Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. JOE FLETCHER I couldn’t think of a better way to close […]
2014 Americana Music Awards
On September 17th, the glitterati of the Americana Music Scene gathered at the historic Ryman Theater for their annual Awards show and presentation.  Mayer and I were lucky enough to procure a seat to the festivities.  You can get a full list of the award nominees and winners here, but these are the highlights from our […]
Monday Morning Video: A Premiere from Dom Flemons
There has been some debate recently about what is and what isn’t Americana. Whether you lean towards a broad definition or one that is tightly constrained, I think we can all agree that folks like Dom Flemons are the real deal. The Carolina Chocolate Drops co-founder, now performing as a solo artist, comes across as […]
E.G. Kight – A New Day
E.G. Kight’s is a unique voice in contemporary music. Her heartfelt, gospel and country-tinged blues blend American traditions into a toe-tapping good time. Her latest album, A New Day, demonstrates what her dedicated following has known since the late 90s – that she is a special talent. Though Georgia native Kight grew up listening to old time country music like […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Sept 2014, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Swimmin’ Time, by Shovels and Rope Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent — aka Shovels and Rope — just keep getting better and better. Swimmin’ Time takes their customary percussive guitar and drums and expands their musical palette with piano, horns and a host of other instruments. The result is something […]
Rob Stone – Gotta Keep Rollin’
Rob Stone plays good, honest blues. A Boston native, harpist Stone followed a straight-forward style in the Chicago electric blues tradition on Gotta Keep Rollin’. Stone’s tight band his has put together a first-class selection of rollicking tunes that is sure to enhance their growing reputation in the blues world. Stone has been leading his […]
Monday Morning Video: Vintage Buddy Holly from 1957
Now no matter what you think of rock and roll, I think you have to keep a nice open mind about what the young people go for, otherwise the youngsters won’t feel that you understand them. Now if we’re ready for our rock and roll specialist, we have Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
Photos that ROCK! Mark Erelli & "Milltowns"
Back in March, Mark Erelli contacted me and asked if I could do a photo shoot with him for his next album. He explained that it was a tribute to one of his favorite musicians (Bill Morrissey) and that the photos should include birch trees and a fall New England landscape. Not only do I […]
Front Country – Sake Of the Sound
Six one, half dozen another. Â That old saying is supposed to be all about things being the same, but I think there’s a perspective difference that gets lost. Â As an example, many bands have a wide range of genres on an album in part because they’re still looking to find their sound. Â A few, relatively […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Sept 2014, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH You’ve Got the Wrong Man, by Joe Fletcher Singer-songwriter Joe Fletcher drew inspiration for You’ve Got the Wrong Man from the field recordings of the early 20th century. The process, most notably used by John Lomax during his musical exploration of the Southern US, places particular emphasis on the raw emotion […]