He’s from Texas, but we claim him, mostly, because he claims us.
Over the weekend, Arkies represented in a major way at the Americana Music Awards in Nashville. Levon Helm, who put out the acclaimed “Dirt Farmer” last year, took home artist of the year, and Hayes Carll won song of the year for “She Left Me for Jesus.”
Also, as part of the weekend festivities, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the local PBS affiliate and the Americana Music Association, teamed to host a tribute to Glen Campbell at Cannery Ballroom on Saturday night. Local guitar whiz Greg Spradlin, who spent some time in LA several years back as an up-and-comer, reunited with some old friends to make up the Sin City Allstars, who backed folks like Jim Lauderdale, Raul Malo and Jason Ringenberg doing Campbell. According to this report, the man himself came to the stage at the end of the gig and did covers of “Sing” and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” both of which feature on his new album, as well as “Rhinestone Cowboy” and a cover of Allen Toussaint’s “Southern Nights.”
A short Glen Campbell documentary premiered earlier in the day. I’ll let you know when I find out more about when it’ll air or be released.