This has already been quite a year for songs. Here are just a few of my favorites from the first half of 2016. Shadow in the Window, Michael McDermott (from the Pauper Sky Records release Willow Springs) McDermott reflects on his father’s recent passing, building the song from a tender acoustic opening to an impassioned […]
Festivals Under the Radar
Summer certainly doesn’t lack for music festivals, that’s for certain. Sure, we’ve all likely heard about Bonneroo, Coachella and now “Oldchella†(aka Desert Trip). There are also, however, some really fun ones that may not be on everyone’s radar. Here are two ones worthy of consideration if you’re not only looking to hear some great […]
Hittin’ the Road with Marcus Blacke, Update 2
Australian singer-songwriter Marcus Blacke is currently on his first tour of the United States. He’s checking in with us from the road to share some of his adventures on the American road. Read on for the latest update, plus a featured song from his new self-titled album. June 20th – 23rd It’s Monday here and […]
Monday Morning Video – Revisiting Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”
Inspired, or more rather provoked, as a populist response to Irving Berlin’s “America the Beautiful,” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” has become an American institution in its own right. In celebration of Independence Day, here is a video playlist that includes some engaging covers of the Guthrie classic from the likes of the […]
Readers’ Pick: Best of Spring 2016: World War Willie by Willie Nile
WILLIE NILE, World War Willie beats out JARED DECK, Jared Deck as your favorite for the Spring 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Top 25 Spring 2016 WILLIE NILE, World War Willie (275) JARED […]
Significant Twang Willie Nelson’s Spirit
Everyone has an album or two (or thirty) that are particularly meaningful. Albums that mark specific life milestones or carried them through troubled times. Here is the first in a series of periodic posts about the power – and importance – of music in our lives. A couple of years ago right after my wedding, […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2016 (So Far), the Songs Part 1
This has already been quite a year for songs. Here are just a few of my favorites from the first half of 2016. Unbroken Hearts and Call the Doctor, Austin Lucas (from the Last Chance Records release Between the Moon and the Midwest) Lucas tells his tale of life in the music business, set to […]
Ralph Stanley Remembered
There’s a quote frequently used to describe how old blues musicians managed to get the sound they did despite having no formal training, “it’s in him, and it got to get out.” Â That came to mind last weekend as I heard of the passing of Dr. Ralph Stanley. Â Anyone who heard Stanley perform O Death, […]
Tommy Womack on Playing a Go-Go’s Cover at a Frat House and How to Create an Orgy of Noise
Nashville singer-songwriter Tommy Womack explains why tractor trailer trucks beat Nissan Sentras and describes a day job that was “couldn’t have been more boring if it were a Prince’s Trust Concert.”
Hittin’ the Road with Marcus Blacke
Going on tour is daunting enough. Hours on the road getting to the next gig, trying to keep up with life via cell phone and typically trying eat healthy, cheaply or some combination of the two. Oh, and occasionally you get to the fun part – playing the show. Now imagine traveling halfway around the […]