Old 97’s Share TV Opportunities with Nikki Lane & Caitlin Rose
As music critic, industry guru, and screed writer Bob Lefsetz loves to point out, the days of appearances on late night television resulting in the massive launch of a musician’s career or even a significant sales bump are over. Unless it is Saturday Night Live or CBS’s Sunday Morning—and even then you really have to clobber it out of the park—television just isn’t the vehicle for music sales it once was.
But what television still offers is validation to an artist, and a boost in name recognition with a national audience that most independent artists otherwise do not have the opportunity to enjoy. As independent music continues to find an increasing share of the market, television is continuing to take notice and dole out opportunities to deserving bands.
Alt-country perennials The Old 97’s have been making the late night rounds to promote the release of their latest record Graveyard Whistling, and have been sharing that opportunity with some worthy east Nashville artists. Nikki Lane made the trip with Rhett Miller and the boys to the set of Late Night with Seth Myers on February 20th to sing on “Good With God” (see below). Nikki Lane has her own new record out called Highway Queen.
Now on Tuesday evening, The Old 97’s will be enjoying the company of Caitlin Rose on stage when they make an appearance on Conan O’Brien. Caitlin Rose does not have a new album out, but she darn well should, and deserves whatever time basking in the spotlight she can get. Hurray for the Riff Raff was also just on Conan Monday (3-13) night.
Two guns up to the Old 97’s for sharing their TV face time with deserving artists.
March 14, 2017 @ 1:13 pm
now there’s a strategy
March 14, 2017 @ 1:23 pm
And that Graveyard Whistling album is fantastic. There’s also that.
March 14, 2017 @ 9:18 pm
Jim Bob, I agree totally, just a great record overall. I went to the record store to pick up a copy this weekend but they had sold through all their copies and they had stocked several of all 4 colors. I finally got one (green one) so it looks like it’s doing pretty well.
March 14, 2017 @ 1:42 pm
I don’t usually stay up for the whole show, but HFTRR were terrific last night. I’m gonna stay up for these guys, too — I’m really digging “Good With God”! 😀
March 14, 2017 @ 1:44 pm
Nikki Lane deserves an SNL slot. Highway Queen is one of the best albums I’ve heard so far this year.
March 14, 2017 @ 1:54 pm
I agree about Highway Queen. Great album, and fantastic cover picture.
March 14, 2017 @ 9:23 pm
I just saw her live on the Stage Coach tour for the Highway Queen album and she put on a fantastic show, she’s a great performer. Her band is also sharp. She stayed and greeted her fans after the show and she was very appreciative to everyone, super nice.
March 15, 2017 @ 5:55 am
Looking forward to seeing her in Peoria on July 8th. She’s on a show with Lucero, Cody Canada, and the Turnpikes!
March 14, 2017 @ 5:11 pm
Not particularly salient, but “The Other Shoe” that Waylon did with the Old 97’s is one of my all time favorite Waylon songs.
March 15, 2017 @ 7:02 am
I remember they both sang backup vocals on a J.P. Harris song a while back and the video was featured in an article here.
It’s been about four years since Caitlin Rose’s Stand-In was released. Long time.
A couple weeks ago, I was at the eye doctor. The music playing in the lobby seemed to be not horrible pop country at a low volume, Then all of a sudden, something sounded familiar and much better. I’ll be damned. It was Nikki Lane’s Jackpot, which is just a fun song. Then, back to the pop country.
March 15, 2017 @ 9:06 am
I don’t want to hound Caitlin Rose for new music. For all we know, it’s not her fault she hasn’t released anything new. BUt damn it’s been a long time, and from someone who was thought very highly of when she released those first few records.
March 18, 2017 @ 4:25 am
The 97’s are as great a rock’n’roll band as any these days. Amazingly consistent. Awesome songwriting with roots in both classic country and punk rock. They deserve all the credit they can get. For those who don’t know, Brandi Carlisle sings on the studio version and had a hand in writing this track.