Brooklyn band the Loyales and a giant host of guest performers will pay tribute to the great Willie Nelson with a program of Willie songs.

DOORS 7PM | SHOW 8PM

The Brooklyn band the Loyales, called “a living, breathing jukebox” by New York Magazine pay tribute to the great Willie Nelson with a long list of some of Brooklyn’s finest singers and players.

The band includes:

• Steel guitar master Raphael McGregor
• Fiddler Philippa Thompson from M. Shanghai String Band
• Accordion virtuoso Will Holshouser
• Eddy Zweiback from NYC’s Losers’ Lounge on harmonica
• Guest singers include native Texan and Austin City Limits veteran Kat Edmonson
• Brooklyn Jazz chantuese Tamar Korn
• Stage and studio guitar great Adam Levy (Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman)
• Alex Battles, Brooklyn Country singer and long time host of the Cash Bash, Jonny Cash Show and many, many more!

Tickets available at littlefieldnyc.com

I heard that they are closing down Tom Sawyer’s Island at Disneyland. I can’t say I’m suprised. When the Pirates of Caribbean franchise took off, Disney added Jack Sparrow to the island. Since Tom and Huck were pretending to be pirates when they ran away from home, this seemed reasonable. The Island was still there when I last visited. The kinship I felt with everyone else willing to make the journey to the Island inspired me to write the song you see linked above.

Here’s a clip of Louis Armstrong playing on The Mark Twain steamboat from Disney After Dark in 1962. Johnny St. Cyr, Armstrong’s original banjo player from the Hot Fives and Hot Sevens served as the bandleader at Disneyland for many years.

The Johnny Cash 92nd Birthday Bash

February 23, 2024

littlefield, Brooklyn, NYC

DOORS 7PM | SHOW 8PM

Johnny Cash, Luther Perkins, and Marshall Grant would forever be known as Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two after recording at Sun Studio in Memphis Tennessee with producer Sam Phillips in 1954. This same band would still be together by the time of Cash’s famous live concert recorded at Folsom State Prison in 1968. However, by this time, the Johnny Cash show included future wife June Carter on lead vocals, Carl Perkins on guitar and vocals, Tennessee Three member W.S. Holland on drums, and the Statler Brothers on backing vocals.

“The Old Perfesser” introduced himself to Alex Battles at the CasHank Hootenanny Jamboree with “I know all that Luther Perkins stuff.” Together they have collaborated on The Johnny Cash Birthday Bash for over a decade. This year’s show will focus on the music of Cash’s childhood, Sun Records singles, and prison performances. Special guest Linda Hill will join The Whisky Rebellion to electrify the crowd with the iconic June Carter duets. The Whisky Rebellion also features Sammo on guitar and vocals, Tina Lama on bass, and Smilin’ Charlie Shaw on drums. DJ General Buell spins classic tunes before and after the show. The music of the Man in Black will ring out all night long.

Advance tickets available now at littlefieldnyc.com.

I’ll be opening for Katie Curley at Main Drag Music with my power trio The Engelberts on September 9th, 2023. Tickets are available for this show now at this link.

Alex Battles celebrates a three month run at Pete’s Candy Store with two shows in March and April dedicated to showcasing his band members in an intimate setting, followed by a full show with the Whisky Rebellion in May. In March, Battles sits down with singer/songwriter Sammo, guitarist, washboardist, and vocalist for the Whisky Rebellion. In April, Battles welcomes bassist Tina Lama and fiddle player Kari Groff to the stage.

Upcoming: Sunny’s Bar, 11/4. Jalopy Theatre, 12/31.

The Rockwood show went well and thanks to those who came out.

We’ll have the full band coming to Sunny’s Bar on November 4, 2022 and on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2022.

Thanks everyone. Take care.