Nate Gibson & the Stardazers are Kicking off the Catfish River Music Festival 6/30 5:30pm

Life has been a bit hectic this month: buying and moving into our first home, preppin' for a weddin', and car shopping (to replace my recently totaled car), to name just a few of the reasons. But music always eases the struggle and I'm excited that Nate Gibson and the Stardazers will be kicking off this year's Catfish River Music Festival. The fun begins Friday evening (6/30) at 5:30pm in Rotary Park, Stoughton, WI!

It's outdoors. We're playing the sunset hour... The Dead Horses are on after us. And if you can stick around for the full festival this weekend you'll also get to hear the Cactus Blossoms, Charlie Parr, Armchair Boogie, Kendra Swanson, and a whole host of great musicians. Best of all, the music is free and the surrounding events and vendors will be raising funds for the Stoughton Opera House--a true gem among live music venues! Hope to see you there!

http://www.catfishrivermusicfest.com/

Hillbilly Weddings in June on Back to the Country 6/14/23

Well, technically Rachel and I aren't getting married until July, but it's June right now and I've got weddings on the brain. I'm also hosting Back to the Country tomorrow morning (Wednesday 6/14) on WORT 89.9fm and so a three-hour country music extravaganza all about weddings it shall be!

Rings, cakes, gowns, preachers, rice, parties, proposals, bouquets, shotguns, mountain dew, and more await! Streaming from 9am-noon (cst) via wortfm.org or on your fm dial in Southern Wisconsin at 89.9.

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers Video and Upcoming Gigs

You know what's great? Making music! You know what's even better? Making music with friends! You know what's even better? Sharing said music with even more friends! Thanks to everyone (especially, Dave Leucinger who volunteered for door duty and Dan Swadley on sound) who came out to Nate Gibson & the Stardazers last show at the Red Rooster. We had a grand time singin' and pickin' for y'all! For those who missed it, here's a video Rachel took of us doing The Salty Boogie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKH7MJS8djU

For those interested in catching an upcoming show, here's what we've got on the books so far:

6/30 - Catfish River Music Festival, Stoughton, WI

7/20 - UW Terrace, Madison, WI

7/29 - Nordic Fest, Decorah, IA

8/1 - Red Rooster, Madison, WI

8/11 - Symco Hotrod & Kusom Weekender, Symco, WI

9/1 - High Noon Saloon (Patio), Madison, WI

And if you want to see us but can't make it to one of these shows, message me and book us in your hometown!

Country Music Is For the Birds 5/10/23

Last week, my Back to the Country co-host and fellow bird lover Art Stevenson invited Rachel and I to come up to Stevens Point, WI for some bird watchin', music pickin', and serious chowin'. It was a glorious trip for many reasons, but among the highlights were: sandhill cranes, blue jays, yellow-rumped warblers (aka butter butts), a cooper's hawk, mourning doves, red-headed woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, ducks, geese, swans, chickens, turkeys, and more. And all of this was BEFORE Art and Stephanie led us on a guided tour through the Sandhill State Wildlife Area!

It was an awesome introduction to the varieties of birds in the Upper Midwest, how one goes about identifying various bird species, and why birding matters. At one point Art even loaned his camera to me and let me snap some good-looking photos of the birds! Many, many thanks again, Art and Stephanie! Y'all are incredible hosts!

You know who else loves birds? Country musicians! As soon as we got home I quickly did a search through my records and found more than 200+ country songs about birds. I won't be able to play them all for you tomorrow morning on Back to the Country (9am-noon CST), but I WILL play for you the very best during my "Country Music Is For the Birds" special!

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers w/ Asleep at the Wheel, Brennen Leigh, and Joshua Hedley 4/13/23

Hey Friends... the word is out. Nate Gibson and the Stardazers are opening for Asleep at the Wheel tomorrow night at the Stoughton Opera House. We're on at 5:55-7:15, then the Wheel gets turnin' at 7:30. I'm super excited about it. The sold-out show is called The Past, Present and Future of Country and Western Music with Asleep at the Wheel, Brennen Leigh, and Joshua Hedley. We're the opening act. I'm not sure where exactly that puts us on the country music time-space continuum, but we're just happy to co-exist. See you there!

The Kids of Country Music on WORT 4/12/23

I recently found a copy of Rhonda Vincent’s first 45, recorded when she was just 8 or 9 years old, and it’s really good. It reminded me of Dolly Parton’s first single, made when she was just 13. And it made me realize that I actually have a lot of great country records made by kids!

I think a lot of folks may be familiar with country music child stars like Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Gilman, and that kid who was yodeling in a Wal-Mart (Mason Ramsey), but child prodigies have been making country music records at least since Grand Ole Opry star and 7-year old Little Jimmie Sizemore first recorded back in 1934. Brenda Lee began her recording career at 11, Larry and Lorrie Collins when they were 10 and 12. Teens like Wanda Jackson, Doug Sahm, Barbara Mandrell, Lenny Breau, Rose Maddox, Little Roy Lewis, and Tanya Tucker gained notoriety at young ages and continued to build their fanbases for decades. A few years later, folks like Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, and Keith Whitley were turning heads in their early teen years.

So, tomorrow's Back to the Country radio program will be entirely by the kids of country music. Ages 5 to 17. Now, I know there are a few folks out there who really don’t like the sound of children singing, but I can assure you that these kids are rocking, inspiring, impressive, and sometimes downright hilarious. I hope you can tune in tomorrow from 9am-noon (cst) via 89.9FM or streaming via wortfm.org. 

Country Music Open House on WORT 89.9fm 3/29

It is said that kidney stones and constipation are among the most painful experiences one can endure. I would like to add to that list: house hunting in Madison, WI. Rachel and I had a good one on the line yesterday and made what we thought was a very competitive offer... but alas, it got away. Super sad.

On the positive side, wherever there is sadness there is country music. And wherever there is country music there is a plethora of songs about empty, distant, and/or broken houses. I'll be hosting a Country Music Open House on Back to the Country on WORT tomorrow (3/29) morning from 9am-noon (cst) featuring three hours of classic country music dedicated to housing; Houses on hills, houses on shady lanes, and houses in big cities. Crying window panes, empty nursery rooms, and silent walls. For sale, for rent, or for lease. I'll also be joined by my friend John Stanislawski, an expert on both Nashville and WI real estate, country music, as well as the craft of writing sad country songs.

You can listen via 89.9fm (in Southern WI), stream the show at wortfm.org (or via the WORT app), and please feel free to send any and all Madison-area home-buying leads directly to my inbox!