Christmasland Jubilee is a dream fulfilled for Dan Blakeslee. As he tells it, he started recording Christmas songs on his meager home recording gear in 2006 to share with his family as gifts. Those humble beginnings sparked his desire to record a full Christmas album with his band the Calabash Club. That process began in 2019 […]
Song Premiere – Brian Callihan
Back in the 60’s and 70’s it wasn’t uncommon for a musician to take a job in Nashville writing songs for other people while they polished their performance skills. A couple of guys you might have heard of, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, started their careers that way. As the industry evolved, the pendulum swung […]
Patterson Hood on Worn Out Tour Vans and Investing in Longevity
Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers talks about “them pretty road cases”, his favorite“straight” day job, and why he feels rich.
Chris Smither on “Real Work” and What Makes Him Happy
Singer-songwriter Chris Smither talks about his cozy and comfy home rehearsal space, early gigs on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and the first song that he wrote (and that he still occasionally plays)
Monday Morning Video – Allen Toussaint
Legendary New Orleans club Tipitina’s recently hosted a live stream to raise funds to help the venue survive the Covid pandemic. It was, of course, a tremendous celebration of an institution whose reputation stretches around the world. Among many highlights was footage of the late Allen Toussaint. It was a welcome reminder of Toussaint’s greatness […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2020, Part 4
Called Out Your Name, Terra Lightfoot (from the Sonic Unyon Records release Consider the Speed) If you’re anything like me – especially in a year like this one – sometimes you just want a healthy dose of electrifying rock and roll. Thankfully Terra Lightfoot is back to fulfill that desire and, perhaps, melt a few faces […]
Video Premiere – Drew Aron
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Drew Aron’s debut release, Familiar Faces. It’s a mostly auto-biographical story about a musician finding himself in a city flooded with artists finding themselves. There are some lighter moments to be sure, but there is a lot of material to fuel a lot of songs (which is […]
Griffin Sherry (The Ghost of Paul Revere) on “Skyship Mkll” and Learning from the Lean Years
Griffen Sherry, guitarist for The Ghost of Paul Revere, talks about building custom children’s playhouses, rehearsing in public parks, and brief moments of forgiveness
Karen Jonas on Virtual Tip Jars and Learning As She Goes
Singer-songwriter Karen Jonas talks about state-shaped waffles, broken finger nails, and the melodramatic civil war themed song that she wrote in 11th grade.
Monday Morning Video – John Prine and Marty Stuart
A little John Prine makes any week better. Here’s Prine, accompanied by Marty Stuart, singing and sharing a story about “Souvenirs” at the Country Music Hall of Fame.