In the middle part of the last century, most of rural America centered their social lives around their church and the local Grange Hall.  The Grange became the logical choice for Saturday night dances, which weren’t appropriate for a church.  Here, a variety of local and regional touring bands played country waltzes, western swing songs, and […]
Monday Morning Video – Ted Russell Kamp
Bassist Ted Russell Kamp is a mainstay of the Los Angeles Americana community. Check the liner notes of many an album emerging from that vibrant scene and there’s a good chance you’ll find his name. When he is not playing, producing or performing with the likes of Shooter Jennings, Sam Morrow and countless others, Kamp […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 3
Easy Ways, Andrew Duhon (from the self-released False River) Andrew Duhon is an old soul. One can hear it both in the warmth of his voice and the captivating charm of his songs. The New Orleans singer-songwriter bridges pop, folk and a touch of jazz into a sound that is gloriously captivating. Some of his […]
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Live at Songbirds
At one point early in his set Ray Wylie Hubbard borrowed a line form one of his songs and said, “Any day my gratitude is above my expectations is a good day. Today has been a good dayâ€. It was indeed a good night. The event took place at Songbirds in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Songbirds is […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 2
Heartbreak Man, Sam Morrow (from the Forty Below Records release Concrete and Mud) Concrete and Mud is the sound of an artist hitting stride. Sam Morrow’s previous two albums were solid outings but there was a certain restraint, a tentativeness of an artist in the process of finding his voice. One can actually see that […]
Monday Morning Video – Garrett Owen
Twangville hosted a house concert in Dallas/Ft Worth several weeks back. Ft Worth’s Garrett Owen was one of our featured artists that day. The reaction of the audience you see in this video matches that of the audience at our show. Owen captivated with the purity of his voice and guitar-playing, not to mention the […]
I See Hawks In LA – Live And Never Learn
One of the things John Prine is so admired for is his ability to take a snippet of an ordinary person’s daily existence and turn it into a story you listen to again and again, complete with a life lesson.  Similarly, southern California’s I See Hawks In LA can take a place (frequently in California) and […]
Monday Morning Video – Tom Waits
Ah Tom Waits, arguably one of American music’s most idiosyncratic artists but unequivocally one of its most distinctive voices. Here’s a 1986 live performance from Italy that includes so many of his “hits” – “Jersey Girl”, “Looking for the Heart of Saturday Night” and “Tom Traubert’s Blues (Waltzing Mathilda)” to name just a few. Classics […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 1
The Fold, Brent Cowles (from the Dine Alone Records release How To Be OK Alone) One doesn’t need to tell Brent Cowles that life is a struggle. The Denver singer-songwriter isn’t afraid to bare his soul, a fact that is evident from the fervent opening moments of “The Fold” to the quiet closing moments of […]
David Rosales – Brave Ones
The beaches in southern California are at their peak about mid-morning. Â The fog is burning off and so the sun’s just coming out. Â It’s still chilly, but the air is full of possibilities whether it’s the warmth of the upcoming day or the reliable 3-foot break. Â The rest of the world has been toiling for […]