R.I.P., Merle

Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane

Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane / At Carnegie Hall

Diana Ross coming to CitySquare next Friday night, September 13!

We still have a few seats remaining!  

To buy your tickets click here.

In addition, you still have time to become an event sponsor by going here.

Willie turns 80!

Willie memories. . .

From Rolling Stone August 13, 2012 9:00 AM

Master storyteller Willie Nelson revisits his past in the video for "A Horse Called Music," a hat tip to his 1989 album A Horse Called Music and a reimagining of its title track.

In the clip, Nelson strides through the countryside, finds the chapel where he was married, rides through the small town center and watches an old film. This version of Wayne Carson's song is warmer than Nelson's original cover, meandering peacefully in place of the earlier version's emotional strain.

Merle Haggard and Willie's son, Lukas, also join in on the track. "A Horse Called Music" is from Nelson's album Heroes, which was released in May.  Read more.

Classic Willie and friend!

Rocky Ground

Rocky Ground

(I'm a soldier!)

(I'm a soldier!)

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

Rise up shepherd, rise up
Your flock has roamed far from the hills
The stars have faded, the sky is still
The angels are shouting "Glory Hallelujah"

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

Forty days and nights of rain have washed this land
Jesus said the money changers in this temple will not stand
Find your flock, get them to higher ground
Flood waters rising and and the kingdom's on fire

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

(I'm a soldier!)

Tend to your flock or they will stray
We'll be called for our service come Judgment Day
Before we cross that river wide
Blood on our hands will come back on us twice

(I'm a soldier!)

Rise up shepherd, rise up
Your flock has roamed far from the hills
Stars have faded, the sky is still
Sun's in the heavens and a new day's rising

You use your muscle and your mind and you pray your best
That your best is good enough, the Lord will do the rest
You raise your children and you teach them to walk straight and sure
You pray that hard times, hard times, come no more
You try to sleep, you toss and turn, the bottom's dropping out
Where you once had faith now there's only doubt
You pray for guidance, only silence now meets your prayers
The morning breaks, you awake but no one's there

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

There's a new day coming

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

(I'm a soldier!)

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

Oh, a new day's coming

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

(I'm a soldier!)

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

Oh, a new day's coming

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

(I'm a soldier!)

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

There's a new day coming

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground
We've been traveling over rocky ground, rocky ground

Bruce Springsteen

Lyle Lovett for CitySquare! Tickets go on sale May 11!

Get tickets here, NOW!!!

Sing it, Mr. President!

Lyle

Whenever I hear Lyle Lovett, I always feel as if I'm hearing "country blues." Certainly true of this selection.

Stay tuned.  You may be hearing more from him here at CitySquare in the future!

Jammin' at CityWalk!

Dwight Johnson, aka Demetrius, can lay down a tune through his sax but right from his heart! I caught him practicing in the Glaze Community Room at CityWalk, our mixed-use, Downtown housing development, one evening recently.

I love to hear him play!

As a matter of fact, he's agreed to play for us this coming Wednesday during our "Lunch and Learn" luncheon during which I'll share an update on our progress and plans at CitySquare.  For details call 214.303-2128.

When song breaks out!

I wonder how many who sing at the end do so because they are caught up in the power of this unexpected moment? How many are drawn in by the music and the shared, surprising experience? Is there a lesson here for community builders?

Robert Johnson: Phonograph Blues and Milkcow's Calf Blues

Love Robert Johnson's work.

Down and out Delta blues pointing to rock 'n roll down the line.

Johnson recorded some of his music here in Dallas at Brunswick Studios located in a building of great interest to preservationists--508 Park in Downtown across the street from the Stewpot. 

Enjoy!