2004 ACL Fest Band Bios

By Michael Corcoran and Joe Gross
Austin American-Statesman

Ryan Adams

(Friday, 7 p.m., SBC Stage)

Alt-country bad boy terrorized journalists on a runaway golf cart in year one of the ACL Fest. His music isn't nearly as dangerous, but Adams has outgrown his Whiskeytown past to establish himself as one of the best young rock writers around.

Most recent CD: "Love Is Hell"

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Terry Allen

(Friday 6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

Visionary West Texas songwriter paints his stories of border town love, trailer park mystics and misdirected beliefs with vivid strokes. Meanwhile, his artwork is informed with an air of musicality. A David Byrne fave.

Most recent CD: "Juarez" reissue

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American Analog Set

(Sunday noon, Heineken Stage)

Austin-based drone wave band builds textures around their subtle melodies.

Most recent CD: "Promise of Love"

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Trey Anastasio

(Saturday 7, 8:45 p.m. SBC Stage)

Phish has been fried, but its Jerry Garcia keeps the expressive hands dancing. With double sets, T.A. is in the String Cheese Incident slot at ACL. (Anastasio's sets will be taped for the "Austin City Limits" TV show.

Most recent CD: "Seis de Mayo"

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Anthropos

(Saturday 2:30 p.m. H-E-B Stage)

Austin's practical arts school students show what they've learned from such classes as "Mathematics of Rhythm."

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Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra

(Sunday 4 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

13-piece, Brooklyn-based world-groove party band picks up where Fela left off, with politically-charged booty-shakers.

Most recent CD: "Who Is This America?"

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Asleep At the Wheel

(Friday 1 p.m. SBC Stage)

The local kings of Western swing always kill at the ACL Fest.

Most recent CD: "The Best Of Asleep At the Wheel"

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Marcia Ball

(Saturday 6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

The W.C. Handy Award winner, as best female blues artist of 2003, this Gulf Coast playgirl is on a roll.

Most recent CD: "So Many Rivers"

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Bobby Bare Jr.

(Sunday 4:40 p.m. BMI Stage)

A punky brand of roots rock from the son of a country music near-legend.

Most recent CD: "From the End of Your Leash"

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Bells Of Joy

(Saturday 3:15 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

Austin's beloved gospel group still sings "Let's Talk About Jesus" as if Don Robey's in the control room.

Most recent CD: "Second Time Around"

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Big Head Todd & the Monsters

(Saturday 3 p.m. SBC Stage)

After performing more than 3,500 shows in the past decade and a half, this Colorado-based trio, led by guitar wiz Todd Mohr, knows how to communicate musically with each other.

Most recent CD: "Crimes Of Passion"

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Biscuit Brothers

(Sunday 3:30 p.m. H-E-B Stage)

A high energy cornpone jamboree — great for kids.

Most recent CD: "Meet the Biscuits!"

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Blind Boys Of Alabama

(Friday 3 p.m. Cingular Stage)

These vintage gospel shouters jump-started the innaurgural ACL Fest and they're back to do it again.

Most recent CD: "I'm a Soldier In the Army of the Lord"

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Doyle Bramhall

(Sunday 2:30 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

The soulful singing blues drummer wrote such Stevie Ray Vaughan hits as "Tightrope" and "Life By the Drop."

Most recent CD: "Fitchburg Street"

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Broken Social Scene

(Friday 6 p.m. Bank Of America Stage)

Toronto's ruling indie pickup band, graduates from SXSW buzz band.

Most recent CD: "You Forgot It In People"

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Marc Broussard

(Friday 3:10 p.m. BMI Stage)

Blue-eyed soul from Cajun country.

Most recent CD: "Momentary Setback"

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Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

(Saturday 7:15 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

At 80, he's the last of the original electric blues guitarists from Texas, and he wears the tradition proudly.

