Texas country singer Jason James recalls a house party gone bad (except for the $50 payout), his abbreviated career in food service, and not trying.
Americana 2019 – Chip’s Picks
Americanafest brings a plethora of artist and showcases together in Nashville each September to celebrate the year that was; and give a preview of the year to come. Here is my attempt to highlight but a few artists that caught my attention this year, although there are too many special performances to recount. The Vandoliers […]
Americana 2019: Shawn’s Picks
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 […]
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.
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.
Monday Morning Video – Vincent Neil Emerson
Country singer Vincent Neil Emerson’s debut was a long time in the making. For several years the East Texas native has been honing his craft the old school way, playing honky-tonks across Texas and beyond. One can hear the miles, not to mention the honky-tonk dance floor dust, pulsing through the songs that make up […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2019, Part 2
Have You Seen My Girl, Todd May (from the self-released Let’s Go Get Lost) There are certain albums that were meant to be heard on vinyl. While the latest from Todd May isn’t available in that format, one can hear both its inherent warmth and insistent crackle in every song – even when streamed or […]
A Premiere from Ward Hayden and the Outliers
One of the great things about seeing Ward Hayden & the Outliers live is the wonderful covers that they throw into their set. While these song choices are seemingly intended as crowd pleasers – which, of course, they are – they are also evidence that the quartet are true students of music. The group’s encyclopedic […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2019, Part 1
Love Is Dangerous, Dalton Domino (from the Lightning Rod Records release Songs from the Exile) Dalton Domino does more than wear his heart on his sleeve; he lays it bare. Much of his latest release finds him cycling through the various stages and emotions of heartbreak, from bitterness to self-reflection. He opens with the brooding […]
Newport Folk Festival 2019 – Looking Back at the Big Names
Surprise guests are really nothing new at Newport Folk Festival but the 2019 edition highlighted a particularly timely legendary performer in Dolly Parton. The emcee of the Saturday night performance was Newport Folk Festival stalwart Brandi Carlile (introduced by Executive Produced of the Newport Folk Festival Jay Sweet) who introduced the country legend. Parton regaled […]