By Degrees, Mark Erelli & Friends (from the benefit single By Degrees) Several of Mark Erelli’s longtime friends and collaborators join him for a special song written in response to the tragic gun violence in America. While the artists are an impressive group – Rosanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Lori McKenna, Anais Mitchell, and Josh Ritter […]
Taylor Barton – House Of Light
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”  That could be the motto for the latest album from journeyman singer-songwriter Taylor Barton, entitled House Of Light.  Barton, husband G.E. Smith, her daughter, and producer Tony Shanahan, all had personal tragedy strike while working on the project.  Out of that pyre came a record that manages to balance […]
Monday Morning Video – Jon Dee Graham “Faithless”
This song seems sadly appropriate given the events of the past week – Jon Dee Graham’s “Faithless”. You need a strong heart, you need a true heart You need a heart like that in a world like this So you don’t get faithless
The Jellyman’s Daughter – Dead Reckoning
In all my years of writing about music, I don’t believe I’ve ever used the words “twangy” and “classical” in the same sentence. Â Those are the two words, however, that describe the sound on the sophomore album from Edinburgh-based duo, The Jellyman’s Daughter. Â Dead Reckoning is a sort of a study on self-awareness in an […]
Jacob Groopman of Front Country on the Lure of Combo’s Baked Snacks and Why Music is a Full-Time Job
Front Country’s Jacob Groopman talks about yelling, crying and light wrestling at rehearsals and a future that will either be more money or hellscape.
Steep Canyon Rangers’ Graham Sharp on a Memorable First Gig and the Paradox of Making Money
Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers reflects on making the jump from an RV to a tour bus (and strategies for stocking it) and getting paid in beer and chili cheese fries at their first gig.
Monday Morning Video – Rod Picott and Slaid Cleaves
Rod Picott and Slaid Cleaves have one of the more enjoyable – and long-standing – partnerships in Americana. The two are childhood friends who grew up (and played in bands) together in Southern Maine. In the years since they’ve collaborated on some wonderful songs that capture the blue-collar life with both charm and honesty. It’s […]
Monday Morning Video – Brent Best and Matthew Ryan
There’s something special about seeing artists share a stage for a song swap. It becomes all the more magical when the artists are clearly enjoying themselves as much – if not more – than the audience in attendance. Such was the case when Twangville brought together Brent Best and Matthew Ryan for a special house […]
Steve Poltz Wins AMERICANAFEST 2018
As a newbie to AMERICANAFEST I have to say that looking at the schedule beforehand I was a bit overwhelmed. Throw in the fact that it had been about 10 years since I’d been to Nashville and that made it even more so. But once I got there and settled into the pace and learned […]
Americana 2018: Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through several days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances […]