Bloodshot Records Announces 20th Anniversary “While No One Was Looking” Compilation – November 18, 2014

Bloodshot Records Announces 20th Anniversary  "While No One Was Looking"

Chicago’s mighty Bloodshot Records has quietly been hoisting the roots rock and alt.country flag for, well as long as those words came into mainstream use.

Hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the intrepid indy released it’s inaugural compilation ‘A Life of Sin: A Compilation of Insurgent Chicago Country.’

The music industry has gone through some pretty rough changes in the last two decades but Bloodshot has blasted along releasing some of the best the genre has to offer.

This November 18 you’ve got one more item to add to your Christmas wish-list. ‘While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records,’ a collection of 38 reinterpretations from the label’s catalog will be released.
Blitzen Trapper, Andrew Bird and Nora O’Connor, Ben Kweller, Mike Watt, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Shakey Graves, Chuck Ragan, Superchunk, and many others cover current and former acts such as Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Adams, Neko Case, Scott H. Biram, Ha Ha Tonka, Lydia Loveless, Old 97’s, Murder By Death, Robbie Fulks, Cory Branan, and more.

Personally I’m looking forward to hearing Into It. Over It cover Neko Case’s “Deep Red Bells” and Kevin “Shinyribs” Russell covering Lydia Loveless’ “All the Time.” Yowzaa!

Pre-order (limited ed. blood-red vinyl is the way to go) and track listing are below.

Preorder “While No One Was Looking”

Full Album Track Listing:

Disc 1:

1. Blitzen Trapper – “To Be Young (Is to Be Sad, Is to be High)”
Originally performed by Ryan Adams on BS071 Heartbreaker (2000)

2. Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants – “Look the Other Way”
Originally performed by Justin Townes Earle on BS193 Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now (2012)

3. Samantha Crain – “Cold Forgiver”
Originally performed by Ha Ha Tonka on BS207 Lessons (2013)

4. Chuck Prophet – “Dirt”
Originally performed by Andre Williams on BS185 Hoods & Shades (2012)

5. Hiss Golden Messenger – “Where I Fell”
Originally performed by Robbie Fulks on BS211 Gone Away Backward (2013)

6. Dave Davison (of Maps & Atlases) – “Things I Didn’t Say”
Previously performed by Bobby Bare, Jr.’s Young Criminals’ Starvation League on BS110 From the End of Your Leash (2004)

7. Ted Leo – “Dragging My Own Tombstone”
Originally performed by Waco Brothers on BS054 Electric Waco Chair (2000)

8. Into It. Over It. – “Deep Red Bells”
Originally performed by Neko Case on BS099 Blacklisted (2002)

9. Split Single – “My Backyard”
Originally performed by Nora O’Connor on BS116 Til the Dawn (2004)

10. Limbeck – “Sound of Running”
Originally performed by Old 97’s on BS066 Early Tracks (1995, 2000)

11. Tim Kasher – “Aspidistra”
Originally performed by The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir on BS148 The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir (2007)

12. Shakey Graves – “Happy Birthday Julie”
Originally performed by Wayne Hancock on BS080 A-Town Blues (2001)

13. Ivan & Alyosha – “My Winding Wheel”
Originally performed by Ryan Adams on BS071 Heartbreaker (2000)

14. Chuck Ragan – “Survivor Blues”
Originally performed by Cory Branan on BS195 MUTT (2012)

15. The Minus 5 – “Cherokee Grove”
Originally performed by Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands on BS146 Cody’s Dream (2008)

16. Carolyn Mark – “Last to Know”
Previously performed by Alejandro Escovedo on BS027 More Miles Than Money (1998)

17. Daniel Romano – “Strange Birds”
Originally performed by Jon Langford & The Sadies on BS092 Mayors of the Moon (2003)

18. Charlie Parr – “Manifold”
Originally performed by Devil in a Woodpile on BS065 Division Street (2000)

19. The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – “St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor”
Originally performed by Ha Ha Tonka on BS145 Buckle In The Bible Belt (2007)

20. Possessed By Paul James – “I Came Around”
Originally performed by Murder By Death on BS200 Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon (2012)

Disc 2:

1. Andrew Bird and Nora O’Connor – “I’ll Trade You Money for Wine”
Originally performed by Robbie Fulks on BS211 Gone Away Backward (2013)

2. Ben Kweller – “2:00 AM”
Originally performed by The Meat Purveyors on BS091 All Relationships Are Doomed to Fail (2002)

