At the risk of mixing metaphors, Guy Forsyth started his journey washing dishes and mucking stalls in the musical kingdom of Austin. From those early days of busking on the UT campus he worked his way up to leading multiple bands and securing a residency at Antone’s, the throne room of Texas blues. Along the […]
Barton Davies from Boy Named Banjo on Their Tour Van “Bessie” and Working Odd Jobs
Barton Davies, banjo player from Boy Named Banjo, talks about banjo strings (obviously) and tour meal priorities.
Old Californio – Metaterranea
Everywhere has a home team band. Between long-time fans, songs that reference local places, or just the stamina to play anywhere that will have them, they start to become identified with a local style of music as much as the local style gets defined by them. When it comes to roots and Americana music, we […]
Robert Rex Waller, Jr. – See the Big Man Cry
I have to profess, a vocalist’s range is not something where I tend to pay enough attention. But it came up front and center on Robert Rex Waller, Junior’s latest album, See the Big Man Cry. Like hearing Roy Orbison or Raul Malo for the first time, you suddenly realize there’s a whole other axis […]
Josh Travis – Few of Days & Full of Trouble
Many religions, Christianity among them, have a common thread that life is hard, and short, and the reason to suffer through it is the afterlife. A lucky few learn to find and cherish the moments that offer a respite from the daily turmoil. Even those times are earned; they’re not a birthright. That kind of […]
Logan Ledger Quotes Mark Twain and Talks About Bluegrass Music Camp
Singer-songwriter Logan Ledger talks about why he likes the Chrysler Pacifica minivan for touring and playing Nashville’s legendary Station Inn for his first gig.
Americana 2023, Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
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”.