the e-mail announcing our show this Saturday at Whiskey Dix, you saw that Mike Simmons will be leaving DSR.  Mike is a founding member of the band, our bass player, a song-writer, vocalist, and, of course, our producer.  Mike has been a major reason we've come as far as we have and he will be much missed.  Of course, he's also a good friend, and he'll continue to be one.  His days of making music are not over, so keep your ears open.  This Saturday is Mike's last show, so be sure to come out and bid him farewell.

Speaking of bass players, we are looking for one!  Needless to say, we'd like to find someone as attuned to our sound as Mike, as well as someone with vocal ability.  Drop us a line at info@DeSotoRust.com if you have an interest or if you know of someone who does.

Don Chisholm featured Far Side of Town during the first hour of his Sunday show.  Don is heard across Inverness and Northeast Scotland and is carried on Moray Firth Radio.  Don was also an avid supporter of our debut CD.  Thanks much, Don!

Three stars from the local music fanzine, Origivation.  We'll admit that they found the CD a bit too nostalgic, but what the hell?  The review also says:

"Technically excellent, this is the rootsy, laid-back, real deal; well-recorded, and better performed."

Thanks again to the nice folks at Origivation.

Chris James plays One Step on the Lost Music Saloon featured on WRIR in Richmond, VA.  Thanks much, Chris!

Stig Tornqvist gives Jim Beam a spin on Country Sunday featured on radio station CMR (Country Music Radio), 105.5 FM in the south of Sweden.  Thanks loads, Stig!

Marc Nolis publishes Mazz Musikas (formerly Rootstown Music) from Belgium.  Issue #43 features a nice review of GCT.  We've posted both the original and a rough translation on the Press Clippings page.  Rather than quote the fractured translation, let's just say that the reviewer (Dani Heyvaert) still like us!  (We will admit to being amused by the translation software's take on Mike's name:  "Loaf" Simmons!  He's stuck with it now.)

John Conquest reviews GCT in the latest issue of 3rd Coast Music.  You might remember that our debut was also reviewed by John (see August 8, 2005 news entry) and also received four stars.  To quote John (in part):

"...this one showcases a group that's developing its own identity......a solid piece of work by a band with real potential."

For the complete review, see Press Clippings.  A big thanks to John for the generous review.

Greene Country Towne improves its chart position on both the Freeform American Roots Chart (moving up to #24 for May) and the Euro American Chart (moving up to #20 for June.)  Thanks again to all the independent DJs for the airplay and support!              

Americana Roots, the great internet radio station, has GCT available for playing upon request!  Click on the link above to request a tune from the CD.  Why not order the CD, too?  Go to Music for ordering info.

Country Bear actually consists of four internet channels, each dedicated to a different genre of country-related tunes.  I'm Goin Home and Nice Enough Gal have been featured on both the "main" and "new" channels.  Thanks much to the good folks at Country Bear!

Richard Taylor hosts the podcast know as Roots Rock Radio and featured Backyard on both show #59 and show #62.  Thanks again for the support, Richard.

Dan Ferguson played Nice Enough Gal on his May 20 Boudin Barndance show on WRIU in Kingston, RI (the radio station of the Rhode Island University.)   "Boudin Dan" takes his name from the Cajun sausage-like food - a natural casing filled with a mix of rice, spicy meat and other delicacies - served hot and eaten from an aluminum foil wrapper with cold beer.  Dan, you obviously have good taste in food and in music!  Thanks much!

Mark Verbert hosts Mojo Dreams on Radio RZO in Belgium.  His May 4 show featured Dark at Five and his May 11 show featured Headin' Down to Georgia.  Thanks for the airplay, Mark!

Ken Date ("Spinning the country platter, talking the country chatter, saying the things that flatter about the country stars that matter in the grooviest DJ patter!")  features Day Like No Other Day (May 6) and Easytown (May 13) on his show on 2RRR out of Sydney, Australia.  Ken was a big supporter of our debut, as well.  Thanks again, Ken!

Hans Hanegraaf features Day Like No Other Day on his May 18 webcast (#2264) on American Music Belgium.  A big thanks to Hans for the airplay and support!

Shorty Stubbs hosts Country Fringe (6:00 - 8:00 PM) every Twangin' Tuesday on KXCI (91.3 FM) in Tucson, AZ.  He was an early supporter of our debut CD and has begun spinning cuts from Greene Country Towne.  Thanks for the airplay and the nice e-mail, Shorty!  (By the way, David worked one summer as the garbage man at the KOA Campground on the west side of Tucson, staying clear of the rattle snakes and drinking free beers from the bartender at Lil Abners.  Got to hang with some mighty hip people and drive the garbage truck to the landfill!)