Most recent CD: "Timeless"

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Solomon Burke

(Friday 5 p.m. SBC Stage)

This soul icon, who cut so many amazing sides for Atlantic Records in the '60s, came back with vengeance, recording one of the best albums of 2002.

Most recent CD: "Don't Give Up On Me"

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Henry Butler

(Friday 3:15 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

Blind since birth, this New Orleans piano legend runs the gamut from percussive jazz to Mardi Gras stomps to classical music.

Most recent CD: "Homeland"

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John Butler Trio

(Friday 4:30 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

Led by the L.A.-born Australian native, who has 4-inch long fingernails on his picking hand, this trio is musically all over the map.

Most recent CD: "Sunrise Over Sea"

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Cake

(Sunday 7:45 p.m. Bank Of America Stage)

This Sacramento quintet plays so many styles that you sometimes forget which band you're listening to. But when they do their career-making hit "The Distance," it all reels in.

Most recent CD: "Pressure Chief"

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Calexico

(Sunday 1:45 p.m. Bank Of America Stage)

Guitarist Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino have marvelously evolved since their Giant Sand days. Airplay on KGSR has made this wide-reaching outfit more popular, locally, than ever before.

Most recent CD: "Feast Of Wine"

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Troy Campbell

(Saturday noon, Austin Ventures Stage)

The former Loose Diamonds singer-songwriter expresses his emotions in a clear, powerful, sincere voice.

Most recent CD: "American Breakdown"

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Neko Case

(Friday 4 p.m. Bank Of America Stage)

Cowpunk pinup girl has maintained an air of mystery throughout her various projects, including a stint in the New Pornographers.

Most recent CD: "Blacklisted"

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Roseanne Cash

(Friday 3 p.m. SBC Stage)

She had to cancel last year to attend father Johnny Cash's funeral, but Rosie's making up with a set that should explore her newer introspective numbers with old hits like "Seven Year Ache."

Most recent CD: "Rules Of Travel"

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Cat Power

(Saturday 1 p.m. Cingular Stage)

Chan Marshall is raw, intimate and sure to spook more than a few festies with her morbid groove.

Most recent CD: "You Are Free"

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Centro-Matic

(Sunday 4 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

Prolific frontman Will Johnson stepped out from Funland's drum kit and started writing songs as if once he stopped he'd have to go back. This Denton-based band has built its rabid audience one fan at a time.

Most recent CD: "Flashes and Cables"

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Cooper's Uncle

(Saturday 12:50 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

Mainstays on the hopped-up Austin bluegrass scene, the Uncle has quickly risen from backyard hoedowns to festival stages, without losing its downhome charm. Warning: campfires are forbidden at the ACL Fest.

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Elvis Costello & the Imposters

(Sunday 4:30 p.m. Cingular Stage)

A recent industee to the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Costello is one of the all-time great songwriters and with a band that's two-thirds of the Attractions (Steve Neive - keys, Pete Thomas - drums), this set should be a crowd-pleaser so long as he stays away from the chamber music.

Most recent CD: "When I Was Cruel"

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Sheryl Crow

(Friday 8:45 p.m. SBC Stage)

When it comes to sultry mainstream rock, Crow wears the yellow jersey, producing a bevy of solid albums in 10 years. "Soak Up the Sun" could be the anthem of the weekend.

Most recent CD: "C'mon C'Mon"

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Kacy Crowley

(Friday 11:30 a.m. BMI Stage)

After her major label deal imploded after just one (reissue) release, this poignant pixie took a year off to study French and ride horses. But when KGSR started playing "Kind Of Perfect" a few times a day, Crowley's career was right where it deserves to be.

Most recent CD: "Moodswing"

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Dashboard Confessional

(Saturday 7 p.m. Cingular Stage)

Chris Carraba's "Screaming Infidelities" will draw a huge crowd of singalong freaks, who will disappear into the night following the set.

Most recent CD: "A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar"

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Howie Day

(Saturday 4 p.m. Bank Of America Stage)

Chicks dig this articulate singer-songwriter from New England who sounds a bit like Dave Matthews Unplugged.

