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 […]
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, […]
Matt Charette Shares One for a Friend and One for the Fight
There’s a certain style of DIY rock and roll that thrives in cities and towns across the country—gruff, edgy, and deeply heartfelt. No pretense in the songs, no bullshit in the attitude. And often, some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. Two artists who embody that spirit – and represent its geographic reach – […]
Monday Morning Video – Bob Weir
2026 is unfortunately picking up right where 2025 left off, taking another musical legend from us. It’s near impossible to overstate Bob Weir’s impact as a founding member of the Grateful Dead and through an incredible array of collaborations and solo projects that followed. No surprise, the outpouring of memories has been overwhelming. The key […]
The Twangville Early 2026 Preview
The Dreamin’ Kind by Langhorne Slim (16 Jan) Langhorne Slim cranks up the electric guitars on his newest release. Yet while the sound may be different, the songs remain the same – brilliant sing-along anthems that don’t shy away from the darker side of humanity. From start to finish, he wears his heart on his […]
Joelton Mayfield on Movies, Truck Repairs, and Being a Music Lifer
Nashville by way of Texas musician Joelton Mayfield talks about his sacred and haunted basement rehearsal space and the benefits of working at a not-for-profit movie theater when he’s not on the road.
Chip’s Best of 2025
As seems to be the case every year, selecting a top 25 was difficult task for 2025. There are so many good albums not on the list, that I liked almost as much as what was included. However, selecting the top album was not hard this year. Wednesday – Bleeds was an obvious choice to […]
Mayer’s Picks, More 2025 Favorites
Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2025.
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2025, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2025 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of 2025. Permission, Alex Wong featuring MILCK (from the Shamus Records release Permission) “Permission” is a defiant sing-along anthem that […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2025, Boston/Dallas Edition
I live in NYC these days but am fortunate to be connected to the music scenes of two cities in which I previously lived – Boston and Dallas. Artists from both metropolitan areas have released some exceptional music this year. Here are a few favorites. Love it local. LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER (BOSTON YOU’RE MY […]