Dan Herman will be featuring a cut from GCT on the 5/21 edition of his internet radio program Radio Crystal Blue out of New York.  DeSoto Rust thanks you, Dan!

May 14, 2006 - First GCT airplay in Canada

Rick August featured Easytown on his Borderlines show on CJTR (91.3 FM) in Regina, Saskatchewan.  Borderlines is heard every Sunday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM CST (6:00 GMT) on Regina community radio.  We appreciate the continued support, Rick!

Nico Druijf plays Easytown on his Long Distance program.  Nico's show runs on Radio Hoorn every Wednesday from 8:00 to 9:00 PM (Dutch time).  Thanks much, Nico!

Once again, we owe a big thanks to Johanna Bodde of Radio Winschoten's Alt.Country Cooking, this time for selecting GCT as #2 on her Top 5 for the month of May.  We are honored, Johanna!

Rein Wortelboer hosts PeelGrass, a source of country music for listeners in the Netherlands since 1987 on Radio Venray.   Rein played both I'm Goin' Home and Nice Enough Gal on his May 9 show.  Much appreciated, Rein.  Thanks also for the tips on distribution.

Thanks to Karen Miller for spinning I'm Goin' Home on her May 9  The Miller Tells Her Tale podcast.  Karen's show originates from the U.K. where she "delivers a terrific selection of rarely heard music...dripping fresh with bourbon-sozzled heartbreak."  By the way, locals Frog Holler were also featured on the show.  Thanks again, Karen.

Professor Purple once again is playing DeSoto Rust on his Amarillo Highway show on KZMU in Moab, Utah.  This time, it's Day Like No Other Day on his May 7 program.  Thanks again to the Professor - you definitely do not want to miss his class!

Eddie O'Strange (a great name!) has hosted the Town & Country Radio Show at 783KHz AM in New Zealand for 14 years and featured I'm Goin' Home on his May 8 program.  Thanks much and keep it strange, Eddie!

Our German is somewhere between lousy and non-existent (closer to the latter), so it's hard to tell, but we think they liked the CD, considering it "old school" (Burrito Bros.)  Home of Rock is a German webzine (Das Rockmagazin).  Check the press clippings page for the complete review.  Thanks  to Frank Ipach for the press and acknowlegement!

The Cosmic Cowboy Cafe runs on 2RRR (88.5 FM) in Sydney, Australia.  Host Eddie White opened his April 28 show with Day Like No Other Day and followed up a week later (May 5) with Dark at Five.  Thanks for digging our stuff so much, Eddie!

Many thanks to Roel Stabler for featuring I'm Goin' Home on his Country File (week 19) program.  Roel's show is featured on on Radio Delfzicht Lokaal in Delfzicht, The Netherlands.

Gerd Stassen hosts Hillbilly Rockhouse on Country Music 24 (Berlin) and Radio EVW (Ems-Vechte-Welle, Germany).  He featured both Swept in it Again (May 3) and Backyard (May 4) .  Thanks so much for the support, Gerd!

May 3, 2006 - Greene Country Town debuts at #28 on the April FAR Chart (#81)

We hoped the folks who dug our debut would feel the same way about GCT,

and it looks like they do!  Still, the early success is surprising and gratifying.  The Freeform American Roots Chart is compiled by 140 freeform DJs (no mandated play lists) reporting to 3rd Coast Music.  As they put it, "Real music played for real people by real DJs."  Thanks to all the folks who've so quickly picked up on GCT, particularly WBZC's Greg G.

Johnny Timewarp (aka Matt Schuyler) dropped us an e-mail and looks to feature GCT on his Dark Side of the Highway show.  Johnny's show runs Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Central Connecticut State University's WFCS (107.7 FM) in New Britain, CT.  We appreciate the e-mail and the support from Johnny.

Jim Hynes features Far Side of Town on the The All Night Diner on WDVR (89.7 FM) in Sergeantsville, NJ.  Jim, Thom Wodock, Ralph Drake, and Jeff Mark rotate the DJ duties every Saturday morning from1:00 AM until 6:00 AM playing the best in American roots music.  Jim is also a FAR chart contributor.  Thanks so much for the continued support, Jim!

 Michael van Bruggen features Day Like No Other Day on his Landslide program (#415).  Landslide is a part of the mythical Dutch Roots Radio Ring mentioned in the liner notes of Greene Country Towne.  Thanks again, Michael!

