By My Lonesome, GA-20 (from the album Karma Chief Records release Live in Loveland) Just Because, GA-20 (from the Karma Chief Records release Crackdown) Blues band GA-20 have emerged from the pandemic with a vengeance. Their non-stop touring aside, they are releasing their second album in seven months. Both are tremendous showcases for the group’s […]
Bonus Monday Video – a Premiere from Greg Hall
I met Greg Hall at his “day job” – playing bass with Boston’s Ward Hayden and the Outliers. Turns out he’s got some damn fine songwriting chops of his own, which he is about to showcase with the release a new EP titled Experiments in the Revival of Greg Hall. The western Massachusetts-based artist […]
Ward Hayden & the Outliers Have “Nothing To Do” – a Twangville Premiere
Though the title lends itself to our Covid lives, certainly these days as Omicron wreaks havoc around the world, “Nothing To Do (For Real This Time)” is about something entirely different. The song, from Ward Hayden & the Outliers‘ outstanding 2021 release Free Country, considers the experience of returning to one’s hometown after time spent […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2021, Boston/Dallas Edition
I’m fortunate to be able to explore and enjoy the music scenes of two cities – Boston and Dallas. Artists from both metropolitan areas have released some exceptional music this year. Here are a few favorites. Love it local. DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS Sunset Diner by Brandon Callies Callies chronicles a painful break-up […]
“Indiana” – A Premiere from Ward Hayden and the Outliers
Boston’s Ward Hayden has never been one to pull his punches, especially in recent years. On the band’s forthcoming Free Country, he directs it somewhere unexpected: at the state of Indiana. We’ll let Hayden explain: This is the meanest song I’ve written. I’ve spent 15 years of my life touring and traveling the country. I […]
The Dunes of the Cape – A Special Boston Playlist
Her Town Now, Mark Erelli (from the self-released Blindsided) A song of the year nomination at last year’s Americana Music Awards put Mark Erelli on a stage that he has long deserved. Over twelve albums, Erelli has honed his songwriting craft and become one of Americana’s leading, if until recently under-appreciated, songwriters. Blindsided, his latest […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2019, Part 2
I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2019 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 the year. Have You Seen My Girl, Todd May (from the self-released Let’s Go Get Lost) […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best Albums of 2019, Boston/Dallas Edition
I’m fortunate to be able to explore and enjoy the music scenes of two cities – 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 HOME) LULA WILES, What Will We Do What Will […]
Photos that ROCK! Ward Hayden & The Outliers at City Winery Boston
When you’re a mom of 2 young kids, you don’t get out often. Luckily, a neighbor stepped up to the plate to babysit (thanks Donna!) and I got to enjoy a rockin’ night of music. I’ve been going to see Ward and the boys (Cody Nilsen, Paul Dilley, and Josh Kiggans) for several years now […]
A Premiere from Ward Hayden and the Outliers
One of the great things about seeing Ward Hayden & the Outliers live is the wonderful covers that they throw into their set. While these song choices are seemingly intended as crowd pleasers – which, of course, they are – they are also evidence that the quartet are true students of music. The group’s encyclopedic […]