By Eleni P. Austin
No foolin’, the acclaimed singer-songwriter returns to Pioneertown, continuing his never-ending 40+ Years In Showbiz Tour.
The legendary musician first made a splash in 1982 with the release of his self-titled debut. An instant classic, it synthesized the Michigan native’s myriad musical influences. Traces of Rockabilly and R&B happily co-existed alongside Power Pop, Country flavors, souped-up British Invasion verve and primitive Rock & Roll. Critical acclaim was immediate and rhapsodic. Commercial success quickly followed. The album’s first single, “Someday, Someway” reached the Top 40, and songs like “Mary Anne, “Cynical Girl” and “There She Goes Again” cemented his reputation as a protean songwriter. The album peaked at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Over the last four + decades, Marshall’s musical output has been consistently crisp and concise. He released albums at a furious clip throughout the ‘80s. From Field Day, in 1983, through Downtown in 1985, Mary Jean & 9 Others in 1987 and Good Evening in 1989. The following decade saw the release of Life’s Too Short, Miracle Of Science and #447, as well as a live album, My Truck Is My Home.
Somehow, he also managed to embark on an acting career, appearing in Francis Ford Coppola’s Peggy Sue Got Married and Taylor Hackford’s Ritchie Valens biopic, La Bamba. In the latter, he rather fittingly portrayed his ‘50s doppelganger, Buddy Holly.
Something of a polymath, Marshall produced the Capitol Records compilation, Hillbilly Music…Thank God, he authored the book Hollywood Rock: A Guide To Rock & Roll In The Movies, and hosted his own radio show on WFUV entitled The Bottomless Pit. He co-wrote the massive Gin Blossoms hit, “Until I Hear It From You” and was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Grammy for penning the title-track to the hilarious John C. Riley film, Walk Hard.
Since the turn of the 21st century, Marshall has released four studio efforts, What’s In The Bag, Jaggedland, #392: The EP Collection and From The Hellhole. Along with two more live efforts, I’ve Suffered For My Art, Now It’s Your Turn, and The Wild, Exciting Sounds Of MARSHALL CRENSHAW Live in The 20th And 21st Century. He’s currently working on a documentary about music producer Tom Wilson and recently partnered with YepRoc Records, re-releasing and remastering his first two albums, with more of his catalogue to come. For Record Store Day, he is releasing The Bootleg Sounds Of Marshall Crenshaw: 1984-1987.
Since 2022, Marshall has been hitting the road with his crack touring band. The three-piece includes bassist Derrick Anderson who has anchored the low end for everyone from The Bangles, Dave Davies of The Kinks, The Smithereens and occasionally The Cowsills. (A talented singer-songwriter in his own right, everyone should own a copy of Derrick’s dazzling 2018 long-player, A World Of My Own). On guitar is Fernando Perdomo. Something of a musical Mad-Hatter, he’s released a series of critically acclaimed solo albums, and he’s produced brilliant records for Cait Brennan, Danny Henry and Ken Sharp (just to name a few). Mark Ortmann is best known for pounding the kit in his band, The Bottle Rockets, but he’s also played with Nancy Sinatra, Miss Molly Simms and Eric Ambel.
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Pappy & Harriet’s Presents
Marshall Crenshaw with James Maestro
Wednesday, April 1st, 2026.
Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pm.
53688 Pioneertown Road,
Pioneertown CA. 92268.
