Austin Lucas talks about a dream that he recently fulfilled, the joys of eating local and riding in a beast.
Significant Twang Willie Nelson’s Spirit
Everyone has an album or two (or thirty) that are particularly meaningful. Albums that mark specific life milestones or carried them through troubled times. Here is the first in a series of periodic posts about the power – and importance – of music in our lives. A couple of years ago right after my wedding, […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2016 (So Far), the Songs Part 1
This has already been quite a year for songs. Here are just a few of my favorites from the first half of 2016. Unbroken Hearts and Call the Doctor, Austin Lucas (from the Last Chance Records release Between the Moon and the Midwest) Lucas tells his tale of life in the music business, set to […]
Sam Bush – Storyman
It is fitting that Sam Bush is releasing his new album on the heels of The Telluride Bluegrass Festival. After all he has ruled the festival for most of its existence. Seeing him there was an experience that allowed me to cross at least one item off my bucket list. His new release, “Storymanâ€, has […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2016 (So Far), the Albums
It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is shaping up quite nicely, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2016. WILLOW SPRINGS by MICHAEL MCDERMOTT Michael McDermott channels life’s hardships, both his own and those […]
Shamrock Shakes and Oxycontin – A Special Boston Playlist, Part 2
The musical ground in Boston and New England has been especially fertile this year. We’ve already seen some outstanding releases by artists that run the gamut from long-time favorites to incredibly talented newcomers. To that end, here is the latest installment in our periodic series highlighting Boston and New England artists. (View the complete series […]
Guy Clark, 1941 – 2016
An already rough year for music just got a bit tougher. Legendary country and folk singer Guy Clark passed away earlier today. He was an inspiration to both music fans and artists alike. Whether singing songs happy or sad, there was a tremendous warmth to his music and a wonderful vibrancy to his lyrical storytelling. […]
Shamrock Shakes and Oxycontin – A Special Boston Playlist, Part 1
The musical ground in Boston and New England has been especially fertile this year. We’ve already seen some outstanding releases by artists that run the gamut from long-time favorites to incredibly talented newcomers, with plenty more undoubtedly to come. To that end, here is the latest installment in our periodic series highlighting Boston and New […]
Mayer’s Playlist for March/April 2016, Part 3
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH The Narrows by Grant-Lee Phillips Grant-Lee Phillips is, quite simply, one of the most distinctive voices in American music. His songs conjure up vivid portraits of the American experience, from the fault lines of California to the rural lands of Tennessee. The imagery in his songs, both lyrical and musical, is […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival – 2016
Spring has officially arrived mid-April when I make my way to Camp Ben McCulloch and the Salt Lick Pavillon outside of Austin for the Old Settler’s Music Festival.  Although from now through early October there’s a big music festival every weekend somewhere in the country, the combination of being the right size, boasting a stellar line-up with […]