Wow!  We had no idea the new CD would take off so fast!  The Euro American Chart is compiled by DJs, journalists, retailers, promoters, and other people from all over Europe who are interested in Americana music.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to this group of people - they were instrumental in the success of our debut CD as well.  It's such a thrill to have these folks digging the stuff we're doing.  Thanks so much for the honor and support!

Many thanks to Ray Swennen for featuring Day Like No Other Day on his Roots Revival Radio show (#59) on Radio FM Goud.

Mike Penard, AKA "Mike the DJ" and "Mike the Frenchy" will be playing Dark at Five, One Step, Easytown, Nice Enough Gal, and I'm Goin Home on his show  "American Roots Music".  Mike's show is featured on ISA Radio broadcasting to the French states of Isere, Savoie, and Ain near Lyon and the French Alps.  He also sent a very kind e-mail which said in part "Sometimes it takes several albums for a band to establish their name, you are among the ones that immediately gain recognition and you really deserve it."    Merci beaucoup, Mike! - we appreciate it very much!

Remo Ricaldone has added the new CD  to the playlist of his two-hour weekly radio show, "Happy Trails."  His show is broadcast in northwestern Italy by Susa Onda Radio (96.4 FM) in Susa, Italy.  Remo will also be doing a web review of the CD soon.  Thanks again, Remo!

Dark at Five is played by Thomas Kaldijk on his Blueprint show (Playlist 264).  (Thanks, Thomas, for the continued support!)  The show is carried on several radio stations in the Netherlands, including Radio Parkstad in Veendam.

Sjaak Sekeris, host of A Shake of Music on Radio Gouwestad in Gouda, The Netherlands has started playing cuts from the new CD and has graciously nominated it for inclusion in the May edition of the Euro Americana chart.  To quote Mike, "Sjaak is da man!"  Sjaak refers to our music as "real American dust rock."  Never thought of that description before, but it really works!  Thanks again, Sjaak, for all the support!

Ray Pieters features us on Web Radio Golden Flash out of Belgium.  Thanks for digging our stuff, Ray!

Theo Oldenburg plays Far Side of Town during the third hour of the April 27 broadcast of Radio Winschoten's Alt.Country Cooking.  Many thanks to Theo and his partner Johanna Bodde for their support.  (By the way, if you listen to the show, you can hear David's station promo running at the top of the first and second hours.)

Here at last (though not yet available for general release!)  Greene Country Towne pressing and production is complete and we got our first peak (and listen) to the finished product.  Hope you like it as much as we do.  Mailings to radio stations, reviewers, promoters and others have begun.  Expect general availability in the next few weeks, both at shows and over the web.  Also expect plenty of other info, lyrics, song clips, etc. to begin appearing on this site.  Stay tuned, baby!

Last night David and Mike laid down the last guitar and vocal tracks.  Mike is wrapping up the final mixes and looks to ship the master today.  Jodi Samsel's cover design and artwork are also in the final stages (and looking gorgeous!)  So - expect Greene Country Towne to be available in the late spring.  The band is incredibly excited about where we took our sound on this effort, and we're hoping you guys like it, too!

Yes, that is indeed the title, but more about that later.  The band is pleased to report that production of the upcoming CD is in the home stretch.  Only a handful of parts are left to be recorded, mainly by some of our friends who've generously agreed to add their talents to the mix (Christine Havrilla and singing partner Gretchen Schultz, Last Train Home pedal steel ace Dave Van Allen, and Gritzz keyboardist Joe Poulicci.)  Photographer and designer Jodi Samsel is putting the final touches on the packaging and Mike is beginning to think about final mixes.  Look for 12 original songs, all but one brand new, with more complex and varied instrumentation that our debut.  Mike has truly outdone himself with the production and his sonic vision for the CD.

Now, about the title:  Greene Country Towne is a reference to William Penn's original vision for Philadelphia.  Is that post-ironic or what?  And what the hell does that even mean?  (If you listen faintly you can hear the sound of the hype machine cranking up!)

Expect a release in the spring with the usual fanfare.  We've purposely held off performing the new material, but that's about to change.  Expect the debut of some of the new tunes at the John & Peter's show coming up on March 25.  Check it out and stay tuned for more info as the release date approaches.

So the other day, David was at the local Whole Food and ran into old buddy and former bandmate Ken Kramar.  Ken shared guitar duties with David in the final lineup of the legendary Still Stupid back in the early 90's (fronted by Mr. Entertainment himself, Jim Canfield).  Check out Ken's website for great histories of Still Stupid, and Ken's previous band, Trained Attack Dogs, along with audio clips (including Ken's new compositions).  Ken's site also has a link to a site featuring Philly punk record covers from the era.  Scroll down to check out the covers from Mike's band, Experimental Products.  The ensuing e-mail exchanges prompted Dave to reminisce about hauling his drums up the stairs at the old Club Pizzaz under the shadow of the El in the Northeast.  (Still Stupid and Trained Attack Dogs shared the bill together up there, too.)  Ah, the High and Far Off Times!

