Wayne Bledsoe

• Bledsoe: Tom Waits' live 'Glitter' is pure bliss Published 11/20/2009 at 6:34 p.m.

  Those lucky enough to see a show on Tom Waits' 2008 "Glitter and Doom" tour had the chance to see one of the world's most inspired artists in his element. Waits is not only one of the best songwriters alive, ...

• Bledsoe: Songwriting is at fault on Norah Jones' 'The Fall' Published 11/13/2009 at 6:23 p.m.

  In 2002, Norah Jones became a quiet sensation. Her debut album "Come Away With Me" proved her to be a rare singer who understood subtlety and nuance amongst a field of pop divas who sounded as if they were gargling ...

• Bledsoe: 'Dolly' box helps affirm Parton as music great Published 10/30/2009 at 6:06 p.m.

  It seems as if Dolly Parton is as much legend as a real human being. She's a classic American rags-to-riches story, a personality that's bigger than life - even when her hair isn't hampering air traffic. And while she's worked ...

• Bledsoe: Music is the therapy for tragedy for music vet Dave Alvin Published 10/23/2009 at 5:29 p.m.

  Dave Alvin calls his current band, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, "one of the most amazing bands" he's ever worked with. Yet, the circumstances of the group have been bookended by tragedies.

• Bledsoe: Avett Brothers' big-label break not their best Published 10/09/2009 at 6:01 p.m.

  There's a lot riding on the Avett Brothers' "I & Love & You." The release takes the scrappy North Carolina band from being one of the best acoustic underground acts in Americana music to an act that just might give ...

• Bledsoe: The Gourds still grow outside confines of music biz Updated 10/08/2009 at 12:27 p.m.

  The Gourds are just about the most joyous group of contrarians in music. Try to describe them and you’re stuck. It’s a little country, little folky, a little old-timey and a little progressive. There are elements of Tex-Mex, Cajun, rock, ...

• Bledsoe: Robert Earl Keen satisfies; Mark Mulcahy tribute is fascinating Published 09/25/2009 at 5:20 p.m.

  There are few more personable voices in music than that of Robert Earl Keen. A contemporary of Lyle Lovett (the two wrote the great "The Front Porch Song" while they were both students at Texas A and M) and championed ...

• Bledsoe: Rarities shine in new'Nuggets' Published 09/20/2009 at midnight

  Ever since Lenny Kaye compiled the first "Nuggets" albums in 1972, garage rock has enjoyed a little extra (and deserved) credibility.

• Bledsoe: Black Crowes are hot on 'Frost' Published 09/13/2009 at midnight

  "Before the Frost ...," "... Until the Freeze," The Black Crowes (Silver Arrow)

• Bledsoe: Royal Bangs bring on the noise, bring on the fuzz on 'Let It Beep' Published 09/04/2009 at 5 p.m.

  It's loud. It's noisy. It is in love with distortion. This is Royal Bangs' new album "Let It Beep." The Knoxville band's first new recording since signing with Audio Eagle Records (owned by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys) is ...

• Literary Knoxville: 'The Road' film wins McCarthy's approval, but will it sell? Published 11/22/2009 at midnight

  LOS ANGELES - There was a moment where John Hillcoat and Joe Penhall, director and screenwriter, respectively, of "The Road," felt a simultaneous sense of dread.

• Bonnaroo dates, prices confirmed Published 11/20/2009 at midnight

  The dates for next year's Bonnaroo, ticket prices and on-sale times have been confirmed, but music fans will have to wait until 2010 to find out what acts will be playing at the festival.

• Ashley Cleveland's spirit continues to be nourished by rock Published 11/19/2009 at 3:17 p.m.

  Ashley Cleveland is one of contemporary Christian music's most respected artists. She's earned three Grammys for Best Rock Gospel Album, a Dove Award for Best Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and regularly earns accolades from critics and peers. ...

• Amanda Palmer is more than just doll parts Published 11/19/2009 at 12:39 p.m.

  Amanda Palmer is jet-lagged. "I was in China and Singapore for a week," she says. "I slept all day yesterday." She's currently touring to support her latest album with the band Nervous Cabaret.

• Beaten Awake Updated 11/20/2009 at 6:01 p.m.

  Rock band Beaten Awake will perform at Pilot Light.

• With debut album forthcoming, jazz man Rocky Wynder isn't winding down Published 11/19/2009 at 11:39 a.m.

  At 81, Rocky Wynder is a Knoxville legend. A saxophonist from the smooth, melodic school, he's been a fixture on the scene since the 1950s. Yet, Wynder's new album, "Edwin and Catherine," is also his debut album.

• Review: 'An Education' delivers lessons worth watching Published 11/19/2009 at 11:14 a.m.

  It’s always been a perilous world for teenage girls. In the excellent film “An Education” the perils are not the life-threatening kind, but knowing who to trust and what direction to take are still daunting decisions.

• Bledsoe: Imogen Heap’s breakthrough song still stays in the game Updated 11/19/2009 at 12:47 p.m.

  Imogen Heap has a brand new album out, but her 2005 breakthrough song “Hide and and Seek” was just recently on the top of the pop charts in an extensive sample adapted by Jason DeRulo into the song “Whatcha Say.”

• Influential composer Terry Riley to play 2nd annual Big Ears music fest Updated 11/18/2009 at 6:02 p.m.

  Avant garde music legend Terry Riley will be the artist-in-residence for the 2010 Big Ears Festival. Riley is widely considered to be the dean of minimalist classical music and one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.

• Darius Rucker finds a new way to hoot in country Published 11/12/2009 at 2:34 p.m.

  During the mid-1990s, Darius Rucker's voice was the most recognizable on radio. As lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish, Rucker was the voice of one of the best-selling albums of all time, "Cracked Rear View," which, according to Billboard, ...

View all stories for this staff member.