Snakes of Central Texas, Jon Dee Graham, William Harries Graham

Last we glimpsed the mayor of South Austin, Jon Dee Graham sat just outside of the backstage area at Hole in the Wall, holding court at his packed-out benefit in May. Recovering from both a stroke and broken back, the former causing the fall that induced the latter, Austin’s iron man of homegrown residencies greeted one and all like the trademark Grizzly he paints and distributes globally – warm and gruff. Meanwhile, fellow ATX journeymen including Alejandro Escovedo and Wild Seeds played musical tribute. Restarting his 28-year Continental Club residence last week (on my birthday), the singer of working-stiff hardship, triumph, and joy resurrects yet again. – Raoul Hernandez