Todd Thibaud’s “4th of July†isn’t about the holiday but it does capture an appropriate holiday sentiment, especially this year. As turbulent times swirl around us, sometimes it’s nice to find moments of peacefulness and contentment in our lives. There’s a guy on my street, he moves to the beat of a song And he […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2020, Part 4
She’s a Self-Made Man, Larkin Poe (from Tricki-Woo Records Self Made Man) Rebecca & Megan Lovell pull no punches on their latest release. Self Made Man, their follow-up to 2018’s Grammy nominated Venom & Faith is a bruising rock album pure and simple. The sisters are old souls possessed by the spirit of the legendary […]
Darlin’ Brando – Also, too…
I think the best ones are located a mile or so out of town. Far enough that no one complains about the noise, but close enough you can still get home after, well, whatever. Budweiser and Miller are the Premium options at the bar and food comes from the microwave or deep fryer. I’m talking […]
John McCutcheon on $400 Days and the True Definition of Success
Prolific folk singer John McCutcheon talks about the dustbin of his writing archive and recalls playing a union gig when he was a teenager
Monday Morning Video – Brother Dege “Old Angel Midnight”
Louisiana blues artist Brother Dege celebrates the 10 year anniversary release of his Folk Songs of the American Longhair album with this special limited edition vinyl release. Says Dege of the album: This is an album that gestated over the course of 10 years, while I was broke and living in cheap motels, trailer parks, […]
On the Road: A Tribute To John Hartford
For the most part, Bill Monroe invented the bluegrass genre over a period of years. The progressive/new grass/indie grass branch of the tree, though, can possibly be related to a single album, John Hartford’s Aereo-Plain. Therefore it’s fitting that so many of that strand’s best known groups jumped in to contribute a cover of one […]
Mac McAnally on Jimi Hendrix and Quixotic Pursuits
Renowned musician and songwriter Mac McAnally talks about an early gig at the family laundromat and the day job that inspired a song.
Monday Morning Video – Chris Knight
I’ve lately been drawn to great stories in song. Chris Knight is one of our leading practitioners with a catalog filled with colorful characters coping with life’s hardships. His attention to detail, both situational and emotional, brings the stories to life with a vividness that raw and captivating. Knight took to the woods of his […]
Kristen Grainger & True North – Ghost Tattoo
As a writer, I suppose it’s natural for me to have a soft spot for well-written lyrics. I was gobsmacked, though, at some of the turns of phrase on the latest record from Oregonian Kristen Grainger. For instance, “outside the traffic clattered, like a sky full of geese drawing fire.” Does that draw you a […]
Broke Down South of Dallas – A Special Playlist
Voices, Joshua Ray Walker (from the State Fair Records release Glad You Made It) Joshua Ray Walker sure seems like he’s having fun on Glad You Made It. Sure, the album opens with the stunning “Voices”, a song of loneliness and despair. Yet as the album progresses, Walker leans into the country side and showcases […]