By Paul T. Mueller – If this was really goodbye for Alejandro Escovedo, it was a nice way to go. The singer-songwriter seemed to be in the mood for introspection and retrospection as he took the stage at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston on Friday, July 19. He referred to his having recorded 15 albums (Wikipedia counts 16) and said…
Category: Americana Music
Show #38 Mandy Barnett and her “Strange Conversation”
We recently enjoyed a not-so-strange chat with the engaging Mandy Barnett about her new album Strange Conversation. The setting was WMOT’s 895 Fest on the fields of the Hop Spring Beer Park, a distinctly different venue than her upcoming “Nashville Songbook” concert at Feinstein’s/54 Below on Broadway on August 13. But that’s no surprise. Mandy Barnett’s career has always been…
At last: Buddy and Julie Miller return with memorable show
Julie Miller makes a rare concert appearance in Nashville.
New Release: The High Divers’ “Ride With You”
The High Divers will be all over Nashville tomorrow, Friday, June 28. Promoting their new album Ride with You, the Charleston, SC, band will be featured on WMOT’s “Finally Friday” show at 3rd and Lindsley (listen with the Roots Radio app) and then will play a full show at the Basement in the evening.
New release: Mark Rogers ‘ “Laying It Down”
Mark Rogers’ affection for the Byrds and Jesse Winchester is prominent in “Laying it Down,” the new collection from the DC-based writer returning to music after a long layoff.
Americana One #36 Aaron Lee Tasjan
Aaron Lee Tasjan’s “Karma for Cheap” is one of our favorite albums of the past year. It’s adventurous, engaging and draws on the musical influence of a multitude of great artists. We wanted to talk to Aaron largely to figure out what’s in his record collection.
New: Tim Easton’s “Exposition”
By Paul T. Mueller — Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tim Easton takes his wandering troubadour persona pretty seriously. For his latest project, Exposition, he hit the road to record in several musically significant locations: the Okfuskee Historical Society in Okemah, Oklahoma,where Woody Guthrie was born; the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, where Robert Johnson made his historic recordings back in 1936, and…
Review: Red Dirt Boys’ Cayamo Edition
By Paul T. Mueller Not every backing band can make an album that stands on its own, but the Red Dirt Boys are not just any backing band. Emmylou Harris’ touring outfit – guitarist/mandolinist Will Kimbrough, bassist Chris Donohue, drummer Bryan Owings and keyboardist/guitarist Phil Madeira, with all but Owings contributing vocals – are excellent musicians on their own. But they…
Americana One #33 Steve Poltz Shines On
We met Steve Poltz in Nashville on July 4th, 2017 when he happened to walk into a local club where we were holding one of our free speech in music nights. He wasn’t on the bill, but about two minutes into his visit, he committed to performing. That spontaneity and commitment show up big time on his just-released album “Shine…
Interview: Sarah Potenza and her “Road to Rome”
Paul T. Mueller talks with Sarah Potenza about her new album “Road to Rome” before she takes the stage at the Mucky Duck in Houston.
Americana One #32 Michael McDermott embraces his “Orphans”
In this week’s Americana One podcast, Michael McDermott talks about his rich career, his personal struggles and his new “Orphans” album, an engaging collection of songs that didn’t quite fit elsewhere.
Previewing 2019 Cayamo Cruise
2019 marks an even dozen for the Cayamo music cruise. The 12th edition of the festival at sea, produced by Atlanta-based Sixthman aboard the Norwegian Pearl, will head south from Tampa for a week of music.
Alejandro Escovedo at the Heights Theater in Houston
Alejandro Escovedo turned 68 on January 10, but at an age when many people have retired or at least are planning to, the singer-songwriter-force-of-nature shows little sign of slowing down.
Show # 31 Darrell Scott
We’re pleased to kick off the 2019 Americana Music Podcast season with Darrell Scott, an outstanding singer-songwriter whose body of work includes “It’s A Great Day to Be Alive” and “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.”
New: Bill Lloyd’s “Working the Long Game”
Americana Music News – Nashville’s Bill Lloyd is following up his engaging “It’s Happening Now” with “Working the Long Game,” a collection of compelling new songs, including co-writes with pop songwriting legend Graham Gouldman (“Bus Stop,” “For Your Love”) Aaron Lee Tasjan, Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson, Freedy Johnston, Buddy Mondlock, Pat Buchanan, David Surface and more. This trailer offers a quick spin through the new album.
Our Favorite Podcasts of 2018
It’s been a fun and rewarding year on the Americana Music News Podcast, featuring visits with some of the most vibrant artists in the field. Here are the five we’ll remember particularly fondly: Tony Joe White – We were honored to speak with Tony Joe White about his new album Bad Mouthin’ at the Americana Music Festival. Sadly, he passed…
Top singles of 2018 from Americana Music Association
The annual list of top Americana singles from the Americana Music Association is always revelatory. While the top 10 is populated by a number of usual suspects – John Prine, Brandi Carlile and Chris Stapleton – we wouldn’t have guessed that Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats would have the 2 most-played songs of the year. Rounding out the…
Americana Grammy Nominees unveiled
The just-released Grammy nominations are a big win for Americana long before the final ballots are announced. Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves are front and center in the most prominent categories in the music industry.
Show 30: Kathy Mattea and her “Pretty Bird”
t’s been too long since a new Kathy Mattea album, but that’s been remedied with the release of “Pretty Bird,” a vibrant collection that includes outstanding versions of Mary Gauthier’s “Mercy Now” and Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe.”
Review: Ryan Culwell’s “The Last American”
If you don’t find Ryan Culwell’s The Last American especially accessible or easy to listen to, give him credit at least for originality.