Most recent CD: "Stop All the World Now"

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Deadman

(Saturday 1:10 p.m. BMI Stage)

This Dallas-based, husband-and-wife-led band sounds like they've seen "El Topo" a dozen times. They sound like Muzak in the lobby of a mysterious border town hotel.

Most recent CD: "Paramour"

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Dirty Dozen Brass Band

(Sunday 7 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

The legendary New Orleans funeral band mixes all the elements of N.O. jazz into a tasty gumbo, tantalizing everyone from the jamband pack to the diehard traditionalists.

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Drive-By Truckers

(Sunday 5:30 p.m. Heineken Stage)

This five-piece from Alabama has outgrown its goofy name with their brand of thinking person's Southern rock. With 2003's "Decoration Day," a third songwriter, Jason Isbell, was added to complement ringleader Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley.

Most recent CD: "The Dirty South"

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The Durdens

(Sunday 1 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

Family gospel act has charmed audiences in and around Austin for almost 27 years.

Most recent CD: "New Day"

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Electric Church

(Friday 2 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

Led by drummer Erick Tatuaca and featuring choir members of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, this group was the sleeper hit of last year's fest. Mixing elements of electronica and down home gospel music, the name Electric Church says it all.

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Joe Ely

(Friday 7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

Even as his albums have become more introspective and border-inflected, this Lubbock native's live shows continue to thrill. For this ACL appearance, Ely brings his most rockin' band ever, including guitarist David Grissom.

Most recent CD: "Letter To Laredo"

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Endochine

(Saturday 2:50 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

Austin's known for many styles of music, but it's never been a mecca for modern rock. That could change with this band that delivers its hooks with shards of ringing guitars.

Most recent CD: "Day Two"

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Guy Forsyth

(Sunday noon, Bank Of America Stage)

A multi-talented singer/ songwriter/ guitarist/ showman, Forsyth made an impact on the Austin scene soon after relocating from Kansas City in the early '90s. Along with his new labelmates, Los Lonely Boys (Forsyth has just signed to Or Music), he continues to prod the limits of what constitutes the blues.

Most recent CD: "Voices Inside..."

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Donovan Frankenreiter

(Sunday 6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

A former pro surfer, this Jack Johnson protege (who sounds a little more like G. Love) is building a fan base by waves. He'll be backed by his band, Sunchild, which sounds like a hippie group until you realize the name comes from a William Blake poem.

Most recent CD: "Donovan Frankenreiter"

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Franz Ferdinand

(Friday 8 p.m. Bank Of America Stage)

Much has happened to this Scottish band since SXSW, and all of it good. Their self-titled album has gone gold and won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, for the best album by a UK act. Tough guitars can't disguise this Kinks-like band's brilliant melodies.

Most recent album: "Franz Ferdinand"

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G. Love and Special Sauce

(Saturday 5 p.m. SBC Stage)

An ACL Festival perennial (they can battle Robert Randolph as Fest Pet) this Philadelphia stew of funk, blues and hip-hop continues to evolve musicially.

Most recent CD: "The Hustle"

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David Garza

(Sunday 7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

This prolific musical chameleon had a major flirtation with Atlantic Records and still made albums on the side for his own label. And now there's a four-disc boxed set for his devoted followers.

Most recent CD: "A Strange Mess of Flowers"

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Gomez

(Friday 8 p.m. Heineken Stage)

Look at this: a '90s guitar band from Britain that's still around, still making records and still tearing up audiences.

Most recent CD: "Split the Difference"

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The Gospelaires

(Saturday, 12:45 p.m., Capital Metro Stage)

Formed in 1995 by Warren Stallworth and Alonzo Williams, this spiritual group from Austin rides a funky guitar groove.

Most recent CD: "Wake Up America"

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Gourds

(Saturday, 4 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Austin's best band, six years running, this five-piece refuses to be pegged, so don't even try.

