We’re sending all of ours – and I’m sure yours, too – good wishes to Joshua Ray Walker, who is in the midst of a major battle with cancer. Walker has just released an acoustic collection that includes a wonderful new song, “Thank You For Listening”. In conjunction with the release, he has shared a […]
Monday Morning Video – Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs
I mean come on, how could we not share this video? Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs collaborating of Chapman’s classic “Fast Car” is a testament to the magical power of music. Look at the joy on the faces of performers and audience alike – it doesn’t get much better.
Monday Morning Video – Brandi Carlile
Let’s start the week with “The Story”, one of a growing list of Brandi Carlile classics. The switch from acoustic to electric guitar, the voice, the song – it doesn’t get much better.
Louien on Matpakke and a Youthful Act of Defiance
Norwegian artist Louien talks about changing guitar strings, wonderful moments in her rehearsal space, and keeping on keeping on.
Monday Morning Video – Wayne Kramer & the MC5
You’d be hard-pressed to think of a rock band from the past 50 years that didn’t draw at least some influence from Detroit’s MC5. As a start, you can put any punk band in that category but their impact stretched far beyond the genre that they helped define. Wayne Kramer, the band’s co-founder, passed away […]
Trent Wagler of The Steel Wheels on Office Clutter and His Favorite Day Job
Trent Wagler of Virginia-based The Steel Wheels talks about a first song that prioritized rhyme over meaning and the importance of inner motivation.
Monday Morning Video – Dan Bern
As long-time readers know, I do like me a good kiss-off song. A literal read of the lyrics to Dan Bern’s “Baby Bye Bye” finds it more closure than kiss-off adjacent but I’d like to think there’s a hint of sarcasm in there. And you’re gone, it was time to flyAnd all that’s left is […]
Clay Parker and Jodi James on The Louvin Brothers, Christmas Songs, and Rolling Dice
Louisiana singer-songwriters Clay Parker and Jodi James talk about the the band’s home on wheels situation and the importance of diversification.
Monday Morning Video – John Prine
The legendary John Prine pays tribute to fellow Chicago songwriter Steve Goodman in this 1997 performance at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” has a unique history, from Prine’s original insistence that his name not be listed on the credits to the final verse that Goodman […]
Dinty Child on Wine, Wifi, and The Flying Circus
Boston singer-songwriter Dinty Child recalls starting a house renovation business, names some of the many bands in which he’s played (The Aluminum Egg Corporation, anyone?), and explains why he feels pretty good and music and life.