Lawrence Block
Lawrence Block
Lawrence Block is an American crime writer best known for two long-running New York–set series about the recovering alcoholic P.I. Matthew Scudder and the gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr. Block was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1994. Wikipedia
Willie Nile
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Band of Heathens
Band of Heathens
Performance Video — Heaven Help Us All
When The Band of Heathens decided to dub their sixth studio album of original material Stranger (its first since 2017’s Duende), the veteran band, formed in Austin, TX nearly 15 years ago, had no idea how prophetic that title would turn out to be. Although the name references the famed existential Albert Camus novel and Robert Heinlein’s sci-fi classic Stranger in a Strange Land, it also touches on the “strangers” who make up the band’s loyal fan base, who supported the band during this period with all touring canceled.
As co-founder Ed Jurdi acknowledges, it is certainly an unusual time to release a new album. “The strangest,” he says. “Maybe no time stranger. Since we started, there have been sweeping, revolutionary changes in the music business, but, in this global pandemic, we’re just a microcosm.”
“We’re really fortunate that we have been able to turn directly to our fan base during the pandemic,” adds fellow co-founder Gordy Quist. “The last few months we’ve spent four nights a week live-streaming personal private concerts to fans, and one night a week publicly live-streaming with the whole band Zooming in from their respective homes in California, Texas, North Carolina and Tennessee. At first it seemed very strange until
these walls started coming down and we realized how connected we are by the fabric of music.”
Extending the metaphor of Stranger even further. The Band of Heathens traveled to another city, Portland, OR, with a brand-new producer, Tucker Martine [The Decemberists, My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse, Camera Obscura], and the result is something different – a more airy, intimate atmosphere, with added emphasis on songcraft and intricate arrangements set in a spacious sonic landscape that reinvents the band’s sound. These are songs stripped of pretense, but teeming with the emotion borne of personal experience, as has been The Band of Heathens’ method from the very start. Stranger moves off into a new place, but still echoes the group’s artful songwriting and multi-layered narrative observations.
The Stranger was released in 2020 and is a top ten roots rock album riding high in the charts.
Why & How You Should Support Artists During COVID
It’s time to support artists
The music industry and local musical artists have had to navigate their careers differently since the Covid-19 lockdown. It’s very important for us as consumers to continue to support our favorite music artists, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. People throughout the United States are struggling during this time. Millions of people are unemployed and are unable to return to work. Thousands of businesses have shut down and even music artists are having trouble making money during this time. Music artists are unable to make money while on a tour which is greatly affecting their ability to earn income. Many bands and hip-hop artists have pointed out in the past that the majority of the money they make is on tour. Even indie artists make a large portion of here money touring local areas to keep the band going. Consumers should try to support their favorite artists so they can stay intact. Artists are unable to have in-person events and signings which can be so exciting and beneficial to the artist. Spotify and streaming services do not pay artists large amounts of money. In 2020 physical albums are almost non-existent and most music is available for free. Roaming the Arts has an online community that supports musicians, artists, and writers. Now is the time for consumers to stand up and support artists during this difficult time!
Ways to Support Artists During Covid
- Branding and promotion can be so beneficial to musical artists. Spreading your favorite artist’s music on social media can be so helpful to them. Retweets and posts on Instagram can during this time will e greatly appreciated.
- You can share music and resources within your circle of friends
- Encourage your friends to support their favorite artists. Buy and stream most as often as you can.
- Tweet and reach out to your favorite artists and tell them how much you love and appreciate their music. Bands and rappers need to know their fans still want them to keep releasing must and that they will be first in line to buy their tickets once they can go on tour again. If you are employed or cannot work it’s fully understandable if you cannot financially support your favorite artists. The smallest things such as a tweet or direct message will always be appreciated. This can potentially help boost sales.
- Music streaming sites don’t pay large amounts of money but they still make up nearly 20% of an artist’s income. If you consumers can accumulate enough stream it definitely can be beneficial to an artist. Streaming sites are even introducing tipping options. If you would like to you can support artists by sending them money directly. Establishing more revenue flow can be so helpful to struggling indie artists.
- Many artists have YouTube channels and live streams where you can come support them I’ve seen many artists focus more on making content and releasing music on youtube to make a living.
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It’s time to support artists!!!
