The Corndawg is on the Fritz! It feels like just yesterday when we interviewed Jonny Corndawg (now Jonny Fritz) before his big show at JJ’s Bohemia in 2011. And it feels like just a year ago (because it was) when we all chipped in via Kickstarter to help with Jonny’s up-coming release ‘Dad Country,’ a record he recorded at Jackson Browne’s Santa Monica, CA studio with backing-band Dawes (See full article here).
Well, that follow-up to 2011’s ‘Down on the Bikini Line’ looks like it will finally see the light of day! This week Jonny announced that he just signed with ATO Records to release ‘Dad Country’ on April 16th! Not only did he sign with them, but he signed his contract in gravy (see pictures here)… Check out the official track listing as well as the LP’s first single ‘Ain’t It Your Birthday,’ which is available for free download below!
Also catch Jonny at the following dates opening for Heartless Bastards… Congratulations Corndawg! We’re fired-up for ya:
Heartless Bastards w/ Jonny Fritz:
Mar 21 – Sam’s Burger Joint – San Antonio, TX
Mar 22 – Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX – Tucson, AZ
Mar 25 – Casbah – San Diego, CA
Mar 26 – Troubador – Los Angeles, CA
Mar 28 – Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA
Mar 29- Soho – Santa Barbara, CA
Mar 30 – Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
Apr 01 – Don Quixote’s – Felton, CA
Apr 02 – SLO Brewing Co – San Luis Obispo, CA
Dad Country Tracklist:
1. Goodbye Summer
2. All We Do Is Complain
3. Holy Water
4. Social Climbers
5. Ain’t It Your Birthday?
6. Shut Up
7. Wrong Crowd
8. Have You Ever Wanted to Die?
9. Fever Dreams
10. Trash Day
11. Suck In Your Gut
12. Instrumental
Jonny Corndawg and Dawes have been at Jackson Browne’s studio in Santa Monica, CA hard at work recording the follow-up to Jonny’s 2011 release ‘Down On The Bikini Line’ and they need your help! The band needs pledges to support the making of the Jonny’s new album ‘Dad Country’ — which is being dubbed by the band as “CornDawes.”
They are already at the half-way mark with funding and the recording process is in the bag, so these are the final stages of the record… Check out the offical Kickstarter video below which featrues tons of behind-the-scenes footage of the making-of ‘Dad Country’ as well as a first listen to some new Corndawg songs featuring Dawes as his backing-band!
Diggin’ what you hear? Well, swing-on-over to Kickstarter and make a donation HERE
Happy New Year! What a way to start-off 2012 then to reflect on all the great music 2011 had to offer. So much in fact that we decided to make our Top 15 list and Top 20!
As always, next to each album title is a “Purchase from he artist or label” link, which takes you directly to the best possible way to purchase each album… directly from the band! If the artist doesn’t sell directly, the link will take you to their label. Support the arts, and keep these great musicians’ careers in-check for 2012!
On their debut, selt-titled LP, Those Darlins delivered to the world a fantastic album smothered and covered in deep-country roots blended with that perfect dosage of rock n’ roll. For the band’s sophomore effort, ‘Screws Get Loose,’ they show us that they’re a band who is here to stay, offering us nothing but growth, sustainability and song writing gold. If you don’t know of this Nashville 4-piece yet, they are soon to be a house-hold name and this LP is the proof.
So, what do you get when you put three great up-and-coming band front-men and songwriters into the studio? One hell of an album! Add a dash of Corndawg and call it a classic.
Shannon Shaw of Shannon of the Clams + Seth Bogart (aka Hunx) are the perfect song writing team! Even thought Hunx and his Punx’s Punkettes played their last show this Fall due to the band’s other 2 members leaving this fall and with Hunx releasing a solo album in February, we hope this isn’t the last we hear from this Shannon/Seth project.
Mark Ronson producing Black Lips. Yeah, we had our doubts too… but just seconds into the LP’s first track ‘Family Tree’ and this full 16-track album became the jam of the summer.
Who needs a studio album?.. here is some live rock n’ damn roll at its finest! With a live show this promising, Ranch Ghost is one of our main bands to watch for in 2012.
A killer follow-up to several amazing 7-inch releases and the perfect soundtrack to start and end the party. (The songs streaming below are only 4 select tracks from the LP).
A two-piece from Little Rock do good with their diverse self-released debut. Only available via Bandcamp this year, expect to hear a lot more from The Coasts in the coming year. You can download the full album for only $5 (above or below) and a portion of the record sales will go towards the Hope For Haiti’s Children Foundation.
A stellar sophomore effort that was released less than a year after their debut LP, 2010’s ‘Pink Graffiti.’ If you ask us, with 2 great full length albums in under a year, that’s pretty impressive!… and the perfect formula for future success.