Most recent CD: "Cow, Fish, Fowl or Pig"

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Pat Green

(Sunday 6:30 p.m. Cingular Stage)

The poet laureate of ballcap country music, this Austinite sells out 18,000-seat arenas. And with last year's "Wave On Wave" he finally got some decent reviews, not to mention a gold album.

Most recent CD: "Wave On Wave"

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The Greencards

(Saturday 11:30 a.m. BMI Stage)

Charming Australian/ British transplants who can bluegrass better than some musicians who grew up in Appalachia. Mandolin player Kym Warner is especially impressive.

Most recent CD: "Movin' On"

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Patty Griffin

(Friday 5 p.m. Cingular Stage)

Austin's sweetheart has had her songs recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris and Reba McEntire, but nobody sings them as gorgeously as P.G.

Most recent CD: "The Impossible Dream"

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Butch Hancock

(Friday 5:15 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

If Joe Ely is the Springsteen of the Flatlanders and Jimmie Dale Gilmore its Willie Nelson, Hancock is the Dylan of the trinity of singer-songwriters from Lubbock. His lyrics are both mystical and flesh-piercing.

Most recent CD: "Wheels Of Fortune"

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Ben Harper

(Sunday 8:30 p.m. SBC Stage)

Last year's ACL performance in front of an estimated 40,000 rapt fans earns Harper the big fest-closing slot this year. Harper is that rare artist appreciated by both fans of jam bands and songwriters like Patty Griffin and capable of casting a spell in a spacious stadium or field.

Most recent CD: "There Will Be a Light" with Blind Boys of Alabama (out Sept. 21)

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Earl Harvin Trio

(Sunday 12:50 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

The former touring drummer for Seal and Psychedelic Furs, among others, Harvin is best playing adventurous jazz with keyboardist David Palmer and bassist Fred Hamilton.

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Terri Hendrix

(Friday 4 p.m. Austin ventures Stage)

This homespun poet from San Marcos continues to grow as an artist, with each ensuing album charting the ascent. Onstage, she enjoys a charming rapport with her producer/ guitarist Lloyd Maines.

Most recent CD: "The Art Of Removing Wallpaper"

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The Holmes Brothers

(Saturday 4:30 p.m. Cap Metro Stage)

Wendell Holmes fuels this New York-based gospel trio with some of the grittiest guitar playing this side of J.J. Cale. The new album contains great covers of songs by Townes Van Zandt, Bob Marley, Willie Nelson and a surprisingly soulful rendition of "Shine" by Collective Soul.

Most recent CD: "Simple Truths"

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The Honorary Title

(Friday 5:10 p.m. BMI Stage)

The duo of singer Jarrod Gorbel and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Kamstra came bustin' out of Brooklyn as the handpicked opening act of Dashboard Confessional, giving DashCon fans two acts to fawn over at ACL.

Most recent CD: "Anything Else But the Truth"

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Jack Ingram

(Sunday 5:15 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

The first of the current generation of Texas college-friendly singer-songwriters, Ingram is the consummate pro in concert, fielding a muscular alt-country band that shares a bassist with the Bottle Rockets.

Most recent CD: "Jack Ingram Live"

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Jack Johnson

(Sunday 4:30 p.m. SBC Stage)

A barefooted Hawaiian whose music goes oceans beyond "Aloha Oe," Johnson shocked the music biz by selling more than a million copies of his "Brushfire Fairytales" debut. Maybe it's the boy band looks fronting smart, expressive songs.

Most recent CD: "On and On"

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Mason Jennings

(Saturday 12:15 p.m. Bank of America Stage)

Jack Johnson and Ben Harper are two of this Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter's biggest fans, talking him up in the press, so look for a spillover of fans.

Most recent CD: "Use Your Voice"

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The Killers

(Friday 1 p.m. Cingular Stage)

This Las Vegas-based band has come a long way since the inside room at Stubb's just a couple months ago. The reason they're playing one of the biggest stages at ACL can be heard on the great debut "Hot Fuzz." The new wave sound never hit this hard.

