Jon Rauhouse News

• Artist : Jon Rauhouse
• Album : Bloodied But Unbowed: Bloodshot Records’ Life in the Trenches Soundtrack
• Released & Label : 2006 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Widowmaker (live at Old Town School of Folk Music), Accentuate the Positive w/Kelly Hogan (live at Antone’s), Perfidia w/Sally Timms (live at Antone’s)
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Jon Rauhouse
• Album : Bloodied But Unbowed: Bloodshot Records’ Life in the Trenches DVD
• Released & Label : 2006 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Widowmaker (live at Old Town School of Folk Music), Accentuate the Positive w/Kelly Hogan (live at Antone’s), Perfidia w/Sally Timms (live at Antone’s)

• Artist : Jon Rauhouse
• Album : Voices And Faces Project Volume 1
• Released & Label : 2006
• Credits : She Lives Alone - with Joey Burns & Tommy Connell

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• Artist : Jon Rauhouse
• Album : For A Decade of Sin: 11 Years of Bloodshot Records
• Released & Label : 2005 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Magnificent Seven - played everything (pedal steel, hawaiian guitar, and guitars) except drums and bass which were played by Bill Herzog
• Download at eMusic

• 
  Artist : Neko Case
• Album : Sweetheart 2005
• Released & Label : 2005 Hear Music Starbucks
• Credits : Hawaiian Guitar

• Artist : Neko Case
• Album : Hard Headed Woman : A Celebration of Wanda Jackson
• Released & Label : 2004 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Jon Rauhouse
• Album : 2 Hours From Anywhere - A Collection of Arizona Songwriters
• Released & Label : 2004 Perfect Circle Records
• Credits : Plays and wrote the album’s hidden track
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Neko Case
• Album : Live From Studio 2 Volume II
• Released & Label : 2003 104.1 KBAC Radio Free Santa Fe

• Artist : The Pine Valley Cosmonauts
• Album : The Executioner’s Last Songs, Vol. 2 & 3
• Released & Label : 2003 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Hawaiian Guitar, Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Audio sample :
• Pardon This Coffin : Windows Media :: Real Audio

• Artist : Jon Rauhouse/Andy Hopkins
• Album : The Bottle Let Me Down: Songs for Bumpy Wagon Rides
• Released & Label : 2002 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Vocals, Sample Arrangements, Guitar, Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Audio sample :
• Three Little Fishes : Windows Media :: Real Audio

• Artist : Various Artists
• Album : Respond, Vol. 2
• Released & Label : 2002 Signature Records
• Credits : Pedal Steel

• Artist : Various Artists
• Album : Making Singles, Drinking Doubles
• Released & Label : 2002 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Guitar (Steel), Guest Appearance, Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Carolyn Mark & Her Room-mates
• Album : A Tribute to Robert Altman’s Nashville
• Released & Label : 2002 Mint Records
• Credits : Vocals, Pedal Steel

• Artist : The Pine Valley Cosmonauts
• Album : The Executioner’s Last Songs
• Released & Label : 2002 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Engineer, Banjo
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : John Langford & Kelly Hogan
• Album : Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down: A Tribute to Kris Kristofferson
• Released & Label : 2002 Jackpine Social Club
• Credits : Hawaiian Guitar, Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Neko Case
• Album : The Gift (Original Soundtrack)
• Released & Label : 2001 Will Records
• Credits : Banjo, Pedal Steel

• Artist : Neko Case & Grievous Angels
• Album : Down to the Promised Land: 5 Years of Bloodshot Records
• Released & Label : 2000 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Producer, Pedal Steel Banjo
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Anna Fermin & Friends
• Album : Poor Little Knitter on the Road: A Tribute to the Knitters
• Released & Label : 1999 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Various Artists
• Album : Jukebox Cantina Combo Platter
• Released & Label : 1998 Hayden’s Ferry
• Credits : Mandolin, Pedal Steel

