Café Wha? opened in 1959 in a MacDougal Street basement in Greenwich Village, and it has long been an early stop for artists still building their audiences. Bob Dylan first played the room in January 1961, Jimi Hendrix worked through multiple sets a night there as Jimmy James in the mid-1960s, and Bruce Springsteen did […]
AmericanaFest 2026, Mayer’s Picks (Part 3)
THE HEARTBREAKERS featuring CHRIS STAPLETON It was hard not to be moved, from exhilaration to overwhelming emotion, watching the founding Heartbreakers reunite for the first time in more than 20 years and then accept a lifetime achievement award. (Don’t miss Shawn’s Americana Honors awards show coverage) JOHN PRINE TRIBUTE John Prine would have been 80 […]
AmericanaFest 2026, Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
Neelys Band This group’s weekly gig at Nashville institution American Legion Post 82 was required attendance even before their AmericanaFest blowout. Their performance alone was a thrill. Then came the special guests: Margo Price delivering a rip-roaring “9 to 5,” Shakey Graves joining Price for an incredible duet of “Islands in the Stream,” and Duane […]
AmericanaFest 2026, Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
BOY GOLDEN I caught Boy Golden twice, and both sets were terrific in song and stagecraft. At the second show, I recognized a guy in a Boy Golden t-shirt from the previous set. I struck up a conversation and it turned out to be Dad Golden. Boy Golden also had to follow the reunion of […]
Mine to Love – A Premiere from Ever More Nest
Photo credit: Greg Miles When was the last time you heard a waltz? And the last time you saw clowns waltzing? I’m guessing that the former is more likely than the latter. Either way, New Orleans’ Ever More Nest has you covered, red noses and all. The waltz in question is “Mine to Love,” and […]
Rita Bliss – One More Winter
I’d wager that if you asked ten people about the banjo, nine of them would say it’s a hallmark of bluegrass music, or adds highlights to some of the indie-style acoustic music that’s been popular the last couple of decades. But if you go back to the 50’s and 60’s it was an integral part […]
Twangville Presents: The Dallas Sunday Social
Mark your calendars, Texas: the Twangville Sunday Social is back! A cherished twice-a-year tradition, we’re gathering in the Dallas backyard for another crisp autumn afternoon of world-class songcraft, cold refreshments, and great company. There’s a distinct magic to songwriters sharing a back porch—where raw talent takes center stage in the round, and the tales behind […]
Brody Price on Camping While on Tour and Terry Allen’s Day-Job Rule
Singer-songwriter Brody Price recalls trying to “do the Todd Snider/Guy Clark thing” by playing their old rooms like the Cactus Cafe and Old Quarter, and shares the three rules he and his band maintain.
Twangville Presents: Joelton Mayfield and Ben de la Cour
In January 1961, a 19-year-old Bob Dylan made his first New York City appearance at Cafe Wha? on MacDougal Street. That same year, he turned up in Cambridge at Club 47 — now Club Passim — and talked his way onto the stage between another act’s sets. Both rooms are still standing, still booking songwriters. […]
Paula Fong – A Bird on the Wing
I’m sometimes amazed by the extent to which a youthful interest can lay the foundation for a lifetime of passionate involvement in something. Such is the case with Los Angeles artist Paula Fong. Her fascination with music began with summertime explorations of Brittany as a child being exposed to Celtic songs, and Breton folk in […]