‘Texas Sun’ a short, sweet EP

‘Wagon Wheel’ keeps rolling

PBy Melanie J. Sims

sychedelic funk meets vintage R&B at the crossroads of soul on “Texas Sun”, the collaborative EP from the Houston native trio Khruangbin and Fort Worth, Texas’ own Leon Bridges. Together, the singer and the trio of musicians – bassist Laura Lee, guitarist Mark Speer and drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson – meld their sound for four tracks of pure bliss.

The collaboration works exceptionally well, with both parties maintaining their unique styles while sharing the spotlight. That’s certainly the case on “Midnight”, with Bridges’ old-school vocals melting like butter over Khruangbin’s spaced-out strings and cowbell. “Midnight black on the outside… I remember how it was back then, we were just young ones,” Bridges sings, reminiscing on young romance.

It’s worth noting that while Bridges is the guy with the microphone, Khruangbin does plenty in terms of leading the way. The band lays down 20 seconds of exotic instrumentation before Bridges ever croons a word on the sexy, playful track “C-Side”. The band also deserves special recognition for (somehow) capturing a big country energy with world music bones on the EP’s title track.

Together, Bridges and Khruangbin specialize in serving up the unexpected. Their song “Conversion” borrows from the church hymn “At the Cross”, and finds Bridges singing some of the traditional lyrics alongside his own confession: “I was chained to my sin/I was lovin’, evil

involving a new accuser, adding to the jailed singer’s mounting legal challenges across three states.

The 13-count superseding indictment doesn’t add more charges against Kelly. It includes multiple counts of child pornography and isn’t substantially different from the original July indictment, which

Kelly

Williams

deeds in the dark/I was huggin’ them tight.”

“Texas Sun” is a perfect EP – as unboxed and beautiful as the state’s big sky.

Country singer Darius Rucker couldn’t quite believe it when he was surprised this week with the news that his song “Wagon Wheel” was certified eight times platinum, making it one of the top five most popular country singles ever.

On Wednesday, Rucker stopped by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to see his items in an exhibit, but his label, Universal Music Group Nashville, surprised him with a plaque featuring eight platinum-colored records.

After repeating the word “Wow!” over and over, Rucker muttered to himself, “That can’t be true,” as he inspected the plaque in his hands.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, “Wagon Wheel” now joins other multiplatinum hits among country music’s biggest songs in RIAA’s 60-year history, including Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”, Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now”, Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise”, and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”.

“It’s amazing to me because I came here to make country music, and I didn’t expect success and I didn’t expect to be on the radio,” said Rucker, who had already had a highly successful rock career as lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish.

He joked at seeing his CMA new artist of the year trophy behind glass, noting it happened for him when he was in his 40s. (AP)

also had 13 counts.

What’s new in the filing is a reference to an accuser called “Minor 6.” But the indictment no longer includes any reference to a “Minor 2,” meaning there are still a total of five alleged victims in the Chicago federal case. (AP)

JACKSON, Miss.:

A legendary rodeo clown who spent decades performing has died after the final performance of the 55th Annual Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock Show in Mississippi.

Lecile Harris, 83, died in his sleep after the show Wednesday night in Jackson, news outlets reported citing a release from the Mississippi Fair Commission.

Born in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, Harris gained popularity after starring in the television show “Hee Haw” as well as roles in other TV shows and movies. (AP)