Matt
Harlan’s writing style takes me back to a time when songwriters shared insightful stories of toil and triumph. I remember
spending countless youthful hours listening spellbound to great storytellers like, Harry Chapin, Jim Croce, Kris Kristofferson,
Nanci Griffith and being moved emotionally by what I was hearing. I challenge anyone to listen to Matt Harlan and tell me
they are not moved emotionally by his stories.
Matt Harlan’s
debut entitled Tips & Compliments will surely be spun countless times on my CD player as I am sure others will
succumb to this compulsive practice. The CD debuted at #1 on the Euro Americana Charts and features thirteen awesome tracks, each a hit in my opinion. From the emotionally touching
story of bad news from “Elizabethtown” to “Walter” a recollection of childhood hours spent
frolicking with his grandfathers dog, Matt Harlan digs deep and shares himself with those fortunate enough to discover
his music.
I sincerely enjoyed meeting
Matt as he did a guest appearance on Honky Tonk Happy Hour. Matt Harlan is a truly talented and gifted storyteller
deserving of success. I urge all music fans to catch Matt Harlan live in concert – it is truly time well spent…
Chris Harkness on Al Staehely for Honky Tonk Happy
Hour
Al Staehely is a fascinating character. He was a very successful
singer/songwriter in the ‘70’s. Writing songs and singing for several bands, including: Spirit, The Staehely Brothers
and The Nick Gravenites - John Cipollina Band. Staehely recorded on projects for Epic and Polydor Records and has had his
songs recorded by artists including Keith Moon and Bobby Gentry (yes - Bobby Gentry). Al Staehely is currently working
with Texas Music Hall of Famer Freddie Krc on a re-release of a 1982 project which was only released in Europe on Polydor
Records. The record was originally called Staehely’s Comet but will be re-titled for it’s USA release on SteadyBoy
records in the Fall of 2010.
Chuck Savage interviews Al Staehely – Part One
Al
Staehely lives a different life today than he did in his early career. Al is a successful music attorney in Houston with an
impressive client roster including: the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Topp, J.C.Crowley, Foghat, Andy
Johns, Kings X, Blue October and Tejano musical groups La Mafia, Fama and Mazz. Al Staehely was also a co-owner of Viceroy
Music Inc., based in New York with offices in Houston and Germany. Viceroy’s artist roster included: Alvin Lee, Mick
Taylor, Steve Lukather, The Stranglers and Houston based blues rock band Sunset Heights and many others. Read more about Al
Staehely’s law practice at http://www.music-lawyer.com/bio.html
Chuck Savage interviews Al Staehely – Part Two
We were honored to have Al Staehely perform on a recent
episode of Honky Tonk Happy Hour. Al is as great live in 2010 as he was back in the 1970’s. He performed several songs
for us and I have included one of his original compositions in this article for all my readers to enjoy. The song is entitled
feeling the heat and it tells a very colorful story of a young Texas boy’s experience in New York City on the 4th of
July.
Al Staehely performs "Feelin The Heat” on a recent episode of Honky Tonk Happy Hour
by
Chris Harkness for MM55productions July 11, 2010
