I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2022 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. Paranoid Heart, John Fullbright (from the Blue Dirt Records release The Liar) “Well maybe […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2022
Roll Away (Like a Stone), Butch Walker (from the Ruby Red Recordings release Butch Walker as… Glenn) Butch Walker’s latest is something of a concept album, but not in the traditional sense. It portrays an artist playing a club show, complete with an emcee introduction, a simulated bar fight, and calls for an encore. Yet […]
Americana 2022: Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
The Americana Music Association Conference and Awards made a welcome return from the virtual world this year. The annual event showcased several hundred artists who collectively illustrate the breadth of the Americana umbrella. Here are some of my highlights from Americana 2022. WILLIAM PRINCE A couple of songs at the Yellowstone round wasn’t enough so […]
Readers’ Pick: Will Hoge – Wings on My Shoes
You picked Will Hoge – Wings on My Shoes as your favorite new release for the week of August 26, 2022.
The Twangville Summer/Fall 2022 Release Preview
All This Life by Parker Twomey (15 July) Parker Twomey’s debut has a freewheeling and airy vibe, not to mention a maturity that belies his age. Lava Lamp by Jonah Tolchin (15 July) Tolchin steps away from his more restrained and often acoustic-based previous work to serve up one heck of a rock album. Nation […]
Mayer’s Picks – Best of 2020, the Albums
What a year it has been! Thankfully there’s been some great music to help sustain us. Here are my picks for the best albums of 2020. 11. Consider the Speed by Terra Lightfoot Another rock and roll tour de force from Terra Lightfoot. Consider the Speed is brimming with fervent guitars and musical bravado, not […]
Will Hoge on The Tour Van in His Driveway and Why Tour Journals Are Important
Will Hoge talks about renting a rehearsal space from Todd Snider and why music is like the old roller coasters at Opryland.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2020, Part 4
She’s a Self-Made Man, Larkin Poe (from Tricki-Woo Records Self Made Man) Rebecca & Megan Lovell pull no punches on their latest release. Self Made Man, their follow-up to 2018’s Grammy nominated Venom & Faith is a bruising rock album pure and simple. The sisters are old souls possessed by the spirit of the legendary […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2018
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2018. Tenkiller Marie/Lepanto Out From Under
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2018, Part 2
Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues, Larkin Poe (from the Tricki-Woo Records release Venom & Faith) Although The Lovell Sisters hail from Georgia and now live in Nashville, their latest album is mostly steeped in Mississippi blues. And by that I mean some down-home, dirty blues. They make an immediate – and powerful – musical statement with […]