Tag Archives: John Prine

americana, Country and Western, Honky Tonk, Red Dirt Country, texas country, Texas music scene, Yellowstone TV

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 5 ~ Isaac Hoskins

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Isaac Hoskins and CloudwatcherUno talk about his upcoming album, “Bender,” out this Friday 18th November 2022.

It’s his third album and we got an exclusive listen to this amazing record. It’s a showcase for Isaac’s storytelling, lyrics, melodies and hooks. Recorded at The Finishing School in Austin, Texas, and produced and engineered by Gordy Quist of The Band of Heathens. Stand out tracks are ‘Panhandle Wind’, ‘The Pistol and The Prayer’ and ‘H-Town Turnaround’. You can hear the influences of Guy Clark, Jack Ingram, John Prine and Blaze Foley throughout this album.

“Panhandle Wind” by Isaac Hoskins

 “Panhandle Wind.” All at once Country-tinged and Rock-driven, the baritone and steel guitar-led tune embodies Hoskins’ uncanny ability to match up a good story with a catchy refrain, leading to a windows-down, Sunday cruise sing-along. “The idea for this song came to me while driving to Lubbock to play a show,” remembers Hoskins. “That was just one of many very windy, dusty drives to and from the Panhandle of Texas and Northwest Oklahoma.” Last week, Outsider premiered “Panhandle Wind” along with an in-depth interview with Hoskins, noting, “his sound straddles the fence between folky heartland Americana and Texas country.”

Isaac Hoskins has lived many lives, and these have all influenced his music.

One of Isaac’s fans is a certain Taylor Sheridan co-creator of @yellowstone Once he heard the album played at a private party he wanted Isaac’s music in the show. Isaac will have two songs on the show. Tune in and listen up to Isaac sing ‘Off The Wagon’ in Episode 3 airing Sunday 20th November 2022.

Yellowstone Season 5 Official Trailer

Of his music, Hoskins has said that every song comes from his roots. The people, places, and events that unfold around him provide the resonance, and Hoskins himself draws those memories into stories about love, loss, and everything in between. The music is how Hoskins participates in the culture that has shaped him. Country music is known for its traditions and conventions, but Hoskins feels there is a way to honor these without reducing the audience to a caricature of itself. For Hoskins, the work is keeping one foot squarely in country and “roots” music while still exploring new ways to express yourself as an artist. 

The ‘Larger Than Life’ Isaac Hoskins.

Click below to join in with the conversation from CloudwatcherUno featuring Isaac Hoskins. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

americana, country, Country and Western, Red Dirt Country, texas country, Texas music scene, Western Swing

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S8 Ep 4 ~ Billy Hartman

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Reverend Billy Hartman blesses us with a fabulous chat on the CloudwatcherUno podcast from his hometown in Stephenville, Texas. We catch up on his plans for his follow up album to “Beans and Cornbread” his 2020 release. We delve into the why’s and how’s of bringing such modern classics as “Cheese and Taters“, “Forrest“, “Railroad Blues” and “Divine Town” to life and the enjoyment of the listening public.

“Divine Town” by Billy Hartman

On a particularly warm and humid day Billy talks about what it means to be an independent artist during the pandemic, living in Texas, becoming an ordained minister of The Universal Life Church, producing music with other musicians such as Zach Pack and by extension James Steinle who’ve now become friends and vice versa. Billy will be recording his new album at Melody Mountain Studios near the house which gives Billy more control around recording the album. Ben Hussey will record and produce the album.

The one and only Reverend Billy Hartman

After a period of self reflection and Billy uses his diary entries as his therapy and as the source for coming up with his lyrics and songs over the last couple of years. Billy’s musical heroes were pretty much the gold standard of country music from George Jones, Webb Pierce and Johnny Cash to name a few. Listening to these artists is what got Billy started on the musical path he’s been on rather than mainstream artists such as Garth Brooks. Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle and Guy Clark‘s “Together at The Bluebird” truly inspired and made Billy strive to capture that level of quality in song writing and musicianship. John Prine also figures largely in Billy’s songcraft.

“Cheese and Taters” by Billy Hartman

What finally pushed Billy into writing was having problems with his high school girlfriend which got Billy started into writing songs and paying attention to alliteration in songs and wordplay. “Sunday Morning, Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson from 1970 is a perfect example of what Billy is trying to achieve with his own songs.

There’s cool and then there’s Billy Hartman

Looking forward Billy and Zack Pack will be singing together for the Hico Steak Cookoff in Texas on Saturday 21st May 2022. There’s also local clubs that Billy will be playing live with Zack Pack.

Billy Hartman always recommends you smoke ’em if you’ve got them.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Billy Hartman. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.