Check out In The Wake HERE

Interview with Trevor Garrod coming soon to Country Fried Rock.

Lineup includes:  Mickey & The Motorcars, Josh Abbott Band, Whiskey Myers, Turnpike Troubadors, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers Band, Stoney LaRue, & many more.

“Last week, the Texas Thunder Music Festival announced all net proceeds will be donated to the first responders and schools of West, Texas. The Odessa based firm of Johnson, Miller & Co. will oversee all the accounting and distribution of funds.“As a fellow Texan, my heart went out to all those that were affected by the explosion,” says festival landowner Herb Graham. “We could not sit around and do nothing, so my partners and I quickly decided to donate all the net proceeds from this festival to rebuild the school and get first responders equipment.”

Weekend passes are available for a discounted price of $65 with camping starting at $110. A very limited number of single-day tickets are available for $35.

Texas Thunder tickets are now available for purchase at Graham Central Station in Odessa, Rockin’ Rodeo Midland and Arriba Midland. For more information or to purchase tickets and camping, please visit www.texasthunderfest.com or call 855-362-0535.”

Listen to the entire radio show right here.
Free podcast to download is at the bottom of the page or on iTunes.

Liner Notes

• The Del-Lords Elvis Club “Me & The Lord Blues,” “You Can Make A Mistake,” “Southern Pacific” (The last one is a Neil Young song from Re-ac-tor. I think this is the first time I have ever played a cover from a featured band, but I’ll also admit another thing: I’ve never really “gotten” Neil Young, other than “Needle and the Damage Done” and “Cinnamon Girl.” I know I should, but it’s just never grabbed me. The Del-Lords take on this song, though, speaks to me. Honestly, I think it’s Young’s vocals that are polarizing for me. –SS)
• Eric AmbelRoscoe’s Solo Work
• Jimbo Mathus White Buffalo ”Satellite”
• Ellen Foley “Torchlight” Spirit Of St. Louis (With Bonus Tracks) You can really hear the guys from the Clash on this song! I almost chose “Car Jamming” from the Clash Combat Rock because Foley’s background vocals are notable in that oddball song. Supposedly, “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” is about her relationship with Mick Jones. Ambel will be producing her new album winter 2014.
• Joan Jett & The Blackhearts Bad Reputation
• Steve Earle covering Nick Lowe (with Ambel on guitar) “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, & Understanding?” Just an American Boy (disc 2)

Podcast

Jason Boland & The Stragglers Dark & Dirty Mile

The Del-Lords Elvis Club (Featured Radio Show)

Randall Bramblett The Bright Spots (Featured Radio Show)

David Bowie Zeit! 77-79

Cheap Trick Complete Epic Albums Collection

The Doors Infinite Collection (A Vinyl Box Set Import)

Grand Funk Railroad Icon

Culture Club Icon (I’m not embarrassed to love this cheese.)

The Everly Brothers A Date With The Everly Brothers

The Supremes Meet The Supremes Expanded

Tangerine Dream Resurrection

S.O.S. Band Import

You should buy This is Spinal Tap (Special Edition), and force your kids to watch it.

You might have heard that the soundtrack is out on vinyl now, too!

If, for some crazy reason, you do not have this movie, you need to buy it, not just rent it.
This is Spinal Tap (Special Edition)

Check out this world premiere of “I Don’t Want Nobody” off Blaze of Glory, due June 2013.

We featured Chapman back in early 2011 right here.  (She also is a noted author, and is absolutely hilarious. You should definitely read her books. –SS)

Buy their new album Howl here.

Mail me a large SASE w/ $1, and I’ll mail you one for free, otherwise, prices are below.  My address:  PO Box 4110, Florence, SC 29502

$4 each with free shipping
2 for $7
3 for $10

Buy it HERE or .

Jeanette Lynne – You’ve Got Me – 03 You’ve Got Me

Jeanette Lynne – You’ve Got Me – 02 Saint Anthony

Buy the record HERE or

Jeanette Lynne is an up and coming songwriter from West Chester, Pennsylvania. She has worked her way up through the ranks to play some of Philadelphia’s finest venues and listening rooms. Sweet, simple, and from the heart… her songs will captivate any audience, and leave them wanting more.

2013 Top 11 Finalist – The Philadelphia Songwriter Project Contest @The Blockley, Philadelphia PA
2013 Top 5 Finalist – UEA Chester County Songwriter Competition @The Note, West Chester PA
2013 Finalist – Laurita Idol Singer Competition @Laurita Winery, New Egypt, NJ
Raised over $2,000 in 2012 to record debut album via crowd funding platform, Kickstarter.com
2013 Debut album “You’ve Got Me” released on Itunes, Amazon, Google, Spotify
2011 Competed in the We R Indie Music Conference – Songwriter Showdown in Knoxville,TN
Jeanette Lynne: Vocals, Guitar, Producer
Jamie Victor: Bass, Mandolin(*Intro),Glockenspiel(*No Reason), Vocals(*When I Cry)
Tom Hampton: Dobro(*When I Cry)
Glenn Barratt: Co-Producer, Engineer, Keys (*Intro)

Album artwork, Graphic Design: Jamie Victor

All tracks recorded, mixed and mastered by Glenn Barratt at Morningstar Studios in East Norriton, PA.
Copyright 2013 Jeanette Lynne

Check out more music from The Quick & Easy Boys HERE or .

Frank Fairfield’s Pawn Records Presents Turn Me Loose: Outsiders of Old-Time MusicAvailable on Tompkins Square CD/LP/DL!

Frank Fairfield curates another reissue of 78 rpm records – this time with the help of a few of his collector friends. The collection focuses on some of the most seldom acknowledged varieties of Anglo-American vernacular music. You’ll hear unusual performers, uncommon instrumentation and great fiddlers from California to Ohio, New Mexico to West Virginia. Forget “Americana”, this collection shows Anglo-American down-home music as it actually was and in many cases (although largely unrecognized) still is. With painstaking audio restoration by the great Michael Kieffer (Origin Jazz Library).

