If the measure of a songwriting festival is the caliber of the songs it showcases, the 11th annual 30A Songwriters Festival is in an enviable position.
Just released: New Riders of the Purple Sage Circa ’72
We’re basking in nostalgia this week, thanks to the recent release of the Omnivore CD capturing the New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Academy of Music in New York City on Nov. 23, 1972. Jerry Garcia was gone, but the classic line-up of John Dawson, David Nelson, Dave Torbert, Buddy Cage and Spencer Dryden is on hand on…
Show 41 – The Genre-Defying Music of Robert Randolph
One of our favorite interviews this past year was a conversation with Robert Randolph, fresh off his “Brighter Days” album. As you’ll hear, Robert is both confident and energetic -and a tremendous amount of fun. While we were doing the interview in the lobby of Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium, the venue’s staffers asked to shoot streaming video for Facebook as…
Allison Moorer’s courageous and inspiring “Blood”
By Paul T. Mueller – Singer-songwriter Allison Moorer gets a lot done on her newest album, Blood. In its 10 songs, Moorer addresses her troubling past, deals with her present, and finds hope for the future. Recorded as a companion piece to her memoir of the same title, Blood is a courageous and inspiring musical document. By way of background,…
Hayes Carll’s “What It Is” named top Americana album in 2019
The Americana Music Association reports that Hayes’ Carll’s “What It Is” was the most played album on Americana radio stations in 2019, just ahead of the most recent releases by Josh Ritter and the Lumineers. The Top 10: Hayes Carll – What It Is Josh Ritter – Fever Breaks The Lumineers – III Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real…
Lumineers top 2019 Americana singles list with “Gloria”
The Lumineers’ “Gloria” was the most-played Americana music song of the year, according to a tally released this morning by the Americana Music Association. The Top 10: Lumineers – “Gloria” Josh Ritter – “Old Black Magic” Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real – “Bad Case” Brittany Howard – “Stay High” The Avett Brothers – “High Steppin’” Tedeschi Trucks Band…
New: Joe Middleton’s “Highway Tremolo”
Joe Middleton just released his first solo album “Highway Tremolo,” which draws from influences like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and Steve Earle. That’s good company. Here’s a song about lifelong loves from the new album.
Show 40 Tami Neilson’s explosive “Chickaboom!”
Tami Neilson is a dynamic artist on stage, but the challenge is to capture that excitement in the recording studio. In this edition of Americana One, Tami talks about her new album Chickaboom! in a highly entertaining conversation at War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.
Interview: Aubrie Sellers on WMOT’s Americana One
Aubrie Sellers talks about her career and upcoming album on Americana One on WMOT Roots Radio.
John Prine, Crystal Gayle, Charley Pride and Shawn Camp salute Cowboy Jack Clement at Country Music Hall of Fame
The late Cowboy Jack Clement’s Gibson J-200 guitar was donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame today, and his old friends John Prine, Crystal Gayle, Charley Pride and Shawn Camp were on hand to sing some of Clement’s favorite songs. The guitar, a constant companion in Clement’s career as a songwriter, producer and artist, was purchased in the early…
Review: For the Sake of the Song – The Story of Anderson Fair
By Paul T. Mueller – It can be tricky to capture the magic of a particular era, or a particular music scene, or a particular venue, but Bruce Bryant was up to the task. Bryant directed and co-produced For the Sake of the Song – The Story of Anderson Fair, a 2010 documentary about Houston’s legendary Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant, better…
12 special moments at John Prine’s inaugural “All the Best” Festival
12 great moments from John Prine’s All the Best Festival, with Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement, Tyler Childers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many more.
Review: Dee White’s “Southern Gentleman”
By Ken Paulson – It wasn’t until about the fourth track on Dee White’s new album Southern Gentleman that I realized that something special was going on. “Crazy Man” is a highly melodic song about redemption and a revived relationship, and is representative of the sound that works so well on this new release. Produced by Dan Auerbach and David…
New: Bonnie Bishop’s “The Walk”
If I ever find myself referring to Bonnie Bishop as Bonnie Bramlett, it’s not age or alliteration. Ms. Bishop’s soulful voice and approach very much brings to mind the vibrant sound and style of Ms. Bramlett. It’s welcome news that Bonnie Bishop has a new album produced by Steve Jordan and featuring co-writes with Gabe Dixon (Their “Love Revolution” is…
Show #39 Raul Malo on “The Mavericks Play the Hits”
In this edition of the Americana One Podcast, Raul Malo tells us why the Mavericks decided to cover songs like Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” and Freddy Fender’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” – all with new arrangements and in delightfully tacky packaging.
Review: Chuck Hawthorne’s “Fire Out of Stone”
By Paul T. Mueller – Austin-based singer-songwriter Chuck Hawthorne’s sophomore effort is an eclectic collection of nine originals and a cover, exploring themes as diverse as Native American lore, the struggles of growing up in the shadow of a famous father, the loss of comrades, and the hardships of life on the road. Hawthorne’s writing is personal but accessible, combining…
Brooks and Dunn, Ray Stevens and Jerry Bradley enter Country Music Hall of Fame
By Ken Paulson – Nashville’s a town full of awards shows where artists are honored and their songs are showcased. But the annual Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony is no awards show. It’s history. Tonight, Brooks and Dunn, Ray Stevens and Jerry Bradley were inducted into the Hall of Fame in an evening filled with solemnity and joy,…
New: The Mike Duke Project
It’s the rare album cover that makes you laugh out loud, but that was our immediate reaction to Mike Duke’s “new” album …took a while. On the front is a young bearded man singing his heart out. On the back is a photo of the current-day Duke, all 71 years of him. This engaging project from the Little Village Foundation…
Show 38 : Felice and Boudleaux Bryant honored at the Country Music Hall of Fame
By Ken Paulson – There’s a remarkable new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville celebrating two of the most successful songwriters in the history of country music – or any genre for that matter – Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. We Could: The Songwriting Artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant chronicles the writing of such indisputable classics…
Review: Marty Stuart, John Prine and “Songs That Tell A Story”
By Ken Paulson – Throughout his performance last night at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Marty Stuart emphasized the unique nature of the concert, saying “This is never going to happen again.” That’s true of course, because this was the final evening of Stuart’s Artist-in-Residence series, but it would be a shame if the Country Music Hall of Fame…