Over that last 11 years of running this blog, roots and Americana has embedded itself as a fully realized and respected genre of cultural influence around the world. Bands and festivals from the UK, Australia,…
– “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” – Various artists (Bear Family) $250. Germany’s Bear Family label has reputation for giving loving (obsessive) detail in creating their box sets and “At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight” continues…
Texan Robert Ellis and Coloradan Courtney Hartman bonded backstage at a music festival in 2013 over their mutual love of John Hartford songs. After a few years of friendship and collaboration led to the creation…
Loretta Lynn’s original handwritten lyrics to “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” – Sure it’s still Summer, but it’s not too soon to think about Christmas when you know that Sunny Sweeney, Jamie Lin Wilson, Courtney Patton and…
Photo: (L-R) Top Row: Yola Carter, Drive-By Truckers, Iron & Wine Bottom Row: Lukas Nelson, The Secret Sisters, Amanda Shires Following the already stellar first round line-up announcement the Americana Music Association turned the yearly…
(L-R) Top: Brandy Clark, Hiss Golden Messenger, Turnpike Troubadours (L-R) Bottom: Charley Crockett, Deer Tick, Bettye LaVette Continuing the stellar tradition of being the preeminent roots music event of the year, the Nashville-based Americana Music…
Lillie Mae made her solo national television debut last night on the Conan O’Brien show. She and her band, featuring her brother on guitar and sister on backup vocals, tear through a spirited version of…
My first impression of Sturgill Simpson was of a man that embodied a duality of seemingly contradictory attributes – carefree determination. It was September of 2011 and over a pitcher of beer Simpson and I…
The year in music for 2016 is best defined by the classic Dickensian line from “A Tale of Two Cities,” “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Mortality cut a…
Nominations for the 2016 Grammy Awards have wee announced with the usual fanfare and one big surprise. let’s get the big one out of the way first, Reluctant outlaw country revisionist Sturgill Simpson might very…