James McMurtry does not talk much, and he does not volunteer myth. He answers questions carefully, sometimes obliquely, often economically, as if every word costs something. That reserve has become part of his public character, as recognizable as the stark clarity of his songs. McMurtry is a listener first, a keen observer of language and […]
Patton Magee of The Nude Party on How They Got a Sitar and the Best Kept Secret in Music
Patton Magee of The Nude Party talks about the benefit of staying busy and recalls what happened when the police showed up at the band’s first gig.
Monday Morning Video – Tyler-James Kelly
The beauty of true country music is its simplicity. But there’s real complexity in creating something that feels effortless—distilling a song idea down to its core, making it lyrically accessible, and setting it to a melody that’s both immediate and unforgettable. Tyler-James Kelly did exactly that on his solo debut, and he continues that success […]
John Francis O’Mara Video Premiere – Jesus Walked On Water
One of my favorite albums of last year was John Francis O’Mara’s Forbidden Hymns. It’s a plea for humanity to dig deep into their soul and find the empathy and kindness that’s been mocked as a weakness by many in power today. Set to a soundtrack of outlaw country hymns and Southern rock R&B ballads, […]
Folk Alliance Int’l 2026 – Shawn’s Favorites
Folk Alliance International isn’t your typical music conference. Held this year in New Orleans, days include industry panels, seminars, and public showcases in hotel ballrooms, but the real magic happens late at night when up to 100 hotel rooms transform into intimate “private showcases”—artists who normally fill 500-seat theaters performing for 20 people at a […]
Folk Alliance Int’l 2026 – Mayer’s Picks, Part 2
Folk Alliance International isn’t your typical music conference. Held this year in New Orleans, days include industry panels, seminars, and public showcases in hotel ballrooms, but the real magic happens late at night when up to 100 hotel rooms transform into intimate “private showcases”—artists who normally fill 500-seat theaters performing for 20 people at a […]
Folk Alliance Int’l 2026 – Mayer’s Picks, Part 1
Folk Alliance International isn’t your typical music conference. Held this year in New Orleans, days include industry panels, seminars, and public showcases in hotel ballrooms, but the real magic happens late at night when up to 100 hotel rooms transform into intimate “private showcases”—artists who normally fill 500-seat theaters performing for 20 people at a […]
Paul Givant of Rose’s Pawn Shop on 3 Legged Vans and Random Guitar Repairs
Paul Givant of Rose’s Pawn Shop reveals how the band got its name and why diving in the deep end of the music business is better than just dipping a toe.
It’s Cold Outside – a Premiere From Cold Chocolate
There are guitar-drum duos who sound like guitar-drum duos. And there are those that do something special. Cold Chocolate are firmly in the latter category. The Boston duo blend folk, rock, funk and bluegrass into something that honors tradition while kicking up a ruckus with scruffy guitar and driving rhythms. They don’t limit themselves to […]
Monday Morning Video – Shooter Jennings and the Werewolves of L.A.
Warren Zevon has finally been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—a long overdue honor that artists and fans have advocated for over the years. Among those championing his legacy is Shooter Jennings, who periodically performs selections from the Zevon catalog with a band he’s dubbed The Werewolves of Los Angeles. In 2023, […]