January 17, 2006 - Still Charting on FAR!

Still going and going!  Our run on the Freeform American Roots Chart continues:

October 2005 (Chart #75) - #28

November 2005 (Chart #76) - #25

December 2005 (Chart #77) - #19

Thanks again to the DJ's who have supported us in the past and who continue to play our tunes!  Special thanks to WBZC's Greg G.  Check out Greg's MYSPACE page for his play lists and other info.

Expect to hear our CD on the French National Network, RCF, beginning in January thanks to Jacques Spiry.  Jacques will be featuring some of our tunes on his show Country Unlimited and Lone Star Music, heard by listeners in France and Belgium.  Merci beaucoup, Jacques and Happy New Year!

What a great way to wind up 2005!  Thanks to all the fans who participated in Radio Six International's 2005 Record of the Year voting, Morgan Rhule placed at #16 on the final top 20 list!  Click on the link to take a peak at the complete list.  Thanks again to all the twangsters who gave us the thumbs up and to the wonderful folks at Radio Six.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Our CD's opener, Morgan Rhule, has been honored as one of the twenty finalists for Radio Six International's 2005 Record of the Year!  Radio Six broadcasts on the internet and shortwave from Glasgow and is heard around the world.  As of this moment, voting is still open, so email votes@radiosix.com and let your voice be heard!  Thanks very much to Diana Luke and Tony Currie of Radio Six!

Sjaak Sekeris, whose show A Shake of Music, is broadcast on Radio Gouwestad in Gouda, The Netherlands has selected our debut CD as number 13 on his "best of" list for 2005.  Sharing any list with Neil Young and Ryan Adams is certainly an honor.  Thanks Sjaak and Happy New Year!  See all the yearend picks of the Dutch Roots Ring at Real Roots Cafe.

Thanks to our friend Rolf Hierath for this photo from the studio of Hillbilly Jukebox on ReinWelle 92,5 in Wiesbaden, Germany.  Now that's what we call promotion!  Thanks and Merry Christmas, Rol!

Rol Hierath of Hillbilly Jukebox and a DJ who wouldn't play country music.

Johanna Bodde, one half of Radio Winschoten's Alt.Country Cooking show, has selected our CD for inclusion on her "best imports" list for 2005 (#5.)  She and co-host Theo Oldenburg were some of our first supporters in Europe (see April 7, 2005).  See all the yearend picks of the Dutch Roots Ring at Real Roots Cafe. Thanks for this honor, Johanna!

Recording at Mars is well underway with fifteen new tunes being tracked.  Most of these will end up on our new CD, which we expect to release in the spring.  More complex, more ambitious, but still chock full of the tasty twang you've come to expect.  What else can you expect from tubes, magnets, copper wires and wooden sticks?

Who would have thunk it?  For the fourth month in a row our CD makes it on to the Freeform American Roots Chart (September '05/Chart #74), this time at #24 (along with Radney Foster, Del McCoury, and Billy Bob Thornton.)  Thanks to everyone, especially WBZC's Greg G., who's still our #1 fan!

Mathias Andrieu plays "Can't Sleep at Night" on his Keep it Country show on NSEO (95.2 FM) in Paris.  Mathias's show runs from 4:00 - 5:30 pm on Sundays (perfect time for an aperitif!)  Merci, Mathias!

Thanks to Karen Miller for spinning "Can't Sleep at Night" on her September 18 The Miller Tells Her Tale podcast.  Karen's show originates from the U.K.

Rose Lobel is a poet, prose writer, single mother, and perhaps the world's only voice-disabled radio programmer (a result of cerebral palsy).   She featured both "Morgan Rhule" and "Kansas City, 6 AM" on her August 30 What's New program on KZSC (88.1 FM) in Santa Cruz.  (Dangerous Dan Orange played us earlier on his KZSC program - see July 31.)  Check out Rose's poetry at .RedPlumPoetry.com.  Thanks so much, Rose!

"Around the clock and around the world" is the motto of Radio Six International broadcasting on the Internet from Glasgow, Scotland.  "Morgan Rhule" was featured on the September 3 Random Playlist along with an eclectic mix of other musicians such as the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band (Canada).  Check this out - you'll be amazed at the variety of music.  Thanks to Radio Six and host Diana Luke for the airplay!

