 Sometimes you go to a restaurant you’ve never been to so you can order their homemade biscuits.  It’s still comfort food, but with a little variety over your normal routine.  That’s the analogy I’m going to use for the soon-to-be-released album from Virginia native Sarah White.  High Flyer has the folk and country and Americana […]
Pharis and Jason Romero – Sweet Old Religion
The sun comes up over the pine trees, darkness and shadowy forms give way to the crispness of the air and the glint reflected off the lake. Daylight accentuates the feeling that it’s going to be a beautiful day with nothing but great things on the horizon, regardless of the distresses of yesterday. Â That’s the […]
Trampled by Turtles – Life Is Good On the Open Road
I’m sure you’ve seen this before. Â The special effects people take an explosion and play it backwards, in slow motion. Â The result is a whole bunch of disparate, seemingly unrelated, pieces all come together to form the perfect whole. Â That’s the kind of experience I had with the new album from Trampled by Turtles, Life […]
Coco O’Connor – This Ol’ War Song Premiere
Some of the best music coming out of Nashville these days is from artists who have trouble really connecting with Nashville. Â The collection of Americana talent there is tremendous, and you can find a lot of empathetic soul mates. Â But it just never seems like home. Â That’s the situation with Santa Fe artist Coco O’Connor. […]
Mark Otis Selby – Naked Sessions
I’m a sucker for a really good cover song. Â The best ones take the same chord progressions and lyrics and convey an entirely different experience. Â Think Jimi Hendrix All Along the Watchtower compared to the original Dylan version. Â Now turn that around, where you’ve heard the second version, and now you get the original, lightly […]
Wood & Wire – North Of Despair
The best artistic efforts have the ability to hit you on many levels–strikingly beautiful at even the first glance, and then building your appreciation as you peel back the layers and get more and more out of it. Â I found that to be the case with the latest record from Austin-based Wood & Wire. Â It […]
Josh Ward – More Than I Deserve
Sometimes it is about how/where you were raised.  After time on the rodeo circuit and then a stint in the Texas oilfields, Josh Ward decided to pursue his passion, albeit in a slightly safer profession as a country music singer.  When he sings about perseverance in A Cowboy Can, it’s coming from deep in the heart. […]
2018 Old Settler’s Music Festival
For me, one of the surest indicators of spring is when I leave for my annual trip to Old Settler’s Music Festival. Â Now in its 31st year, and having moved into new digs near Lockhart, Texas, OSMF epitomizes the perfect festival mix of hot, new acts; crowd-pleasing old favorites; and a crowd size that lets […]
Jeff Bryant – “Addie” Video
Austin musician Jeff Bryant is one of those guys you’ve probably seen a lot, playing keyboard for a number of high profile bands in town, but not necessarily heard. Â All his talented friends finally convinced him to do a record on his own and he released Sleeping With the Lights On earlier this year. Â It’s […]
Jeff Warren Johnston – Undiscovered Country
Everyone has their favorite suit or set of clothes. Â You wear them and somehow your confidence goes up a notch and invariably the day goes better. Â For Jeff Johnston, that apparel turned about to be his musical identity. Â After trying other styles for a few years he decided to embrace his heritage and upbringing in […]