Johnny Nicholas and Friends Set to Perform at Hideaway Hall in Lafayette, Louisiana, on January 25, 2023 to Celebrate the New Moon and the Stars: A Tribute to Moon Mullican Album Coming on Valcour Records
Record Release Party Show to Also Feature Marcia Ball, Linda Gail Lewis, Steve Riley, Katie Shore, Joel Savoy, Tif Lamson,
Trey Boudreaux and Many More!
LAFAYETTE, LA - Legendary roots music all-star and self-avowed Moon Mullican music fan Johnny Nicholas is bringing an all-star cast with him on January 25, 2023, to Lafayette’s Hideaway Hall to celebrate the upcoming release of the two-volume set, Moon and the Stars: A Tribute to Moon Mullican, coming out on January 27, 2023, on Valcour Records.
In addition to Johnny Nicholas, the special Moon Mullican Tribute Album release party at Hideaway Hall on January 25th will feature: Marcia Ball, Linda Gail Lewis, Steve Riley, Katie Shore, Joel Savoy, Tif Lamson, Trey Boudreaux and many others!
“Chances are, if you haven’t heard of Moon Mullican, you’ve either heard his music or felt his influence,” writes Ben Sandmel in the album’s liner notes. “Revered for perfecting a wildly eclectic yet seamlessly organic blend of genres, Aubrey “Moon” Mullican (1909 – 1967) was an agile piano player and a fervent singer who described the rambunctious side of his hybrid repertoire as ‘East Texas sock’ that could ‘make goddamn beer bottles jump on the tables!’ More than half a century later, Mullican continues to inspire people who appreciate the soulful spirit, the remarkable breadth, and the consistent high quality of his work. The expressive new renditions of his songs on this tribute, co-produced by Johnny Nicholas and Joel Savoy, pulse with the same passion and artistic commitment that Mullican brought to the originals. Collectively they touch on every facet of Mullican’s music, from torrid and toe-tapping to touching and tender. Yes indeed, Moon Mullican played it all.”
This two-volume set of this brand new tribute to Moon comes straight from the Louisiana bayous and the Texas Hill Country, presented by Valcour Records’ recording artist and former Asleep at the Wheel frontman Johnny Nicholas, along with an all-star cast paying homage to this rather unsung hero of American Roots music.
“I was first turned on to Moon Mullican by Danny Erlewine in Ann Arbor, Michigan around 1971,” recalls Johnny Nicholas. “I was impressed and I dug his Starday/King LP, but didn’t realize that it was just the tip of the iceberg. When we opened a show for Commander Cody at Hill Auditorium, the Commander invited us out to the East Bay to play music with them and a bunch of hippies in cowboy hats named Asleep At The Wheel, who had just moved there from West Virginia. We were playing stone cold Chicago blues and boogie at the time, but we dug them and they dug us. We all shared gigs and sometimes brought home as much as $15.00 per man! I was sitting around one day with Lucky and Leroy and Ray and said, ‘Hey, you guys ever heard of Moon Mullican?,’ and they all responded in the affirmative and with great enthusiasm.
“Considering the scope of Moon Mullican’s repertoire and his enormous talents and legacy, he remains today grossly under-recognized and under-appreciated. This project was a labor of love and represents a wish by all of us involved to honor one of our heroes and bring some long overdue recognition to the ‘King of the Honky Tonk Piano Players.’ On every track, I asked each artist to put their own stamp of originality upon the songs and the arrangements. As you would expect with veteran artists and roots music legends like Marcia Ball, Linda Gail Lewis, Augie Meyers, Peter Rowan, Steve Riley, Earl P Ball, Los Texmaniacs, Floyd Domino, and Danny Levin, this was accomplished in spades. However, the arrangements and performances by the lesser- known younger artists like Katie Shore, Tif Lamson, Emily Gimble and Kelli Jones are as powerful and compelling in their originality and performance as any on the record. The superb backing by Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Rusty Blake, Chris Maresh, Greg Piccolo, Joel Savoy and Trey Boudreaux cannot go without mention.”
Quotes About Moon Mullican
“Moon Mullican was a great friend and a wonderful music man!!!! Last time I saw him I gave him and Roy Orbison 50 dollars.” - Jerry Lee Lewis, May 2022
“I learned about Moon from my brother Jerry Lee Lewis. ‘I’ll Sail My Ship Alone’ is one of my favorite recordings by my brother. I enjoyed recording the song myself with these amazing musicians in Louisiana.” – Linda Gail Lewis
“Moon Mullican was the link between the down home Louisiana I grew up with and the Western Swing I came to love in Texas. Moon erased that borderline and made it one big Gulf Coast party sound.”
– Marcia Ball
“Moon’s music was a big inspiration to me as a young piano student—always made me want to dance. So happy to be a part of this tribute.” - Earl P Ball “If you forget then you forgot, and if you forgot you can forget it. I never forgot Moon Mullican from when I heard him as a little boy in the ‘50s.” - Augie Meyers
“Moon is a character beyond the grave. Not only was he extremely prolific, his music and cleverness stand the test of time and remain relevant to this day.” – Katie Shore
“On top of Moon’s great piano playing, I appreciate so much the concise eloquence of his lyrics, and I think all of the songs we chose to revisit and record really showcase that in a beautiful way.”
- Kelli Jones
“I used to sit on Moon’s lap when I was a little girl and he taught me how to play the piano. He was one of the greatest players and showmen I ever saw or heard and I worshipped him!” - Carol Fran