Texas Blues

‘I just write, you know?’ Steve Earle has songwriting down pat. Next, a TV pilot, two books and a Broadway musical

The outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring Americana songs has a Massey Hall show Aug. 25. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Steve Earle, the outspoken troubadour responsible for some of music’s most enduring and sublime Americana songs, has a new goal in mind as he creeps toward the age of 70: a Broadway musical. “I’m writing a musical of Tender Mercies with Daisy Foote, whose…

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Rockin’ the suburbs with Los Lobos

New venues help bring Grammy winners — and many others — to Southern Ontarians’ backyards. Just don’t get them started about Donald Trump. Nick Krewen Music, Tues., Jan 31, 2017 Suburbanites: now you don’t necessarily have to go to Toronto to see the big shows — more than ever, they’re coming to you. This week, for example, four-time Grammy winners Los Lobos perform at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on…


Lucinda Williams gets stellar assistance at Massey Hall: review

The alt-country darling had to read her lyrics from a binder, but her top-notch backing band more than filled in any gaps in her memory. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Fri Nov 21 2014 Lucinda Williams 3.5 stars At Massey Hall, Nov. 20. What on earth is going on with Lucinda Williams? That’s the first question the good denizens of a half-filled Massey Hall were probably asking themselves on Thursday…


Junior Brown invents his place in Sleepwalk Guitar Festival

Musician’s creation, the guit-steel, lets him stand out amid sea of talent at Toronto fest. Junior Brown and his guit-steel are guests of the Sleepwalk festival     By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Oct 31 2012 When the second annual Sleepwalk Guitar Festival convenes at the Great Hall from Nov. 2 to 4, there will be plenty of six-string pioneers but only one inventor in…