Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the Americana Music Awards and continuing through several days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances from […]
American Equator – a Premiere from Pete Mancini
I’m a sucker for a good power pop song. The best of ’em pull you in with catchy melodies even as/when the lyrics are less than uplifting. Such is the case with Pete Mancini’s new single “American Equator”. The song finds Mancini contemplating the political dissonance of the past several years, lamenting its continued escalation. […]
Rebecca Frazier on a Flood in Her Rehearsal Space and Believing in the “Now”
Bluegrass singer-songwriter Rebecca Frazier talks about selling her tour van, martinis, and a lesson learned from Travis Tritt.
Monday Morning Video – Kris Kristofferson
Another country legend is gone with the passing of Kris Kristofferson this weekend. Kristofferson first established himself as a songwriter, writing such notable songs as “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (most notably recorded by Johnny Cash in 1970) and “Me and Bobby McGee” (made famous by Janis Joplin). He then embarked on his own highly successful […]
Mindy Smith – Quiet Town
In what you could only characterize as an auspicious start, Mindy Smith’s first commercial song release was a cover of Jolene, on a tribute album put together by the record label Dolly herself was on. Shortly thereafter Smith released her debut album and started down a path to become an acclaimed Nashville songwriter. She’s about […]
Emily Frembgen On Instant Oatmeal and Stage Fright
New York City singer-songwriter Emily Frembgen talks about hosting shows at a vegan doughnut shop where she worked and reveals the song that she wrote when she was five years old.
Monday Morning Video – Joni Mitchell “Both Sides Now”
Let’s celebrate the greatness that is Joni Mitchell with these two performances of one of her signature songs at two legendary festivals. First is a 1970 appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival and then her surprise 2022 performance at the Newport Folk Festival.
Say What?! 2024 Edition
One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from 2024. I switch guitars a lot because of the weight of the material. Josh Ritter You think I need luck, I been doing this a […]
Guy Davis – The Legend of Sugarbelly
For Guy Davis, keeping the blues alive means keeping it alive even its most stripped-down form. The Legend of Sugarbelly is a throwback to the blues’ purest, simplest acoustic form, so reminiscent of Lead Belly and the earliest masters one almost expects to hear the crackle of an old 78-inch record. Davis is a great […]
Tyson Davis of Blackwater Railroad Company on Touring in “Milk Milk” and Energetic Guitar Picking
Guitarist and vocalist Tyson Davis of Alaskan roots band Blackwater Railroad Company talks about the group’s rehearsal studio, where they recorded their most recent album, and his favorite day job.