Henry Prokop produces and presents "Honky Tonk Blues" every Sunday on 101 FM in Brisbane, Australia.  He's been bringing roots and the "weird edge of country" to the east coast of Australia for over 15 years.  (Maybe he can answer the Old 97's question "What's so great about the Barrier Reef?")  Henry says our CD is "perfect" for his program.  Thanks for the compliment and the airplay, Henry!

Mike Penard, AKA "Mike the DJ" and "Mike the Frenchy" sends his greetings (or as he puts it, a "croak") from the French states of Isere, Savoie, and Ain near Lyon and the French Alps.  His show, "American Roots Music", is broadcast on ISA radio.  Mike will be playing selections from our CD starting later this month.  Merci beaucoup, Mike! - we appreciate it very much!

Many of you know that David Otwell has lots of family and friends in New Orleans, South Mississippi, and the Gulf Coast.  It's been an anxious week, but David is pleased to report that everyone is safe, though not unscathed.  His wife's parents, brother and family left Uptown New Orleans two days after the storm as both the water and the bad craziness were rising.  The evacuation began by pirogue (shallow draft Cajun boat), and continued by car.  They're now safe in New Iberia, but have no idea when they'll be home.  Both families live on relatively high ground and hopefully will not have severe damage.  In Hattiesburg, MS, David's mom has four trees down but all of them missed the house.  Many friends in New Orleans, Slidell, Covington, Hattiesburg and elsewhere have been displaced; some homes will probably be unsalvageable.

Beyond the human misery, there's the horrible damage done to a very special city.  Is Tipitina's still there?  Parasol's?  Will there be Dixie beer again?  Will you still be able to get a chocolate freeze to go with your chili-cheese omelet at the Camellia Grill? Oyster artichoke soup at Mandina's?  Cheap oysters on the half shell at Cooter Brown's?  Did Jim Russell's Records flood?

These are very difficult times for everyone impacted by the disaster.  But David hears the same thing from everyone he's spoken to - all were touched by the kindness and generosity of total strangers.  The opportunities to help are all over the place, so do whatever you can.

Yes, it is pretty crowded down there at #28, but with company like Bob ("You can call me Zimmy") Dylan , who are we to complain?  Check out the August 2005 chart (#73).  Thanks so much again to all the great folks who are playing our stuff. 

Ken Date, otherwise known as KRD, will be featuring our CD starting this Saturday (8/20) on 2RRR (88.5 FM) community radio in Sydney, Australia.  Ken, Sydney's coolest country DJ, has been treating his audience to country and roots music for 13 years.  ("Spinning the country platter, talking the country chatter, saying the things that flatter about the country stars that matter in the grooviest DJ patter!")  Ken, you're the first on your continent, and for that we send a big thank you!  (It is the official position of DeSoto Rust that Australia is a continent, just as it is our official position that Pluto is a planet.  Anyone who disagrees is looking for a fight - Mike Simmons will kick your ass!)  By the way, Ken's site also has some very nice railroad photos.  Check it out.

Bill Wagman featured us on his July 23 Saturday Morning Folk Show on KDVS (90.3), broadcasting from Lower Freeborn Hall at the University of California - Davis.  Thanks, Bill, for spinning "Austin Lights"!

Rein Wortelboer hosts PeelGrass, a country show on Radio Venray.  PeelGrass has been a source of country music for listeners in the Netherlands since 1987.  Much appreciation to Rein, who played "For What It's Worth" on today's show.

John Conquest, the founder and brains behind 3rd Coast Music, did the review himself.  3rd Coast is one of the most influential American Roots music newspapers going.  John also runs the FAR chart.  So it is with great pride that we quote him:

"...the material...hits a very high standard for a band that's barely a year old but which can sound like The Band at its best."

He said it; we didn't.  Four stars.  For the complete review, see Press Clippings.

DJ Wanda hosts Howdylicious!, a mix of rockabilly, psychobilly, alt-country, and old time western music on KUCI (88.9 FM) at UC-Irvine (Sundays, 8-10 pm).  Wanda featured "For What It's Worth" on her July 31 show.  Thanks Wanda!

For a second there, we thought we had been picked up by the local mainstream/corporate country station, WXTU.  We couldn't imagine how or why, and, to tell you the truth, there's a slight sense of relief!  This is CFBX (92.5 FM), Campus/Community Radio in Kamloops, British Columbia.  Linda B. was kind enough to play "5 on 7" on her August 1 Country Crossings morning show.  Much appreciated, Linda!

