Americana Music News – The new American Aquarium album “Things Change” moves to #12 on the 
Americana Music Association’s album charts this week and with good reason. It may well be the most thought-provoking and rewarding album of the year.
There are inevitably going to be comparisons to Bruce Springsteen because of BJ Barham’s vocals, but the more critical similarity is to well-crafted songs about the kind of world we live in.
“The world Is On Fire” is the stunner, a extraordinary song about election night 2016 and the next morning’s reckoning:
“When did The Land of the Free become The Home of the Afraid?
Afraid of the world, afraid of the truth
Afraid of each other”
Category: Americana Music
The Rose Garden, Gene Clark and the sounds of ’67
The Rose Garden climbed into the top 20 in 1967 with “Next Plane to London,” a pleasant pop tune in the vein of We Five. There was never another hit, the album didn’t sell and the band soon broke up. And yet 51 years later we have this new release “A Trip Through the Garden – The Rose Garden Collection
Review: Motel Mirrors’ “In the Meantime”
In the Meantime, the first full-length effort from Texas-Tennessee mashup Motel Mirrors, finds its four musicians mining a sound that incorporates classic country and rockabilly.
New: Love Canon’s “Cover Story”
Coming July 14 is the new album from Love Canon, a roots and bluegrass band that plays rock and pop hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s in their own style.
Songs on “Cover Story” range from Billy Joel’s “Angry Young Man” to Squeeze’s “Tempted” to Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill.” It’s an entertaining collection of familiar songs presented in a fresh way. Here’s Love Canon performing “Solsbury Hill.”
Podcast 18 Dan Navarro and Maybe April
It’s a double-bill on this podcast with Dan Navarro, the veteran artist who built an admiring fan base with Lowen and Navarro, and Maybe April, a talented young trio from Nashville. We caught up with both at this year’s Folk Alliance conference.
New Americana Music Festival artists announced
The Americana Music Festival, set for Nashville Sept. 11-16, has just released a new roster of performers. Additions include John Prine and friends, John Hiatt, I’me With Her, the Milk Carton Kids and Niki Bluhm.
New: Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets’ “Lean”
Harmonies abound on “Lean,” the second album from Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets. The talented Madison, Wisconsin-based trio rocks a car dealership in this new video:
Podcast 17 “Outlaws and Armadillos” at the Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has just opened “Outlaws and Armadillos,” a fascinating exploration of the fresh new music coming out of Austin and Nashville in the 1970s, courtesy of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Steve Young, Marshall Chapman, Doug Sahm and many more.
Patrick Sweany’s “Ancient Noise” at Nashville’s Basement May 25
Patrick Sweany’s album release party is this Saturday, May 26, at the Basement in Nashville. And just to get you motivated to attend, here’s a highlight from the new release “Ancient Noise.”
Podcast 16: Kim Richey in “Edgeland”
We first spotted Kim Richey in 1997 at the Exit/Inn in Nashville playing songs from her then-new album “Bitter Sweet.” 21 years on, we still marvel at the depth of her songwriting talent. We sat down with Kim recently to talk about her striking new release “Edgeland.”
Parker Millsap makes “Other Arrangements”
Parker Millsap’s new album, “Other Arrangements”, runs only 34 minutes. But the Oklahoma native packs a lot of goodness into the 12-song collection, his fourth release.
Podcast 15: 2018 Americana Music Nominees Announced
Today the Americana Music Association released its list of nominees for honors at the Americana Music Festival and Conference set for Nashville in September.
Review: Malo’s joyous “Latin Bugaloo”
Malo emerged into a crowded rock scene in 1971, but they had some advantages. Jorge Santana, one of the foundling members, was Carlo Santana’s younger and the band drew heavily on Latin percussion.
Podcast 12: Joshua Hedley and “Mr. Jukebox”
Joshua Hedley mines a traditional sound, but all but one song on his new “Mr. Jukebox” album on Third Man Records is an original.
Review: Old Settler’s Music Festival
Old Settler’s Music Festival (named for its original home, Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, Texas) has always had something of a hippie vibe, and that atmosphere lives on. Tie-dyed clothing, sparkly capes, headbands and other countercultural accoutrements were much in evidence.
Kim Richey’s “Pin A Rose”
Kim Richey, featured in an upcoming Americana Music News Podcast, has a new video from her fine album “Edgeland.”
Joshua Hedley to play Basement East on April 24
We saw Joshua Hedley open for Margo Price at a WMOT members-only concert at the City Winery in Nashville two weeks ago and he was a revelation. He’s classic country in the best way possible. Don’t miss him tomorrow night (April 24) at the Basement East in Nashville. He’s touring in support of his new album “Mr. Jukebox.”
One more night for Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival in Nashville
There’s still one night left in the annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival in Nashville and the Saturday night line-up is strong.
Podcast #11 Tim Easton and “Paco & the Melodic Polaroids”
Tim Easton has an intriguing new album called “Paco and the Melodic Polaroids,” a celebration of his black Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, christened “Paco” by a Deadhead in Paris.
Podcast #10 Danny Flowers, “Tulsa Time” and music of the soul
It was 40 years ago in 1978 that Don Williams and Eric Clapton debated who should be the first to record Danny Flowers’ “Tulsa Time.” Williams hit the country charts first with his version, followed by Clapton’s take on the pop charts.