A Country Christmas on Back to the Country 12/13/23

In a recent conversation with my mother, she asked: “Are there enough country music Christmas songs to fill one of your three-hour shows?” I instantly thought, there’s probably enough to fill a three-thousand hour show, but all I actually said was, “Absolutely! If you’d like to hear it, that’ll be my next theme.” So indeed, tomorrow morning from 9am-noon (CST) on WORT 89.9fm, I’ll share with y’all my first ever Christmas-themed show.

I know everybody has their own personal faves this time of year, but tomorrow morning I’m excited to share mine. Sure, there’ll be a recitation or four, and likely a bunch of Starday tunes, a handful of Cuca 45s for sure, a smattering of Fin-A-Billy, a smidge of Waffle House jukebox hits, some instrumental guitar bliss, some holiday oddities, and even a special Christmas message from my pop, recorded many years ago (which I just set to music this week). Full disclosure, Lola the doggo helped me pick these out, but also, she’s deaf and not the most discerning listener.

If you like what you hear, come on out to the Stoughton Opera House on Thursday night at 5:45pm when Nate Gibson & the Stardazers will perform several of these unique holiday masterpieces as we kick off a Rock’n’Roll Christmas Party with Joel Paterson and JD McPherson!

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers with JD McPherson and Joel Paterson 12/14/23

I’ve got lots to be thankful for as of late, and one of those things is making music with the Stardazers. I absolutely love picking out new songs to play, writing new songs, coming up with twin guitar parts, harmonies, and new arrangements, and then occasionally scrapping all of that and playing whatever song pops into our heads on the spot. It's been a joy sharing music this year with Spider Mike Hobson (bass), Andrew Harrison (guitar), and Eric Salisbury (drums). We had a great 2023, playing shows with and for friends near and far, and we’ve got one more show for y'all this year!

A week from tonight (Thursday Dec. 14th) the trio version of Nate Gibson & the Stardazers will be kicking off Joel Paterson and JD McPherson’s “Socks: Rock and Roll Christmas Tour” in the Stoughton Opera House lounge. We’ll get the Holiday Hoedown fired up around 5:55pm and, because it’s a holiday-themed hoedown, we’ve worked up several of our favorite Christmas jams for This Show Only! Hope to see y'all there!

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Willy Street Fair 2023, photo by: Sharon Vanorny

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Stoughton Opera House 2023, photo by: Pamela Sprecher-Galka

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, The Bur Oak 2023, photo by Kathy Klingemann Marcelle

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Symco Weekender 2023, photo by Joseph Shaffer

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, High Noon Saloon patio 2023, photo by Jane Richard

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Symco Weekender 2023, photo by Elizabeth Harrison

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Red Rooster 2023, photo by Dee Weingartner Bradley Grimsrud

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Full Mile Beer Co. and Kitchen 2023, photo by Dee Weingartner Bradley Grimsrud

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Catfish River Music Festival 2023, photo by Bobby Batyko

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, The Bur Oak 2023, photo by Charlie Chaz Lemm

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Stoughton Opera House 2023, photo: 

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, Red Rooster 2023, photo by Rachel Tatge

Nate Gibson & the Stardazers, UW Memorial Union Terrace 2023, photo: 

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!