I’m Jim Oakes, and these are my June 2011 picks…

Buffalo Nickel – El Camino

Mississippi’s own Buffalo Nickel have been writing and performing together since 1999. They have taken their brand of honk-n-roll music from Austin, TX, to New York City. Their debut release on Plowhandle Records, UP ON BLOCKS, showcases their wit and their range of musical influences.  As Buffalo Nickel, the three piece band (Steve Deaton, Emily Graham, Clinton Kirby) established a sound that fell somewhere between folk, rock-n-roll and country. Just after the release of their debut album the beloved Emily Graham was tragically killed in a car accident. It would be several years before the band would reform and release their subsequent next two albums.

“Up On Blocks” which features the song “El Camino” peaked at #66 on the radio airplay chart of the Americana Music Association and was also on the “most added” list.

Buffalo Nickel had a track on CMJ’s “Certain Damage” compilation ( #130) and their song “I Am Evil” was featured in the closing credits to the indie film “Eden’s Curve” which was screened at film festivals around the country as well as overseas. Their follow-up albums “Noise and Conversation” (2004) and “Liberty Road” (2011) have also received critical acclaim.

WEBSITES:   buffalo5.com , Facebook
MUSIC for SALE: ITUNES, CDBABY, and more

Cary Hudson – Things Aint What They Used To Be

Cary Hudson first became recognized as a pioneer of a new music movement in the late eighties while joined in songwriting partnership with John Stiratt (WILCO) in The Hilltops, an alt-country band born out of Mississippi. When Stiratt left The Hilltops to play bass in Uncle Tupelo and then Wilco, Cary Hudson formed the widely-popular Blue Mountain that captured critical acclaim and gained cult status among its followers. After enjoying a long and successful run, and several popular releases on Roadrunner Records, Blue Mountain disbanded and Cary Hudson embarked on his solo career. With his solo releases, Cary Hudson has perfected the roots rock-n-roll tradition in a new, stripped down, grittier style that returns roots rock to its roots. His releases and performances have been well-received by both critics and fans alike, proving that Cary Hudson can transition from pioneer to powerful solo songwriter and musician. His solo releases continue to redefine the music that launched a movement.

WEBSITES: Mspace , Facebook

N. Gibson – Rain

This guy doesn’t really go by the name of just N. But he doesn’t necessarily want a lot of publicity. (Hoss’s note: That means he’s as close to a pure musician as a guy can get, I guess. Whooo hooo! I like that! ) So, we’re just going with N. I’ll tell you a little more (emphasis on little) about this song and this guy on the dang live show. In the meantime, just let the song speak for itself. It’s a great one.

The 484 South Band- Southern Angel

Hoss’s note: This is Jim’s own dang band, and, like many of the guest DJs who end up putting their own music on this show, he is entering this thing reluctantly. See, while I don’t want to discourage future guest DJs from taking a stab at this deal, it turns out that rounding up music from buddies for a show like this is usually a LOT harder than it seems its going to be. (Mostly because something about the artistic spirit makes a lot of musicians notoriously bad about responding to emails and sending songs to people who want to play their stuff on a stupid little internet station.) So, long about showtime, Jim was one song short. So, he decided to put one of his own bands songs in the line-up. But, of course, he ain’t gonna push it at the expense of his other dang picks.  He just ain’t that kinda guy (and that’s why everybody likes him so much). This song will be on a new CD that the band is still working on. So, I think ya’ll need to check it out.

Because Jim is such a cool guy, he wanted to make sure we list all the band members in this little blurb. So here they are: Jim Oakes, vocals; Keith Schultz, lead guitar; David Johnson, percussion; Phil Cangelosi, acoustic guitar; Sidney Babin, bass; Andrew Price, guitar. Check these guys out on Facebook.com.

Travis Clark – Love Me Back

Travis Clark is “able to produce heartfelt country music that conjures images of working on a John Deere with grandpa, taking the four wheel drive to the river, and crying into your beer after a breakup.” – Blue Healer Music.  He’s spent the last few years opening for the likes of Sammy Kershaw, Colt Ford, and his childhood favorite- Randy Travis.  “Somewhere In Mississippi”, his first original CD, contains the song “Let Me Love You”

WEBSITES: Myspace , Facebook

MUSIC for SALE: ITUNES

Winbourne – Let Me Love You

Winbourne was founded in Baton Rouge, LA in December 2008 after changing its original sound and title as the former band Align. With roots grounded in church soil, the five Louisiana natives combined their shared passions for music and morality. They began writing songs and performed their first shows in January 2009.

Their loyal south Louisiana fan base now spreads outwards in hot response to their EP and live performances. Winbourne, fresh from their performance in Austin, Texas at SXSW, is preparing to get back in the studio to release a full length LP in 2011. In the meantime they continue to play locally and regionally as well as prepare for stage time in a slew of music festivals within the southeastern U.S. Whether blasting their live performances from the stage or rocking their “As We Are” EP through your own speakers, Winbourne will inspire you to Live Loud.

WEBSITES: winbournemusic.com , Mmyspace , Twitter , Youtube , Sonicbids

Virgil Brawley – Bottle Tree

Virgil Brawley has been playing music for over 40 years. He appeared in the TV movie “The Last of the Mississippi Jukes” filmed at the famous Subway Lounge and also wrote 3 songs for the movie “Oh, Mr. Faulkner Do You Write?” A plaster bust of his face is on permanent display at Delta State University along with many other noted blues men in a series entitled “Cast in Blues” by Sharon McConnell. After releasing 3 cd’s with his band, The Juvenators, in the last decade, he recorded his only solo album, “Bottle Tree” in 2009.

WEBSITES: Myspace , Reverbnation ,  www.thejuvenators.com

About Me:

Look me up  and my band 484 South up at 484southband.com.