Look out world, the Jeff-bros are hear to stay! And this album says nothing but that. Recently signed to Warner Brothers (for the follow-up to this LP) and dropping an amazing 7-inch with Jack White via Third Man Records, we can’t wait to see what 2012 has instore for this 2-piece.
Last weekend we had the honor of catching 2 shows that kicked off the openings for 2 outstanding venues; Chattanooga’s brand new Track 29 and Athens, GA’s re-built Georgia Theatre!
Our tour kicked off at home Friday night via Track 29, who hosted a private friends & family night, pre-grand opening celebration featuring Futurebirds, The Bohannons and Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires. The venue, which is located right behind the Chattanooga Choo-Choo hotel, was above and beyond our expectations, especially for an opening night. The sound was on-point, the atmosphere was incredible, and their lighting was that cherry-on-top that made for an amazing evening. Chattanooga’s music scene has finally and officially taken things to the next level… T29’s official grand opening is September 1st and have plenty of great shows lined up! M.Ward w/ Dawes, Drive-by Truckers w/ Alabama Shakes, and Dr. Dog just to name a few. You can check out their full schedule HERE.
Also, check out the highlights from the event below (at the bottom of this article)... more photos are available HERE:
Saturday night marked one of several opening shows kicking off the newly re-built Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA where we caught South Rail favorites Those Darlins and Jonny Corndawg opening up for Athen’s own The Whigs. If you’re not familiar with the venue previously, the Theatre burned down June 19th 2009. But after much hard work and many donated dollars, the Georgia Theatre is back and better than ever… and that’s not an exaggeration. Brand new construction, rooftop bar where you can still listen to the show, an amazing balcony area, great sound & lights…. This venue is easily one of the best places to catch a show down south!
You can all check out out best of highlights of the event below with additional photos available HERE:
BONUS!!!: We also got a taste of a new Those Darlins song which we were lucky enough to document. Check out the new ultra-catchy single ‘Burn Me Up’… Enjoy!:
Jonny Corndawg is dropping by Chattanooga for this Friday’s Hell Yeah Fest (July 15th) at JJ’s Bohemia along side Shovels and Rope (featuring Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent), Roger Alan Wade, Joel Hamilton (of The Working Title), Matt and Marty Bohannon (of The Bohannons)… and we had the honor of interviewing Mr. Corndawg himself!!! Get to know one of The South Rail’s favorite artists and get ready for his new LP coming out this August:
The first time The South Rail got a taste of the Corndawg was in Atlanta at The Drunken Unicorn a few years back, with DeerTick as your backing band. What’s your connection with John McCalley and the DT crew?
“That show was a nightmare for me. I remember it, but barely. It took place during the climax of my 14 day swine-flu. I remember praying for death that night but I don’t remember it ever answering my prayer.
I’ve know John for about 8 years or so. I met him through this guy he was touring with named Viking Moses. He and I fell out of touch for about 3 years and then I looked him up around the time that Myspace was worth looking at. I was thinking “I wonder what quiet little John McCauley is up to…” — so I got back in touch and finagled my way onto a tour with them and just stayed there. He’s one of my best friends. We have buddy tattoos in memoriam of a person who doesn’t exist.”
Photo by The South Rail: Jonny Corndawg w/ Deertick at Drunken Unicorn (Atlanta)
Do you have anything special up your sleeve for this week’s Hell Yeah Fest at JJ’s Bohemia?
“When up next to Cary Ann Hearst and Roger Alan Wade, how on earth will my double name ever match their triples?”
We love how you’ve documented your career on Flickr, showing your journey and influences throughout the past few years. Especially your air brush and leather work. What got you into these 2 mediums and how much extra cash do we need to bring to purchase these Corndawg originals?
“Some people are “say-ers” and other people are “do-ers”. I’ve always loved those two mediums but never knew anything about them. One day I just got tired of not knowing and I taught myself. Same goes for guitar but for all three, I really do wish I had someone show me a few things because I really don’t know what I’m doing up there.”
Back in Febuary, you had the short documentary, ‘Stray Dawg,’ made about you as you prepared to run the Surf City USA marathon at Huntington Beach, California. You also have a song titled ‘Keep Your Body Happy Through Exercise’ from your last LP “I’m Not Ready to Be a Daddy.” Have you always been an avid runner? And what were your main influences to run in that marathon?
“My dad is my main influence. This applies to the previous question as well. He’s a nurse by trade but he also is a blacksmith, a tailor, bike mechanic, marathon runner, bike road racer, he’s been a farmer, and he’s an amazing cook. Oh, did I mention that he builds banjos and has made 5 guitars and just got into making ukeleles as well? He’s the coolest dude ever and he taught me everything I know about figuring stuff out on my own. I just put it in a song recently. The song is about some people who were endlessly discouraging me, in NYC (about how I’d never get a record released because my music was too weird – it’s called Wrong Crowd) – the line goes ‘My daddy taught me to choose to be/ whoever I wanted to and he/ always encouraged me/ to be whoever the hell that it is that I am!'”
