Nate Gibson & the Stardazers at the Red Rooster 11/15/23 7:00pm

Howdy internet, just an FYI that Nate Gibson & the Stardazers will be playing the Red Rooster in Madison, WI this Wednesday evening (11/15). You can expect the usual boot-stompin, pickin-n-grinnin, chin-chucklin, song-debutin, and other activities that sound better when you drop the 'g.' But this time around, inspired by the originals of our friends and opener Two Trick Pony, we'll lean heavily into my catalog of original tunes.

Sit back and relax with good food, friends, and drinks as I regale y'all with my life story in poetry and song, swung gently in 4/4 and in present-day-vocal-range appropriate keys.

Show starts at 7:00pm. 2513 Seiferth Rd, Madison, WI.

https://www.facebook.com/events/348792441007614

Country Music Clowning on Back to the Country 11/8/23

I hesitate to tell y'all this, for fear that I might scare a few folks away, but tomorrow's Back to the Country radio program on WORT will be all about Country Music Clowns. That's right. Three hours of songs about clowns, songs by clowns, and maybe even a few songs for clowns.

I recently found this amazing '50s poster for Tommy Scott's Hillbilly Opra, boasting a lineup of Stringbean, the Masked Rider, 10 Carloads of western picture stars, and, among other things, 6 funny clowns. Then I got to thinking about Koko the Clown from the Webb Pierce Road Show and Crazy Elmer's hijinx on the Wheeling Jamboree. Then I remembered seeing Clownvis Presley in Green Bay and later hearing Charley Crockett's single about being a clown. Then I saw Puddles Pity Party mashing up Johnny Cash and Elton John and it reminded me of watching Zach Galifianakis as Chip Baskets the rodeo clown. So, I've had clowns on the mind for a while. And then on Halloween, two neighborhood kids came to our doorstep trick or treating dressed as clowns! I took it as a sign.

I've tracked down a whole heaping of amazing country music clowning and I hope you can tune in for some wacky hijinx and even some sad clown songs tomorrow morning from 9:00am-noon (CST) on WORT 89.9fm or streaming at wortfm.org.

Upright Slap Bass on Back to the Country 89.9FM WORT 10/11/23

A few months back, Willie Nelson and Friends spent a day off from touring in Madison, WI and I was thrilled to spend some time at the WORT studios with my friend and bassist extraordinaire, Kevin Smith.

In addition to his regular gig with Willie, Kevin has toured and recorded with Robbie Fulks, Charley Crockett, Asylum Street Spankers, Dwight Yoakum, Brian Setzer, Alseep at the Wheel, Dale Watson, Heybale, High Noon rockabilly trio, Ronnie Dawson, and countless amazing musicians. He's also taught a considerable number of prominent bassists the art of the slap bass. Added bonus, he's also a great person and an entertaining interviewee!

Tomorrow's episode of Back to the Country (Wednesday 10/11 9am-noon CST) will feature my interview with Kevin, a tribute to our mutual and recently departed friend Dave Roe, and three full hours of country music featuring upright slap bass. You can tune in at 89.9fm in southern WI or stream anywhere via wortfm.org or the WORT app.

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers and the Best Westerns at the Stoughton Opera House 9/28/23

Howdy Friends, Would you like to see the greatest country music band on Earth perform this Friday evening (9/28)? Then you'll have to drive to the WI Dells to catch Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives at the Crystal Grand Music Theatre.

What's that, you say? You can't make it? Perhaps you already have plans to be at the Stoughton Opera House to hear the Best Westerns, featuring Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys' bassist extraordinaire Mark Hembree and Asleep at the Wheel steel guitar legend Eddie Rivers? Well, that's an incredible show as well. And if that's the case, I've got some stellar news for you: Nate Gibson & the Stardazers have just been tabbed to open that show! We'll be without our drumming whiz Eric Salisbury for this one, but that gives y'all a rare chance to hear the Stardazers in trio form.

This Friday 9/28, Stoughton Opera House, Nate Gibson & the Stardazers from 5:45-7:00pm, followed by the Best Westerns. Good treats, good drinks, good peeps, good music. We'll hope to ya there! 

Photo from Willy St. Fair by the talented Sharon Vanorny of svheartphotography

Nate Gibson and Art Stevenson at Sand Valley Resort 9/18

Had an absolutely grand time at the Willy St. Fair with the Stardazers this afternoon. Thanks again to WORT Underground Stage at Willy St. Fair for having us and to everyone who came out in support!

For those wanting even more music, tomorrow evening (9/18 5:30-8:30pm) I'll be doing a duo show at the Sand Valley Resort (near Steven's Point, WI) with my pal and Back to the Country co-host Art Stevenson. Come see us as we reprise our Mountain Williams harmonies, celebrate 100 years of Hank Williams, and learn requests on the fly!

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers at Willy St. Fair 9/17/23

Howdy Friends. This weekend Nate Gibson & the Stardazers will be rocking the WORT stage at the Willy St. Fair. We kick off the jams on Sunday afternoon at 12:30pm on the 800 block of Willy St.

We're super excited to be a part of Madison's annual carnival-esque throw-down, and also to be associated with the WORT community-sponsored radio stage at this year's fest. Hope to see you somewhere amidst the bubbles, colors and eclectic mayhem! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/2320850881449639

Tomorrow's episode of Back to the Country is all about Dot Records 9/13/23

Howdy Friends, Just a reminder that I'll be back on WORT 89.9fm tomorrow morning from 9-noon (CST) hosting Back to the Country. This week's episode is a showcase for all things Dot Records and I'm super excited to share some of my favorite records with y'all. Sure, Dot is infamous for their watered-down Pat Boone, Johnny Maddox, Billy Vaughn, and Wink Martindale pop covers of rock and roll tunes, but there was SO MUCH MORE to Dot.

First, I want to give thanks to several friends who have recently helped me fill out the Dot box: Val Shively, Mark Lee Allen, Yvan Biamont, Richard Ryan, Jurgen Koop, Tim Behrens, Rocky Kruegel, Charlie Burton, Jim Cates, Paul Solarski, and George Gimarc. I appreciate, y'all! And at the request of my fellow Madison record hound, Jim Lindberger, I thought I'd show off a few of the record labels *inside* the box this time! I won't be able to play them all for you tomorrow morning, but be sure to check out The Billy Malone Story!