Nebraska Outback

Rebroadcast of a February 2011 interview with Mason Douglas.
Putting everything you love back into Country Music”. That is what singer/songwriter Mason Douglas set out to do on his debut album “My Wild Heart” featuring “Anything Can Happen”. Mason’s fans have become addicted to his distinguished diversity, some saying he sounds like Chris Isaak with his signature, sexy falsettos; some saying Garth Brooks with his honesty and range; others even saying he’s “country music’s Rob Thomas”. Mason has spent his lifetime chasing country music before making his way to Nashville and grabbing it by the horns. Growing up an Air Force Brat in the deserts of Tucson, Arizona, he had his fair share of ranch life, fake ID’s, broken hearts, and country music on the airwaves. His mother taught him how to ride a horse, his father taught him dedication and persistence, his sister taught him how to sing, and few ex-girlfriends taught him how to write a song. He sifted through his parent’s record and tape collections, full of rodeo albums from Chris LeDoux and classics from George Strait, all of which he drew from when he started singing and playing guitar and finding new audiences throughout the southwest. A lot of Mason’s music drives the listener to understand that we are all presented with chance and challenge daily…and that we just have to laugh a little, enjoy the time we have, and face any adversity at full force. It’s been a long road from the deserts of southern Arizona to the bright lights of Nashville…but what a fun and amazing journey leading up to his debut album “MY WILD HEART” for singer / songwriter Mason Douglas! Mason records with Rural Rhythm Records, (800) 776-8742

North Platte's NRoute Entertainment Summer Music Series kicks off Thursday June 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fort Cody Trading Post featuring the Allen Glaser Band.
While the music in today's show isn't specifically what you'll be hearing at the Summer Music Series, these fabulous artists give you an idea of the quality of music that's available when you take advantage of the incredible talent traveling through Nebraska during the summer.
Today's show features music from Melissa Greener, Mason Douglas, Chuck Pyle, Ben Bedford and Daniel Christian (who WILL be appearing on June 16)

Singer-songwriter BOB LIVINGSTON has never been a traditional Texas country musician living the honky-tonk life, even though he's spent more than his share of time on the roadhouse circuit with some of the most colorful musicians in Texas. As a member of Austin's legendary Lost Gonzo Band, performing and recording with such musical visionaries as Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey and Ray Wylie Hubbard, Livingston played an integral role in creating the music that first earned Austin the designation of 'Live Music Capital of the World'. Achieving recognition in their own right, the Gonzos' self-titled debut record was named by 'Rolling Stone', "one of the best albums ever to come out of Austin ".

Livingston has seen a lot of the world since growing up in musically fertile West Texas. Hailing originally from Lubbock, his interests were more 'Cosmic' than 'Cowboy' and have prompted him to delve into the music and mysteries of many cultures. Traveling since the 80's as a Music Ambassador for the US State Department, Livingston has taken Texas music as far afield as India, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East , demonstrating again and again the unique power that music has to build bridges between peoples of the world. As Livingston says, 'When all else fails, music prevails'. This philosophy earned him the honor of being appointed,' Austin's International Music Ambassador', in November of 2009 by the City Council.

This world traveled view was reflected in his album, 'Mahatma Gandhi and Sitting Bull', released in 2004 and named by the Austin American-Statesman as one of the year's Top 10 CDs. Working with producer, Lloyd Maines, Livingston only half jokingly calls his new project, 'The Flesh and Blood Sessions'. The new CD, to be entitled, 'Gypsy Alibi' is in the final stages of mixing and will be released in November.

Join the conversation with one of my favorite people in all the world, Celtic musician and podcaster Marc Gunn. Marc's Irish and Celtic Music Podcast and Songhenge Celtic Music collection is the premiere place to find Irish and Celtic music on the Internet. He has given away millions of Celtic mp3's, and has introduced many, many Celtic artists to the world. We have hosted him at our Nebraska Outback House Concert Series in the past, and he will be returning on August 12, 2011.

Marc is a wonderful musician in his own right, whether you enjoy traditional Irish folk music and drinking songs, twisted sci-fi songs or favorite Renaissance Faire music.

Ken O'Malley - introducing the music and Celtic Heritage of Irland. His passionate and compelling voice is what they notice first. As a solo artist, Ken O’Malley (http://www.kenomalley.com) easily commands the room; with his band he also rocks the house. Quickly drawing the audience in, it is no wonder that the Irish News describes him “without question, as the single most enduring, influential and proficient of all Irish musicians in Southern California” and the University of St. Thomas at Houston acknowledges him to be "widely regarded as the finest Irish folk singer/songwriter in the United States today."

A true ambassador of Irish culture, he infuses every performance with the rich history of his native land and audiences quickly become engaged with his compelling stories. One show producer put it this way: “He holds nothing back. Whether singing a passionate ballad, playing a solo on the mandolin, or explaining the gloriously sad history of Erin his homeland, Ken O’Malley is all-in, wide open to the world, and as true as an arrow’s flight.” Another simply stated that “Ken O'Malley connected with our audience in a way none of our other artists have.”