• Artist : Earl C. Whitehead & The Grievous Angels
• Album : Straight Outta Boone County
• Released & Label : 1997 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Artist : Earl C. Whitehead & The Grievous Angels
• Album : Hell-Bent: Insurgent Country, Volume 2
• Released & Label : 1995 Bloodshot Records
• Credits : Pedal Steel
• Download at eMusic

• Audio sample :
• Get It While It’s Hot : Windows Media :: Real Audio

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Track Listing :: Credits :: Buy It :: Reviews :: Back to Disc

It’s becoming apparent: if you sing and have any amount of musical taste, you’ll probably want Jon Rauhouse backing you up on guitar. Which begs the question: does this guy ever slow down? The answer is apparently not.

“Hawaiian Guitar Expedition” is what happens when Rauhouse decides to take a “vacation.” Shirking the aforementioned responsibilities, holed up in a tiny cabin on the Northwest corner of Washington State and goofing off with some music pals, the guitar maestro puts a proverbial grass skirt around a half-dozen new instrumentals. From the John Fahey-goes-to-a-luau inspired “Dusty Canal” to the introspective “Jen’s Tenor,” to the otherworldly “Sweet for Hawaiian Guitar & Saw,” this is music-making at its finest. Rauhouse flavors the rest of this disc with some of his best-loved tracks from his solo recordings. The result? Pure instrumental bliss. No, not the John Tesh/Zamfir kind, the good, pass-me-a-mai-tai kind.
Jason Verlinde of Seattle

Track List

1. Million Dollar Mermaid - WM :: RA
2. Dusty Canal
3. Hula Blues - WM :: RA
4. Jen’s Tenor
5. Homie’s Parade - WM :: RA
6. Sweet for Hawaiian Guitar & Saw
7. Hamma Hamm Hula - WM :: RA
8. Swingin’ Elephant Graveyard - WM :: RA
9. Blue Grouse
10. Moa Lei’ a ‘i - WM :: RA
11. Desert Luau
12. Aloha’oe

Audio Clips
The above are streaming clips of the tracks. WM = Windows Media :: RA = Real Audio

• Songs #1,3,5 appeared previously on Jon Rauhouse’s Steel Guitar Air Show
• Songs #7,8,10 appeared previously on Jon Rauhouse’s Steel Guitar Rodeo
• Song #2 Appeared previously as a hidden track on 2 Hours From Anywhere

Artists

• Frank Judge - voice on “Million Dollar Mermaid”.
• Jon Rauhouse - Hawaiian guitar on all songs, vocal on 3, tenor guitar on 4, archtop guitar on 6 & 9, tiple & uke on 12.
• Tommy Connell - Guitar on 1,3,5,8 & Tenor guitar on 7,10, vocal on 3.
• Norm Pratt - Guitar on “Dusty Canal”.
• Jason Verlinde - Saw on “Sweet for Hawaiian Guitar & Saw”.
• Jennifer Rauhouse - Banjo on “Blue Grouse”.
• Will Lovell - Bass on “Hamma Hamma Hula” & “Moa Lei’ a ‘i”.
• Bill Herzog - Bass & drums on “Sweet for Hawaiian Guitar & Saw”.
• Craig Schumacher - Vocal on “Hula Blues”.
• John Convertino - Drums on “Homie’s Parade”.

• All tracks written by Jon Rauhouse except
• 5 & 8 - written by Jon Rauhouse & Tommy Connell.
• 3 - written by S. Cumba & A. Noble.
• 12 - written by Queen Liluokalani.

Production

• Tracks 4,6,9,11 - Recorded at The Shrine, Lilliwaup, WA.
• Tracks 1,3,5 - Recorded at Wavelab, Tuscon AZ.
• Track 2 - Recorded at The Adobe, Cave Creek, AZ.
• Track 12 - Recorded at Bluesky, Tempe, AZ.
• Tracks 7,8,10 - Recorded at The Shrine, Phoenix, AZ.
• Mastered by Mike Hagler at Kingsize, Chicago, IL.

