Series #12 Winter/Spring 2002-03 John Hammond, Ruthie Foster, Graham Parker, Darden Smith, Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane, Ray Bonnevile, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Johnny Irion, Chris Smither, Scott Miller

Friday, October 25, 2002 John Hammond & Ruthie Foster Immensely talented and amazingly tenacious, John Hammond has spent the last 40 years singing the blues all over the world, winning every award in the business, recording and sharing stages with Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf and Tom Waits among many others and thrilling audiences with his brilliant playing and soulful voice. Ruthie Foster owns the biggest buzz in Austin right now, with a great new record produced by Lloyd Maines, sold out shows all over town and phone calls coming in from promoters around the world. The truth is, she deserves it all. Why? She's got The Voice. Often compared to folk singer Tracy Chapman, she's really more Mavis Staples or Etta James. As Michael Corcoran wrote in the Austin American-Statesman, "If Ruthie Foster is a folkie, then so was Sam Cooke and Janis Joplin and Ike & Tina Turner." Saturday, November 16 Graham Parker + Darden Smith Graham Parker - Graham Parker has always been linked to the pub-rock/new wave scene of 70s London, but he was really an R&B singer with great chops and a wicked wit who happened to be in that place at that time. This is a guy who has "been there, done that"...everything from angry post-punk acid rock to soothing and insightful singer songwriter styles, from full rocking band to solo in the spotlight. He has recorded nearly 40 albums and is still producing excellent, eccentric collections of songs and stunning, intimate live performances. Darden Smith is one of the most celebrated Texas singer-songwriters, writing in a startling, direct style with a clear voice and an eye for detail. This is his second appearance in Hell, for the very good reason that we think he's tops. Darden Smith Friday, December 6 Kevin Welch & Kieran Kane + Ray Bonneville Kevin Welch and Kieran Kane came to Sings Like Hell in the summer of 2001, completely unknown to 95% of the audience members. From the very first moment, Kevin and Kieran ruled the house with their beautiful songs, silly segues, fantasic playing...well, just by being Kevin Welch and Kieran Kane. They've been friends forever, they are both fantastic singer-songwriters and together they put on a helluva show. Do NOT miss this one! Ray Bonneville calls his music a Gumbo of American Roots. "...a guitar style of exacting, percussive nuances, gut-felt harmonica lines and a voice soaked in whiskey," Planet Jazz. Here comes another year in Hell...Welcome 2003!! Saturday, January 25, 2003 Beth Nielsen Chapman + Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion World class songwriter and performer Beth Nielsen Chapman has quietly amassed a loyal following for her melodious and heartfelt blend of folk, pop and country music. Aside from her own string of Top 10 Alternative Country hits as an artist, she has written or cowritten a succession of #1 hits for others, including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Beth's music is filled with the poignant voice of experience...and the joy of being alive. Yep, it's that Guthrie...Arlo's baby girl and Woody's grandchild. Sarah Lee Guthrie is knocking them flat everywhere she goes, with original tunes, oddball charm and down-to-earth sincerity. Accompanied by the wonderful muti-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Johnny Irion, who also hails from a family of artists, Sarah Lee delivers a sweet and powerful performance. February 15 The Gourds + Chuck Prophet Band The Gourds"If Hank Williams had been the son of Mother Maybelle Carter and Leadbelly and grown up in Texas, you can bet he would sound alot like the Gourds, wrote Michael Corcoran in the Austin American Statesman. Well, many have attempted to describe the concoction of musical quilts stitched together by The Gourds of Austin, Texas. And they are quilters in the true sense of the word: scraps, fragments and images are strung together to creat memorable, musical montages. "Music of the unwashed and well read" is the unofficial motto of The Gourds. Their music rocks and twangs in a unique style made up of traditional country, rock, blues, zydeco, bluegrass and Tex-Mex. In five years they've gone to the head of the class in the crowded Austin music scene, being named Best Live Act two years running. The Gourds sixth recording, Cow, Fish, Fowl or Pig (Sugar Hill Records) is awash with the same barely harnessed energy you'll find in their live performance at Sings Like Hell on February 15. Chuck Prophet has killer music credentials (Cake, Kelly Willis, The Silos, Bob Neuwirth, Warren Zevon) and a big, fat funky sound on his guitar that makes audiences at his live shows go through the roof. Prophet's lyrics cut deep in urban screwball fashion with songs that are funny and poignant tales of the usual and strange in everyday life. Select Magazine calls him "the best of this whole wracked out, country-rock genre since Gram Parsons...and that's no hyperbole!" The Chuck Prophet Band rocks, croons and wails through some of the greatest songs you've never heard. Count on it. Saturday, March 15 Chris Smither + Scott Miller We love Chris Smither. In a way too short opening set a few years ago right here in Hell, he left the audience on their feet just screaming for more. It worked out perfectly--he sold all the CDs he had left and we booked a headline slot for him immediately. He plays the best foot-stomping, howling blues you ever want to hear. If you weren't there, you'd better be here...if you were, we'll see you at the party after the show! Scott Miller spent six years as the co-leader of Knoxville's celebrated roots rockin' V-Roys and is now poised for a solo career with his very own band. Watch out! He's a great songwriter and guitar player, and he attracts major league talent wherever he goes. Photography by David Bazemore