Radney Foster is a Legend in his own time whether he knows it or not. Songs like "Just Call Me Lonesome" "Nobody Wins" and "Everyday Angel" get me every time.

Other great artists that come from Texas include the late Waylon Jennings, and the iconic Buddy Holly. Texas brings the great musicians to the forefront, and shakes people to their souls.

This article as you can tell is an Ode to the Texas greats.A tribute to the mavericks and the pioneers.

An Ode to Texas musicians would not be complete without Stevie Ray Vaughan.

(previously mentioned in another article, as was Waylon, but what can I say...they're great.)

Next we have the all important king of Texas music, Robert Earl Keen.

Songs like "The Road Goes On Forever", "Jesse With the Long Hair" and "Feeling Good Again"

are brilliant as far as songwriting goes. Classic, Grade A, and his voice is purely Texas.

Last but surely not least there are four artists that scream "Texas, through and through"

The first of the four is Tanya Tucker, with songs like "Texas, When I Die" and "San Antonio Stroll". Then we have Merle Haggard (Merle will forever remain in the same league as Willie Nelson and Waylon, truly a Texas Original.)

One man I thought was deserving of honorable mention as one of the final 4 in this article,

is Houston born Charlie Robison. He is a Texas music traditionalist who has never forgotten where he came from. Songs like "My Hometown" attest to this.

Finally we have Jack Ingram, a brilliant and fiercely independent songwriter, and a staple of Texas music. I hope you enjoyed this article and the great talent herein.

Take care and to all my readers, God Bless.

These bands represent a small niche in the independent labels that are producing more and more groups that either go un-noticed or get looked over due to the commercial industry. This is definitely not a definitive list by any means. You would be surprised how many bands simply die before getting out to the public what they have to offer due to the music industries insistence on "what the public wants". The easiest way to discover some truly wonderful music is to go through your local music shops bargain bin, or pick up a few indie label compilations. You will be happy you did. Some great labels to check out can be found at the following sites: www.subpop.com, www.Elephant6.com, www.rykodisc.com. Don't stop at just these sites, there are many more out there with a lot of untapped potential.

 

You have rising local R&B artist Phynix and his album, “Friday the 13th.” The Murfreesboro native and local R&B troubadour discusses his philosophies on the death of R&B, how little help Young Buck is to the local urban scene and how he plans to scare up album sales.

One Google search of the name Phynix would lead you to believe that he had decided to name himself after the Greek mythology of the great bird that rose from the ashes and ascended into heaven, but just below the surface there is a deeper meaning for explaining Phynix the name, the artist and the man.

“My grandfather passed away in 2000 and the last week he was alive I dreamed he had passed. I remember in the dream I went to visit the grave sight and I walked by it.

When I looked at the headstone there was all this funny writing on it, and I saw the word Phynix. I don't know what it means, but it said P-H-Y-N-I-X. Since then, I felt something was telling me to use it,” Phynix declares.

However, with the likes of Rio, Damien Horne and Darnell Levine ripping up the local Nashville urban music scene, Phynix is going to need more than just a cool name, and he ponders just one question: What does he have to do to get put on?

“I'm hoping this album will get my foot in the door… I want it to bring attention to me. Nationally, I just want one person to hear the single, hear the concept and appreciate the music,” said Phynix.

In terms of being different Phynix believes he has plenty to offer, unlike the neo-soul sounds of Shannon Sanders or the improvisational style of Darnell Levine, Phynix has made an album that he believes can be embraced by all types of listeners and doesn't feel the need to outclass Shannon Sanders or any other well-known local artist.

“You can't beat it. It is what it is… Shannon Sanders is a genius. The mentality of trying to do that same thing and get above him, I think is the wrong road. I do completely different music than Shannon Sanders, I'm a different performer, and I'm a totally different animal. For the most part, people say Shannon Sanders has done more for R&B than anybody around here, but I'm not going to say he's the last hope,” Phynix contends.

“My audience is 15-25 year old females, guys too. (The album) is danceable, it's for young people. I mean, its not concentrated urban music. I'm a commercial artist, my image is commercial, we were being commercially minded when we made the album. 