BUY IT

• “Hawaiian Guitar Expedition” is a tour only / limited release the only other places you’ll be able to get it are -
• Stinkweeds - click here
• Bloodshot Records - click here
• Scratch Records - click here

Reviews

If you’re down with the whole steel guitar scene, it’s pure liquid relaxation.
Read more at Splendidezine

Track Listing :: Credits :: Buy It :: Reviews :: Back to Disc

Track Listing :: Credits :: Buy It :: Reviews :: Back to Disc

The response to Jon Rauhouse’s first CD was soooo strong, we couldn’t stop him from making another. Who would have thought that a record replete with pedal steel and Hawaiian guitar classics would stand a chance in the techno-crazy new millenium? Maybe people miss records that contain actual MUSICIANS. Maybe they like the fact that even grandmaw will want to get down to this stuff and get off your back about all that “noise” you normally pollute your ears with.

Whatever the case, Jon and his gang are back with another installment that will most assuredly put a smile on your face and a beat in your feet. More classics like “Indian Love Call,” “Smoke Rings,” “Perry Mason Theme” and the Raymond Scott, hard as hell to play, you know it from Warner Brothers cartoons “Powerhouse,” a handful of originals, and, for those who just NEED the sound of a human voice, guest vocalists Neko Case, Sally Timms, Howe Gelb (Giant Sand), and Kelly Hogan. “Steel Guitar Rodeo” kicks up some dust, my friends. Help Jon and the gang end the unfair prejudice against instrumentals. This is THE record for dusting off the high-balls, putting a John Wayne DVD in the player, swapping lies about your visit to the Playboy Mansion, and dreaming of faraway scantily clad native gals running down white sand beaches. And remember, go easy on the vermouth, Dino and Don Ho would have wanted it that way.

Track List

1. Introduction - WM :: RA
2. Widowmaker - WM :: RA
3. Smoke Rings - WM :: RA
4. Powerhouse - MP3^*
5. River Of No Return - WM :: RA
6. Ropin’ The Goat - WM :: RA
7. Wishin’ - WM :: RA
8. Roaches To Room Service - WM :: RA
9. Hamma Hamm Hula - WM :: RA
10. (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover - WM :: RA
11. Perry Mason Theme - WM :: RA
12. Indian Love Call - WM :: RA
13. Prisoner Of Love - WM :: RA
14. Jennifer’s Breakdown - WM :: RA
15. Work Work - WM :: RA
16. Swingin’ Elephant Graveyard - WM :: RA
17. Corn & Coffee - WM :: RA
18. Moa Lei’ a ‘i - WM :: RA

Audio Clips
The above are streaming clips of the tracks. WM = Windows Media :: RA = Real Audio
^*Bloodshot Records

Artists

• Tim Tuten - Introduction
• Jon Rauhouse - pedal steel, Hawaiian guitar, banjo, Guitar on track 15, lead vocals on 7,15,17, backing vocals on 5,12.
• Tommy Connell - all guitars except where noted, lead guitar on 15, tenor guitar on 9,18, backing vocals on 5,7,12,17.
• Neko Case - Vocals on River Of No Return
• Kelly Hogan - Vocals on Smoke Rings & Prisoner Of Love
• Sally Timms - Vocals on (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover
• Howe Gelb - Piano & vocals on Indian Love Call
• Andy Hopkins - Electric guitar on Prisoner Of Love
• Jennie Benford - Guitar & mandolin on Jennifer’s Breakdown
• Bradford Hutchinson - 2nd banjo on Jennifer’s Breakdown
• Jacob Valenzuela - Trumpet on Powerhouse, Perry Mason Theme & Indian Love Call
• Joey Burns - Bass on Indian Love Call, cello on Perry Mason Theme
• Nick Luna - Piano on Powerhouse, Perry Mason Theme & marimba on Powerhouse
• Johnny Marston - Bassoon on Perry Mason Theme, backing vocals on tracks 5,7,12
• Tom V. Ray - Bass on tracks 2,3,6,8,10,13,14
• Will Lovell - Bass on tracks 4,7,9,11,15,17,18
• Kevin O’Donell - Drums on tracks 2,3,5,6,8,10,13
• John Convertino - Drums on tracks 4,7,11,12,15,17
• Craig Schumacher - Vox continental on Work Work & backing vocals on 5,7,12,17

