Drayton Farley has released a new album, “A Hard Up Lifeâ€. The songwriting is authentic and has great depth. He has become one of my favorite songwriters, and certainly needs to be recognized as so many other Alabama born musicians have been recognized the last decade or so. Farley if from Woodstock, Alabama; a dying […]
Ben Nichols on Drawing Furniture, Sharing a Cell Phone, and Enjoying the Moment
Ben Nichols of Lucero recalls working at his family’s business and talks about focusing on where you are rather than where you want to be.
Monday Morning Video – Solomon Burke and Aretha Franklin
It doesn’t get much better than this – Aretha Franklin and Solomon Burke lead the choir in a rousing version of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”.
Readers’ Pick: Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T.
You picked Steve Earle & The Dukes – J.T. as your favorite new release for the week of January 8, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaK9ZLqqHRI 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 Winter & Spring 2021 Steve Earle […]
Bill’s Blues-Based Best of 2020
Well, it’s over. We got through it, and, while it 2020 was a monster in so many ways, there were some choice blues albums that hit the street. Below is a dozen of my favorite blues (or ‘bluesy’) albums of 2020. Sonny Landreth – Blacktop Run. It’s a great album for when you’re on the […]
Lee Bains III on Tour Sandwiches, Jamming Econo, and Sage Advice from His Grandmother
Lee Bains III talks about repairing the tour van (with a tip for buying tires), working as a handyman, and playing in a band named Mind Detergent.
Monday Morning Video – Steve Earle
We lost a tremendous talent with the tragic passing of Justin Townes Earle last year. To raise funds for the late artist’s wife and 3-year-old daughter, Steve Earle and his band The Dukes recorded a collection of Justin Townes Earle compositions. J.T., the resulting album, was released last Monday on what would have been Justin […]
Dancing in the Streets of Hyannis – A Special Boston Playlist
Light a Candle, The Suitcase Junket (from the Renew Records / BMG release The End Is New) Matt Lorenz – aka The Suitcase Junket – has always had a penchant for great melodies, but he rachets it up a notch with a particular focus on sing-alongs with The End Is New. As notable, he continues […]
Todd’s Tops of 2020
Music got me through this year in many ways. Making, listening, loving it, whatever, it just works. It’s in my soul, my heart. These are a few of the albums that I had on repeat that stuck with me or hit a chord. I know this is an Americana blog, but the Strokes made a […]
Matthew Sweet Talks About Tour Per Diems and Some Favorite Day Jobs
Matthew Sweet enters the vans versus buses debate and recalls his first gig playing bass on “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas in junior high school.