Tomorrow night I will be at The Vinyl in Atlanta. It is a fantastic room and I’m playing with some great artists from Atlanta: Beggar’s Guild and Eli Perry.

The ban will be with me so expect to have your face melted. Please come. It’s going to be awesome.

Music starts at 9 PM.

see you there.

That’s a Honda Rebel 250 for those keeping score at home and it’s the perfect starter bike. I used to think I wanted a scooter and in fact, this is the scooter I wanted:

It would take a minimum of five minutes for me to get beat up driving a Honda C70 Scooter. It would take a minimum of five minutes for me to look like I could beat someone up driving a Honda Rebel. Why? Because it’s called a Rebel and, if you weren’t aware, I’m quite the rebel.

Enough of that. We had good Barbecue at Sprayberry’s and great time hanging out on the car ride over.

just kidding.

I think I’m the last person in this wonderful city to know about it. Unfortunately the first episode I saw was the one with Beach House. Beach House hits a certain level of pretention that annoys me. The song that Pitchfork put on their mix tape bored me but, I listened to the whole thing hoping for it to change my mind so I could watch the episode of We Have Signal and love the show more. Of course, if Pitchfork gave me a 8+ rating I’d be a snob too but that would be after getting past the shock of them even listening to my new record.

I did not write the show off though just because I don’t like a particular band because that would be close-minded and lame. I watched the next one that popped up on my Tivo with the local band Teen Getaway. It was much better and I feel it’s because the band appreciated WHS doing an episode with them and, on the flip-side, WHS appreciated them and wants to tell the story of Birmingham music. Austin City Limits did this when they first started and I think it’s fantastic that WHS is seeing the great music being made in this city and wanting to share it. Speaking of Austin City Limits, I’m glad this show is not ACL: Birmingham Edition. It has a personality of it’s own and hopefully will have all the success of ACL in its own way.

The show has a metric ton of potential and I can’t wait to see how it grows and gets better as time goes on and hopefully, in the future, we’ll celebrate anniversaries.

Watch this show and let Alabama Public Television know how thankful you are for reaching outside of their demographic. After that, let WBHM know they should reach outside their demographic as well. Make sure they know we don’t want Reg’s Coffeehouse II: Revenge of the Singer/Songwriter (yes, I’m aware of the irony).

We have two great music rooms in this town. We have our very own public television show. We even, somehow, have a radio station that’s doing a good job of playing bands and artists that you probably wouldn’t hear on other stations across America. I think we’re only a couple of steps away from being recognized as what we already know: cooler than Atlanta. We already know we’re cooler than Nashville. These steps are: a great music blog and a great radio program that features local and regional bands/artists.

We Have Signal airs Thursdays @ 10 PM and Sundays at 11 PM. Set your Tivo’s or better yet, have a viewing party. Also, they’re going to feature one of my friend’s bands: Sworn Enemies and that is awesome.

God Bless American Gladiators.

Got some shows coming up and a cool opportunity that just fell in my lap for December.

11/7 - 8th & Rail - Opelika, AL
11/8 - Private Show (on a boat!) - Charleston, SC
11/15 - The Vinyl - Atlanta, GA
12/10 - Workplay Theater - Birmingham, AL
12/11 - 3rd and Lindsley - Nashville, TN

These are all the dates I can talk about right now but a few more coming for sure. Stay tuned for more.

…SWEET! (in the best Malibu imitation I can do)

Jon Black is yet another inexplicately little known musician oozing with talent. He’s been paying his dues over the past few years, logging the necessary road miles to spread his music…which is good news for music fans. Black’s newest full-length release is filled with songs of longing; searching for meaning in bad times and good.

The songs shift from high energy, folk rock to 50’s blues/gospel to completitive songs with soft piano or acoustic guitar leading you into some deep thought. One of the best examples of this thoughtful bent is interwoven in the lyrics and melody on ‘Broken Places’ - “Lately I feel a lot like giving up / This road that I’m on is filled with twists and bumps.” This song seems especially appropos in these uneasy times. And on ‘Goodbye Golden Age,’ he wistfully recalls days gone by while honoring America’s rich musical past.

The eclectic nature of this collection, as well as the solid songwriting and Black’s clear, strong singing voice, is reminiscent of Lyle Lovett’s style…not a small feat. And, boy can Black hold a note - check out ‘Mouth Of The Moon’ as evidence. Don’t let this guy pass you by.

Americana UK -

Last time I reviewed Jon Black I asked why he wasn’t well known, this time I had no recall of having made the remark and had to be reminded by the press release, so I guess that answers my question, which is a pity because Black is a skilled songwriter and performer and here he shows off his talent across a range of styles. There’s “Run With All You’ve Got” which is a firebrand with Jason & the Scorchers logo all over it, there’s regret, melancholy and pedal steel in the road song “Drove to Knoxville”, shimmering showers of notes in the gentle “April Showers” that opens the set and will usher many loiterers over the doorstep and once you step into the main room you’re hit with a blast of power pop courtesy of “Mouth of the Moon”.

You could almost use the bleak “Broken Places” as a soundtrack to Cormac MaCarthy’s “The Road”, “Ghost of Elvis” sounds like a depressed Clem Snide (a good thing). All extraneous sounds are banished from “Nothing But A Fire” all that is allowed is an acoustic guitar and Black’s fluid voice that flows around the notes. On this form there won’t be any danger of me needing to be reminded of who Jon Black is in the future.