Production

• Tracks 1,2,3,6,8,10,13,14 - recorded & mixed by Mike Hagler at Kingsize in Chicago IL, assst engineer Jeff Boyd
• Tracks 4,5,7,11,12,15,17 - recorded & mixed by Craig Schumacher at WaveLab in Tuscon AZ, asst engineers Nick Luca & Erika Earl
• Mastered by Mike Hagler at Kingsize in Chicago IL

BUY IT

• Bloodshot Records
• Legal MP3 downloads at - eMusic
• Amazon - US :: UK
• Tower Records - US :: UK

Reviews

NPR have an audio review of Steel Guitar Rodeo.
Hear more at NPR

Jon Rauhouse’s second solo work is a diverse and eclectic mix destined to land on “Best Of” lists for 2004. Rauhouse is a guitar wizard with masterful grace and elegance.
Read more at Umbrella Music

If you want to hear the pedal steel take center stage, you only need to know one name: Jon Rauhouse, whose Steel Guitar Airshow was one of my favorite records of 2002, and whose Rodeo stands an excellent chance of repeating its predecessor’s niche success.
Read more at Splendidezine

Exhibiting an obvious love of pop culture, Rauhouse has crafted a project that entertains on several different levels and offers something fresh with each successive listening.
Read more at Country Standard Time

Jon’s put together another great record here, once again featuring the talents of many great musicians. If REAL old country/swing music appeals to you don’t hesitate to track down either of Jon’s records.
Read more at Indie Workshop

More to come later……though I think it’s great - Toxic Web

Track Listing :: Credits :: Buy It :: Reviews :: Back to Disc

Track Listing :: Credits :: Buy It :: Reviews :: Back to Disc

Back in the day, when musicianship was still valued by the music industry, any respectable record collection had more than a few instrumental records. These records were perfect for stacking on the LP. They were good for dinner music, wiling away the hours or even better, getting busy. That’s right, grandma and grandpa were putting that Jackie Gleason record on AFTER they turned off the Lawrence Welk show.

Above all this music was fun. And its that spirit of fun that is captured on “Steel Guitar Air Show” We tried to convince Jon that the lounge revival was over. Undaunted, he donned his smoking jacket and broke out his pick and slide. Chock fill of classics like Perfidia, the Lonely Bull, and Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie, a mix of spunky originals and guest stars like Neko Case, Sally Timms, Calexico and more, it’s part Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant back from the grave and part Esquivel wearing spurs. Add up all these parts, throw in the unquestionable technical mastery of one tricky instrument and “Steel Guitar Air Show” will guarantee your next dinner party or lazy afternoon won’t crash and burn.

It is, simply put, the last word in tiki-inflected, spaghetti western, when’s-the-Rat-Pack-showin’-up? geezer rock. We highly recommend mixing a pitcher of Mai Tais, slipping into those silk pajamas (you know, the ones with the little horsies and ukeleles on them), turn up the heat to 85 degrees, and get real, REAL gone. Seriously, if you can listen to this record without being put in a better mood, without a content, distant smile creeping up on you, you should see a specialist. Really.

