For the 22nd time, fans, musicians, and industry personnel gathered in Nashville on the 3rd weekend in September for the AmericanaFest. Part music festival, part industry conference, the event now stretches across most of the week. Regardless of when individual organized meetings and events start, the real premiere is the Americana Music Awards show at […]
Monday Morning Video – Twangville NYC Showcase Preview
We’re back at it in NYC! This coming Wednesday we’re hosting a great line-up at Brooklyn honky-tonk Skinny Dennis. Get ready to throw some peanut shells on the floor as Ted Russell Kamp, Matt Woods, and Robert Cody Maxwell throw down with a mix of full band rocking and solo acoustic strummin’. If you’re in […]
Heather Lynne Horton on Kitchen Counter Rehearsals and Songs Inspired by a Tour Debacle
Singer-songwriter Heather Lynne Horton talks about snack packing and stashing, why her band mates refer to her as “Charlie Daniels”, and a year spent performing at a children’s clothing boutique.
Merchant Navy Hotel – a Premiere from The Northern Belle
The Northern Belle, an anchor of Norway’s Americana music scene, are gearing up to release a new album in 2024. Fortunately we don’t have to wait until next year to be treated to new music from the group. “Merchant Navy Hotel”, the first single from the album arrives later this week but you can hear […]
Phoebe Hunt on Rental Car Headaches and Transforming Screen Time to String Time
Singer, songwriter, and fiddle player Phoebe Hunt talks about why she became a vegetarian, life running two businesses, and why different types of gigs each have their own place.
Arielle Silver Video Premiere – Rickie Lee
One of the pleasant surprises I had at this year’s Folk Alliance conference was lucking into a performance from LA transplant Arielle Silver. After several sets of protest and grievance-laden anthems, her mix of sophisticated, reflective songs were a welcome respite. Talking with her afterwards, it was nice to hear a musician just enjoying her […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2023
Alameda, Anna Rose (from the White Pony/Electric Child Music release Last Girl of the Rodeo) Anna Rose doesn’t pull any punches – lyrically or musically – on Last Girl of the Rodeo. The LP cycles through the collapse of a relationship, bleeding raw emotion as it does. The deeply brooding “Whatever Gets You Through the […]
Steep Canyon Rangers – Morning Shift
The sun was in my eyes. Or maybe more appropriately, the banjo was in my ear. Like many people I’m sure, my first exposure to North Carolina’s Steep Canyon Rangers was the first record they did with Steve Martin. It established them in my mind as a bluegrass band, and then they proceeded to build […]
Dana Cooper on Duct Tape Car Repairs and Time Spent Driving a Cab in LA
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Dana Cooper talks about the view from his rehearsal space and becoming the lead singer of his high school band (and what happened after he did).
Monday Morning Video – Whitney Rose and Brennen Leigh
Both Brennen Leigh and Whitney Rose are celebrating newly released albums – Rose’s Rosie was released back in May while Leigh’s Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet arrived in June. But let’s take it back two years to 2021 when the two teamed up to cover Concrete Blonde’s classic “Joey”.