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 […]
Nate Sipe of Pert Near Sandstone on Good Veggie Burgers and Pure Midwestern Gibberish
Nate Sipe talks about AAA membership, a record-breaking night of broken guitar strings and an uncashed million dollar check.
Ruthie Foster Shares Money Management Advice and a Song For Napping
Ruthie Foster talks about why TV newscasts are like music performances and recalls a memorable van breakdown in Boise, Idaho.
No Fun – a Premiere from The Americans
We’re gonna do something different this week for our Monday Morning Video. Los Angeles-based The Americans were gearing up to release the follow-up to 2017’s I’ll Be Yours when, well, you know what happened. Of course even a pandemic can’t keep a good band down. Not surprisingly, the Americans have passed the time playing music. […]
Garrett Owen – Garrett Owen
Everyone has stories. Some more than others. In the case of Garrett Owen, growing up a missionary’s kid in East Africa, and later South America, he has a bucket load. I think having those stories has a secondary benefit in that you recognize the good ones from other people, too. Garrett has transformed some of […]
Will Sexton on Coffee Paraphernalia and Eavesdropping on the Beastie Boys
Will Sexton talks about sitting in a tour van, touring with crock pots, and seeing his heroes get their due.
Martin Earley of The Ballroom Thieves on Losing His Day Job and the Power of Saying No
The Ballroom Thieves’ Martin Earley talks about his “epically emo†first song and the band’s increasing income… and expenses.