Christian Lopez’s excellent new album “Red Arrow” continues to climb the Americana Music radio chart, moving to 32 this week. Our favorite tracks: “1972” and “Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight.”
Willie Nile on “Positively Bob”
We’re written here about the terrific Dylan tribute “Positively Bob.” Here he tells how the album came about and reveals his granddaughter’s favorite Dylan song:
New: Lee Ann Womack’s “The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone”
Lee Ann Womack’s “The Way I’m Livin’ ” and her new album “The Lonely, Lonesome & The Gone” were of a kind with her debut hit “Never Again Again.” She really just came home to the genre.
Kris and Emmylou: “The Pilgrim Chapter 33”
A classic from the new “Life and Songs of Kris Kristofferson” CD/DVD collection:
Margo Price’s “All American Made”
The first single from the new Margo Price album:
Lucinda Williams revisits “This Sweet Old World”
Why would an artist remake a widely praised and much-loved album from early in her career? In the case of This Sweet Old World, Lucinda Williams’ fresh take on her Sweet Old World from 1992, only Williams really knows.
New: Flamin’ Groovies’ “Fantastic Plastic”
Like NRBQ, the Groovies were more a cult band than commercial group, and their line-up has had seismic shifts over the years. And like NRBQ, they’re out there touring in support of a current album, drawing on a rich catalog and having as good a time as they can.
Radney Foster showcases new book, album
Radney Foster can now add “author” to his already impressive résumé. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter recently published For You to See the Stars, a collection of short stories related in some way to lyrics from his songs.
2017 Pilgrimage Music Festival deep in talent
With the third annual Pilgrimage Festival in the books, it’s a good time to acknowledge that this is a premier concert event, smaller than Bonnaroo, but just as rewarding.
Snapshots: Images from Pilgrimage Music Festival Day One
Americana Music News – With temperatures in the ’90s and shade only in Shady Grove, the challenge was to move from stage to stage, catching every artist you possibly could and still stay hydrated. Shovels and Rope (above) defied the weather with matching jumpsuits. A sampling of snapshots from an impressive first day:
Aaron Lee Tasjan to play Pilgrimage Festival
By Ken Paulson – There’s a great undercard to the Pilgrimage Music Festival in Franklin, Tennessee this weekend. There are headliners like Justin Timberlake and Eddie Vedder, but also up-and-comers like Nikki Lane, Shovels and Rope, Blackfoot Gypsies and a particular favorite Aaron Lee Tasjan. We caught up with Aaron last fall when he released his new album “Silver Tears.”…
This weekend: 2017 Pilgrimage Music Festival
Fans will turn out in record numbers for the third annual Pilgrimage and Cultural Festival the weekend of Sept. 23 and 24.
It’s a festival of remarkable range with performances by Justin Timberlake, Eddie Vedder, the Avett Brothers, Better Than Ezra, the Jerry Douglas Band, Trombone Shorty, Walk the Moon, Mavis Staples and many more.
WMOT Birthday Bash at Americana Festival
The station celebrated its first birthday as an Americana station with performances by Paul Thorn, Reckless Kelly, Whitney Rose, the Secret Sisters,the Deep Dark Woods, the O’Connor Band, Lilly Hiatt, the Texas Gentlemen, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Katie Pruitt, the Vandoliers and Mike Farris.
2017 Americana Music Awards and Honors show
By Ken Paulson – The Americana Music Association’s Annual Awards and Honors event is always a special evening, but there was a special sweetness about it this year, much of it involving John Prine. First there was Prine’s presentation of the Trailblazer Award to Iris Dement with an obvious fondness. Deeply touched, an emotional DeMent thanked John for being her…
Americana Music Festival’s gala night
By Ken Paulson Tonight is the annual Americana Honors and Awards Show hosted by Jim Lauderdale at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, a remarkable event deep in talent. Awardees include Van Morrison, Graham Nash and Iris DeMent, and that just scratches the surface. Of course, tickets are tough, but WMOT Roots Radio (full disclosure: I have conflicts galore) is hosting…
Scenes from @Americanafest: Colin Hay
Colin Hay’s “Fierce Mercy” was one of the best new releases this Spring and he showcased the first three tracks in his set at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville this evening.
2017 Americana Music Festival begins
Our favorite event of the year is – for obvious reasons – the Americana Music Festival in Nashville. This year, the line-ups and complementary events are particularly robust.
Concert review: Mystery Loves Company
There are a lot of bands with a pretty familiar configuration – a couple of guitarists, a bassist, a drummer, maybe a fiddle or a steel guitar. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it’s refreshing to see a band exploring the possibilities of a different instrumental mix. One such is Mystery Loves Company.
Musicians step up to help Houston
The music community in Texas and elsewhere is stepping up to provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane and later Tropical Storm) Harvey.
Remembering Elvis Presley at RCA Studio B
Four legendary musicians recall working with Elvis Presley at RCA Studio B in Nashville.