Track List

1. The Glow Worm - WM :: RA
2. F86 - WM :: RA
3. The World Is Waiting For A Sunrise - WM :: RA
4. Circle the Wagons Babe - WM :: RA
5. Who’s the Baddie? Says Alan Laddie - WM :: RA
6. Hula Blues - WM :: RA
7. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive - WM :: RA
8. The Lonely Bull - WM :: RA
9. Beer & Lettuce - WM :: RA
10. Summer Samba - WM :: RA
11. Perfidia - WM :: RA
12. Choo Cho Ch’ Boogie - WM :: RA
13. Homie’s Parade - WM :: RA
14. Agent Burns (Theme) - WM :: RA
15. Can ‘O’ Corn - WM :: RA
16. Million Dollar Mermaid - WM :: RA

Audio Clips
The above are streaming clips of the tracks. WM = Windows Media :: RA = Real Audio

Artists

• Jon Rauhouse - pedal steel & Hawaiian guitar
• Tommy Connell - all guitars
• Neko Case - Vocals on The World Is Waiting For A Sunrise
• Kelly Hogan - Vocals on Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive & The Lonely Bull
• Sally Timms - Vocals on Perfidia
• Joey Burns - Bass on tracks 1,4,8,9,10,12,14 & nylon string guitar on The Lonely Bull
• John Convertino - Drums on tracks 1,4,8,9,10,12,14 & percussion on The Lonely Bull
• Tom V. Ray - Bass on tracks 2,3,5,7,11,15
• Kevin O’Donell - Drums on tracks 2,3,5,7,11,15
• Nick Luna - Piano on Choo Choo Ch’Boogie, vibes on Agent Burns (Theme) & organ on Summer Samba
• Craig Schumacher - percussion on Summer Samba
• Frank Judge - Voice over on Million Dollar Mermaid
• Jon, Tommy & Craig - Haole Choir on Hola Blues

Production

• Tracks 1,4,6,8,9,10,12,13,14,16 - recorded & mixed by Craig Schumacher at WaveLab in Tuscon AZ
• Tracks 2,3,5,7,11,15 - recorded & mixed by Mike Hagler at Kingsize in Chicago IL
• Mastered by Mike Hagler at Kingsize in Chicago IL

Pictures of Tommy Connell and some of the gear used to record Steel Guitar Air Show, taken in the Wavelab studio.

BUY IT

• Bloodshot Records
• Legal MP3 downloads at - eMusic
• Amazon - US :: UK
• HMV - UK
• Tower Records - US :: UK

Reviews

Bloodshot Records now has another quality performer to brag about, and listeners can look forward to Rauhouse’s follow-up recordings. There are no stunts to hear in this Air Show, just quality music.
Read more at Atomic Online

And ‘phenomenal job’ really sums up the entire record. There’s not a bad performance on here; everything smacks of style and grace, and Jon’s genuine love for good music is presented in a tight, tasty package.
Read more at Indie Workshop

Jon Rauhouse’s STEEL GUITAR AIR SHOW is a spirited romp. It’s part Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant back from the grave, part Esquivel wearing spurs, and part Santo & Johnny scoring a Spaghetti Western.
Read more at La Chunga

The entire production drips with the coolness of a Harlem cocktail lounge at 3 a.m. Rauhouse proves he’s no slouch as an arranger, producer, or musician. The project required more conceptual thinking than one might imagine “just a steel guitar album” would. Rauhouse has done a masterful management job. It is indeed a real steel guitar air show.
Read more at Rockzilla World

Track Listing :: Credits :: Buy It :: Reviews :: Back to Disc

Nicknames: “Orchid Fingers” “Pumpkinhead” “Nicest Guy in Show Biz”

Raised on Easter Island in the Southern Pacific, his destiny as the next tribal chief was derailed when he was struck on his ample head by an eleven-pound coconut…* OK this is how it really happened in his own words…

I started playing the banjo in 1977 (I was 19) on a dare and ended up playing in a bluegrass band for several years, in the late 70’s I started up on the pedal steel. Tommy Connell joined the band in the late 70’s early 80’s and they played music that sounded like Air Show, we actually used to play “Choo Choo Ch’boogie” back then.

After that I played multi-instrumentalist for years in a dozen bands, lost tack of Tommy and lost track of my mind. Joined Grievous Angels mid 90’s, got the Bloodshot deal and the rest is history.

Touring with Neko opening up for the Jayhawks in Los Angeles, Tommy Connell was in the crowd. Got reacquainted after 18 years.

