One of the great characteristics of bluegrass and Americana music festivals is the impromptu jam sessions. Backstage, in the campground, at the hotel, on the tour bus, there’s a lot more great music that gets played than ever hits the stage. Not for the first time, those informal sessions have been the impetus for new […]
2023 Folk Alliance International Conference
There are a multitude of organizations set up to serve the music industry, from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammy people) and their non-profit, MusiCares, to industry organizations for various segments, to local music societies. I’m certain none of them come close to the broad offerings of Folk Alliance International. FAI […]
Alice Howe Premiere – What About You
Say what you will, but there are places in this world that have their own soul. I’ve never been, but I can imagine one of those is the FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals. Bi-coastal songstress Alice Howe certainly felt it the first time she recorded material there in 2019. The presence of all those previous […]
Jarrod Dickenson – Big Talk
If life is about the journey and not the destination, then I think there’s a corollary that most people are defined by the fight and not the win. It certainly seems that this phase of Jarrod Dickenson’s life hews to that. His new record, Big Talk, is a winner, due in no small part to […]
Shawn’s Favorite Albums of 2022
It was a good year for music, both live and recorded. I heard some things pushing the envelope of an already large package called Americana. I heard some new takes on old songs and some old takes on new songs. I heard a few things that even though I knew what was coming, and looking […]
Whitehorse – I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying
At this point, the fact someone made a pandemic album is hardly a surprise. Typically it’s been a collection of favorite covers, or a project filled with random songs that made the cut after months of alone time. Canadian duo Whitehorse turned that on its ear with their new record, I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying. […]
Melissa Carper – Ramblin’ Soul
One of the best sets I saw at this year’s AmericanaFest was the trio of Brennan Leigh, Kelly Willis, and Melissa Carper. As they told stories of their travels together in between the songs it was clear they were having as much fun off stage as on. That newfound, or perhaps refound, appreciation for touring […]
Old Californio – Old Californio Country
Back in the 60’s and 70’s, the northeast corner of LA county, the San Gabriel Valley, was the gateway to LA’s weekend getaway urge. From there, a short drive east and you faced a choice. Make a right and you were quickly in Palm Springs, where the Rat Pack ruled and mainstream America dreamed of […]
Marina Rocks Video Premiere – Shine
Maybe all you need to know about Marina Rocks is that when she turned 12 her mom gave her a Marshall stack instead of clothes or toys. Add to that she was brought up in Austin and it doesn’t take a genius to figure out she was going to be a musician. That passion she […]
Jake Hunsinger & the Rock Bottom – Wrapped Around the Axle
The first time I listened to the new album from Jake Hunsinger & the Rock Bottom, Wrapped Around the Axle, I was driving, so couldn’t read or search anything. I kept thinking, “do I know this song, is it a cover?” Turns out Hunsinger is a student of country music song writing, and that explained […]