In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I like this music review gig. Â While mainstream “country” has become nothing but American Idolized pop delivered with a nasaly inflection or high school stereotyped Bro’ Country, there’s still a strong undercurrent of lyrically rich, musically infectious Americana releases available if you look for them. Â Luckily, a […]
Monday Morning Video – Couch By Couchwest 2015
Coinciding with SXSW is the annual Couch By Couchwest Festival. What’s not to like about a festival with the tagline “where the beer is cheaper and the only hipster is you.”? (Far be it for me to quible, but some of the beer at SXSW is free. Just sayin’.) Here’s how it works. Artists — […]
Monday Morning Video – George Jones “Why Baby Why”
Sometimes you just wanna start the week with a classic, right?
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2015
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Complicated Game, by James McMurtry Six years. That’s how long it has been since we last heard new music from McMurtry. While he hasn’t been missing during this time – he could always be found on the touring circuit – many of us were anxiously awaiting some new music. Well, that […]
JJ Grey & Mofro – Ol’ Glory
Southern swamp funk-blues band JJ Grey & Mofro have a unique sound forged in the backwaters of Florida. Grey, the band’s leader, is well established as a songwriter, and the band’s recordings and live performances are among the most dependably enjoyable in the business. Grey & Mofro’s reputation grew steadily since the band recorded its first […]
Parker McCollum – The Limestone Kid
One of the things I like about debut albums from singer-songwriters is they frequently have a much richer collection of stories than happens once the pressure mounts to get new material out to fans to keep things fresh. Â That’s the case with the first album from Texas artist Parker McCollum. Â Entitled The Limestone Kid it’s […]
Win Big – Girls Guns and Glory’s Tribute to Hank Williams
To say that the guys in Girls Guns and Glory are fans of Hank Williams would be an understatement. For the past five years they’ve celebrated the legendary songwriter with a series of annual tribute shows. They intentionally schedule these tributes for New Year’s Eve and Day, paying homage to the show that Williams was […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January 2015
ALBUM OF THE MONTH Fear and Saturday Night, by Ryan Bingham Bingham sets the tone for his latest album right out of the gate. “I’ve been carrying my troubles in this pack strapped to my shoulder,” he confesses in the opening “Nobody Knows My Trouble.” What follows are twelve songs that are filled with life […]
Ryan Culwell On a Memorable First Gig and the Song That Made Him Famous In His Family
Culwell talks about why he prefers a good meal over a plush hotel room, a memorable day job cooking cow bile and the advice that his friend gave him (read more Seth Godin).
Monday Morning Video – Missing George Jones
There”s nothing like starting the week with a classic: George Jones singing “She Thinks I Still Care” best online casino (with a brief cameo from Johnny Cash).