Spending time early in adulthood to find oneself has become a bit cliche. Frequently it’s code for delaying acceptance of responsibility and purpose. For Tulsa musician Parker Ferrell, though, it cemented his perspective on the importance of love and compassion while remaining rooted in the daily requirements of the present. Those values inspired the songs […]
William Lee Ellis – Ghost Hymns
William Lee Ellis plays roots music in its purest form. An acoustic master named after his godfather, legendary bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, Ellis plays bluegrass, folk and blues in a straightforward, intimate way. His music is a throwback to the days before computers, before television, even before radio, when music was always live and personal. […]
JD Graham on Exercising Moderation and Working Towards a Goal
Oklahoma singer-songwriter JD Graham talks about playing in a speed metal band and sharing his story of redemption.
Monday Morning Video – James Maddock and the Waterboys
Here’s a fun one to start the week. Back in 2012, New York-based James Maddock was joined by Mike Scott and Steve Wickham of The Waterboys for a rollicking – and epic – version of that band’s “Fisherman’s Blues”.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring, Part 3
Broken Heart of Mine, William Prince (from the Six Shooter Records release Stand in the Joy) “Is the moon shining bright where you are? Is it even shining at all?,” asks William Prince at the start of the outstanding “When You Miss Someone”, the lead track from his latest album. The song wistfully chronicles the […]
Brennen Leigh – Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet
“What kind of music do you usually have here? Oh, we have both kinds, country and western.” That line set the stage for arguably the best scene Hollywood ever did about honky tonk bars. Like all good parodies, there were some underlying truths that rang true even when injected with comedy. Brennen Leigh has taken […]
Brennen Leigh on Leaning Vegan and the Mandatory Part of Learning to Write Songs
Country musician Brennan Leigh talks about noshing like a trash panda and saying yes to one’s self.
Tim O’Brien on Choosing B Flat and Getting Paid With a Beer Mug
Bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien talks about his “day job” and shares some age advice for touring and playing.
Monday Morning Video – Jesse Malin
If you’ve ever seen Jesse Malin live, you know what a dynamic performer he is. Bounding around the stage, into the audience, up on the bar – he takes over the room. Which makes his recent health situation all the more tragic. Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke that has left him paralyzed from the […]
JD Graham Premiere – Sidewalk Bobby
There’s a long tradition of dark stories, darker personalities, and black-hearted endings in Americana and folk music. They range from the myriad of circumstances highlighted in the plethora of murder ballads to the teary ending of an outlaw motorcycle rider, or a fervent prayer to not have one’s last minutes be in a cheap motel. […]