Most recent CD: "Hot Fuzz"

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Dayna Kurtz

(Friday 12:50 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage)

Austin is the second biggest market (next to Philadelphia) for this N.J.-based singer of sultry, blues-tinged pop songs. You may have heard "Love Gets In the Way" on KGSR.

Most recent CD: "Beautiful Yesterday"

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Ben Kweller

(Sunday 3:30 p.m. Bank of America Stage)

Even as it seemed that his teenaged band Radish was just a group some New Yorker writer made up, Kweller has forged on with an impressive solo career that finds him veering between Beck's quirkiness and the pop rock smarts of the Strokes.

Most recent CD: "On My Way"

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Ray Lamontagne

(Saturday 2 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Hard-traveling singer-songwriter builds on classic songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and CSN&Y.

Most recent CD: "Trouble"

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Tucker Livingston

(Friday, noon, Austin Ventures Stage)

Local songwriter and son of The Lost Gonzo Band's Bob Livingston mixes gentle folk rock and rootsy tuneage.

Most recent CD: "Tucker Livingston"

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Los Amigos Invisibles

(Saturday 6 p.m. Heineken Stage)

Venezuelan dance band full of funk rhythms, disco beats and Latin grooves.

Most recent CD: "The Venezuelan Zinga Son, Vol. 1"

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Los Lonely Boys

(Friday 8:45 p.m., Cingular Stage)

Tightly harmonizing, San Angelo siblings might be the most important Central Texas export since Stevie Ray Vaughan. Their potent combination of blues, country, and rock have landed on the Billboard charts.

Most recent CD: "Los Lonely Boys"

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Louque

(Friday, 12:15 p.m., Bank of America Stage)

Say it "Luke" when you see him around and look for his mix of Brooklyn beats and Louisiana songwriting.

Most recent CD: "So Long"

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Shelby Lynne

(Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Cingular Stage)

Brassy-yet-subtle singer and songwriter who can blend gospel, blues, country and rock. Mysteriously, her 2001 album "I Am Shelby Lynne," her seventh, won a Best New Artist Grammy.

Most recent CD: "Identity Crisis"

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Willy Mason

(Friday 1:10 p.m., BMI Stage)

Willfully mysterious singer-songwriter.

Most recent CD: "Willy Mason"

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Joe McDermott

(Saturday, 3:30 p.m., H-E-B Stage)

This former leader of late '80s Austin rock band Grains of Faith is now a rockin' children's artist. In 2003, he won a Parents' Choice Award Silver Honor and a Gold Award winner in the "Music, Ages 4 and Up" category of the 2003 National Parenting Publications Awards for Children's Resources.

Most recent CD: "Everywhere You Go."

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Medeski, Martin & Wood

(Sunday 7:30 p.m., Heineken Stage)

A smart, expansive jam band that combines classically-trained chops with soul-jazz, rock riffs, reggae vibes, Afrobeat, and hip-hop breaks: a perfect Austin blend.

Most recent CD: "Uninvisible"

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Mighty Sincere Voices of Navasota

(Sunday, 11:30 a.m., Cap Metro Stage)

A family-based group of eight gospel singers backed by a potent instrumental band with one of the best band names of all time.

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Lucas Miller

(Sunday 1:30 p.m., H-E-B Stage)

This local humorist and singer mixes zoology and storytelling into children's music.

Most recent CD: "The Anaconda Labamba"

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Mofro

(Sunday, 1:50 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

These dudes play tough swamp rock with a bluesy, funky edge.

Most recent CD: "Blackwater"

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Monte Montgomery

(Saturday, 7:10 p.m., BMI Stage)

This amazing acoustic Austinite (and Luckenbach native) has been a musicmaker since his teens. Dig his gorgeous guitar playing.