Steve Fritz delivers more than a review, actually.  More like a philosophical/theological/historical dissertation on the Philly music scene (or the lack thereof).  Informative and entertaining.  Let us quote Steve:

.... if you like your music the way I like my Jack Daniels, go to DeSoto Rust's website ...and order their CD. Like a good pull from the bottle, you'll find it goes down smooth and then kicks like a mule when you start to move.

Couldn't have said it better.  See the complete review on the Press Clippings page.

 

Two months running on the FAR chart is a really big deal for us!  This time it's the July 2005 chart (#72).  Hard to say thanks enough to all the nice folks on a couple of continents who are playing our stuff.  Once again, we're in great company, sharing the #20 spot with Ry Cooder, Graham Parker and Michelle Shocked.  We'll drink to that!

The Lost Music Saloon, a radio show hosted by Garry Morse, is a very cool mix of old and new music.  It runs Mondays from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Richmond Independent Radio - WRIR (97.3 FM) in Richmond, VA.  Garry played "100 Year Flood" on today's show.  Thanks much, Garry!

"Dangerous Dan" Orange spins "Austin Lights" on his "Bushwhacker's Breakfast Club" (6:00 - 9:00 am on Fridays) on KZSC (88.1 FM).  KZCS is the radio arm of UC-Santa Cruz in beautiful Southern California.  To quote Dangerous Dan, "Definitlely kicks 'em out of bed."  Special thanks to Dan for being the very first on the West Coast to play a DSR cut.  Coast to coast, baby!

Thanks to Richard of Roots Rock Radio for featuring "Morgan Rhule" on his July 26 podcast (show #19).  More DeSoto Rust tracks to come.  Thanks again, Richard!

Thanks to The Iceman (aka Doug Young) for featuring "For What It's Worth" on his Monday Breakfast Jam on KRCL (90.9 FM) in Salt Lake City, UT.  KRCL transmits with 25,000 watts from the second highest transmitter site in the continental U.S., reaching 90% of the Utah population as well as parts of Wyoming, Idaho and Nevada.

Many thanks to Jeff Rusch for featuring us on his Crow's Nest show on WNTI (91.9 FM) in Hackettstown, NJ.

WMGT (The Mighty 1220) broadcasts with 25,000 watts of pure AM power from Stillwater, MN (near the Twin Cities).  We are honored to be featured by Jack K. Sparks on his Other Side of Country show which runs from 2:00 to 4:00 on Saturday afternoons.  Check out the show's website for loads of information on Alt-County, AM radio, dogs, and four-wheel drive. Very cool.

Attention insomniacs, truckers, musicians, vampires - we found it!  Check out WDVR and James Hynes on the All Night Diner.  James and his cohorts rule the airwaves at 89.7 FM in Sergeantsville, NJ from 1:00 AM until 6:00 AM.  Thanks to James for spinning "Can't Sleep at Night".  (Damn! Just got the pun!)

Great name for a radio show!  This program runs on WHFR (89.3 FM) at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan.  Thanks for playing "100 Year Flood."

July 8, 2005 - Westward Yo!  (Part II)  "Jim Beam" on the Colorado Plateau

Thanks to Professor Purple for featuring us on the June 26 Amarillo Highway show on KZMU in Moab, Utah.  Continuing our geography lesson, Moab lies near the fantastic Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.  Only a couple of hours drive from the twin towns of Kanab, UT and Fredonia, AZ where David and a buddy slept on the roadside and played country music for tips and beers back in the high and far off times.  Dang; rambling again.....

July 3, 2005 - Westward Yo!  "100 Year Flood" on the airwaves in the Canadian Plains

Our first airplay (as far as we know) in Canada.  DSR is featured on the Borderlines show on CJTR (91.3 FM) in Regina, Saskatchewan.  (No doubt, you can pick us up in Moose Jaw!)  Special thanks to Rick August for the support.

June 30, 2005 - DSR charts at #11 on the Freeform American Roots Chart for June (#71)!

Man, did we take the long way to get to America!  The Freeform American Roots chart is compiled by 140 freeform DJs (no mandated play lists) reporting to 3rd Coast Music.  As they put it, "Real music played for real people by real DJs."  This is a huge honor for us, as well as a milestone of sorts.  So many people have helped make this happen, including all or our European friends, and, of course, our original supporting DJ, Greg G. of WBZC.  Thanks to everyone!

June 30, 2005 - More airplay in Italia

FAR member Remo Ricaldone has added the DSR CD to the playlist of his two-hour weekly radio show, "Happy Trails."  Remo's show is broadcast in northwestern Italy by Susa Onda Radio (96.4 FM) in Susa, Italy.  Thanks to Remo for the airplay and for his nice e-mail.

