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 […]
Dori Freeman on Why She Doesn’t Set Many Concrete Goals and How She Writes Songs
Singer-songwriter Dori Freeman talks about early gigs playing with her father and why he gives her a hard time.
Cory Younts of Old Crow Medicine Show On Tour Bus Mileage and Dragging a Piano to His First Gig
Cory Younts of Old Crow Medicine Show talks about the time that a band rehearsal at his house turned into a neighborhood block party and his early years working at a Boy Scout camp.
Shinyribs on His Rugged Individualist Streak and a “Shared” Rehearsal Studio
Austin’s Shinyribs talks about maintaining a tour van repair savings account, his “shared” rehearsal studio and his counterintuitive lesson on booking gigs.
Monday Morning Video – Doc Dailey
I’ve been revisiting some of my favorites from years gone by and have been reveling in the Doc Dailey catalog. Dailey introduced himself back in 2010, sending along the just released Victims, Enemies & Old Friends. One listen and I was hooked – the album made my top ten list that year. Here’s a triple […]
Video Premiere – King Commoner
L.A.-based musician King Commoner is also a filmmaker. I’ll explain why that matters in a minute. He recently dropped a new EP entitled Peril & Woe. The first song, Winter, is a rootsy rock piece with a serious snap-your-fingers-to-it beat. Run My Son drives a little harder and injects a more Southern rock flavor. The […]
Vincent Neil Emerson on Canned Goods, Leather Goods and Connecting with People Through Music
Country singer Vincent Neil Emerson talks about getting stuck in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, writing his first song (covered by Charlie Crockett on his forthcoming album) and filling a football stadium with his friends.
Drew Holcomb on Looking Around Corners and Enjoying the Moment
Drew Holcomb talks about choosing wine over beer, his scariest day while touring, and why he feels lucky.
Monday Morning Video – Lula Wiles
Folk trio Lula Wiles put out an exceptional album earlier this year. What Will We Do, their sophomore release, showcases for the breadth of their songwriting. In true folk fashion they shift effortlessly from pointed social commentary to candid personal reflection, surrounding catchy melodies with stellar musicianship and harmonies. Here are three favorites from the […]
Blue Moon Marquee – Bare Knuckles & Brawn
Perhaps the best way to describe Canadian “Gypsy Blues” duo Blue Moon Marque is to imagine Tom Waits doing Cab Calloway numbers. It’s an unusual style, but it works on Bare Knuckles & Brawn. The duo, which features A.W. Cardinal on vocals and guitar and Jasmine Colette on vocals and upright bass, captures a unique […]