“We like harmonies,” joked REM’s bassist Mike Mills at one point during the 50th anniversary show of Big Star’s Radio City recently at Union Stage here in Washington, D.C. Harmony, humor, and a celebration of songs that influenced so many musicians for decades were the theme of this sold out show. A smaller crew than […]
Willie Watson on Touring in the “Wanderlodge”, Odetta, and Working in Vineyards
Singer-songwriter, poet, actor and multi-instrumentalist Willie Watson talks about 2 days spent at West Virginia’s Hillybilly Truck Repair and recalls his first gig, playing Bianca’s Daughters, an Italian restaurant in Watkin’s Glen, NY.
Monday Morning Video – John Prine “Summer’s End”
Summer has nearly come to an end and I can’t think of a better way to acknowledge it than with a song by one of the masters. Here are two versions of John Prine’s “Summer’s End”, from 2018’s The Tree of Forgiveness, to close out the season. First is a solo acoustic performance, shot backstage […]
Bob Sumner – Some Place To Rest Easy
Everyone has their demons. There are many people who have turned those demons into musical artistry. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always mean the story ends well. For British Columbian Bob Sumner, it seems like maybe it will. A genetic heart disease diagnosis became the catalyst for him to overcome alcoholism and turn his energy more toward […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2024, Part 2
The Money or the Time, Goodnight Texas (from the 2 Cent Bank Check Records release Signals) Goodnight Texas have built a career around storytelling. Their early albums were thematic period pieces, snapshots of time vividly captured in song. Later albums, including the recently released Signals, may lack an overarching narrative but are no less compelling […]
Wilson Moyer of Happy Landing on Fast Food Restaurants and Persevering Through Disaster
Bassist Wilson Moyer of folk rock band Happy Landing talks about making ends meet when the band isn’t on the road, the day job that helped him build patience and willpower, and the importance of being a good hang.
Monday Morning Video – The Ballad of El Goodo
Let’s go back to 2010. Alex Chilton was scheduled to appear at SXSW that year to celebrate the legacy of indie rock legends Big Star. Chilton tragically passed away from a heart attack just days prior to the appearance. So the planned celebration suddenly became a bittersweet tribute to a band that inspired so many […]
Fruition – How To Make Mistakes
It’s an interesting idea, being a prisoner to your own success. You start out with your dreams, work your tail off, and then find out what got you to where you are is what’s holding you back from your future. Portland, Oregon’s Fruition found themselves with a little bit of that happening when the pandemic […]
Colin James – Chasing the Sun
To say that Colin James is big in Canada is an understatement. With eight Juno Awards (Canadian Grammies) and 31 Maple Leaf Blues Awards, James might be the most prominent member of a healthy Canadian blues scene that has included the likes of Steve Dawson, Colin Linden, Sue Foley, Jim Byrnes, JW-Jones, Big Dave McLean […]
“Dead Flowers” – A Premiere From Afton Wolfe and Jaimee Harris
Sometimes you just have to run with the moment. A random conversation between Nashville residents Afton Wolfe and Jaimee Harris about cult movie hit “Big Lebowski” was the spark behind this impressive collaboration. Those familiar with the movie will recall that Townes Van Zandt’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ composition closes out the movie. Harris […]