May 7, 2006: Phil & Walon on EMI Walon’s latest musical adventure has him singing with Irish punk/pop icon Jake Burns on the latter’s latest solo project, Drinkin’ Again. The album, recorded in part at Walon’s place, was released to much acclaim in March, 2006. Burns first hit the charts with the seminal Belfast punk group Stiff Little Fingers in the late 1970s. Drinkin’ Again was engineered and co-produced by Walon’s longtime friend Steve Smith and features partner Phil Proctor on mandolin.
December 7, 2005: Get Ready for 2006! It's been too long since the last news update! In 2006 look for a couple of new Walon projects: The Whompus Cats and even a new version of the Walon Smith Band! Many people have asked "When will the Walon Smith Band start doing shows again?" Well, now that question can be answered. A semi-secret warm-up gig is booked at Crestwood Tavern in Birmingham on Friday, Dec. 23. Check out the "shows" page for a list of gigs and band lineups.
October 1, 2001: Phil and Walon Phil and Walon have been nominated for Best Country/Bluegrass in the Birmingham Area Music Awards sponsored by Birmingham Weekly. Other nominees in this catagory are Alabama Outlaws, Rollin` in the Hay, and Wayne Mills Band. You can send your vote to editor@bhamweekly.com (before Oct. 15)or pick up a copy of Birmingham Weekly to vote in 14 other catagories. Also, Tim Boykin (guitarist for Walon and the Wilton Playboys and Lolas leader) has been nominated in two catagories: Best Blues (other nominees are Roosevelt Franklin, Ryan Reardon, Topper Price) and Best Instrumentalist (other nominees are Eric Essix, Mark Kimbrell, Oteil Burbridge).
April 19, 2001: Too Far Gone Review Earlier this month, the Power Of Pop website posted a glowing review of Walon's Too Far Gone CD. The site gave the disc a '7' on the ten scale and complimented Walon for playing 'good old fashioned melodic rock.' If you'd like to read the review for yourself, click here.
July 7, 2000: World Wide Walon? Yes, indeed! In order to celebrate the impending release of Walon Smith's Too Far Gone CD, along with spreading the gospel of Walon to all corners of the globe, Explosivo Records proudly presents WalonSmith.com! Currently, some parts of the site are still under construction, and the paint's still wet on the parts that are up. So stop by again soon and check out the progress. And, check out the music page for lyrics and audio clips of tracks from the Too Far Gone album.
July 7, 2000: CD release party details! Walon has made plans to hold the CD release party for Too Far Gone at the Nick in Birmingham, AL, on Saturday August 19. Walon will be backed, as usual, by the Wilton Playboys, now featuring local legend Tim Boykin on lead guitar.
Aside from seeing a great show, it'll be your first chance to get a copy of Too Far Gone, sure to be one of the biggest albums of the year. And, if all that's not enough, local rock and roll outfit Cutgrass will also be performing. It's safe to say that the Nick will be the place to be on August 19.
