I saw one estimate that in addition to the 150-ish musical acts with official showcases at this year’s AmericanaFest, there were another 150 you could only see at an unofficial event. If rumors of the dramatic slashing of music at SXSW are true, that may make AmericanaFest the largest event of the year, at least […]
AmericanaFest 2025, Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
kirby baby Two sets from Brooklyn’s kirby baby meant double the proof that his razor-edged indie rock songs are built for live performance. Whether solo or with his full band—I saw both—the material from his new album crackled with the same intensity. JADE BIRD Bird’s magnetic presence commanded Third Man Records’ legendary Blue Room as […]
2025 Americana Music Awards
In what now clocks in at a full 7 days of festivities, if you count the first unofficial showcase until the last, AmericanaFest landed in Nashville the week of September 8th this year. And although the organization itself has started scheduling showcases opposite the annual awards event, there’s no doubt the extravaganza at the ever-fabulous […]
Ryan Lee Crosby on His Practice Regime and Working a Musician’s Hours
Blues artist Ryan Lee Crosby talks about why not rehearsing can be a good thing and why he tries to stay connected to an overall sense of wellness and abundance.
Monday Morning Video – Crowded House
What does it sound like when upwards of 200,000 people sing along with the band? Something like this. Here’s Crowded House singing their nearly 40 year old classic “Don’t Dream It’s Over” at Glastonbury in 2022.
West Texas Exiles – 8000 Days
If you laid the resumes of Marco Gutierrez, Trinidad Leal, Daniel Davis, Eric Harrison, and Colin Gilmore side by side you’d pretty quickly figure they were going to play together in a band, if not in this timeline in another. Turns out it is in this one, and the west Texas native sons have just […]
Twangville Sunday Social: October 19th in Dallas
We haven’t said much about it, but Twangville is turning 20! For two decades, we’ve been shining a light on the musical artists who inspire us – from up-and-comers to familiar favorites. Along the way, we’ve built a tradition of presenting live shows in backyards and music venues that bring that same passion to life. […]
Candice Ivory – New Southern Vintage
From the first notes of Candice Ivory’s New Southern Village, it’s obvious she’s no shrinking violet. She’s in your face and unabashed, reminiscent of a young Tina Turner. Ivory, who daylights as a music instructor at Washington University in St. Louis, says she understands that blues is a global music with roots in the American […]
Texas Headhunters on the Texas Blues Legacy and Building Their Own Sound
Recently I had the distinct pleasure of talking to Johnny Moeller, Ian Moore and Jesse Dayton of Texas Headhunters, who have just released their first album. I’ll say it now, it’s been one of my favorite new releases of the year. Some of it is my love of guitar – you just aren’t going to […]
Shawn Camp on Staying in the Moment and Touring in His Customized Mercedes Sprinter
Country and bluegrass virtuoso Shawn Camp talks about leading tours at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the type of guitar strings that he currently uses, and his approach to rehearsals (hint: he doesn’t).