‘Turn Me Loose’ is Frank’s second compilation of 78s. ‘Unheard Ofs & Forgotten Abouts’, released on Pawn/Tompkins Square in 2010, provides a broad view of the “Gramophone era”, specifically concerning the recording of vernacular music from around the world: from Atlanta, Georgia to Kisumu, Kenya; from the the 10′s to the 60′s.

By Chris Martin

Rising from the muck and mire that the Historic Fourth Ward Park & Masquerade Music Park had become, the inaugural Shaky Knees Festival (SKF) showcased a selection of bands that had everyone there ignoring the foul weather. As Mother Nature threw her best at Atlanta the sweet tunes emanating from the multiple stages deflected her each and every blow. Loaded with everything from rock to indie to soul, SKF offered up something for everyone.

SATURDAY, MAY 4^th (DAY ONE)

Day one started off cold and wet then proceeded to get colder and wetter. As people slowly shuffled in many missed great sets from the early acts. Proudly announcing that they were the opening band of the first SKF, Atlanta’s own Death On Two Wheels (their last album was Separation Of Church & Fate) wasted no time taking the crowd into their musical world full of chunky guitars, chugging rhythms and Trae Vedder’s gravelly vocals. Playing their Southern infused rock loud and fast, they rolled through a collection of old and new music. Around the corner the Tumbleweed Wanderers (their last 3 releases are here) added a little soul to the proceedings. With some of the sweetest vocal harmonies I have ever heard, the Wanderers had folks dancing in the puddles with their folksy, soul infused California country tunes.

One of my favorite performances was from Robert Ellis (Ellis’ releases and compilations). Set up between a myriad of plastic tarps he picked up his guitar and wowed everyone with his spectacular song writing skills. The weather may have limited his plans, (the steel guitar was 86’ed due to the threat of rusting) but he made up for it with his intimate performance. A collection of tunes about infidelity, relationships and home highlighted his set, but it was the emotional tribute to his musical hero George Jones that stole the show.

As the early afternoon approached, Roadkill Ghost Choir (Quiet Light E.P.) and You Me And Apollo (all the links we could find) took to the stage splitting the growing crowd in two as they migrated to follow the sounds of their favorite bands. While they both delivered a set of folk flavored Americana, Apollo’s set was a bit lighter and spacey while Ghost Choir got dirty with fuzzy guitars and soulful keyboards.

Speaking of soul, the band Vintage Trouble (new music from them soon!) had the festival all to itself and they took every opportunity to show off their wares. Falling somewhere between James Brown and the Rolling Stones these guys know how to put on a show. Ty Taylor not once stood still as he jived and wailed all over the stage belting out tunes from their debut album. The harder they played and the louder they got the more intense the rain became but the legion of ‘Troublemakers’ (their loyal fans) sang and danced along through the entire set.

Drawing a big crowd was Moon Taxi (been a while since a release from them); their indie pop sound was good but was overshadowed by the raw power of Hanni El Khatib (tons of great choices). This guy was born to play live music, with a stripped down blues heavy garage rock sound his crowd grew and grew as festival goers flocked to the North Avenue stage liked rats to the pied piper.

The longer the day went the harder the rain fell, and with each band the ever expanding muddy crowd was given everything they expected. The Joy Formidable (good stuff here) wowed with their noisy fuzz rock, Lucero (Country Fried Rock alums) showed why they are one of the best Americana bands around today and The Orwells(new-ish record here) impressed with one of the best sets of the day as they pounded listener’s ears with their lo-fi sonic refrain.

With a packed house finally achieved, Gary Clark Jr. (this guy is amazing) took the stage and showed all of us what it meant to be one bad ass guitar player. From soulful to raunchy his playing ran the gamut of styles leaving fans mesmerized by his set.

Without the comfort of his MMJ brethren, Jim James a rabbit hole of great music put on an incredible show. Showcasing his solo material, the music was an explosion of rhythms and melodies as James bounded around the stage giving every last bit of energy to his performance. (He could of closed the show out and packed the house with as crowded as the music park was for his set.) J. Roddy Walston (love this guy times eleventy zillion) is and has always been one of the best live performers I have ever seen, and Saturday was no different. While most of the people were jamming out to Mr. James, the rest were having their minds blown by the sheer explosiveness of Walston’s live act. A cross between Jerry Lee Lewis and Memphis Slim he attacked his piano like a wild man stunning the crowd with his powerful playing and primal wailing. It amazes me that the piano survives his sets.

The first day came to a close with Band Of Horses a frequent reference in interviews). They played admirably as the weather deteriorated. Playing all the songs everyone wanted to hear they were able to keep the attention of most of the wet and tired crowd, many that would be back the next day to do it all again.

SUNDAY, MAY 5^th (DAY TWO)

Day two came way too quickly. The park looked like a battlefield, I half expected to see body parts strewn across the field. As concert goers began to trickle in it looked more like a shoot for the Walking Dead (How have you missed this one?) than a music festival. With the rain STILL falling, but the temperatures much warmer, Atlanta’s Von Grey (a little girly for me–SS) was the perfect start to the day. Mellow folksy tunes delivered on a plethora of instruments. With melodic voices the sisters validated their rise in popularity. Around the corner Swear and Shake (they have a lot more releases than I realized) were delighting the crowd. Kari Spieler’s vocals were hypnotizing and when Adam McHeffey joined in the two complimented each other nicely. Plus, how do you not dig music full of banjo?

The great music continued with Frontier Ruckus and T. Hardy Morris (can’t find anything on Amazon for him solo, but I love his band) going head to head at different locations. While Ruckus delivered a scintillating set of tunes it was Atlanta’s Morris that drew the greater attention. Stepping away from his other gig, Dead Confederate, he showed a lighter side of his music. Mellow guitars, a bit of twang and soothing vocals took place of the driving rock we all know and love. His songwriting skills were at the forefront and were quite impressive. The forty-five minutes he had was not enough, just when he was grooving it was time to say good bye. Once his music had faded into the skies the rain had subsided and the sun was trying to make its way to the show just in time for the band I had been waiting to see, Shovels & Rope (S&R).

