Nearly a year after the release of Drive-By Truckers’ magnificent A Blessing And A Curse, Jason Isbell departed (in friendly fashion) from the band in April of this year. In July, he emerged with his first solo effort, Sirens Of The Ditch on New West Records. Recorded at the Fame Studios (graced in the past by the likes of Little Richard and Aretha Franklin) in Alabama, the album is chock-full of bluesy alt-country balanced... more ›

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As we reported a month ago, Little Richard will headline this year’s 40 Acres Fest at UT’s annual shindig. He will be supported by assorted acts such as up-and-coming party favorites Jungle Rockers as well as local dance-poppers The Lemurs. Complete details can be found, well, not really anywhere as far as we can tell, but 40 Acres Fest’s MySpace page might be one’s best bet. more ›

Austinist is pleased--and a little weirded out--to reveal that the headliner for The 2007 Forty Acres Festival will be none other than rock and roll pioneer and Geico expositor Little Richard. The campus of The University of Texas hosts the event, with over a hundred student organizations showcasing booths and activities; the festival culminates with an all-day concert. The performers are often hit-or-miss, sometimes providing great acts (2006's brought Common) but usually presenting lame ones... more ›

We've just come across the incredibly sad news that Houston native Billy Preston has died of hypertension and kidney failure this morning in Arizona. Widely known as the "fifth Beatle" due to his fantastic organ parts on Abbey Road and Let It Be, Preston maintained a lifelong friendship with the Beatles, collaborating with John, Ringo, and George on 70's solo projects as well. Preston's resume is staggering: he played in the touring bands of... more ›