Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the 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 from […]
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 […]
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).
Teddy Thompson on Food Deserts and the End of Royalties
Singer-songwriter Teddy Thompson talks about his fruit and vegetable fund, working at a hair salon, and the meaning of “JFP”.
The Waymores – Greener Pastures
Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s, many of the top country artists were female/male duos. You know them all; Dolly and Porter, Tammy and George, Loretta and Conway, June and Johnny. The typical recording process at the time was the producer would assemble a team of crack instrumentalists in the studio, and then […]
Newport Folk 2023 – Sunday
Every year I am lucky enough to attend Newport Folk Festival, and I have attended six, there’s a moment where the music takes on a full sensory experience. Time stops. When Gregory Alan Isakov took the Quad Stage, that moment occurred. Gregory Alan Isakov and his band including banjo, fiddle, keys, and percussion. Isakov’s new […]
Dale Watson – Starvation Box
On his new album “Starvation Box” Dale Watson has gone in a new direction. Not to worry though, he hasn’t sold out and gone mainstream. He is not going Bro-Country or releasing a Luke Bryan covers album. In actuality, he has gone the other direction. Watson has descended deeper into his roots than ever before. […]
Monday Morning Video – Ronnie Fauss and Friends
A few weeks back, Dallas musician and friend of Twangville Ronnie Fauss reached out to see if we wanted to collaborate on a birthday show. “But it’s not our birthday,” we replied. He sat us down and carefully explained that it was HIS birthday and he had an idea. We were sold. Join us this […]
Taken For a Ride – a Premiere from Nathan Mongol Wells
Our introduction to Dallas musician Nathan Mongol Wells came via his rock band Ottoman Turks. Their 2019 debut delivered some fun cowpunk and their 2021 follow-up rocked with a harder edge. His forthcoming solo debut, however, showcases his gentler side. Among the better examples is the ballad “Taken for a Ride”. A pedal steel gives […]
Ryan Curtis – Ain’t Ever Easy
Even if you’re not an NPR fan, you’ve no doubt heard of Lake Wobegon, where all the kids are above average. I used to snicker at the mathematical inference of that statement. Then I listened to the new album from Idahoan Ryan Curtis, Ain’t Never Easy, and realized that’s where the other half went. It’s […]