The duo of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst took the stage and proceeded to make a hell of a lot of racket for a duo (love them, especially live) . You can listen to their records all you want, but until you see them live you haven’t truly heard S&R. Cary Ann’s wide open bigger than life attitude paired with Michael’s cool as ice demeanor stole the show Sunday afternoon. When they finished playing the rest of the bands were going to have to turn things up a notch to compete with their performance.

With everyone still beaming from S&R the brooding twang of Murder By Death (MBD) (don’t let the name scare you away) was on one stage while the Heartless Bastards (full of heart) dishing out everything from crunchy rock to haunting country twang was on another. MBD’s set walked a thin line between Johnny Cash and Nick Cave while Erika Wennerstrom’s sultry vocals anchored the Bastards batch of tunes.

With a hail of jangly guitars Delta Spirit (been trying to get them on this radio show for years!) took the main stage to a barrage of cheers from the fevered crowd. These dudes made the best of their allotted hour packing in a plethora of great music. The longer they played the louder the music got as it reverberated off of the neighboring buildings. Next up was Kurt Vile (live shows always trump records for us); his music has been something I have not totally embraced, not without lack of trying. He proceeded to serenade the enthralled crowd with sparse melodies and sober rhythms which held up his spectacular lyrics. (Sometimes it takes a live performance to make someone’s music click in your head.) Meanwhile at another stage, Oberhofer (I was not familiar with these guys before.) was wowing the crowd with their original sonic madness. In their own little world on stage, their music seemed as if it was going to spiral into chaos, but it never quite did.

As the evening set in, the rain returned and the temp dropped but no one cared because Dr. Dog (great live) was hitting the stage. These guys never fail to deliver a good show. Always seeming on the verge of erupting into an extended jam the band sounded brilliant as spacey guitars led the way and Scott McMicken’s and Toby Leaman’s vocals followed. They took the crowd into their ‘folkadelic’ world and many never wanted to leave.

The Drive-By Truckers (Southern Gothic in lyric and life) thrive in the festival environment and Sunday they showed why. Their set was loud and rowdy and their apparent good time infected the wet and muddy festival goers. Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley play off one another creating a live energy that neither achieves when playing solo. Jay Gonzalez quietly gives their music the Southern soul everyone loves with his keyboard playing and showed off some guitar skills as well. While the line-up changes the music stays the same. The Antlers drew the card of playing opposite of the local heroes, and they rose to the occasion delivering a loud and rowdy set of music.

The night came to a close with the Lumineers (I admit to thinking they are in the "pretty for TV" category…). The winds howled, the rain poured and the thousands of fans sang and danced along with one of the hottest bands of the moment. “HEY, HO” could be heard all up and down North Avenue as they played their hit tune. When they finished their intimate acoustic encore, it was time to head home.

Music festivals these days are a dime a dozen and while some are done right many are just a grab for the most money. The folks at Shaky Knees “did it up right” so to speak. The music was awesome, the food was great and the beer was cold. There were glitches, of course, but nothing big. What made this festival so good were the bands they brought in. There was a nice mix of unheard of, breaking and well known artists making it a festival for the fans. Drawing in groups of devout fans many listeners enjoyed their favorites while being treated to new and interesting sounds. I spoke with several folks that came to see one or two acts but left with a shopping list of music to purchase when they returned home. While the big guns, (Lumineers, Band of Horses, Drive-By Truckers, Jim James) drew in the majority of the crowd it was the others that provided the most entertaining shows. Bands like Death On Two Wheels, The Orwells, Shovels & Rope, Hanni El Khatib and Tumbleweed Wanderers were by far the best of the bunch. When the weekend finally concluded the Shaky Knees Festival was a rousing success. Yes the weather was horrendous but no one seemed to care because good music trumps bad weather any day of the week.

–HUGE thanks to Chris Martin for covering this event for us, especially in such dreadful weather! Check out his live concert reviews at Atlanta Music Examiner. The opinionated, biased, unfair links are mine. SS

Mixed by Bronson Tew and Matt Patton at Dial Back Sound, Water Valley, MS.

Cover art by J.C. Teague.

Gospel Plow, Little Maggie, Don’t Ease Me In and Cold Rain and Snow – traditional, arranged by the Monkeygrass Jug Band.

Loretta, Whiskey in the Moonlight, Ramblin Hearted Blues by B. McCoy

Saratoga, Hammer and the Anvil, Odell’s Down Cards by D. Auber

copyright 2013 BMI
credits
released 09 December 2012
Don Auber – guitar, vocal
Brandon Nelson McCoy – mandolin, vocal
Patrick Morales – banjo
Adam Poulin – fiddle
Bronson Tew – upright bass

Listen to the Complete Radio Program Here
(Podcast to download is at the bottom of the page.)

Liner Notes

Kenny Roby Memories & Birds
“Memories & Birds,” “Tired of Being in Love,” “The Monster” Roby was also the founder of 6 String Drag, a band signed to Steve Earle’s label, E Squared, in the 1990′s. They recorded 3 or 4 albums, depending on who you ask, 2 of which were released. Roby also collaborated with previously featured songwriter, Neal Casal.

The V-Roys Sooner or Later Sooner Or Later “Cry” This is another band with many branches that have touched this program, including Scott Miller (and the Commonwealth, not the guy from Big Star who passed away this April), John Paul Keith (now of the One Four Fives), & Mike/Mic Harrison (and the High Scores).

Two Dollar Pistols Here Tomorrow Gone Today
“Here Tomorrow, Gone Today” We’ve played several songs from the guys who were in this band at various times on this program. They’ve backed Tift Merritt, as well. John Howie still fronts a band, The Rosewood Revue, and the original drummer also played for the Squirrel Nut Zippers. I think those are all the branches of the family tree that touch this band that have been on this program!

