Something About Texas

There have been a lot of great singer-songwriters from Texas who have come through town recently. Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely and Guy Clark (Texans all) joined Indiana's John Hiatt for a spate of shows. On Tuesday, one of their old friends and another Texan, Jimmie Dale Gilmore will headline at the Birchmere. One of the sweetest singer-songwriters making music today, Gilmore is a gentle soul with a vivid imagination. His at-times surreal lyrics and the otherworldly twang of his voice provide a trippy twist to otherwise old-fashioned country music. If you happen to miss Gilmore, don't worry. There's another fabulous Texan coming just around the corner. Austin's Alejandro Escovedo will be here in March. -- Joe