Most recent CD: "The Story of Love"

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Abra Moore

(Saturday, 5:15 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

This former member of Poi Dog Pondering has become an Austin fixture, a graceful and powerful songwriter who is one of ACL fest's few three-peat artists.

Most recent CD: "Everything Changed"

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Modest Mouse

(Saturday, 5 p.m., Cingular Stage)

This triumphant rock band spent a nearly a decade in the indie rock trenches before ending up on Sony Records in 1997. The move seems to have made the band's art all the stronger, and leader Isaac Brock still flexes his indie-rock chops with side projects like Ugly Casanova.

Most recent CD: "Good News for People Who Love Bad News"

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Trish Murphy

(Saturday, 3:10 p.m., BMI Stage)

A talented Houston native, substantive yet whimsical, who's become a beloved fixture on the Austin songwriter scene.

Most recent CD: "Girls Get In Free"

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My Morning Jacket

(Saturday, 6 p.m., Bank of America Stage)

Three guitars strong, just like Skynyrd, these guys have produced some of the finest Southern alt-rock of the past 15 years. Expect blissful solos and epic r-'n'-r crunch.

Most recent CD: "It Still Moves"

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The Neville Brothers

(Saturday, 8 p.m., Bank of America Stage)

This is debut Austin City Limits Music Festival appearance for the band that put New Orleans soul on the national map with funky beats and shatteringly beautiful vocals.

Most recent CD: "Walkin' in the Shadow of Life"

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New Monsoon

(Saturday, 1:50 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

Percussion-heavy San Francisco septet brings seriously complicated polyrhythms to ethno-jazz riffs and jam band grooves.

Most recent album: "Downstream"

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North Mississippi Allstars

(Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Led by the sons of legendary Memphis producer Jim Dickinson, The North Mississippi Allstars have found a home in recombinant, jam band rock, blending the backwoods electric blues of their home state with punky grit and instrumental prowess. Upcoming live album is their best CD yet.

Most recent album: "Live at Bonnaroo" (to be released Oct. 2004)

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Old 97's

(Saturday, 3 p.m., Cingular Stage)

These Dallas-based rockers have gone from country-rock to tough bar band pop and back again. Frontman Rhett Miller remained the thinking fan's alt-country heartthrob.

Most recent album: "Drag It Up"

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Ollabelle

(Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Cap Metro Stage)

Ollabelle singer Amy Helm is the daughter of legendary Band drummer Levon Helm, so expect their rethink of gospel, jazz, folk, blues and pop to have that ol' Band swing.

Most recent album: "Ollabelle"

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Palm Elementary Choir

(Saturday, 1:30 p.m., H-E-B Stage)

The Palm Elementary School Choir is comprised of up to 70 grade school age boys and girls, accompanied by local Austin rock musicians. They perform original material written by their teacher and the choir director, Gavin Tabone.

Most recent CD: "Dreaming of Mars"

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Papa Mali

(Sunday, 2:40 p.m., BMI Stage)

Austin's own dreadlocked post-reggae, world beat, bayou-bluesman can be seen all over town.

Most recent CD: "Thunder Chicken"

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Particle

(Friday, 6 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Funktastic jam band with spacey synths as much disco-fabulous and club-worthy as Phish-ish.

Most recent album: "Launchpad"

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Patrice Pike

(Sunday, 2:50 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

Patrice Pike began in Dallas, but it's in Austin that she's made her mark as a sprightly and powerful songwriter, most recently with her newest outfit, Patrice Pike and The Black Box Rebellion.

Most recent CD: "Fencing Under Fire"

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The Pierces

(Friday, 2:50 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

Allison and Catherine Pierce were on their way to becoming ballet dancers when they decided music — rich, melodic, textured music — was the way they best access their muse.