June 30, 2005 - DeSoto Rust featured on WCNI in New London, CT

Brian Bourgoin plays our CD on his Twisted Roots show.  Thanks much to Brian for the airplay and for his support in helping us make the FAR chart.  We hope to head to New England before long and thank everyone in person.

June 24, 2005 - DeSoto Rust featured on WFCS (107.7 FM) in New Britain, CT

Johnny Timewarp spotlights our CD on his "Dark Side of the Highway" show.  WFCS is run by Central Connecticut State University.  You rule Johnny!

This streaming audio site is one of the first devoted exclusively to Americana and root-based music.  Thanks very much to R.W. Shamy, Jr. for the support!

We're very grateful to this influential website for checking out the CD and giving us such a fabulous review.  By the way, this is a must-visit site for any fan of American roots music.  See Press Clippings for a reprint.

Right behind Ryan Adams and Los Super 7!  Thanks again to the DJ's, journalists, retailers and promoters who gave us a thumbs up.

Thanks to Ray Swennen for featuring us on his Roots Revival Radio show on Radio FM Goud.

OK, so Springsteen's new one beat us out at #8, but what the hell?  The Euro American Chart is compiled by DJs, journalists, retailers, promoters, and other people from all over Europe who are interested in Americana music.  Truly an honor to be recognized by such an informed and committed group of listeners.  To view the entire May listing, click on the link above.

Americana Roots, the great internet radio station, has our entire CD available for playing upon request!  Click on the link above to get your daily dose of DSR Philly twang.  (Of course, don't forget to order the CD!)

DSR digital distribution is here.  We join a huge number of artists in offering our CD in digital form.  Keep on the lookout for more music from DeSoto Rust.

Ray Randall produces this show highlighting many talented unsigned americana artists.  Ray's debut program features three cuts from the CD, and we close out the show.  To listen or download the debut show, click HERE.  We love you, Ray!

Sjaak Sekeris, host of "A Shake of Music", writes:

I received your last album, full of rocking rough warm countryrock!  Thanks man!  It's a wonderful pure album that I like very much!  So it's in my May list of the EuroAmericana chart.  And it's on my playlist next week in my radio programme "A Shake of Music!"

Thanks, Sjaak, for the kind words and support!

Don's show serves Inverness and Northeast Scotland and is carried on Moray Firth Radio.

Paul van Gelder features us on his shows on Radio Lelystad, 227 and WOLD.  We debut with "100 Year Flood."

Jan Andersson checked us out and decided to carry our CD in this store specializing in roots and country rock.  Dusty Records is located in Gothenburg, Sweden.

All you cowpokes check out this fine internet radio station.

We try not to "Google" ourselves too often........

"Runaround" is featured on another internet radio station.  Is technology wonderful or what?

Aleksandar Lazarevic features us on his Desperado show on Radio Politika in Belgrade.  Thanks much for the support Aleksandar!

Freddy Celis features "100 Year Flood" on Rootstime in Belgium.  Have a beer for us Freddy!

Hillbilly Jukebox on ReinWelle 92,5 in Wiesbaden, Germany

Thanks again to the incredible Americana fans in Europe.  We gotta get over and see you guys!

Radio Winschoten's Alt.Country Cooking April 7 show kicks off with the sound of the big rigs' airbrakes and "Kansas City, 6 AM".  Thanks again to Johanna Bodde and Theo Oldenburg. 

Massimo Ferro features us on his March 31 Highway 61 show on Radio Voce Spazio in Alessandria, Italy.  Grazie, Massimo!

"100 Year Flood" is played by Thomas Kaldijk on his Blueprint show (Playlist 215/04-01-2005).  (Thanks, Thomas!)  The show is carried on several radio stations in the Netherlands, including Radio Parkstad in Veendam and Radio LOK in Kanaalstreek.

Our Dutch isn't that good, but we like the last sentence: "Mooie plaat."  Pretty sure that means "nice record".  Thanks much guys!  You can read (or at least look at!) the full review on our Press Clippings page.

Check it out!  #3 on the Best Album - April 2005 Real Roots Cafe list!  And look what occupies the #1 spot - Tom Gillam's Shake My Hand!  Thanks to Michael van Bruggen.  Our version of Close Up the Honky Tonks was featured on March 22 (Playlist 367 220305).

Based on the CD review featured on Americana UK, we've been picked up by Radio Winshoten's Alt.Country Cooking.  Thanks much to hosts Theo Oldenburg and Johanna Bodde.  We quote Theo here:  "Everything the review on Americana UK said is true.  It's a damn fine record.  It has soul, it rocks and has twang by the dozen."  Amsterdam, for those of you who don't already know, is the coolest city in the galaxy.  Bet they love us at the Hotel Brian!

