Eric Ambel’s recent cover of “Miss Ohio” (listen here) sent me scurrying back to Gillian Welch’s original version. It’s been in heavy rotation ever since. “Yeah, I wanna do right but not right now.”
Front Country Debut – Three Of A Perfect Pair
It’s been two years since progressive string band Front Country parlayed their Best Band wins at Telluride and Rockygrass into their first album, the critically-acclaimed Sake Of The Sound. Â Since then they’ve been touring practically non-stop, playing everywhere from a cave in Tennessee to the legendary Fillmore in San Francisco. While that hasn’t given them […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival – 2016
Spring has officially arrived mid-April when I make my way to Camp Ben McCulloch and the Salt Lick Pavillon outside of Austin for the Old Settler’s Music Festival.  Although from now through early October there’s a big music festival every weekend somewhere in the country, the combination of being the right size, boasting a stellar line-up with […]
Mayer’s Playlist for March/April 2016, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Rangers & Valentines by Trapper Schoepp When was the last time that you heard an infectious song about mononucleosis? I can’t recall either but Trapper Schoepp demonstrates that it can be done. The lead-off track to his latest release crackles with energy, driven by an irresistible pop hook and emboldened by […]
Monday Morning Video – Celebrating the Music of Merle Haggard
I won’t even try to compete with Shawn’s excellent tribute to the late Merle Haggard. Instead, today we’ll honor his legacy with a playlist of videos from artists singing classics from the Haggard cannon. Herein you’ll find performances from the Avett Brothers, Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson (with Kid Rock and […]
Terri Hendrix – Love You Strong
Teen angst has been a cornerstone of rock ‘n’ roll since Chuck Berry in the 50’s.  Occasionally someone would give a thought to what came next in life–I’m An Adult Now is one of my faves–but generally music’s aesthetic is “I hope I die before I get old…”  Somewhere along the way something funny happened, though, […]
Monday Morning Video – Townes Van Zandt “If I Needed You”
It’s been awhile since we’ve posted some Townes Van Zandt. Seems about time to do it again, right?
Monday Morning Video – Chris Knight was “Framed”
I like to put the ol’ iPod on shuffle and let it surprise me. It came through in spades this past weekend, kicking of a killer playlist with this Chris Knight classic. I don’t know if this qualifies as a murder ballad, but it makes for one damn entertaining story.
Photos that ROCK! Josh Brings his Joy to Boston!
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band House of Blues, Boston MA February 19, 2016 On a cold night in February, I walked out of the sweaty House of Blues feeling like I had just been to some sort of a therapy session (and I am a therapist as my day job!) and my spirits […]
Monday Morning Video – Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg is one of those exceptional songwriters who can move you to tears with a heartbreaking ballad one minute and fire you up with some blistering social and political commentary the next minute. Proof in point, here are “Must I Paint You a Picture” and “Waiting for the Great Leap Forward” from his 1988 […]