What do you get when you cross the soul of a big band with the attitude of the P-Funk All-Stars? Big Sam's Funky Nation, of course! Big Sam himself is a killer trombonist who's backed by a motley crew of jazz and brass musicians who put on a raucous, lively show the likes of which you don't often see outside of the Big Easy. Both Big Sam and his Funky Nation wail through the night......

In case you hadn't heard, Steve Goodman can no longer lay claim to the "best country and western song ever written." That tarnished crown now rests squarely on the head of Hayes Carll. The song in question? "She Left Me For Jesus." With lyrics like "It could been Carlos or Billy Ortez / But if I ever find Jesus, he's gonna wish he was dead," it's easy to see why Carll is being hailed as......

Houston, are you ready to rock? The last time we told you about Rock The Bayou, the huge 3 day Labor Day weekend metal fest, they had a mere 40 bands on the bill. They are now up to 110 bands and tonight at midnight is your last chance to get early bird tickets at a mere $99, tomorrow August 1st, tickets go up to $125. What kind of entertainment value does $99 get......

The Houston Press has once again announced their 2008 nominees for the highly-anticipated Houston Press Music Awards. It's not too late to vote for your favorite band, performer, album, underground rapper, drummer, zydeco outfit, tribute band or any number of exciting music geek categories. Just remember that voting ends tomorrow, July 27th. Of course, if you've already voted and want to take in a Sunday afternoon that's fit to bursting with local musical talent, then......

Oy, Monty Python fans! It's not too late to catch everyone's favorite member of the troupe, Eric Idle, as he performs with the Houston Symphony tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. in an "adaptation" of the classic religious spoof film, The Life of Brian. The hugely-popular hour-long show, Not The Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy), kicks off its American tour in Houston. Here's a bragging point for you: Houston is one of only......

He's been covered by everyone from Limp Bizkit to Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright. His music has been the main plot point in prime-time TV shows (complete with cameo appearance). He's performed with Queen -- so well, in fact, that it made you not miss Freddy Mercury for a brief moment. He's recovered from awful plastic surgery and awkward undercover arrests for propositioning men in bathrooms. He's a survivor. Admit it: you love George Michael.......

Looking for a place where you could go way to work off all those hot dogs you're bound to cram down your big American mouth on Friday? Spend Saturday, July 5th jumping around to the sounds of Jeremy Jay and the Don't Fight It DJs at the Caroline Collective for a post-4th bash. Described by Pitchfork as "Peter Pan, or a left-coast Jonathan Richman" Jay has been raking in the accolades of late, surrounding last......

Can't decide what to do for the Fourth of July and upcoming three-day weekend? Don't know which Independence Day scene is quite right for you? Don't worry, patriots: Houstonist is here to help. Freedom Over Texas For the traditionalist in you, the City of Houston will hold its annual Freedom Over Texas event at Eleanor Tinsley Park in downtown. Sponsored by Chevy, you can all but count on the attendance of truck-owners and NASCAR fans.......

Veteran singer-songwriter and one of Houston's favorite sons, Robert Earl Keen stands tall among such other Texas artists as Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Joe Ely as an example of how to achieve longevity in the country music business without ever having a Nashville hit. Keen is a down-to-earth, engaging and distinctive songwriter with a huge fan base that follows him from honky tonks to stadiums and joyously sings the lyrics......

::Reflections of the Soul: A Legacy of Forbidden Music:: Holocaust Museum Houston presents "Reflections of The Soul: A Legacy of Forbidden Music," a special program of string quartet masterpieces by Jewish composers whose music was considered "degenerate" and banned during Nazi occupation. Join Holocaust Museum Houston for this concert of chamber music by three 20th-century Jewish composers whose careers were greatly affected by the Holocaust. The program will feature works by Alexander Zemlinsky, Erwin......

When Wilco last played Houston in 2005, their critically acclaimed album, A Ghost Is Born, had recently been released, and they rode into town on a wave of support. 2007's Sky Blue Sky divided critics with its mellow, meandering rock, a far cry from the challenging and dynamic sounds of the Chicago-based band's previous albums. As if to directly address these critics, Wilco opened Friday night's stand at Verizon Wireless Theater with some of the......

Nothing says "rodeo" quite like a manufactured Disney pop star, and the Houston Live Stock and Rodeo's organizers know that. That's why they booked Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus for the March 9th slot in the program. The fact that having Hannah Montana on the bill is a sure-fire recipe for making parents' wallets hemorrhage probably played a role, too. For those of you who have offspring who are clamoring to see the show, but are unwilling......

Houstonist is really looking forward to the Over The Rhine show tonight at the Mucky Duck. In an intimate setting like the Duck, their sopisticated art-pop sound will probably cause shivers down your spine. Did we miss something? Let us know. Here’s the full week line-up. Local bands are noted by an asterisk (*): Wednesday • Over The Rhine – folk/art-pop | 7 p.m. at Mucky Duck • *Whiskey Boat – Americana | 10......

Several more venues are celebrating the holidays this week with showcases. The Meridian is hosting the annual Holiday Babes Christmas Party tomorrow night with our favorite local musical babe, Katie Stuckey. Verizon Wireless will be a haven for country singer/songwriter lovers tomorrow night (includes Roger Creager and Bruce Robinson). Warehouse Live celebrates twice with the Jingle Balls Friday night, showcasing local favorites Paris Green and Glass Intrepid, and their annual Eve of Christmas Eve......

Concerts are abundant this week, so you have no excuse for not getting out and seeing a show. If you're a fan of Texas country, you may want to take the drive out to Bolivar Peninsula this weekend for their first Stingaree Music Festival, featuring Hayes Carll, Todd Snider, Adam Carroll, and much more. One sometimes Texas alt.country band will not be there, but will be playing at the Meridian Thursday night -- the......

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. announced the completion of their new spin-off live entertainment company, Live Nation. Formerly based in Houston as Clear Channel Entertainment, the new division is now headquartered in Beverly Hills, Calif. Many Houstonians lost their jobs at the entertainment company over the past few years due to the restructuring. What does this mean for Houston entertainment-wise? Well, Live Nation will still control bookings at the Toyota Center, Cynthia Woods Micthell Pavilion......