Still $10, and still an essential part of any serious music collection.  (Ranked somewhere between Miles Davis's Kind of Blue and the Shagg's Philosophy of the World.)

Paul Kerr reviews our CD this week on the Americana UK website.  Paul's very generous review included the following:

"Here’s a find, sneaking out as a self released album sold by the band, DeSoto Rust describe themselves as a "twang band” with a mission to bring back roots-rock music in their area (Philadelphia, if you ask). And by any yardstick they generally succeed with an assured sound and songwriting that is way above what one generally expects from a band with no label backing. ....with stories of hard drinking men, hard luck stories and trucks, with great riffs and roaring vocals. ....For a self released album this is mighty impressive and deserves to find a wider audience than the lucky ones attending their concerts."

For a reprint of the review, click HERE.  Thanks much, Paul.  We hope to get over your way before long!  By the way, twangsters, this is an ESSENTIAL website.

Though Chris Budzilowiz struggled with the band name (hope we got yours right, Chris!), he gave us 4 stars out of 5.  Thanks to Chris and the folks at Origivation.

Chuck Darrow reviews our CD in his "On the Loose" column in the South Jersey Courier-Post.  Here's part of what Chuck had to say:

"HAVE YOU HEARD DeSoto Rust, the debut CD by the year-old Philadelphia-based quartet of the same name?  The band deals in a rootsy, country-rock sound that compares favorably to its many antecedents, from the Flying Burrito Brothers and Seatrain to Steve Earle and Wilco.

"Ray Hunter's throaty, world-weary vocal style well serves the impressive original material (mostly penned by Hunter and bassist Mike Simmons) and a cool cover of Red Simpson's classic, "Close Up the Honky Tonks."  And the playing of Simmons, Hunter on rhythm guitar, lead guitarist David Otwell and drummer Dave Reeve, a South Jersey native, provides an always sure-handed and appropriately twangy foundation."

Many thanks to Chuck.  Go Phils!
 

Join us at John & Peter's in New Hope as we celebrate the release of our CD.  As a special bonus, each purchaser of the CD will receive a drink ticket redeemable for a Rolling Rock or Yuengling draught - a $3 value!

Be sure to get there early and catch the opening set of bluegrass and traditional tunes by Six Pack Creek, featuring Ed Young.  Six Pack Creek takes the stage at 3:00, followed by DeSoto Rust at 4:00.

A beer and your very own DeSoto Rust CD for only $10 - life just doesn't get any better!

The DeSoto Rust CD is now available in at Spinsters music store in New Hope.  Check their "Local" section for your dose of twang!

Spinsters

110 S. Main Street

New Hope, PA   18938

DeSoto Rust will be featured on The Roots Rock Review, hosted by Greg G. on WBZC-FM (Z88.9) in Pemberton, NJ.  The show airs every Wednesday from 6 PM to 10 PM.  Tune in on your radio or listen online.  To request your favorite DSR tune, call the studio request line at 609.894.8900 or click HERE to send an e-mail.  Thanks to Greg for his support.

The wait is over!  The first DeSoto rust CD is now available. 

 The tunes:

1. Morgan Rhule

2. Austin Lights

3. For What It's Worth

4. Recluse

5. Kansas City 6 AM

6. Jim Beam

7. Make It Last

8. 100 Year Flood

9. Can't Sleep at Night

10. Stronger Than the Knife

11. 5 on 7

12. Runaround

13. Close Up the Honky Tonks

The mixes are final and the packaging design is well under way.  Stay tuned for more information on the band's soon-to-be released full-length debut CD.

DeSoto Rust is the featured artist at The Scene for the month of August.  The Scene's review of Last of the Honky Tonk Heroes can be found by clicking HERE.

The band returns to Mars Audio to record the remaining tracks for their upcoming full-length CD.  Recording primarily live, they completed most of the work on "Austin Lights", "100 Year Flood", "Morgan Rhule", "For What It's Worth", "Jim Beam", and a cover of the classic "Close Up the Honky Tonks."  These tracks will join those currently available on the Last of the Honky Tonk Heroes CD.  (Pick up one of these babies at an upcoming show while supplies last.  Sure to be a collectible one day!)

Last of the Honky Tonk Heroes, recorded in March, becomes available at performances.  Cuts include:

"Stronger than the Knife"

"Can't Sleep at Night"

"Make It Last"

"Recluse"

"5 on 7"

"Kansas City, 6 AM"

"Runaround"

"One Step"