These are all the songs I’ve chosen for this month’s contest. I know thousands of independent musicians who are deserving of having their songs in this dang deal. So narrowing my picks down to just a few is always the hardest part of my month. Oh well. Such is life.

Around The Corner – Waking the Savants

These guys say on their MySpace “We Don’t Believe In Labeling,” and that’s just one of the reasons I like them. Another reason is that message behind this dang song is exactly what America (and the world, I suppose) needs to hear! Make sure you don’t just get lost in the crazy weird sounds of this little diddy. Pay attention to the lyrics, too, dang it! Around the Corner consists of brothers Jeff Bitran (guitars synths keys), and Mike Bitran (on vocals, guitars and keys), Shan Carbolllo on bass, Mark X on drums. The band has relocated from New York. to Los Angeles and now plays a lot of the great Hollywood joints like The Viper Room , The Cat Club and El Cid. Most of their recent labors are focused on recording, however. Check them out at www.myspace.com/aroundthecornerband

Chris Cooke – Fine Art of Dining Alone

The last time we had Chris on the show, he was doing a duet in Feb. 2010 with the legendary bluesman Delaney Bramlett. And I promised that we’d definitely have more of Chris on the show in future months. Thanks are due to Chris for keeping me honest about that. He sent me this song a few weeks ago, and I’ve been kickin’ myself ever since for not doing a better job of staying in touch with him. This guy is as solid as they come. I especially like his very mature writing, which comes through very well on this song. Ya’ll check out Chris on his website where you will find, among many other cool things, a link to his “Accoustic Lounge” in which he features videos of independent musicians he knows from across the world. Great stuff for all HTBer’s to check out!

David Shanshun – Whiskey and Red Wine

Well… this is three months in a row that this dang little contest has featured some great music from the New Zealand Country Music scene. (We had Aly Cook in June and Elizabeth Thompson in June.)  David’s website says he’s up for the Horizon’s award given by the New Zealand National Country Music Awards. I’ll say it again… who knew that country music was so big (and good) in New Zealand.

Daybehavior – Silent Dawn

Whoops. I ran out of time before the show today. I’ll write up a more thorough blurb about this band later. In the meantime, type Daybehavior into the search box above (top right side of the page) to find the blurb I wrote about them when they were first on the show. (They also did an interview with me that you can find int he Interview Downloads section.)

Fronze Arp – If I Ever (Crashing Down)

Whoops. I ran out of time before the show today. I’ll write up a more thorough blurb about this guy later. In the meantime, type Fronze Arp into the search box above (top right side of the page) to find the blurb I wrote about him when he was first on the show.

Jimi Pearson – Another Perfect Crime

Whoops. I ran out of time before the show today. I’ll write up a more thorough blurb about this band later. I know I said that last month when Jimi was first on the show, and I never got around to posting anything else about him. Very sorry, ya’ll. I really will write something more, and it really will come very shortly after today’s live show. In the meantime, just listen to my dang show, and I’ll tell you all about him.

Leon and the Reckless AllStars – Bootsy Mama

More about this band and song coming before the start of today’s show!

Ratcliff Bailey – Medicine Man

Whoops. I ran out of time before the show today. I’ll write up a more thorough blurb about this band later. In the meantime, type Ratcliff Bailey  into the search box above (top right side of the page) to find the blurb I wrote about them when they were first on the show.

Scufflegrit – Long Time Coming

Whoops. I ran out of time before the show today. I’ll write up a more thorough blurb about this band later. In the meantime, type Scufflegrit into the search box above (top right side of the page) to find the blurb I wrote about them when they were first on the show. (They also did an interview with Tony Kinsel and me that you can find in the Interview Downloads section.)

See My Previous Picks

November 2008 | December 2008 | January 2009 | February 2009 | April 2009 | May 2009 | June 2009 | July 2009 | August 2009 | September 2009 | October 2009 | November 2009 | January 2010 | February 2010 | March 2010 | April 2010 | May 2010 | June 2010 | July 2010 | August 2010 | September 2010 | November 2010 | January 2011 | February 2011 | March 2011 | April 2011 | May 2011 | June 2011