The Austin paper has its entertainment writers blogging now. In one of his first posts, Dave Thomas chose to write about Guy Clark, whom he admittedly has never seen perform and never interviewed. But like many Texas music fans, he holds Clark in high regard. And he's disappointed to see Guy shilling for Taco Cabana on TV. Read the posting for yourself.

In Thomas's confessional spirit, I must admit I have never seen one of the TV ads. I generally don't watch much television. I have, however, seen Guy perform twice, and I have interviewed and spoken with him. I think that if Dave Thomas were to take the time to get to know Guy Clark, he might soften his approach.

In spring 2004, I wanted to interview Guy for a proposed freelance piece on his Texas connections. I emailed a request to his Nashville promoters. After a few phone calls discussing my interest and an OK from Guy, the interview was on. I had his home phone number and a scheduled time to call. I ducked out of work one morning, headed over to Starbucks, and nervously called Guy on my cell phone.

We spent nearly an hour talking about his past, present, and future. We covered a range of topics, including Taco Cabana. I lived in San Antonio at the time, and Guy mentioned he was beginning to do some ads for the chain. He said he went way back with the restaurant's founder and how the 24-hour central San Antonio main restaurant is on his must-do list every time he's in the city. Even on same-day fly-in/fly-out trips, he takes a cab to the drive-thru just to enjoy some familiar Tex-Mex food.

Overall, he couldn't have been a nicer man. While I was very green at interviewing, he treated me like a professional. And at the conclusion of the call, he let me know I could call him anytime, and then invited my wife and I to come meet him in the Houston area over the Fourth of July. We accepted the invitation.

We arrived in Baytown midday on the Fourth and headed to Cracker Barrel for lunch before going to the town's celebration. No sooner had we placed our order than in walk Guy and his tourmate Verlon Thompson, who sat at the table next to us. I introduced myself and my wife. Guy remembered me from our phone interview three months prior. We chatted just briefly before returning to our meals.

Later that evening we headed backstage after Guy and Verlon performed and as Charlie Robison took the stage. Guy and Verlon chatted with us a while before fleeing the heat. We did the same, foresaking firworks for another meal at the climate controlled Cracker Barrel. And who should again walk in but Guy and Verlon. Guy laughed upon seeing us and quipped that we must be stalkers.

I haven't seen or spoken with Guy since, but the impression I have of him as a gracious and kind gentleman remains with my wife and I a year later. Mr. Thomas, I hope you make an attempt to talk with Guy and see him play. Or, at the very least, watch the excellent 1975 documentary Heartworn Highways (available on DVD) or order the British biography Songbuilder: The Life and Music of Guy Clark. I feel confident that given a little effort on your part, you soon will begin to understand Guy through more than just his music and his TV cameos.

Last night I had the chance to see Hayes Carll in concert for the first time, and did he ever put on a great show.

The Saxon Pub has a wonderfully cozy environment, so you get to sit right up close to the stage from just about anywhere in the bar's main seating area. That's a perfect vantage point from which to witness Hayes's soulful singing and the impeccable guitar work of his friend Lance Smith.

Together they worked through much of Little Rock, including "Wish I Hadn't Stayed So Long," "Good Friends," "Hey Baby Where You Been," "Rivertown," "Little Rock," and "Chickens." From Flowers and Liquor they played "Highway 87," "Arkansas Blues," "Easy Come Easy Go," and "Flowers & Liquor." I'm sure I'm forgetting a few, too.

Not only was the musicianship entertaining, but so was the stage banter. You can tell from his liner notes and song lyrics that Hayes Carll is a witty guy. But I certainly didn't expect monologues throughout the set.

Gifted singer. Poetic lyricist. Comedian. Is there anything Hayes Carll can't do?

This past Saturday we had the chance to see our friends in the Eli Young Band at the Jolly Fox in Huntsville. It was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for a crawfish boil.

Despite some issues with the setup that left James without a monitor and Jon with limited sound, EYB turned in a great set. Unfortunately much of the early crowd that turned out to see Kevin Fowler play before EYB decided to take a food break rather than stay in front of the stage. Their loss.

After EYB we also caught a blistering set by Phil Pritchett and the Full Band, and a so-so set from Honeybrowne. Even though Wade Bowen and Cory Morrow closed things out, we left the Jolly Fox after Honeybrowne.

For a non-Austin band, what does it take to get acceptance in the Austin music scene?

On Saturday night my wife and I headed to Jovita's to see Buster Jiggs. When the 9 o'clock show started, I counted 11 people in the audience (us included). When the show ended 90 minutes later, there were 8 people. The largest the crowd got was 16 by my count. And those numbers included Keri (the band's merchandise person) and a friend of the band.

Buster Jiggs may not be famous, but they have a solid following built through heavy rotation on XM Radio's X Channel and frequent performances throughout south and central Texas. Band members attest to regularly drawing 200-300 fans. And they're April's featured indie artist on LoneStarMusic.com.

Good PR obviously plays a major role in attracting an audience. I never saw anything promoting the show, perhaps not surprising since the band handles its own booking and promotion.

But such a small crowd was embarrassing. And it visibly upset band members, who are growing frustrated with their inability to crack the Austin scene following earlier supporting appearances at the Saxon Pub, Midnight Rodeo, and other venues.

So, any ideas? What does it take to make a splash in the "Live Music Capital of the World"?

Austin City Limits Festival organizers announced today that maximum capacity will be reduced by 10,000 for this year's event, set for September 23-25. Wristbands go on sale April 15 at a price of $85. More than 130 bands have been confirmed, with the full list to be unveiled May 5.