6 String Drag “She’s a Hurricane” on 6 String Drag 6 String DragHigh Hat High Hat & 6 String Drag are not currently available on mp3, so these are CD links. There’s a long-standing rumor that some deluxe re-issues of these 2 albums and some other bootleg material might get released. My fingers are crossed! Rob Keller of the band has a great bluegrass band, The Welfare Liners, who we will feature soon on the program.High On A Hilltop

Tim Easton Beat the Band “Nobody Plays Piano in Athens, GA” Roby will be on the road with Easton later this year.

Buy Brian Ashley Jones’ music here .

Liner Notes

• The Delta Saints Death Letter Jubilee
• John Lee Hooker “Boom Boom” John Lee Hooker – Boom Boom 80 Essential Tracks
• The Black Cadillacs All Them Witches
• My Morning Jacket For A Decade Of Sin
• Dirty Guv’nahs “New Years Day” Demo from the Cabin Sessions EP, available from the band Here’s their latest album, Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies

Podcast

Buy Hymn For Her Presents Lucy & Wayne’s Smokin’ Flames HERE on Amazon and HERE on iTunes.

Liner Notes
Hymn For Her Lucy & Wayne’s Smokin Flames [Explicit]
Lucy & Wayne’s Smokin’ Flames Hot Sauce is currently available from them at shows.
Johnny Lowebow is the cigarbox guitar maker from Memphis who gave them their first (cursed?) cigarbox guitar. He is also an underground legend in the handmade instrument world. Homeward Bound: A Loving Tribute to John-Alex Mason
The White Stripes AutoRip (Vinyl with automatic mp3 download) The White Stripes
Alias Punch, the band of the hot sauce guys, only in the online version of this program A New Shade Of Blue
MPE Band The previous folk trio with whom Lucy & Wayne toured for many years Gold

Please scroll down below the video to find the podcast, which you may download for free, or subscribe to it on iTunes.

Podcast

Purchase Trampled By Turtles Stars And Satellites.

Buy Sky Blue DeVille HERE on Amazon and HERE on iTunes.

Liner Notes

• Adam Klein & The Wild Fires “Sky Blue DeVille,” “Goodnight Nobody,” “Where Our Love Is” Sky Blue DeVille
• You should definitely check out Adam Klein’s previous album from Mali, that was only in limited release, Dugu Wolo.  I absolutely love this album.
• Randall Bramblett “Roll” His new album, Bright Spots, will be released on May 14, 2014. Here is the CD pre-order for Bright Spots or here for Bright Spots on vinyl Bright Spots.
• Drivin N Cryin “Scarred But Smarter” One of the best rock songs ever written. Scarred But Smarter
• Kenney Blackmon String Band “Yew Piney” The Singing Tree Blackmon is most known for his fiddle contributions for Jerry Reed, Widespread Panic, and R.E.M. The KBSB album is really interesting–his wife, Noel Blackmon, culled lost songs from field recording sheet music and books, several of which are believed to be the first modern recordings of these songs (explanation adapted from album notes). They are dynamic live. After breaking his neck in a freak frisbee accident, it’s pretty incredible to see him jam.
• Deer Tick “Main Street” available on AutoRip Vinyl here Divine Providence. (AutoRip means you get an automatic mp3 album download and the vinyl is shipped to you right away.) Deer Tick is headlining the Twilight Americana Festival in Athens this month.

Podcast

Documentation of Round 1
Summary: I learned a lot. I have a lot to learn.

1.  Buy a kit.  Get 4 thumbtacks and a fan, newspaper, blue painters tape, clear tape, a soft bristle nylon brush, 3 copies of your design on clear transparencies (taped together with clear tape so the edges align exactly), large black tee shirt on a large cutting board, and a damp rag.

2.  Clear a large area for prep.  Lay out all materials.  Read the entire instruction book.  Watch YouTube videos.  Read the instructions again.

3.  Rinse the screen with warm water on both sides.  Let it dry completely.  The fan makes it dry a lot faster.

4.  This step is debatable.  It seemed to work for me.  Tape the screen on both sides, so you create a barrier between the edge of the frame and edge of the screen.

5.  Do this step in a dark room.  The pictures didn’t come out because, duh, it was a dark room.  Shake the photo emulsion activator really, really, really well.  Add it to the photo emulsion.  Shake that really, really well.  Spread photo emulsion thinly and evenly w/ the spatula-spreader on BOTH SIDES of the screen–like buttering toast on both sides.  Put the thumbtacks on the UNDERSIDE of the frame to elevate.  Dry horizontally in front of the fan in the dark room.  Close the door.  Put painters tape across the door so you don’t forget and go in there before it’s dry.

6.  Get your light source all set up.

7.  When the photo emulsion is dry (this can range from 3 hours to overnight, depending on the brand you bought, how large the screen is, and how thick your coats of emulsion are), add another layer of blue painters tape, overlapping the tape you did already and the dried emulsion.

7b.  Lay your taped-and-stacked transparencies on the inside of the frame.

8.  Remove the thumbtacks.

9.  Put the black tee shirt on the cutting board, the screenprint frame on the tee shirt, and fold the edges of the tee up so there’s no light  gap between the underside of your frame and the table top.

10.  Cover the top of this large sandwich with a large piece of dark cardboard, and get ready to take it all to your light source quickly.  Time is of the essence at this point, because some emulsions “burn” the image right away.  Read the instructions of the kind you bought carefully.  Mine said that time ranged from 10 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your light source.  It took 90 minutes for my halogen under-cabinet light with tinfoil reflector walls to burn my image.  This was NOT the recommended light setup.  You should follow the recommended setup.
11.  I did not know about tripling up my transparencies, so that combined with the wrong light setup, led to an incomplete “burn” on my screen.

12.  Now, I am trying to clean the screen to follow the steps more correctly next time.  The “screen clean” that comes with the kit is inadequate.  I am going to buy some of this Speedball Diazo 8-Ounce Photo Emulsion Remover.

13. Once we pulled the screen w/ the ink, I hung up the shirts to dry overnight. Then, I ran them in a cycle in my dryer on high heat. After that, I dry ironed them on high with a pressing cloth for 5 minutes on each side. Once cooled, the screened part felt stiff and cakey.