Most recent CD: "The Light of the Moon"

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The Pixies

(Saturday, 8:45 p.m., Cingular Stage)

Nobody ever thought that they would see guitarist/vocalist Black Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black), bassist Kim Deal, guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Lovering in the same room together, let alone on-stage, playing music as the Pixies. This is the year's biggest rock reunion and the biggest buzz band of this year's ACL fest as the Pixies noisy pop melodies and bizarre lyrics enabled an entire generation of alternative rock.

Most Recent CD: "Wave of Mutilation"

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Davis Raines

(Sunday, 11:20 a.m., BMI Stage)

This country singer-songwriter used to captain a maximum security prison in Alabama, where, for a time, he was in charge of Death Row. Which means you probably shouldn't heckle this guy.

Most recent CD: "Parts Unknown"

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Rebirth Brass Band

(Friday, 7:15 p.m., Cap Metro Stage)

The brass band has as proud tradition in New Orleans, and these guys are determined to give the brass band a modern spin. Think: R&B plus hip-hop, jazz plus riffs, soul plus ragtime.

Most recent CD: "Rebirth For Life"

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Reckless Kelly

(Saturday, 7:45 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

Willie and Cody Braun came from Idaho, but it's here in Austin that their populist country songwriting has made their band one of the city's most popular live draws.

Most recent CD: "Under the Table and Above the Sun"

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Bruce Robison

(Saturday, 4:00 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

Sure, he's best known as Mr. Kelly Willis, but he's also one of the most well-respect songwriters in modern country, penning hits for George Strait, the Dixie Chicks, and Tim McGraw, not to mention his own excellent albums.

Most recent CD: "Country Sunshine"

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The Roots

(Sunday, 2:30 p.m., SBC Stage)

This Grammy-winning Philadelphia band has borne the burden of proof for live hip-hop for over a decade. On their most recent album, they tried their hand at sampling, but their live show is still where they prove themselves totally crunk and totally old school.

Most recent CD: "The Tipping Point"

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Rose Hill Drive

(Sunday, noon, Austin Ventures Stage)

Riff-heavy power trio rock straight outta Boulder, Colo. Their buzz seems to be growing by the minute.

Most recent CD: four-song sampler

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Josh Rouse

(Saturday, 2 p.m., Bank of America Stage)

This cool Nashville songwriter's fondness for '70s tunesmithery doesn't hide his obvious talent.

Most recent CD: "1972"

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Bob Schneider

(Friday, 2 p.m., Bank of America Stage)

An Austin favorite who seems comfortable with all sorts of genres, from countrified-rock to funky singer-songwriter fare.

Most recent CD: "I'm Good Now"

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The Shields of Faith

(Saturday, 2 p.m., Cap Metro Stage)

A San Antonio-based gospel act that isn't afraid to engage modern R&B and funky guitars.

Most recent CD: "We Are Who We Are."

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Slightly Stoopid

(Saturday, 12:15 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Is it skate rock? Are these guys a jam band? Are they the sort of combination that can only happen in Southern California? Yep.

Most recent CD: "Everything You Need"

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The Slip

(Friday, 2 p.m., Heineken Stage )

Brothers Brad and Andrew Barr and Marc Friedman twist jazz into their own tough, groovy shapes.

Most recent CD: "Alivelectric"

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Sloan

(Friday, 4 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Canadian pop-rock super-stars who are tragically underrated in the U.S.

Most recent CD: "Action Pact"

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Mindy Smith

(Sunday, 1:45 p.m., Heineken Stage )

A New Yorker whose career came together when she moved to Nashville, she's considered a rising Americana star.

Most recent CD: "One Moment More"

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The Soul Stirrers

(Friday, 5:45 p.m., Cap Metro Stage)

Having launched the career of Same Cooke (among others), they are the only gospel group to be inducted into the America's Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (1988) and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1989). All this, and they come from Trinity, Texas, and have been around in some form since in 1927,

Most recent CD: "Revisited"

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The Soundtrack of Our Lives

(Saturday, 1 p.m., SBC Stage)

Union Carbide Productions was one of the great (perhaps the great) Swedish post-punk act. After they split up in 1995, Carbide singer Ebbot Lundberg (who is fond of tunics) and guitarists Bjorn Olsson and Ian Person decided to fuse old school arena-rock riffology with psychedelic trippiness.