The Nebraska Beer Blog, (www.nebraskabeerblog.com) discusses the state of craft brewing in Nebraska. These can include our wonderful craft brewers, taverns where craft beer is a specialty, dates and information on upcoming craft brew festivals, and even a listing of suppliers to home brewers.

Nate Bell is an avid beer connoisseur, and he enthusiastically samples and critiques the upcoming and seasonal releases from our craft brewers.

Since (in my opinion), craft brewing and great live music go hand in hand, we're also going to explore the great little pubs where you can experience both.

You can also find the Nebraska Beer Blog on Facebook at Facebook.com/NebraskaBeerBlog.

The NEBRASKAland DAYS Foundation's Buffalo Bill Birthday Bash will be Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the Quality Inn & Suites, 2102 South Jeffers. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m.

Come celebrate Buffalo Bill's actual 165th birthday with us! Cocktail hour at 7:00 p.m. with Silent Auction - Live Auction at 8:00 p.m. - Hospitality Booths open at 9:00 p.m. - Dance to Free Beer & Chicken - it's a beach party in the middle of winter!

Paisley Beach Party tickets only $50.00 - available online, in NLD office, or at the door - Must be 21 and over (ID will be checked at the door).

It's all in good fun, and all to help with the NEBRASKAland DAYS celebration which is June 11-25, 2011. The cornerstone of the celebration is the annual PRCA Buffalo Bill Rodeo, and this year, the concerts, featuring Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Jerrod Niemann, Hinder and My Darkest Days.

Join me with guest Doretta Burrows, NEBRASKAland DAYS Executive Director as we discuss the plans for the Birthday Bash and the Celebration.

“Putting everything you love back into Country Music”. That is what singer/songwriter Mason Douglas set out to do on his debut album “My Wild Heart” featuring “Anything Can Happen”. Mason’s fans have become addicted to his distinguished diversity, some saying he sounds like Chris Isaak with his signature, sexy falsettos; some saying Garth Brooks with his honesty and range; others even saying he’s “country music’s Rob Thomas”. Mason has spent his lifetime chasing country music before making his way to Nashville and grabbing it by the horns. Growing up an Air Force Brat in the deserts of Tucson, Arizona, he had his fair share of ranch life, fake ID’s, broken hearts, and country music on the airwaves. His mother taught him how to ride a horse, his father taught him dedication and persistence, his sister taught him how to sing, and few ex-girlfriends taught him how to write a song. He sifted through his parent’s record and tape collections, full of rodeo albums from Chris LeDoux and classics from George Strait, all of which he drew from when he started singing and playing guitar and finding new audiences throughout the southwest.A lot of Mason’s music drives the listener to understand that we are all presented with chance and challenge daily…and that we just have to laugh a little, enjoy the time we have, and face any adversity at full force. It’s been a long road from the deserts of southern Arizona to the bright lights of Nashville…but what a fun and amazing journey leading up to his debut album “MY WILD HEART” for singer / songwriter Mason Douglas!

Mason records with Rural Rhythm Records, (800) 776-8742 Fax: (626) 286-9188 E-mail: [email protected]

LuAnn Schindler (http://luannschindler.com) is a freelance journalist and editor who lives on the eastern slope of the Nebraska Sandhills. While most of her writing focuses on the art of writing or Nebraska – its people and places, LuAnn also has written for national and Canadian publications. Several creative nonfiction pieces are included in anthologies.

LuAnn is a columnist and contributing writer for WOW! Women on Writing (http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/), an online magazine for, by, and about women involved in the publishing industry. She blogs for the sites’ daily update, The Muffin. Now, she writes full-time from her office overlooking the wide-open expanses of Nebraska farmland and the spectacularly-colored sunrises and sunsets.

A former classroom English, Journalism and Speech instructor, LuAnn began creative writing endeavors when she would write with her students and share her work. Nearly a decade ago, she started freelancing for regional publications. LuAnn speaks at libraries and other venues about writing, literature, and travel. She also teaches writing and acting courses. LuAnn is a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (http://www.ifwtwa.org/).

Currently, LuAnn is revising a YA novel based on a real-life challenge one of her daughter’s faced.
LuAnn is married to a life-long Nebraskan, who runs a dairy operation with his parents. She and Scott live southwest of Ewing, Nebraska, along with 200+ Holsteins and Jerseys. She has three children and four step-children, who provide plenty of fodder for creative non-fiction.

You can also check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/luannschindler or on Twitter http://twitter.com/luannschindler.

Twice a month, on the Second Friday and the Fourth Saturday, a growing group of performers and a large audience gathers at A to Z Books in downtown North Platte for an Open Mic night.

Performances vary from the Flatrock Irregulars, a local Irish Group, to Blue Swing playing Gypsy Jazz. In between there are solo acts, comedy, prose, poetry and just about anything and everything someone wants to share with the audience.

Today I'll be broadcasting live from A to Z Books with interviews of the organizers, and maybe a few snippets from the performers.

I've never attempted a live broadcast on location before, so there's every possibility this could end up being a disaster, which may be interesting in and of itself! Be sure to join in.