14. Later, I ran the shirts through a regular laundry wash and dry cycle. The ink was now soft and “part of the shirt,” not stiff and cakey.

Grab it here .

Buy Howl from The Howlin’ Brothers digitally HERE on Amazon or HERE on iTunes.

Listen to the entire radio program right here. The free podcast can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Liner Notes

Brendan Benson “What I’m Looking For” The Alternative to Love Benson’s label, Readymade Records, wisely signed the band.

Joshua Black Wilkins “Woman Like This” Wilkins has taken the photographs for several of our recent album covers, including Sarah Gayle Meech.

Old Crow Medicine Show Carry Me Back “Steppin’ Out”

Willie Dixon “Chicago Allstars Boogie”

Young Hines Give Me My Change “Just Say No”

Wood & Wire “Mexico”

Willy Mason “Restless Fugitive”

Tony Rice Muleskinner Blues “Muleskinner Blues”

Podcast

Buy One Good Thing from Sarah Gayle Meech HERE ON AMAZON or HERE ON iTUNES. You can download the free podcast at the bottom of this page.

Please note that this is the unedited version of the show, so some of the lyrics may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Liner Notes

• Sarah Gayle Meech One Good Thing ”One Good Thing,” “No Angel,” “Sad and Lonely”
• The .357 String Band Lightning From The North “Lightning from the North” Compadre band.
• Bob Wayne Till the Wheels Fall Off “All My Friends” The lyrics reference cocaine, heroin & lsd use. I left the lyrics intact to contrast the traditional country music in this song with the surprisingly straightforward lyrics about hard drug use. People love or hate Bob Wayne, but he seems to be pretty honest about the lives a lot of people live, without judging them. I don’t know if it’s a persona or character or real, but this song works.
• Buck Owens The Instrumental Hits “Buckaroo”  Meech plays regularly at Layla’s Bluegrass Inn and Robert’s Western World on Broadway, mixing her original tunes with Buck Owens and Loretta Lynn covers.
• Hank III Rebel Within “Gettin’ Drunk and Falling Down” I’ve always avoided listening to any of Hank III’s music because he can’t seem to let the rebel flag go away. I’m a lifelong Southerner, and I don’t care about the “Heritage Not Hate” argument because it DOES represent hate. Move on, Shelton. Your music is sometimes really great. Quit being your own caricature. Get rid of the stupid stars and bars.  That said, his long-time player and producer, Andy Gibson, is the thread connecting many of these bands.
• Bobby Bare 16 Biggest Hits “Numbers”  Grant Johnson is currently on tour as Bare’s lead guitar player.  He has also been heard on this radio show in the Derek Hoke program.
• Scott Chism and the Better Half Long Haul Steady “Jet N Dewdrop’s Farm”  I chose this one because of the Chris Scruggs connection.
• Matt Woods (Country Fried Rock alum) The Matt Woods Manifesto “Beating Down My Door” One of the best songwriters I know.  Woods was one of the other bands on the lineup in Illinois in 2013.
• Hillbilly Casino Tennessee Stomp [Explicit] “The Ballad of Psycho Steve” (ft Dale Watson) On Watson’s upcoming EP, Hillbilly Casino is his backing abnd and Meech does backing vocals and a duet. I chose this song for the connection to the rest of this album, and the BR 549 Chris Scruggs connections, and Geoff Firebaugh, who co-wrote this tune.
• The G-ddamn Gallows Seven Devils [Explicit] “7 Devils” Another compadre band.

Podcast

Click HERE to listen and buy this record, or here to buy on iTunes.

Radio Show

Liner Notes

• Bex Marshall House of Mercy House of Mercy is not just the title track and album, it’s also the name of the house where Bex and Barry live, their record label and recording studio, radio station and more.  Marshall lives a life of music.
• I was not able to find a legal mp3 to purchase of Bex’s “Uncle David’s” band, The Marauders’ minor hit, “That’s What I Want.” I also was not able to confirm whether “Uncle David” is known as “Charlie Harper” of the UK Subs or not. If you have more information, please clarify! I think this is a video for the correct band. I did find a song on a garage rock compilation by a band of the same name, but I cannot confirm if it’s the same people or not. It’s a pretty cool tune, though, and a fantastic compilation. Storm in the Garage on Amazon
• Brigitte de Meyer Rose Of Jericho on Amazon
• Joan Armatrading Greatest Hits on Amazon One of the best British blues vocalists around. I used to listen to “Drop the Pilot” on WRAS Album 88 all the time.
• Hayseed Dixie Nicotine and Alcohol on Amazon Hayseed Dixie are not just the beloved bluegrass covers of AC/DC tunes or tributes to hillbilly love, they are also noted players and the sons of Don Reno, of Reno and Smiley.
• Stevie Ray Vaughn live The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble on Amazon doing “Superstition.”  A great example of amazing blues working well with other styles of music.
• Israel Nash Gripka Barn Doors and Concrete Floors on Amazon

Podcast

Liner Notes

• Samantha Harlow Amazon: Love Letters Harlow’s debut record follows up two independent EP’s.  Co-produced with Kenny Vaughn, and backing vocals from Country Fried Rock alum, Derek Hoke.   iTunes: Love Letters
• Gillian Welch Amazon: Revival One of Harlow’s “dream tours” to support or collaborate.  iTunes: Revival
• Roger Miller Amazon: All Time Greatest Hits An inspiration to many songwriters!  iTunes: All Time Greatest Hits
• Julie Lee Amazon: East Nashville Christmas Harlow would like to tour with her friend, Julie Lee.  I chose this tune with Mike Farris because it was a nice blend of their voices on a traditional tune I happen to like.   iTunes: An East Nashville Christmas
• Booker T. and the MG’s Amazon: Green Onions and Other Hits  Harlow has a great story about interviewing the Stax Records house band bass player, who played on this specific recording of this song.  iTunes: The Best of Booker T. and the MGs (Remastered)
• Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons Amazon: White Lighter Harlow has been on the road with Fletcher in the past.  iTunes: White Lighter
• Dale Watson Amazon: One More Once More – Dale Watson’s Honky Tonk Swing Album Great dream line-up to open or sing with him! iTunes: Carryin’ On

