CAKE - Founded in 1992 and achieving worldwide success thanks to platinum albums “Fashion Nugget” and “Prolonging The Magic,” Sacramento’s CAKE was cited by “Rolling Stone” as creators of “a modern pop that is both mechanized and organic... highly developed and virtually unique.” On the strength of radio mega-hits like “The Distance” and “Never There,” CAKE was instrumental in bringing post-alternative rock to the commercial airwaves. Recently, CAKE re-released its first album, “Motorcade of Generosity,” as an enhanced CD with previously unavailable video footage. The 180g vinyl version of the album features limited edition poster art and sold out in two days. After converting its entire Sacramento recording studio to solar power, the band’s upcoming release, “Showroom of Compassion,” was written, rehearsed and recorded using 100 percent solar energy. As a result, CAKE was named one of “Billboard Magazine’s” “Top 10 Greenest Bands on the Planet.” The group also promoted the record by sharing a set of free ring tones - each based on a song from the disc - released via the band’s mailing list.

Hayes Carll - Hailed as “an inheritor of the Texas songwriting tradition that includes Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle,” Hayes Carll has garnered a reputation as one of the finest troubadours Texas has to offer. Often performing more than 200 shows a year, Carll has co-written with the likes of Guy Clark, John Evans and Ray Wylie Hubbard. In 2008, Carll won the Annual Americana Music Association’s “Song of the Year” award for his satirical “She Left Me For Jesus" - which “Imus In The Morning” host Don Imus called “the greatest country song ever.” In 2009, Carll's Stingaree Music Festival donated its profits to the Bolivar Peninsula Economic Relief fund, helping to resurrect the area which was devastated by hurricane Ike. Carll released the single “Grateful For Christmas” in advance of his upcoming disc "Kmag Yoyo."

Old 97s - Founded, in 1993, the Dallas-based alt-country, power-pop the Old 97’s is led by singer/songwriter Rhett Miller. After signing with Elektra in 1997, the group became a staple of festivals thanks to strong releases like “Too Far To Care” and “Flight Songs.” Many of the songs on the group’s eighth and latest disc, “The Grand Theatre Volume 1,” were written while Miller was touring with Steve Earle in Europe and the U.K. One track, “Champaign Illinois,” a rewrite of Dylan’s “Desolation Row,” caught the legendary songwriter’s ear and became something of a collaboration. On his own, Miller continues to release acclaimed solo projects. 

Hot Club of Cowtown - Austin, TX-based Hot Club of Cowtown mixes the western swing of Bob Wills with the hot jazz of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, traditional fiddle tunes and Tin Pan Alley standards. Their latest, "What Makes Bob Holler," due for release in early 2011, is a tribute to Wills & the Texas Playboys. The roots of HCoC go back to NYC in the mid-‘90s, when guitarist/vocalist Whit Smith and violinist/vocalist Elana James were members of Western Caravan, an 11-piece swing band. Since its 1998 debut, the group has become a favorite at festivals in this country and overseas. Among the youngest members ever to be inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame, in 2006 they also toured as musical ambassadors for the US State Department and became the first American band to tour Azerbaijan. One reviewer noted: "Their sly mix of hot licks and cool vocals remains equally driven by the twang of Texas roadhouses as the gypsy string jazz of Reinhardt and Grappelli." 

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This program is scheduled for distribution by NPR March 25, 2011. 

For more information, including hi-resolution jpegs, please contact Adam Harris, 304.556.4900.