Always wanted to make a steel guitar record paying homage to previous steel players who made (good) bad steel records and I wanted to record with friends (and great musician) Neko, Kelly, Sally, Tommy, Tom V. Ray, Joey, John, Kevin, Nick and Craig.

Since I knew Tommy again, it added a Speedy & Jimmy element not to mention his amazing ability.

Played for years and made my own style without using effects and then hooked up with Jamal Ruhe and formed Sleepwalker which, by the way the steel was saturated with effects. One released Sleepwalker record and two in the can waiting.

Been touring fairly heavily for the past 3 to 4 years with Neko Case and before that with Grievous Angels, Waco Brothers, John Langford, Chris Mills, Sally Timms, and Kelly Hogan.

Influences & Heroes

Pure Prairie League with John David Call on steel guitar
Joe Ely with Lloyd Maines
Asleep at the Wheel with Lucky Oceans
Commander Cody with Bobby Black

All Big Band music and the Big Band leader Alvino Rey whose instrument was steel guitar.
Definitely Speedy West and a Guy in Austin named Mike Hardwick.

• On his current playlist are :
• Artie Shaw
• Nick Lowe
• Rubens Accomplice
• Jim, Jenny and the Pinetops
• Best of War
• Mills Brothers
• Soundtrack for “The Glen Miller Story”

Also on tour been forced to listen to Destiny’s Child, Tweet, and Yes.
He is also revered in Nottingham, England. Seriously.
*Find the end of this story at Bloodshot Records

• Booking Information for Jon contact
• Mary Brabec - brabec@billions.com
• The Billions Corporation - http://www.billions.com/
• 833 W. Chicago Ave., Ste. 101
• Chicago, IL 60622
• tel: (312)997.9999 ext. 8235
• fax: (312)997.2287

There’s two dates up for Jon in November both are with Neko Case, first is in Tucson the second in L.A. See the “On TOur” section for more details and links to buy tickets.

Neko and the band are scheduled to make their debut on November 16th at the world famous Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Frank Gehry-designed home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The evening before, on November 15th, they’ll perform a concert in Tucson, AZ to benefit the organization No More Deaths.

Each year since its inception, the Walt Disney Concert Hall “Songbook Series” has brought audiences some of the most cherished evenings of song.

No More Deaths is a grassroots organization of concerned individuals, faith-based communities and human rights activists working in Southern Arizona and across the border to address the suffering and deaths of border crossers, attempting to illuminate and rectify problems in the US border policy. Through direct humanitarian assistance to migrants, research, networking, education and awareness-building, No More Deaths seeks to put an end to the deaths - of which there have been more than 2000 since 1998 - of men, women and children attempting to enter the United States through the Sonoran Desert

Here’s a video of the Jon Rauhouse Orchestra with Jacob Valenzuela and Tommy Connell rehearsing at Plush Tucson, AZ 5-17-07.

Orchestra lineup

• Vocalist: Rachel Flotard (Visqueen, from Seattle)
• Steel Guitar / Vocal: Jon Rauhouse (Phoenix)
• Guitar / Vocal: Tommy Connell (Ventura, CA)
• Drums: Kevin O’Donnell (Andrew Bird’s band, from Chicago)
• Bass: Will Lovell (Salt lake City)
• Piano / Guitar: Jeff Livingston (Las Vegas)
• Tenor Sax: Jeff Jones (Phoenix)
• Trumpet: Jacob Valenzuela (Calexico, Tucson)
• Trombone: Heather Gore(Phoenix)

…about getting to play with Les Paul.

Here’s what he had to say about getting to play with the legend that is Mr. Les Paul.

I still can’t believe i got to play with Les Paul. We played sleepwalk and then did a blues in G. He was so awesome and sweet. I played “Sleepwalk” and then he talked with me on stage for a while and then we did the blues in G. He was sharp as a tack, a little slower and less notes but he still played very well. Still in shock.

There’s a pic up in the “On Tour” section of Jon playing with music legend Les Paul at the Iridium in NYC on September 10th.