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Liner Notes

• Sam Doores + Riley Downing and the Tumbleweeds Holy Cross Blues   ON ITUNES Holy Cross Blues – Sam Doores, Riley Downing & The Tumbleweeds  This record is an interesting collaboration between the two songwriters, like a recorded song swap.
• Hurray for the Riff Raff Look Out Mama  ON ITUNES Look Out Mama – Hurray for the Riff Raff  Doores often opens for and/or plays with HFTRR, another fantastic New Orleans band.
• The Pogues If I Should Fall From Grace With God [Expanded] (US Version)  ON ITUNES The Pogues  Doores tells a funny story about playing a weekly four-hour gig in an Irish pub just off Bourbon Street in New Orleans–and his year spent in Ireland.
• Hayes Carll Kmag Yoyo (& Other American Stories) [+Digital Booklet]  ON ITUNES Hayes Carll  One of Doores’ favorite persons with whom to tour.
• Alabama Shakes Boys & Girls  ON ITUNES Alabama Shakes  Doores has been on the road with the Alabama Shakes, as well as recorded at the Bomb Shelter.
• Morgan O’Kane Pendulum   ON ITUNES Morgan O’Kane  Label-mate and friend, and good co-touring partner.
• Spirit Family Reunion I Want to Be Relieved   ON ITUNES Spirit Family Reunion  A band you should try to catch live.
• Andrew Combs Worried Man  ON ITUNES Andrew Combs  Another friend and tour partner.

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Kevn Kinney’s songwriting befuddles some critics, because he is so prolific and many times the “set of his best songs at that time” do not necessarily fit together in obvious ways. Fans expect the songs to range from folkie to country to punk to rock, but those who do not already “get” the band sometimes find them to be scattered.  Drivin N Cryin exemplified Americana music before the term was coined.

I’m biased. I was one of those kids who waited in line at the record store to buy Scarred But Smarter when it was released. Drivin N Cryin had a huge local following just from their live shows well before the record was even released. They were one of the few local bands who frequently did an early all ages show before their “real” shows, and we always magically managed to sneak into the ones that were not all ages. (Thanks, RB!)

In June 2012, they released Songs From The Laundromat [Explicit].

In September 2012, they released Songs About Cars, Space and The Ramones

In April 2013, they will release Songs From The Psychedelic Time Clock.

2012 and 2013 have been amazing years for the resurgence of this band. At its core, Drivin N Cryin is the weird pairing of Kevn Kinney and Tim Neilson. A radio personality in Atlanta debuted his documentary about the band, Scarred But Smarter: The Life and Times of Drivin N Cryin, in March.

Check out a bunch of teasers for the film HERE. Look for our review later this week.

Find Drivin’ n’ Cryin’s back catalog of music and the new EP’s from Drivin N Cryin on iTunes.

Boo Ray has a new record coming in 2013, but here’s Bad News Travels Fast.

Listen to the Entire Radio Program

Liner Notes

• Rachel Brooke A Killer’s Dream
• Lonesome Wyatt A Bitter Harvest
• Bessie SmithThe Complete Recordings
• Pokey LaFarge Riverboat Soul<
• Fats DominoWalking To New Orleans
• The Dad Horse Experience Dead Dog On A Highway
• Possessed by Paul JamesPossessed By Paul James
• Jerry Lee Lewis Mean Old Man [Deluxe Edition]
• Viva Le Vox Wayward Ones

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Poorman’s Good Time
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Neon
Listen above or right-click to save the files.

Be sure to check out the rest of Midnight Salvage Co‘s music.

Buy their last record here on Amazon.

Stream it here:

Check out the video here:

Honestly, I know of Leahey more for being friends with a lot of musicians I know and for his journalism, so this is a lovely addition to his repertoire!

Check out our conversation after her debut album years ago HERE. Buy her music HERE.

Relocating inspires Chicago Farmer to write, hence his frequent moving as he developed his songwriting and performing. After a decade as a folk musician playing the upper Mid-West circuit, his new album is the one that he hopes will bring his songs to wider audiences. With lyrics that play well to a barroom singalong, yet have a depth of reflection on the regular life of hard-working people that can easily be overlooked, Chicago Farmer’s music focuses on accessible folk songs.

With influences ranging from Hank Williams to Great American Taxi, Chicago Farmer has logged thousands of miles and hours honing his songs. For Backenforth, IL, he gathered his Hired Hands band, and recorded in affordable sessions, one or two songs at a time, then he would hit the road to earn some money, return and record another song or two, and repeat until the album was finished. For the first decade as a musician, Chicago Farmer was a full DIY solo venture, but he has recently added both management and a booking agent, freeing him up to play and write. One of the biggest advantages to finding management for him, was knowing that someone else with knowledge of the business always “has his back.”

Free song download here.

Liner Notes

• Chicago Farmer Backenforth, Il
• Cory Chisel Old Believers
• Great American Taxi Reckless Habits
• Justin Townes Earle Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
• Devil Makes 3 Do Wrong Right
• Hank Williams Gospel Keepsakes
• John Prine Bruised Orange
• Backyard Tire Fire Good To Be

Podcast

Making a live record, though, is likely not Gauthier’s bravest deed. That moment is probably reserved for the time she finished her first song, because until then Gauthier hid behind substance abuse and addiction in the kitchens of her restaurants, not even facing her admiring patrons at their tables. When she finally emerged from her own darkness–in a very public arrest for drunk driving on the opening night of her second restaurant location–Gauthier found the courage to complete a song, face the audiences, and cram those emotions into lyrics that kick you in the gut.