Your upcoming album ‘Down On The Bikini Line’ drops August 30th and in celebration, you are giving away the song ‘Chevy Beretta’ which features Caitlin Rose (see below). Are there any other guest appearances on the album? And is there anything specific you’d like your fans to know about the new record?
“Hell yeah! This is a star studded record. Chock full of incredible pickers and singers. John McCauley plays a pretty farty solo, Taylor Goldsmith harmonizes on Night Rider, Caitlin’s on almost every song, Tristen’s on a track, and the band was compiled of my favorite players in Nashville – it took me two years to get the band together for the record. Joshua Hedeley plays fiddle and sings backup (like a damn angel), Jordan Caress on bass, Ben Martin on drums and Rich Gilbert on lead guitar and pedal steel. I couldn’t be much more excited about this release.
Going back to what I was saying before about the wrong crowd – I can’t tell you how good it feels to have started my own label and gotten so many incredible people behind me on this. It’s a great big middle finger up to all the folks who told me it wouldn’t happen and it just feels so good.”
We are pleased to announce that M. Ward w/ opening act (and South Rail favorites) Dawesare coming to Chattanooga’s newest concert venue Track 29 September 24th! Tickets go on sale this Friday ($23 advance/ $25 doors – All ages) and will be available HERE
This show was only 1 of 3 released today featuring Dawes with M. Ward, who will also be playing together at Knoxville’s Bijou Theatre the 23rd and Memphis’ Minglewood Hall the 20th…
Also check out the 2 act’s recent side-projects: M. Ward also known as the “Him” from She & Him and collaborator of the “super group” Monsters of Folk… And Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith’s Middle Brother featuring John McCauley (Deer Tick) and Matthew Vasquez (Delta Spirit)… Oh and of course the one and only JONNY CORNDAWG!!! Who will be at JJ’s Bohemia July 15th at the Hell Yeah Fest:
We’ve been looking forward to hearing this band since early last year when we first heard word of this super-group writing and recording in Nashville for what is now their debut album. At the time, the band — Deer Tick‘s John McCauley, Dawes‘ Taylor Goldsmith and Delta Spirit‘s Matt Vasquez — were going by the name MGandV… Now, almost a year later, we shall know them as Middle Brother.
The band has only played a rare handful of shows in 2010, but have now put together a small March run of dates in order to support their debut self-titled release, hitting shelves via Partisan Records March 1st… The album is a collaborative effort from all 3 lead singer/songwritters and includes appearances from Jason Isabell and South Rail favorite Jonny Corndawg.
Check out a couple tracks from the album… Stream the track ‘Me Me Me’…
…watch the performance of the first track off the album, ‘Daydreaming,’ live at SXSW (the band’s first live performance)…
… at catch Middle Brother, on tour this March. And while your at it, you can pre-order Middle Brother now on CD, Colored LP and Deluxe Edition LP with an extra 10” of b-sides from the Nashville recording sessions HERE:
3/2 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
3/3 – Boston, Mass. @ Paradise Rock Club
3/4 – Providence, R.I. @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
3/5 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
3/6 – New York, N.Y. @ Bowery Ballroom
3/9 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ Theatre of Living Arts
3/10 – Rochester, N.Y. @ Water Street Music Hall
3/11 – Toronto, Ontario @ Opera House
3/12 – Chicago, Ill. @ Metro
3/13 – Madison, Wis. @ Majestic Theatre
3/14 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ First Avenue
3/17 – Dallas, Texas @ Club Dada
3/19 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW
* * * * *
The track listing for Middle Brother:
1. Daydreaming
2. Blue Eyes
3. Thanks For Nothing
4. Middle Brother
5. Theater
6. Portland
7. Wilderness
8. Me Me Me
9. Someday
10. Blood and Guts
11. Mom and Dad
12. Million Dollar Bill
The FIRST TWO PEOPLE to arrive at JJ’s for this Friday’s show that mentions “The South Rail Music Blog” at the front door receive free admission!… It’s that easy! So bring it to JJ’s this Friday and come early…
… oh, and please make sure to bring some CA$$$H because Mr. Corndawg has some KILLER stuff to sell ya! One-of-a-kind air brushed tees (examples below), leather work, vinyl and more!!!
The Corndawg is on the Fritz! It feels like just yesterday when we interviewed Jonny Corndawg (now Jonny Fritz) before his big show at JJ’s Bohemia in 2011. And it feels like just a year ago (because it was) when we all chipped in via Kickstarter to help with Jonny’s up-coming release ‘Dad Country,’ a record he recorded at Jackson Browne’s Santa Monica, CA studio with backing-band Dawes (See full article here).
