Steve Earle just released Jerry Jeff in honor of the late Jerry Jeff Walker, the latest in his series of albums paying tribute to songwriters that have inspired him. Here’s a vintage clip of him reminiscing about several others, including Townes Van Zandt – for whom “Ft. Worth Blues” was written.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2022
Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions) Oklahoma’s Wood Willow – the duo of Becca Herrod and Joel Parks – introduce themselves in fine fashion with Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions). Their debut’s ten tracks shift effortlessly between between sweet (“You’ve Got Me”, “Birds”) and brooding (“On With the […]
Zach Willdee – Heart That Ain’t Tame
The paths and circumstances leading a musician to record their first album are as varied as life itself. Frequently, they work years so they’re prepared to take full advantage of whatever break presents itself. There’s also a contingent that gets there through sheer perseverance and gutting it out. The debut record from Nashville artist Zach […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival – Preview
Every year about now I make a pilgrimage to Austin for a few days of listening to music. It’s not for SXSW. Instead I head out to Tilmon, about an hour southeast of town, for Old Settler’s Music Festival. It’s just the right size to where it’s easy to navigate, but there’s still enough of […]
Elliah Heifetz – First Generation American
Listening to, or reading about, someone’s journey of personal discovery can be, well, a slog. The constants tend to be emotionally draining feelings of fear, uncertainty, doubt, hatred, oppression, repression. Uplifting things like that. So imagine my surprise upon discovering Elliah Heifetz’ first full length album, First Generation American, is actually pretty joyful. Heifetz, son […]
Derek Vanderhorst – Wildflower
Come for the headline, stay for the story. That old saying couldn’t be truer as it relates to the new album from Derek Vanderhorst. The headline is that the go-to sound designer and mixer for hundreds of films, including The Eyes of Tammy Faye and No Country For Old Men, was diagnosed with stage 4 […]
SXSW 2022 – The Sounds, Part 2
ALLISON RUSSELL Seeing Allison Russell was a transcendental experience. Her songs and performance were glorious in their intensity and emotion. While she brought out the clarinet and banjo for a few songs, she mostly relied on the talented trio of musicians to support her on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and cello. Simply magical. BER One […]
SXSW 2022 – The Sounds, Part 1
DOLLY PARTON What can be said about seeing Dolly Parton for the first time? The hits, the stories, the people weeping with joy around me – it was spectacular. And playing “9 to 5” twice – the second time so the audience could sing it – was tremendous. LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES […]
Drew Cooper Song Premiere – Whiskey And Smoke
There’s a transparency that comes with growing up in a town in the Midwest. First of all, everyone knows you. Or your mama. Second, you have to have a certain amount of self-awareness and honesty about yourself. When a simple trip to the mailbox in winter can be death-defying, miscalculations can carry a heavy price. […]
Ben Balmer Song Premiere – Girl With the Dirty Hair
Last fall I wrote about Ben Balmer’s latest record, Honky-Tonk Macbeth. There were a couple of very good, but dark, numbers including the title track. It has the best summary of the Shakespeare classic that I’ve ever heard, “just words that sound pretty, then there’s mostly death.” Most of the album, however, was more in […]