Taped for PBS, Chris Isaak’s appearance at the Moody Theater on Monday was so lengthy it probably became a mini-series. With costume changes, a stage reset, and do-overs, the evening stretched past three hours. Except for an easily tired handful of the crowd that departed early, there were no complaints. Isaak demonstrated an enthusiasm that never waned.

Trish Murphy takes part in a song swap with Robyn Ludwick and Ginger Leigh Thursday night at the Flamingo Cantina. I’m sure there are people who only know Murphy as part of the popular covers act Skyrocket, but a decade ago she was a much loved singer, songwriter, and band leader on her own. She hasn’t sung her own songs in public in what seems like a very long time.

It’s appropriate Suzanna Choffel was the last act to play Momo’s. It had become her home base even before she began dating Paul Oveisi, the owner. She played there Christmas Eve, a Saturday, and at the time nobody knew it was the final show because the venue was closed for the holiday. Then came an announcement that the next day’s shows were canceled.

I’m a radio geek. Always have been. So I tackled Kim Simpson’s new book, Early '70s Radio, with more than a little interest. I felt I knew the subject. Lived it. Simpson, who's speaking on the subject tonight at Book People, 7pm, writes that at the beginning of the decade commercial radio formats numbered in the single digits. By 1980, the tally was 133.

After being married almost a decade and raising a family, blues mama Susan Tedeschi and slide guitarist Derek Trucks joined forces – in a band. Revelator, their soulful debut, recalls traveling circus acts like Delaney & Bonnie & Friends. Tomorrow, Wednesday, the 11 musicians that appear on disc kick things off in Texas at the Moody Theater.

Tom Ardolino, longtime drummer for “The World’s Greatest Bar Band” NRBQ, died January 6. I spoke to Austin’s Conrad Choucroun, now the ‘Q’s drummer, in October when the reconstituted Quartet came to town for the first time since 1994.

One last shot of 2011, I promise. Here’s my semi-annual mix of songs I liked from albums released in the past 12 months. As always, it’s a combination both local and national of longtime favorites like the Old 97’s, Richard Buckner, and the Jayhawks, and new discoveries of Austinites like the Carper Family and Sons of Fathers.

2011 was the most interesting year yet in Geezerville. Actually that surprises me. When the year began, I would have never predicted some of the things that happened locally, nor some of the artists I’d get to interview, some of the shows I’d witness, and the online ruckus I instigated.

I was kidding really. The Bright Light Social Hour posted on its Facebook page that, after a brutal year on the road, they were very glad to be home for the next month. I facetiously suggested “let’s do lunch!” Band manager Alex O’Brien thought I was serious and his brother, bass player Jack O’Brien, sent me a message that they were up for it.