Gauthier’s lyrics and depth in songwriting contrast with her personable, accessible, yet still “cool kid” demeanor. In conversation, she is more like the insider who tells you not to grab coffee at ABC because it’s better down the street at XYZ–then goes with you for a cup and to make sure you find the right place. By channeling the angst and pain that she freely discusses into songs that reach their raw emotion, Gauthier maintains “regular person” status and brings people along with her into her music instead of some lofty, superior air.

Liner Notes

• Mary Gauthier Live At Blue Rock  Gauthier covers several of Fred Eaglesmith’s songs in this set.  We chose a few for which she is known that she wrote or co-wrote.
• Steve Earle Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture Dead Man Walking “Ellis Unit One”  From our conversation about Earle’s activism against the death penalty.  I could have chosen Gauthier’s song, “Karla Faye” as well, but I did not want the program to be too depressing.
• Fred Eaglesmith 6 Volts  I chose Eaglesmith’s version of one of his songs that Gauthier covers, “Cigarette Machine.”
• Woody Guthrie Woody At 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection “The Jolly Banker” Specifically because of our conversation about the role of the songwriter in commenting about society.  This collection just won a Grammy in 2013.

Podcast

I wrote a series of articles for the South Carolina Music Guide about using social media to promote your band. The tips are geared towards novice users, but other bloggers and internet radio shows, as well as small businesses, have given some nice feedback about the recommendations. I hope something in it helps you. –SS

Part One
Part Two

Despite obscure literary references, Tender is the Night, is solidly present.  Although F. Scott Fitzgerald or even Jackson Browne may come to mind, Luedecke has never read that book nor has he heard to catchy tune of the same name–although his mandolin player sings it to him often.  (Luedecke says he is referencing Melville’s Billy Budd who is referencing Keats and a reflection on Thomas Payne’s “Rights of Man.”)  Despite the heavy influences, the music is simple and accessible–producer, Tim O’Brien, gently decorated Luedecke’s songs.

While much more folk-y than most of the music we cover, the connection to the history of folk music and a modern reflection of it, tie  these songs to the rest of the catalog.  Luedecke’s use of humor and the absurd, Biblical topics and modern life, demonstrate how traditional lyrical subjects continue to engage listeners.

Liner Notes

• Old Man Luedecke Tender Is The Night
• Tim O’Brien
• Del Barber Headwaters
• Ramblin’ Jack Elliott Sowing The Seeds – The 10th Anniversary “Don’t Look Twice”
• Sam Cooke One Night Stand – Sam Cooke Live At The Harlem Square Club, 1963 Luedecke tells a great tale of buying a Carter Family album on the same day as this one–and realizing that he could more easily imitate the Carters than Cooke.
• Barbary Ghosts The Ghost of the William Grey
• Roger Miller
• Townes van Zandt
• Red Clay Ramblers Classic Old-Time Music from Smithsonian Folkways

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Mahan’s own musical journey began with a middle school talent show, leading him to play guitar with bands ranging from jamband to Texas rock, and find a way to be in the music field in some way at all times.  The deconstruction of smaller imprints of major labels sent him from Los Angeles to Nashville, where Mahan found other creative communities forging their own DIY path apart from the current music mold.

This independent trajectory, and intense pool of exemplary players and persons in the music industry, made Mahan’s album possible.  From the analog recording and mixing choices, to the top-notch musicians who joined the project, Blame Bobby Bare represents not just where Mahan is now, but how his history has led him to this day–fun, slightly inappropriate, but something most people can relate to and enjoy–even if your mother never found…you know…in your room!

Liner Notes

• Rich Mahan Blame Bobby Bare [Explicit]  From his days of contributing songs to Dr. Demento to now, Mahan’s songs are fun, embracing some of life’s bad decisions with gusto.  Please note that there are drug references in many of these songs.
• Shurman Still Waiting For The Sunset  A record from the Country Fried Rock alums, now out of Texas.  When they were all in Los Angeles, Rich Mahan was part of the band and contributed to several songs even when he was no longer in the band.
• Rainbow The Best Of Rainbow  Great big rock and roll.
• Bobby Bare Bobby Bare Sings Lullabys, Legends And Lies (And More) ”Dropkick Me Jesus” This was a tough decision, as I really wanted to select one of the songs written by Shel Silverstein, “Qualudes Again,” but there wasn’t enough time.
• The Standells The Very Best Of The Standells ”Dirty Water” I chose the original album version instead of the spruced up version you occasionally hear on classic rock radio.
• The Who Quadrophenia [Explicit]  “The Real Me” The most serious song in this week’s radio show, but the emotion contrasts nicely with all the silly, fun, party music of the rest of the show.
• Boo Ray Bad News Travels Fast  This is a record from a Country Fried Rock alum, one that really should be part of a roots music collection.

NOTE:  There are references to drug use in the 1960′s and 1970′s  in this conversation and some of these songs, specifically, a bit about Jimi Hendrix using drugs before the Monterey Pop Festival and by the musicians in The Last Waltz.  Some of the song lyrics also reference drugs, as evidenced by their titles.

Podcast

Click the titles to purchase on iTunes.  Click the album covers to purchase on Amazon.

25 The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones – Lincoln Durham

Lincoln Durham started playing violin at age 4 via the Suzuki Method of instruction. By 8, he was hiding on stage facing the wall playing fiddle with the Osceola Opry–a loose association of players who met monthly in an old wooden schoolhouse to cover Hank Williams and Bill Monroe songs for the gathered farmers and country folk. Durham picked up the guitar in his early 20′s, which captivated his interest more than the fiddle ever had. Wandering through a period of singer-songwriter expression, Lincoln still felt pulled by something different in music, but had not been able to define it for himself, let alone have it clearly expressed in music. CONTINUE

24 Michelle Malone: Day 2

This album is currently only available directly from Michelle Malone HERE.
Michelle Malone was part of the Atlanta music scene that evolved from the Indigo Girls’ success, enjoying national attention for the music of Shawn Mullins, Tinsley Ellis, and Drivin N Cryin, with her band at the time, Drag the River. The confluence of blues-tinged Southern music at the time made for an exciting music scene, that was later replaced by the still-dominant hiphop scene. Atlanta is a weird place filled with temporary residents who are not from the area, but it is also a collection of neighborhoods with their own identities and people who are part of the arts culture and give different places their distinct vibes. It is from the latter community that Michelle Malone emerges, not as an ingenue, but as the definition of the Atlanta rock sound–Southern, blues-touched, guitar-driven, but still about the song. CONTINUE

