FEATURES

Texas Twisters: The self-proclaimed Great State has produced unique and enduring music, but few favorite sons find the success they’re due. Why? Bob Girouard looks for answers

Les Paul Mondays: He played here once a week for decades. Now guitarists the world over come to play the Iridium to honor the man who made their careers possible by Levi Davis

DEPARTMENTS

Letter From an Intern: Artistry vs. gimmickry: Intern Limia Mohamed casts a steely eye on the antics of the rich and ribald, and she ain’t buying it. Neither should we

Influences: Enduring songs from two pens: Smokey Robinson and Jimmy Webb travel different roads from Motown to Success

Kickin’ In Your Stall: Carl Gustafson and band hire a producer to serve up a dose of harsh reality

On The Record: John Mellencamp turns in not one but two great releases. Heavy topics abound: Los Lobos talks about Trust, Dolly about Inspiration, Tom Petty on Mojo, Charlie Musselwhite on The Well, JJ Grey on a Georgia Warhorse, Alejandro Escovedo, at last, on Love

Re.Issues: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble made history like the Normandy invasion—a brief event with long-lasting effects. Chubby Checker, Tommy James and others resurface

Sat. Night and Sun. Morning: John Kuroski peers below the surface of James Brown and Clyde McPhatter

Pet Sounds: The blues pushes to the fore every couple decades, and Ali Green sees new fans in the under-30 set

Get A Grip: Possessed of an apparently inexhaustible closet, Steve Walbridge bares more dirty secrets

What’d I Say: Jim Hynes profiles five distinct sounds that earn a place on our map

Also Appearing: Bonnaroo bands offer Melissa Caruso advice on surviving the road; Pornographers, a Potter, a Miller and others perform live, while Williamsburg, Wellmont and Winery provide more stages

Collecting: Get a toehold on the Lone Star State. Arnie Goodman collects Texas artists, and finds a lot more than yee-haw