WMNF has brought in a name headliner for the third edition of its local-music-centric Americana Fest — and has chosen wisely. Houston-based singer/songwriter Hayes Carll proudly carries on the Texas troubadour tradition established by Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Steve Earle, with the latter having the greatest influence, particularly on Carll's vocal delivery. Not that Carll is aping his heroes. He's an original voice whose major-label debut, Trouble in Mind (Lost Highway/UMG), is a highly literate collection of Lone Star rock populated by drunken poets, downtown girls and a "barefoot shrimper with a pistol up his sleeve." Carll wrote or cowrote all but two of the 13 tracks — including a laugh riot about taking on the Big J.C. ("She Left Me For Jesus") — and turns in a fine, appropriately humorous-yet-poignant reading of Tom Waits' "I Don't Wanna Grow Up." Joining Carll is a lineup that truly represents the best Americana artists in Tampa Bay, a roster I'd put up against any scene this side of Austin.
WMNF's 3rd Annual Americana Fest, Sat., July 19, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, Hayes Carll (10:50 p.m.-midnight)/Mojo Gurus (10:10-10:40 p.m.)/Have Gun, Will Travel (9:25-9:55 p.m.)/Will Quinlan (8:40-9:10 p.m.)/Ted Lukas (7:55-8:25 p.m.)/Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets (7:10-7:40 p.m.)/Ronny Elliott (6:25-6:55 p.m.)/Memphis Train Union (5:40-6:10 p.m.)/Blind Buddy Moody (4:10-4:40 p.m.), 3 p.m. doors, $12 (advance, wmnf.org), $17 (door).
This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2008.