Most recent CD: "Behind the Music"

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Spoon

(Sunday, 5:30 p.m., Bank of America Stage)

Led by songwriter Britt Daniel, this minimalist rock trio have, over nearly 10 years, become one of the best bands in Austin history. Look for a new album this fall or winter.

Most recent CD: "Kill the Moonlight"

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Samantha Stollenwerck

(Sunday, 12:55 p.m., BMI Stage)

Stollenwerck seems determined to be the next big kitchen sink rocker, as her tunes range from straight ahead Americana to soulful pop to jam band rock.

Most recent CD: "Square One"

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Tea Leaf Green

(Friday, noon, Heineken Stage)

One of the newest and most exciting West Coast jam band scene, these dudes combine funk-jazz with straight-up rock.

Most recent CD: "Living In Between"

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Toots & the Maytals

(Friday, 7 p.m., Cingular Stage)

Of course Toots & the Maytals are reggae legends. Frederick "Toots" Hibbert invented the word ("reggae," not "legend") He also sang "Pressure Drop," one of the most wonderful rock steady songs in history. No wonder everyone and their mom wanted to guest on his most recent album.

Most recent CD: "True Love"

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Trout Fishing in America

(Friday, 5:00 p.m., H-E-B Stage)

Trout Fishing hail from Houston and are a family-friendly combination of Latin music, rock, blues and jazz.

Most recent CD: "infinity"

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J.T. Van Zandt

(Friday, 7:10 p.m., BMI Stage)

It must be tough following your dad into a career that he did really really well, but J.T. Van Zant, the son of Townes Van Zant, makes it look easy.

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The Wailers

(Saturday, 8 p.m., Heineken Stage)

Original Wailers bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett still leads this most primal (not to mention famous) of reggae bands, the act which drove Bob Marley to stardom.

Most recent CD: "Live"

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Warrior

(Saturday, 11:30 p.m., Cap Metro Stage)

Rev. Sterling Lands II has lead this local gospel group since 1996. Warrior's musical roots go back to vert beginning of African-American music.

Most recent CD: "Holiday Melodies"

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Walter "Wolfman" Washington

(Saturday, 5:45 p.m., Cap Metro Stage)

Guitarist and singer Walter "Wolfman" Washington combines down-home blues, old-school soul, and plenty of brass into the sort of gumbo that only New Orleans could produce.

Most recent CD: "On the Prowl"

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Dale Watson

(Friday, 1:50 p.m., Austin Ventures Stage)

Austin's favorite honky-tonker.

Most recent CD: "Dreamland"

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Jason White

(Sunday, 6:40 p.m., BMI Stage)

Detail-oriented Nashville songwriter whose "Red Ragtop," a smart, honest and controversial song about abortion, made him mighty famous was covered by country megastar Tim McGraw.

Most recent CD: "Tonight's Top Story"

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Wilco

(Sunday, 6:30 p.m., SBC Stage)

Complicated Chicago-based band that's moved from straight-forward alt-country to fascinating alternative rock that combines strong, Neil Young-ish songwriting with avant-garde flourishes.

Most recent CD: "A Ghost is Born"

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Holly Williams

(Saturday, 5:10 p.m., BMI Stage)

Yes, she is the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr. Yes, she covered granddad's "How Can You Refuse Him Now." Yes, her own songwriting might well make her famous in spite of all that.

Most recent CD: "Ones We Never Knew"

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Kelly Willis

(Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Cingular Stage)

The beloved queen of Austin singer-songwriters.

Most recent CD: "Easy"

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Rachel Yamagata

(Sunday, 12:30 p.m., SBC Stage)

Enigmatic, jazzy songwriter with a rapidly building buzz.

Most recent CD: "Happenstance"