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 […]
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 […]
Ana Egge – Between Us
Over the years I’ve seen Ana Egge perform live a number of times, from house shows to mid-afternoon sets at festivals, to hotel rooms at Folk Alliance. Many times those appearances were with other musicians and I’ve noticed that Ana’s superpower seems to be making other artists sound better than I remembered. Now she’s directed […]
Adrian + Meredith – Bad For Business
One of the things I find so intriguing about music is how an artist, citing the same influences as their peers, can nonetheless produce a totally unique sound. Current Nashville residents Adrian + Meredith exemplify that on their latest album, Bad For Business. Listing unsurprising inspirations like Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin, the […]
Photos that ROCK! Newport Folk Festival 2021
Year #5 in the books for photographing the Newport Folk Festival! Here are some of my favorites! All photos by Suzanne Davis McMahon (Suzanne Davis Photography)
Tim Easton – You Don’t Really Know Me
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tim Easton is releasing his new album, “You Don’t Really Know Meâ€, tomorrow August 27th. It is no doubt some of his finest work, which is saying a lot for someone with a highly acclaimed 20-year career under his belt. It is also his most personal album. Although it seems trite to call […]
Joe Troop – Borrowed Time
After being nominated for a Grammy in early 2020 for the debut album of his group, Che Apalache, Joe Troop had plans. When the pandemic hit, though, he pivoted to work alongside the everyday heroes he writes songs about, most notably a migrant assistance program on the border with Mexico. In his spare time he […]
Ryan Curtis – Rust Belt Broken Heart
A few weeks ago I reviewed the Jeremy James Meyer album that had been recorded at the OK Theater in Enterprise, OR. Not long after, another release crossed my earbuds that was recorded there. The first solo effort from Boise resident Ryan Curtis, it also seems blessed with some magic from that venue. Entitled Rust […]