23 Sweat Like the Old Days – Holy Ghost Tent Revival

Holy Ghost Tent Revival took their lowest point in the last five years and used it as a reason to find a new sound and revive their music. It’s not any easier to pigeonhole their work than it was before the departure of their bass player and harmony vocalist, but their music is definitely easier to dance to now than it was before. Despite having almost nothing in common with bluegrass music, they are often lumped in there with old time bands–great for a festival lineup, but inaccurate in categorization. Think of the Avett Brothers with a horn section, and you are much closer to the sound of Holy Ghost Tent Revival. CONTINUE

22 Two Step Silhouette – The Corduroy Road

The Corduroy Road‘s fans sounded alarm bells when the band left their life on the road for a long hiatus, but after nearly an eight-month break, the core of the band emerged with some new players in the lineup, refreshed and ready for the next phase of the band. The Corduroy Road musically balances between Americana and bluegrass in the dance-able area we refer to as “upbeat string band.” Their songs make you move, and you might even miss the weight of some of their lyrics, such as a hunter stumbling upon a meth lab in the woods where the meth-farmer and sheriff are in cahoots. Southern Gothic lyrics to outsiders, perhaps, but just another day in the country to some of us enmeshed in baffling small-town alliances. CONTINUE

21 Death of a Decade – Ha Ha Tonka

Ha Ha Tonka records flow thematically, bound together by a premise or idea, but not so tightly as to be concept albums. Initially, the themes were obvious, like Buckle in the Bible Belt, moving towards historical, as evidenced in the album artwork for Novel Songs of the Nouveau South, but for their recent record, Death of a Decade, the idea that emerged from which these songs began surprised me: Michael Jackson’s death. As Brett Anderson explains, every decade their seems to be some iconic political or entertainment figure who passes away, somehow creating endpoints for their times by their death. Jackson was a controversial figure in life, but even his greatest detractors accede that he was one of the greatest entertainers of our era. With Michael Jackson’s passing, it was the death of a decade. CONTINUE

20 Come Home to Me – The Famous

The Famous bring together a punk influence with traditional country, yielding music that seems to emerge only from California. I always imagine skateboarders who listen to country, not for the irony, but for the cool-factor. In the case of The Famous, though, their music is as much a product of the craft brewing scene as anything else. From brew pubs to brew fests–even a song in homage to their favorite beer–The Famous have found a well-heeled, selective audience for their music in the greater San Francisco Bay region. CONTINUE

19 Waiting All Night – Derek Hoke

Derek Hoke left rock and roll in the dust years ago, finding a new sound, which he dubbed “Quietbilly,” a gentle, sweet rockabilly, now twinged with some Southern blues. His previous album, Goodbye Rock and Roll, clearly cemented Hoke’s distinguishable sound, but his recent release, Waiting All Night, explores a wider variety of rhythm, while still being a Derek Hoke record. Producer and childhood friend, Dexter Green (of Sea Lab Sound), partnered with Hoke on the project, taking their time to call upon friends to play on songs between their own touring schedules. The list of guests reads like a Who’s Who of East Nashville and legendary sidemen, and reflects on Derek’s ability to make his peers feel at ease. CONTINUE

18 Bird In The Tangle – Brett Detar

When Brett Detar ended his band, The Juliana Theory, he was not sure he would ever play music again. Seeking a change, he became the customer service department and chief stain remover for his wife’s vintage clothing shop. Detar fully escaped music, trying to evade his self-doubt about his ability to write songs or be an artist at all. During these years, every scrap of paper of a lyric or theme crammed into a box, waiting for Detar to make them into music. CONTINUE

17 Slowburner – The District Attorneys

The District Attorneys live across north Georgia, ranging from Atlanta to Athens, managing to bridge the musical divide of these very different cities–one that is much wider than the lanes of I-85.  With two homemade EP’s (which you can download for free from the band) and their first full-length record on This Is American Music, The District Attorneys have already refined their sound, bringing bare bones indie-pop together with twangy Georgia roots, as if they are the new representatives of Southern jangle pop.  Slowburner solidly places this band in with the list of best debut albums in roots music this year.  (So, I am biased. I love this record.) CONTINUE

16 Gloryland – Kevin Gordon

Kevin Gordon’s album, Gloryland, explores the blues side of roots music, with lyrics that would make the Drive-By Truckers jealous.  Gordon grew up in Monroe, Louisiana, and although he has been away for decades, the reality of life there and the people he knew bring grit to rural life without glorification.  Glorylandis not about redemption or salvation, and definitely not about glossing over the seamy and sadistic side of life in the deep South. CONTINUE

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Uncle B. hung out in Asbury Park and was really into Bruce Springsteen. Unlike my parents, Uncle B let us read the liner notes to all of his records and stay up late listening to the “real” version of “Blinded By the Light” and laying it on us about songwriters and “keeping it real.”

Steve Forbert‘s “Romeo’s Tune” was newly on the radio and Uncle B. made us listen to the entire record. We loved the horns in “The Sweet Love That You Give Sure Goes A Long Long Way,” and weren’t old enough for the gentler songs, but we wanted to be cool like Uncle B, so we listened to his records and pretended to “get it.” He emphasized that a song was part of an album, and you couldn’t really like just a song—you had to know the whole record.

With the re-issue of Alive on Arrival/Jackrabbit Slim in an expanded 35th Anniversary collection, I listened as an adult for the first time to Forbert’s songs from then. I’m a lot older now than he was when he wrote them, and I am struck by his observations of relationships, without being coldly detached, but not melodramatically enmeshed in the stories, either. As a kid, I always waited for him to belt it out in the songs like a Billy Joel crescendo, and it never happened. Now, I understand why.