The Americana Music Association Conference and Awards made a welcome return from the virtual world this year. The annual event showcased several hundred artists who collectively illustrate the breadth of the Americana umbrella. Going back through the schedule to consider the highlights is always a frustrating experience. Not only is it tough to feature just […]
2021 Americana Music Awards
It was good to be back. The annual awards show, held at the fabulous Ryman Auditorium, is always a highlight of my musical year. First, how can you not favor any show at the Ryman. The acoustics, the atmosphere, the decor, it would make any event special. Second, although showcases have starting creeping in ahead […]
Tony Kamel on Why He Loves Touring Solo and His Downsized Home Rehearsal Space
Tony Kamel talks about working in healthcare before launching himself into music and what happened when a friend told him to relax when he played his first gig.
Sean Rowe on Tour Foraging and Trusting His Instincts
Singer-songwriter Sean Rowe talks about finding inspiration in Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and why he doesn’t like the sound of new guitar strings.
Monday Morning Video – The Accidentals
Michigan’s The Accidentals continue to shine brightly. They have just released the Vessels, the latest in a brilliant string of releases since they began their careers while still in high school. This gem is from their early 2021 release, Time Out Session 1.
Readers’ Pick: Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days
You picked Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days as your favorite new release for the week of October 1, 2021. 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’ Tops Summer & Fall 2021 James McMurtry – […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival Preview
One of my personal rites of spring is to head 45 minutes southeast of Austin on the third weekend of April to the Old Settler’s Music Festival. Despite not having the name of an Austin City Limits or Coachella, OSMF has been ranked in the top 10 festivals in the country. There are a number […]
Ben Balmer – Honky-Tonk Macbeth
Being a sought-after sideman has its advantages. One of those is that when you do your own album, you can pull in favors to fill out the band. Ben Balmer strikes gold in that vein on his latest record, Honky-Tonk Macbeth. The instrumental additions to Balmer’s solid singer-songwriter compositions fill the room with layers of […]
Dar Williams on Symbolism, Hotel Coffee, and Learning New Technology
Singer-songwriter Dar Williams recalls working at a gardening store, talks about going on an “apologetic charm offensive” when she breaks a guitar string, and explains why her 2013 Prius is “more of a symbolic plug-in”.
Monday Morning Video – GA-20
Blues trio GA-20 came through town last week. Or more aptly, they lit the town on fire with an incendiary set of rock and blues. Guitarists Matthew Stubbs and Pat Faherty, accompanied by drummer Tim Carman, kept the talking to a minimum as they blazed through gems from their 2019 album Lonely Soul as well […]