It’s rare when the stars align and it’s happening right now! Legacy musician/artists and friends Reverend Horton Heat, Dale Watson and Jason D. Williams are aligning forces to tour the US. The tour is aptly titled “Stars Align”. It was suggested by Jennifer Williams, wife of Jason D. and Atomic Music Group agent, that a recording should be made to celebrate the tour.
So, Jim Heath (aka Reverend Horton Heat), Dale Watson (Country legend) and Jason D. Williams (greatest piano wild man) got together at Dale Watson’s studio in Memphis.
At Wat-Sun Studio, owned by Dale Watson, the trio, somewhat inspired by the Sun Records “Million Dollar Quartet”, cut two Watson compositions in one rollicking afternoon.
“Honky Tonk Birthday” and “Last Man Standing” were recorded in an old-fashioned style – all together in a room with vintage microphones and the same type of mixer that Sam Phillips used for recording his 1950’s Sun Records releases. The product led to the release of the two-song EP “Stars Align.”
The first single, “Honky Tonk Birthday” is exactly what the title suggests. The trio trade off vocal duties and sing together in the fast, rockin’ and rollin’, somewhat drunk and fun sounding piece of birthday greeting music – going to some earth-shakin’ places “Happy Birthday” never could have reached. It is sure to please the rock and rollers as well as the country dancers all over the world. It also could be destined to be a traditional birthday song for the honky-tonk crowd.
“Honky Tonk Birthday” starts off with The Rev., Dale and Jason D. all singing the chorus, then Jason D. sings the first verse in his awesome and authentic Jerry Lee inspired style. The Rev comes in with his manic voice on the second half of each verse, then Dale does the second verse in his signature real-deal country style of vocalizing. Mixed in are wild solos too – piano by Jason D. and lead guitar by The Rev.
This rocker is sure to be a hit!
Stars Align Tour Dates
2/29 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar
3/1 – Tucson, AZ – Hotel Congress
3/2 – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
3/3 – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
3/5 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s
3/6 – Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing Company
3/7 – Long Beach, CA – Alex’s Bar
3/10 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
3/12 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
3/13 – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Coach House Concert Hall
3/14 – Ventura, CA – The Majestic Ventura Theater
3/15 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz
3/16 – Concord, CA – Vinnie’s Bar & Grill
3/17 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall
3/18 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
3/19 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
3/21 – Eugene, OR – John Henry’s
3/22 – Portland, OR – Starlight Patio & Lounge at the Star Theater
3/23 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
3/24 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo House Of Music
3/26 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
3/27 – Seattle, WA – Triple Door
3/30 – Olympia, WA – Capitol Theater
4/2 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater