No Heart Left Behind, Hannah Aldridge (from the Rootsy Music release Gold Rush) “I take my heartache with a little bit of ice,” announces Muscle Shoals-raised Hannah Aldridge on “Burning Down Birmingham,” one of several stand-outs from her latest release. Electric guitars lead the charge, sometimes chugging with an insistent stoicism and other times unleashing […]
Matt Patershuk – Same As I Ever Have Been
There’s a gritty, dirty style of music that owes much of it’s heritage to the central swath of America, whether it’s the dirt-under-the-fingernails blues from the cotton fields of Mississippi or the the soot-stained rock and roll that came out of the factories in Detroit and Cleveland.  The ranches and oil fields of the plains of western […]
Becky Warren – “Fort Sam Boys” Video Premiere
One of the hallmarks of a good storyteller is the ability to take a big idea or topic and present it from the perspective of the individual participants. Â Instead of a political statement, you have a human interest piece and sometimes that’s the only way to start a civil conversation. Â American’s participation in military operations–war–has […]
Monday Morning Video: Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives
If ever there was an aptly named band, this is it. Although the name is an apt description of Marty Stuart himself, a country music mainstay for nearly 50 years. Way Out West, his latest album with the illustrious Superlatives finds him continuing to be a leading light among artists carrying on the tradition of […]
Americana 2017: 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 annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four 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 […]
Americana 2017: Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
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 four 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 […]
Ryan Koenig – ‘Strugglin’ With A Lot’ Song Premiere
Like the bee that pollinates just about all the produce we eat, I love it when a musician works with a lot of different genres. Â The epitome of that may just be Ryan Koening, who does everything from roots rock as a sideman to Pokey LaFarge, to blues with the Rum Drum Ramblers, to old […]
Well You Heard About The Boston… Playlist, Part 1
Ex-Girlfriends Cost Less Money Than Ex-Wives, Greg Klyma (from the self-released Never Knew Caroline) There are some artists who are tireless students of music, constantly exploring the historical corners of country, blues and folk to better understand the anatomy of song. Greg Klyma is one of them. In fact, for several years he has brought […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2017 (So Far), the Songs
I thought that I’d do something different this year and, with one exception, focus this list on songs that aren’t from my list of favorite 2017 albums (so far). Each of those releases, of course, could contribute songs to this list but let’s highlight some other faves of the year. Hope the High Road, Jason […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2017 (So Far), the Albums
It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is looking quite nice, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2017. BIG BAD LUV by JOHN MORELAND It’s not too late to get on the Moreland train […]