3. Frank Turner – “The Corner”
Originally performed by Cory Branan on BS195 MUTT (2012)

4. Superchunk – “Come Pick Me Up”
Originally performed by Ryan Adams on BS071 Heartbreaker (2000)

5. KOJI – “East Jefferson”
Originally performed by Ben Weaver on BS173 Mirepoix & Smoke (2010)

6. The Great Crusades – “Fake Out Jesus” (Live)
Originally performed by The Blacks on BS 063 Just Like Home (2000)

7. Mike Watt & The Missingmen – “Up to My Neck In This”
Originally performed by Jon Langford & The Sadies on BS092 Mayors of the Moon (2003)

8. Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers – “Oh My Sweet Carolina”
Originally performed by Ryan Adams on BS071 Heartbreaker (2000)

9. Jerry David DeCicca – “Broken Bottle”
Previously performed by Alejandro Escovedo on BS027 More Miles Than Money (1998)

10. The Handsome Family – “1000 Dollar Car”
Originally performed by The Bottle Rockets on BS212 The Brooklyn Side (1994, 2013)

11. Warm Soda – “All Grown Up”
Previously performed by Gore Gore Girls on BS142 Get the Gore (2007)

12. James Leg (of Black Diamond Heavies) – “Is That You in the Blue?”
Originally performed by Dex Romweber Duo on BS186 Is That You in the Blue? (2011)

13. Two Gallants – “Truck Driver”
Originally performed by Scott H. Biram on BS122 The Dirty Old One Man Band (2005)

14. Diarrhea Planet – “Dry Land”
Originally performed by Waco Brothers on BS015 Cowboy in Flames (1997)

15. Kevin “Shinyribs” Russell – “All the Time”
Originally performed by Lydia Loveless on BS214 Boy Crazy (2013)

16. The North Carolina Music Love Army (featuring Caitlin Cary, Chip Robinson, and Kenny Roby) – “Stick to the Plan”
Originally performed by Graham Parker on BS140 Don’t Tell Columbus (2007)

17. William Elliott Whitmore – “I Wish I Was the Moon”
Originally performed by Neko Case on BS099 Blacklisted (2002)

18. Samuel Fogarino (of Interpol) – “Liked It a Lot”
Originally performed by Charlie Pickett on BS 154 Bar Band Americanus (1984, 2008)

Americanafest Video Round-Up

Americana Awards Finale

There’s just way too much to see when visiting Americanafest. That’s why God created smart phones. Here’s some great videos that fans uploaded.

I heard that Robert Ellis held an epic classic country rich performance at the legendary Robert’s Western Wear. Of course I heard about it the day after it happened. Good thing somebody tipped off Hayes Carll, J.P. Harris, Shelly Colvin, Josh Hedley, Johnny Fritz and Jim Lauderdale.

Sam Outlaw proved that classic country can still thrive in L.A.

The Avett Brothers show you never can get so big that you can’t bring it back to the basics.

Sturgill Simpson’s performance at the not quite opened City Winery was a hard get with a capacity RSVP list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvE-GTiKiY

Plant and Griffin reunite (well, musically) for the Americana Awards.

It was Loretta Lynn’s night (rightly so) as he swept his categories.

Loretta Lynn. Nuff said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoA0y9aCgxU

The closing of the Americana Awards with Ry Cooder, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller and others.

Watch Out! Ryan Adams: “Gimme Something Good” on David Letterman

Ryan Adams: "Gimme Something Good" - David Letterman

Entering his final year as host of the Late Show, it’s hard to imagine anyone taking David Letterman’s place as a mainstream supporter of roots music.

Ryan Adam and his and band The Shining stopped by to treat Dave and the audience with his latest single “Gimme Something Good” from his self-titled 14th studio album.

Once Adams the band were done with a rousing performance, Letterman reverted to fanboy mode — “Come on!”, “What do you want?”, “Oh my God is taht nice! Can you do just a little bit more?” An obliging Adams kicked into the opening chords as the credits rolled.

Can you recall Letterman requesting an encore? I can’t. Damn, I’m going to miss that man and how much he’s supported great music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmglUwgtHxs

Listen Up! Sid Griffin – “Blue Yodel No. 12 & 35″

Photography by Philip Grey

‘Blue Yodel No. 12 &. 35′ has its boots in country music’s present and past.

The song’s bluegrass spirit evokes the best best of front-porch, foot-stomping rollicks. The song’s clever wordplay throws some of best hillbilly shade ever at the spurned (or spurner) and brings it into the present.

The title of “Blue Yodel No. 12 & 35″ may seem familiar. Griffin sheds some light on the song’s title and it’s spirit “Blue Yodel No. 12 &. 35’ refers to two of the great icons of present day guitar music. One is Jimmie Rodgers and the other is Bob Dylan. Rodgers was known for his gentleness even when being frank and Dylan is known for the frankness of his break-up songs so when you hear Blue Yodel No. 12 & 35 you hear a composition crossing their two lyrical styles, a song which is also sung in mid-point between their two musical styles. Why it came out sounding like one if these hip, young bearded bands from Brooklyn or maybe Texas I do not know! But the song swings spritely and with warm humour and I just love that.”