NRBQ
NRBQ is an American rock band founded by Terry Adams (piano), Steve Ferguson (guitar) and Joey Spampinato (bass).[1][2] The group formed in the mid- 1960’s. Through various incarnations, all of them relevant, they remain a force nearly 55 years later.
Blues Time with Bill Wax
Bill Wax on the Blues
For those who are unfamiliar with me, I was the Program Director and Host of Bluesville on XM Satellite Radio. The channel was renamed B.B. King’s Bluesville in 2008. I managed the channel from its inception until 2013, when I retired. I also have over 35 years of experience in non-commercial radio, both as a host on various Blues and Rhythm and Blues shows and as Program Director at two stations: KOPN in Columbia, MO, and KBOO in Portland, OR.
I never thought much about writing until they reached out to me about working on Roaming The Arts. They were quite convincing, and I loved the concept for the website. So here I am. I hope to promote contemporary blues musicians, as well as recognize those who have already left the stage.
Watch Bill tell his story on Time Signatures with Jim Ervin (from Capital Area Blues Society – Lansing, Michigan)
There are two men in the music I want to highlight in our first post.
The first is David Earl, founder and owner of Severn Records, a label located near Annapolis, MD. David passed on September 7, 2025, at the age of 57. I first met David in the early to mid-1990s, when he started showing up at open mics with his guitar and eventually played in a couple of DC/Baltimore Blues bands. In 1997, David began Echo Records and changed its name to Severn Records in 1998. The catch phrase for the label was ‘Roots Music for the 21st Century, and that is just what his label became. His first three releases were Darrell Nulisch’s “The Whole Truth”, Big Joe Maher’s “I’m Still Swinging”, and Benjie Porecki’s “Servin’ It Up”. His label has since issued over 60 discs. Some of the artist who have recorded for Severn, an incredible roster, include: Steve Guyger, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Lou Pride, Mike Morgan and the Crawl, Tad Robinson, Jimmy Earl, Kim Clark Organ Trio, Ola Dixon, Roy Gaines, Louisiana Red, J Street Jumpers, Nora Jean Burso, Roy Carrier, Bruce Katz, Alex Schultz, Buck Hill, Clarence Spady, Charles Wilson, Johnny Moeller, Mud Morganfield, The Nighthawks, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bryan Lee, and Ursula Ricks. Below is a starter list of some of my favorite tunes from Severn’s catalogue:
Roy Gaines – Hind Ends and Elbows
Darrell Nulisch -Leaving On the Morning Train
Clarence Spady – Just Between Us
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones – The Last Words of a Fool
Tad Robinson – Broken Hearted Man
Mud Morganfield/Kim Wilson – I Love the Life I Live
Ursula Ricks – My Street
The Nighthawks – Damn Good Time
Big Joe and the Dynaflows – How Come People Act Like That?
Steve Guyger – I’m Shakin’
Happy 100th Birthday B.B. King – September 16, 2025 (click link for a welcome rememberence)
The second musician I want to highlight is Sherman Holmes, the last man standing from the Holmes Brothers Band. They were a roots blues music group that was active between 1975 and 2015. They recorded 11 discs and won two Blues Music Awards. Sherman turned 86 on September 29, 2025. One of the most rewarding benefits of doing a radio show is that you never know who is listening. Sherman’s cousin is a fan of my radio show on WPFW. He heard me announce that I was going to play several tunes featuring Sherman and contacted Sherman so he could listen. I, of course, was both honored and touched that Sherman might be listening. I was also a bit intimidated that he might be listening. After the show, I got a note to call Pinky Sherman, who lives with Sherman. They called to thank me for playing the tunes and remembering Sherman and the Holmes Brothers. It made my week, and when Pinky told me Sherman was smiling, well, that makes it all worthwhile. Below is a starter list of some of the songs that Sherman sings lead on with the Holmes Brothers or from his solo disc called “The Richmond Sessions”:
Sherman Holmes/Joan Osborne – Dark End of the Street
Holmes Brothers – There’s A Train
Holmes Brothers – Promised Land
Holmes Brothers – If I Needed You
Holmes Brothers – If I Had a Boat
Holmes Brothers – Something Is Missing
Thanks for reading and listening.
More About Bill
Search for Bill’s on air shows at: “Roots and Fruits” on WPFW
Click here for posts of Roaming the Arts’ collection of Blues artists.