A new friend named Nathan is stationed in Iraq and he asked how he could get a hold of some of my music. I said iTunes and he said Zune.

I’ve worked with Apple products for the past 12 years (high school yearbook - stop laughing, student paper in college, music stuff, etc.) and today the grass is looking greener on the other side of the digital download fence. Why? DRM.

The good news for my friend Nathan is that my music is available on Amazon.com where the DRM-Free music plays and the rivers flow with joy. DRM is probably not a big deal to most music consumers but for me it’s a big deal. Admittedly, I’m not your average music consumer. I consume music at rates and volumes that are probably unhealthy. My biggest hang up with purchasing music from iTunes is that it’s limited to where I choose to enjoy it. I stream music over my network to a receiver in my living room and I love it but when I get something from iTunes, I’m prevented from doing this.

All this to say, I’ve noticed that iTunes has something called iTunes Plus that is DRM free. Is it really free to be put on any music player of my choice? That’s my question. Any answers.

Anyway, you can purchase and enjoy my music DRM free at Amazon.com.

Shows
Thanks to everyone that made it out to one of the shows. Every night was so much fun for us and we’re really looking forward to doing it again soon. Here’s two of the songs from the Athens show. It was amazing to see people out until 1:30 AM right before midterms. Your dedication amazes me.

Lexulous
I thought Scrabulous was dead but thankfully they just renamed it and opened it under a different site. Your old login still works too. It’s called Lexulous. If anyone is interested in a match my handle is blackjon5 or just e-mail me and we can set up a game. I bet we could even get the legendary Clint Wells to school us.

Dwayne De Rossario
For people who thing Birmingham is too hot for an MLS team I think you’re stupid. Houston has a great team and it’s ridiculously hot there. Speaking of the Houston Dynamo, they have one of my favorite players, if not the best, in the MLS. Dwayne De Rossario. I don’t care if he’s Canadian. Look at this YouTube highlight reel and tell me he’s not amazing… then we’ll have to fight.

Social Distortion
Why I never listened to Social Distortion before is a mystery. I suggest their album from 1996 White Light, White Heat, White Trash. It has, in my opinion, some of their best songs. I think I’m going to ask for one of their shirts for Christmas.

Xbox 360 RRoD
In sad news my Xbox finally died. I got it a month after launch in 2005 and it just finally got the Red Ring of Death. I’m surprised it lasted this long. I’m sure I’ll get some good reading time in as well as plans to make some type of stop-motion video.

09.30.2008 - 3rd & Lindsley - Nashville, TN
10.02.2008 - Caledonia Lounge - Athens, GA
10.03.2008 - The Vinyl - Atlanta, GA
10.04.2008 - Workplay - Birmingham, AL

Here are the show posters for each one. Please download them and make them your profile pic in myspace and facebook. You would really be helping me out.

Spread the word.
Spread the love.
I can’t do it without you.

This is from the University of Tampa…..

Goodbye Golden Age, Hello Jon Black
Singer/songwriter inspires a generation with new album

Mike Trobiano

“Goodbye Golden Age. I wish we had more time. Goodbye Golden Age. I won’t be far behind.” ~ Jon Black

You know that feeling you get when you hear a song on the radio for the first time and can’t get it out of your head for the rest of the day?

How you try to remember the lyrics, wishing the notes in your mind would play out loud for you once more?

Although you may never hear his music on the radio or watch his songs climb the charts, the passion for music that drives Jon Black is satisfaction enough.

Music is his life, and I’m sure those who know his work can honestly attest that Jon Black is truly an artist.

With the upcoming release of his new album later this month, Black elevates his music to another level.

Finding influence from his southern Alabama roots, he is greatly influenced by good ole’ Americana music.

This album, however, is a little different. By developing his Rock ’n’ Roll sound into a more acoustic/folk tone, the album Goodbye Golden Age is sure to impress fans.

After listening to this album, you’ll soon realize he’s not the typical cliché artist who sings of love and deep emotions.

He sings from his experience as an artist, traveling the country for inspiration.

Take a song like “Declaration”: the words depict his outcry for a new beginning and a life apart from the everyday monotony of life.

This song makes the biggest statement on the album.

The lyrics, “We’re living in a land where we go through these motions just like fools, just like slaves…” send a message to all of us to take a look at our lives and put things into perspective.

Are we living each day out of the box or following the crowd instead?

He takes a similar approach to the song the album is named after, “Goodbye Golden Age.”

The song is reminiscent of the good memories of his life and displays hope for his future.

After hearing Black’s music for the first time and meeting him in June, I know that his songs aren’t just made up words.

They are his journal through his own life.

Even though it’s been a few months since then, I’m still just as crazy about his music as I was the first time I heard it.

From one track to the next it’s apparent, once you come across a real artist who loves his craft, you can’t help but want to keep listening.

Although the album was in limited release earlier this year, “Goodbye Golden Age” will be available everywhere Sept. 30.

After the release I’ll be on the road for a bit.  October is looking great with some dates not yet announced but here are the FULL BAND SHOWS you for sure don’t want to miss:

9/30 - Nashville, TN - 3rd and Lindsley
10/2 - Athens, GA - Caledonia
10/3 - Atlanta, GA - The Vinyl BUY TIX
10/4 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater BUY TIX

If you’re going to come to these shows PLEASE buy tickets in advance. It helps me and the clubs out and they’re generally a few dollars cheaper.