If you’re a regular reader you know we cover more than just twangy music. Whether it’s rock or blues or folk, the thread that ties them to country or bluegrass is their rootsy foundation. So when I read that Philadelphian Don McCloskey took a lot of inspiration from 80’s musical icons Peter Gabriel and Paul […]
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 […]
John Doe on Guitar Strings, Ballpoint Pens, and Intuition
Musician, songwriter, and actor John Doe talks about giving away his tour van and finding coffee, cigarettes, and beer on the road.
Monday Morning Video – Rosie Flores
Over the weekend I was reminded of our interview with Rosie Flores. It’s one of my favorites, filled with stories of a career more than four decades long – and one that’s still rollin’. Here’s Flores performing “You Tear Me Up” for Ditty TV back in 2019.
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 […]
Stanhope – Static
Static is a funny thing. Mathematically it’s noise, typically random. The purists abhor it because it wasn’t there at the source. Yet it’s been shown to increase the perception of how real or genuine the recording is because, you know, nothing’s perfect. Chris Rawlins, the real-world name of Chicago musician Stanhope, applied that idea by […]
Abbie Gardner on The Blues Brothers and Athletic Training
Singer-songwriter Abbie Gardner talks about touring with bamboo utensils, working as an occupational therapist, and an early song about commuting in Boston.
Monday Morning Video – “Show Yourself”, A Benefit Residency
Keepsake House, producers of the “From Story to Song” show that I wrote about earlier this year, are back with an even more ambitious undertaking: they’ve partnered with Nashville musician Alex Wong to host the month-long “Show Yourself: A Benefit Residency Celebrating AAPI Stories”. The series. emcompassing five shows, kicked off last Monday with Wong, […]
Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder – Get On Board: The Songs of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder have a history going back nearly 60 years, which officially makes Get On Board a long-awaited reunion – and something to cherish. With the profound contributions and pedigrees of Mahal and Cooder, we expect brilliance, and the album more than meets those expectations. In the mid-1960s, when Ry Cooder was […]
Trout Fishing In America – Safe House
Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet have been playing together as Trout Fishing In America for 40 years. During that time they’ve garnered 4 Grammy nominations and a slew of other awards. They play folk music, children’s music, jazz, rock, bluegrass, and whatever else catches their whimsy. They estimate they’ve logged a million miles touring, primarily […]