Each day of SXSW, I will be choosing a couple of my choice show picks + suggest at least one non-SXSW thing to do. SXSW is amazing but you have to pace yourself and step away from the hustle and the bustle every once in a while. That said, I recommend easing into the festival and stopping by the Barton Springs Pool for a refreshing morning swim. It’s absolutely beautiful there and you get a really cool view of downtown Austin while floating in all natural spring water. Not to be missed!

Then, mosey on over to Lamberts for  Aquarium Drunkard’s No Jacket Required Party. I will be DJing there and have put together a real nice set for you including tunes from  The Band, The Beach Boys, Waylon Jennings, Ike & Tina Turner and oh so much more. Best of all, it’s a free party (no badges or wristbands needed) and there’s no annoying RSVP list. Noon- 6 pm. Come on by and say hello!

Lastly, Los Angeles’ own Leslie and the Badgers will be performing their first official SXSW showcase tonight.  They will be taking the stage at 9 pm at B.D. Riley’s on 6th Street. This is an official showcase, which means that badges and wristbands get preference (though you can usually talk your way in with a little money if there’s still space at the venue).

Alex Chilton, the lead singer of Big Star and the Boxtops, passed away yesterday at the age of 59. He was set to play this year’s SXSW Music Festival and the loss is greatly felt. RIP Alex!

Click here to view the embedded video.The Boxtops- The Letter

Austin, Texas-based band 13th Floor Elevators with their tune “Your Gonna Miss Me” featuring Roky Erickson on lead vocals.

This latest When You Awake mixtape is dedicated to the great state of Texas in honor of my trip to Austin this afternoon for SXSW. With the exception of Mr. Bobby Bare (an Ohioan by birth), this mix features some of my favorite sons (and daughter) of the Lone Star State playing their very distinctive brand of Texas-fried rock and roll. Part Two, with Freddy Fender, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Ernest Tubb, Roky Erickson and more will be coming soon. Oh, and in the words of my favorite tv show Friday Night Lights, “Texas Forever”! Mixtape is after the jump.

T For Texas: A When You Awake Mixtape:

1. Bobby Bare- Goin’ Back To Texas (One More Horses Ass)
2. Waylon Jennings- I’m A Ramblin’ Man
3. Willie Nelson- Whiskey River
4. Buck Owens- Foolin’ Around
5. Amos Milburn- Chicken Shack Boogie
6. Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs- Wooly Bully
7. Roy Head- Treat Her Right
8. Bobby Fuller Four- I Fought The Law
9. Buddy Holly- Oh Boy!
10. Texas Tornadoes- Who Were You Thinking Of?
11. George Jones (with George Pitney)- I’ve Got Five Dollars And It’s Saturday Night
12. Roger Miller- Chug-A-Lug
13. Roy Orbison- Dream Baby
14. Lydia Mendoza- Mal Hombre

Willie Nelson performing “My Window Faces The South” live on the Ernest Tubb Show. He’s backed by Tubb’s band the Texas Troubadours with Leon Rhodes featured on lead guitar. Check out more videos of the Texas Troubadours after the jump. Best pickers this side of the Mississippi!

Click here to view the embedded video.The Texas Troubadours (feat. Buddy Charleton and Leon Rhodes)- Cool It

Click here to view the embedded video.The Texas Troubadours (feat. Buddy Charleton and Leon Rhodes)- Honey Fingers

Click here to view the embedded video.The Texas Troubadours - Rhodes-Bud Boogie

Click here to view the embedded video.Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours- I’ll Take A Back Seat For You

To celebrate the release of the new Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and The Cairo Gang album, The Wonder Show of the World, the folks over at Domino Records have commissioned 150 Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (aka Will Oldham) bottle stoppers.

Each of the bottle stoppers was individually hand carved by artist Scott Millar and comes with a digital download of the album, which is due out March 23 in the U.S. via Drag City and March 29 in the UK via Domino.  The bottle stoppers are available now for pre-order exclusively through Domino Mart and are selling for £25.00 a stopper (roughly $37.97 before shipping). Needless to say, I have a feeling these things will sell out quickly so get one while you can.

Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings and Emmylou Harris singing Gram Parsons’ “Hickory Wind” live on September 19, 1999 for the PBS show Sessions at West 54th Street.

Renegade. Outlaw. Legend. is the 2002 documentary that traces Waylon Jennings’ life from his days as Buddy Holly’s protégé to his battles with the Nashville system, drug addiction and recovery. The film features rare footage and interviews with Jennings plus guest appearances by Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Jessi Colter, Rodney Crowell, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Harlan Howard and others. The Youtube player is set up like a playlist, so when the first clip stops, the next clip will automatically start. Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m heading down to Austin, Texas later this week for South by South West and will be DJing Aquarium Drunkard’s No Jacket Required Party. Join AD and I for a day of revelry this Thursday, March 18th, at Lamberts from noon-6pm. It’s a free day party with no badges or wristbands needed. We also don’t have a RSVP list, first come/first served is how we like it.  So come on out, hear some music, have a drink and be sure to say hello! Complete lineup (with times) is after the jump.

MP3: The Growlers- Wandering Eyes (buy)
MP3: Roadside Graves- My Son’s Home (buy)

Lineup:

12:00: The Love Language
12:45: The Growlers
1:30: Futurebirds
2:15: Roadside Graves
3:00: Blair
3:45: The Henry Clay People
4:30: Warpaint
5:15: Happy Hollows

Plus DJ sets by Jody O (When You Awake)