It's for everybody, Blacks, Whites, Asians, males, females, straight people, and gay people. Even illegal immigrants can feel good about bumpin' this album,” Phynix explains.

Phynix hopes his fans agree with his opinion of the album so that he'll have the opportunity to fulfill his vision of releasing an album a year going forward, all on Friday the 13th. For Phynix, making sure future albums are possible means flooding the marketplace with live performances to show that the product on the album is the same product that fans see on the stage.

“If an artist can perform he or she will stay alive a lot longer than someone who can't. That's my main theory… you can sing the best in the studio, you can be the best singer in the world, but if you can't put together a solid consistent show you're going to die off,” Phynix points out.

He continues to say, “I try to do show after show after show. I want to show myself to death! While (I'm doing shows) I'll be starting to record a second album…”

However, given the current state of R&B, Phynix has his concerns about whether or not an R&B album without the addition of a Hip-Hop cameo can sell in this day and time.

“(In a sense) R&B is dead,because people are more concerned about what you can dance to, ring tones, what you can download. People want it right now. We're an on demand society.

Nobody wants to hear, oh my girl left… they want to go to the club, so if you're not making a “Low Low” or a song like “Cyclone” or something that's not bangin' in the clubs a lot of people won't give it a ear. I mean I remember R. Kelly in 93'-94', or Boyz II Men when people (related) to the lyrics, instead of saying, “Let's fast forward through the slow stuff and get to the fast stuff.” It's in that sense that R&B is dead,” Phynix suggests.

He continues by arguing that, “ Even Jodeci fell into the changing market. I won't say that they killed it (R&B), but if that album (“The Show, The After party, The Hotel”) had been like the others (“Forever My Lady, Diary of a Mad Band”), just maybe, the market would be different. DeVante (Swing) was one of the best producers in the game; I'm not sure why they felt they needed to change.”

Not since the rise and success of Shannon Sanders has the Nashville urban music scene enjoyed the attention of a nationally recognizable R&B artist. Today, Nashville's biggest urban star is G-Unit rapper Young Buck, but Phynix points out that urban artists that receive national attention, like Young Buck aren't necessarily concerned with uplifting their hometown music scene.

“Most white people think rap and R&B coincide, but it's two separate worlds. The way things work in R&B and the way things work in rap are different, but because it's Black music there are similarities. What Young Buck has done for Nashville… all he's done is make it easier for rappers.

(Maybe) It helped people from considering Nashville so white and country. I say that's the only thing Young Buck has done. He hasn't had any showcases for artists here; he hasn't done anything to help Nashville music or R&B. This is not a stab at Young Buck, but yelling “Tenn-a-key, Tenn-a-key” on records doesn't really do anything for us,” criticizes Phynix.

If one thing has been made clear, it's that stigmas, celebrity and uniformity will not fly in the face of Phynix. Much like that old Greek mythology, this Phynix is determined to rise from the ashes, and soar to greatness above the clouds.

Fans can by Phynix's album “Friday the 13th” at www.myspace.com/darkphynix on Snocaps. His next show is July 6th at The Place. It's a “Love Noise” event and there will be updated performance info on his Myspace.

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I wanted to share with you some of the great independent music I have found while perusing the site as well as by other means. I hope you enjoy their music as much as I have!

The High Dials (Indie)

This group plays high energy music that they classify as pop/psychedelic. I love “The Holy Ground” and several others.

The Elected (Indie)

The song “Not Going Home” helped me tremendously through some rough times struggling with my “adopted” family issues. It is a beautiful, strong, passionate, tragic, and powerful song.

Jamen Brooks

His music is alternative/experimental/pop. His voice is soft, beautiful and touches the heart. My favorites from him are “Traces” and “Big Brother”. I am certain you will love him too.

Joshua James

James' music is classified in the folk genre. His voice is breathy, unique and beautiful. My favorites are “Soul and the Sea” and “Winter Storm”. I just checked out his site and it appears that he also just added a nice Christmas song to his collection: “Joy to the World”.

Enjoy!