LYDIA LOVELESS Loveless played two shows to celebrate a new album, Something Else, a reimagined version of her 2014 release Somewhere Else. The new release is nearly entirely Loveless solo on piano and was the focus of a stunning Thursday appearance at Todd Snider’s Purple Building. The next afternoon Loveless and John Calvin Abney brought […]
Americana 2024, Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the Americana Music Awards and continuing through several days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances from […]
American Equator – a Premiere from Pete Mancini
I’m a sucker for a good power pop song. The best of ’em pull you in with catchy melodies even as/when the lyrics are less than uplifting. Such is the case with Pete Mancini’s new single “American Equator”. The song finds Mancini contemplating the political dissonance of the past several years, lamenting its continued escalation. […]
Monday Morning Video – Kris Kristofferson
Another country legend is gone with the passing of Kris Kristofferson this weekend. Kristofferson first established himself as a songwriter, writing such notable songs as “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (most notably recorded by Johnny Cash in 1970) and “Me and Bobby McGee” (made famous by Janis Joplin). He then embarked on his own highly successful […]
Monday Morning Video – Joni Mitchell “Both Sides Now”
Let’s celebrate the greatness that is Joni Mitchell with these two performances of one of her signature songs at two legendary festivals. First is a 1970 appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival and then her surprise 2022 performance at the Newport Folk Festival.
Say What?! 2024 Edition
One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from 2024. I switch guitars a lot because of the weight of the material. Josh Ritter You think I need luck, I been doing this a […]
Monday Morning Video – Joshua Ray Walker
Joshua Ray Walker has rapidly established himself as one of country music’s shining lights. He burst onto the scene with the stunning “Canyon” back in 2019 and has released music at a furious pace. Two studio albums of originals, an acoustic album, a covers album, and a live album, all tremendous showcases of his talent. […]
Monday Morning Video – Bird Streets and Amy Vachal
Let’s start the week with this breathtaking new cover of John Waite’s classic “Missing You”, courtesy of Brooklyn’s Bird Streets and Amy Vachal.
“Play Another Record” – a Premiere from Brandon Callies
With his latest single, Dallas singer-songwriter Brandon Callies offers the kind of advice that we all should heed. Originally recorded for his last record, the 2021 pop gem Sunrise Diner, the song celebrates the joy of listening to music. Although he doesn’t specify, I’d like to think it about putting some vinyl on the record […]
Monday Morning Video – John Prine “Summer’s End”
Summer has nearly come to an end and I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge it than with a song by one of the masters. Here are two versions of John Prine’s “Summer’s End”, from 2018’s The Tree of Forgiveness, to close out the season. First is a solo acoustic performance, shot backstage […]