Sterling is back in the booth with The Reverend this week as we showcase tracks from Todd Snider, specifically songs from his new album featuring Sterling on bass (High Lonesome and Then Some) + the "Purple versions" of several of Todd's earlier songs that he re-recorded in stripped-down fashion and and released a few years ago.

Dennis Jay returns to the KZSM studio ahead of his debut performance at The Redbird Listening Room tomorrow night. Dennis and The Rev talk horses, and Dennis plays a pair of great original songs from his catalog (South of Seguin and Adios Moonlight). The Rev also leans to Texas-connected prerecorded tracks that have a spooky season theme. Artists played include Sammy Wells (covering Paul McCartney), Judas Priest, Willie Nelson, Edgar Winter Group, Shakey Graves, Ryan Culwell & Aubrie Sellers, The Black Angels, and Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs.

Sterling is still on "house arrest" while his immune system works itself back up, so The Reverend is solo in the booth again today to welcome Phenomenal musician Keith Davis back into the KZSM broadcast booth. Keith has been on the show several times as both a solo artist and a sideman for other guests, and he's plugging both his newly released EP and his first full band show as a solo artist in 16 years tonight at Geezerfest in Gruene, TX. The Reverend played a few heavier tracks, including tunes from Sabaton, Watchtower, and Pantera, then eased off the gas with some Nichole Wagner, followed by Keith's live in-studio performances, and we closed with a track off of George Ensle's forthcoming album Touchstones, chased by Lyle Lovett.

Sterling is laying low for health reasons today, so The Reverend hosts The Trips return to the KZSM studio as a solo DJ. The band talks about their new and upcoming projects, including the music video they recently filmed for February (featuring The Rev as a zombie, no less!), their live music calendar for October, and Sammy's self-imposed TikTok challenge to learn a cover of one song each from all 25 of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles releases and post one each day in the 25 days of October leading up to Sir Paul's concert in San Antonio on October 25th. The Trips played stripped down acoustic versions of their songs February and Falling Asleep in the back half of the hour.

Sterling is back in the booth after a few weeks on the DL, and he and The Reverend used today's episode to pay tribute to the late Al Barlow, a clever and influential songwriter, who passed away last week at the age of 71. Sterling knew Al for decades, and The Reverend got to interact with the man a few times too, so they share stories along with a highlight list of some of Al's most memorable songs: Matches, Cypress Creek Elixir, Jello, Squirrel Hunting, When I Retire, Songwriters' Night, The Anti-Navelite, Jack's Job, Lady's Room Wall, I Just Want to Fish, Stripes, S.T.O.P., and I Was a Seed.

The Reverend is flying solo today as Sterling recovers from a serious health issue. KZSM's Production Committee Chair, Chris Gardner, brought The Rev along to Austin last night for a Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co. show. The Rev figured this would be a great opportunity to feature the work of a prolific Texas-based artist in Will Johnson, and Chris graciously agreed to curate a "starter playlist" of tracks from Will Johnson's career, including tracks from supergroup New Multitudes, Will's solo career, the Jason Molina & Will Johnson team-up album Molina & Johnson, and a bunch of great songs from Will's first major project, Centro-Matic.

Sterling has been sidelined by a medical condition, so The Reverend is hosting solo as he welcomes Star De Azlan into the KZSM studio. Star's new single, Adios Cowboy, will be released September 26th. She plays an acoustic version of that tune live on the air, as well as a brand new song. Prerecorded tracks included songs from Nathan Hamilton, Keith Davis, Mark Allan Atwood, Tom Russell, The Rev. Jason Woolery, and Dallas Burrow ft. Kelly Willis.

Sterling is back from his touring with Todd Snider and Dallas Burrow! He and the Reverend welcome local phenoms Hank Weaver, Cameron Allbright, and Ashton Naylor who are playing together tonight at Cheatham St. Warehouse in San Marcos, TX. Prerecorded tracks centered around the Jennings family in honor of the forthcoming Waylon album "Songbird." Tracks played were all from Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Shooter Jennings.

Sterling is still on tour with Dallas Burrow, so The Reverend is still solo in the KZSM booth as he welcomes Rob Dark Smith, Keith Davis, and Trey Martinez into the studio. This is Rob and Keith's second visit to HWY 261 in 2025; last time they were promoting the release of The Anvil, today they're plugging the show that the three of them are playing tonight at The Redbird Listening Room in New Braunfels. The three of them play two amazing songs off The Anvil as wll as talking about their other projects, upcoming shows, etc. Prerecorded tracks today all came from artists who have been HWY 261 guest artists in the 2025 calendar year: Hank Weaver & Cameron Allbright; Dennis Jay; Muchacho Sanchez; Eric Sarmiento; Melissa Engleman; Lynn Crossett; Dylan Rhys; Tasman Sharp.

Joey, Bramwell, bassist of Austin's 80s throwback cover band Prime Meridian, joins The Reverend in the booth and spins cover songs with Texas connections.