“Blue Yodel No. 12 & 35″ is from ‘The Trick Is To Breathe,’ the first solo album from Sid Griffin (the Coal Porters, the Long Ryders) in a decade. Known as a founder of today’s Americana/Alt-Country genre for his groundbreaking work Sid Griffin has never been far from the cutting edge. Few who could honestly claim to be a Godfather to the current roots music scene have made their mark in so many ways; bandleader, songwriter, instrumentalist, author of four books and broadcaster.

So why did it take a decade for ‘The Trick Is To Breathe’ to happen. ”I was waiting for the right combination of songs and the right place to record”, says Griffin, ‘I got the songs, I found the place just outside Nashville, and I found the right pickers. It was a heavenly experience”. Twelve tracks featuring ten new Sid originals, one cover song and a spoken word poem combine to equal what Sid describes as ”the best album of my long career”.

‘The Trick Is To Breathe,’ will be released on September 16, 2014

Official site

Johnny Cash / Carter Family Exhibits Open at Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix

The Musical Instrument Museum  Carter Family and Johnny Cash exhibits

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix recently unveiled an exhibit honoring the Carter Family and Johnny Cash. Located in MIM’s Artist Gallery, the exhibit provides guests with an overview of the musical careers of the artists and their historical impact.

Items on display in the Carter Family and Johnny Cash exhibits have never before been displayed for the public and come to MIM on loan from John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, and Dale Jett, grandson of A.P. Carter. The items will be on display through April 2016.

“When I first visited MIM, I was excited by its inimitable beauty and scale. It has been a wondrous blessing to work with the staff there and help bring about the Carter Family / Johnny Cash display,” said John Carter Cash. “I feel it is inspired and shows a unique view into the history of country music that cannot be seen anywhere else.”

The music of the Carters (A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter) has been celebrated for nearly a century. The trio, which recorded more than 250 songs, is widely recognized for helping launch country music’s commercial beginnings and for inspiring many artists in later genres including bluegrass and rock.

Items on display in the Carter Family and Johnny Cash exhibits include:

· A.P. Carter’s 1929 Martin 00-28 guitar, played by the original Carter Family
· June Carter Cash’s custom Orthey autoharp and fingerpicks
· Johnny Cash’s black Manuel Cuevas stage suit which was worn in concert and features embroidered acorns and oak leaves
· Johnny Cash’s black Martin D-42JC signature guitar which was played in concert and on several of his “American” albums
· Johnny Cash’s 1936 Martin 5-18 guitar which was played by Cash, family and friends in Cash’s home and inlaid in the early 1970s with acorns and oak leaves
· Johnny Cash’s 2002 Grammy award for “Give My Love to Rose,” Best Male Country Vocal Performance

The exhibits also feature photographs from the Grand Ole Opry Archives and performance footage from several sources.

“It would be difficult to overstate the significance of these artists in American music,” said MIM curator for North America, Dr. Cullen Strawn. “It’s an honor to share their objects, songs and stories with our guests.”

The Carter Family and Johnny Cash exhibits join the ranks of other country music-focused exhibits at MIM. MIM’s Artist Galley features instruments played by Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. In MIM’s United States/Canada Gallery, the Country exhibit displays items belonging to Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, Kix Brooks and others.

Entrance to MIM’s Artist Gallery is included with general museum admission.

The Musical Instrument Museum is located at 4725 E. Mayo Boulevard in Phoenix (corner of Tatum and Mayo Boulevards, just south of Loop 101). For general museum information and a full schedule of events, visit MIM.org or call 480.478.6000.

Watch Out! Sturgill Simpson ‘Living The Dream’ on Conan

 Sturgill Simpson 'Living The Dream' on Conan

Sturgill Simpson took to the Conan O’Brien show last night stage to preach the gospel of outlaw country to the audience,

He and his cracker-jack band delivered a tight version of his blue-collar existentialist cut, “Living The Dream.”

“Living The Dream” is from his album ‘Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.’

Drive-By Truckers To Release Concert Film “Black Ice Vérité” + “English Oceans” Deluxe Edition on November 18th [VIDEO]

Black Ice Vérité

Last winter that the Drive-By Truckers were scheduled to play live at the 40 Watt to support their latest album “English Oceans.” Then a winter storm hit Athens, GA that had a local meteorologist staing that the storm “…truly is Armageddon…”

Sub-zero end-times proclamations were not enough to stop the Rock Show that night as the mighty Drive-By Truckers performed English Oceans in entirety that night.

On November 18th nn extended version of English Oceans will be released as a deluxe edition. In addition to the full album, the deluxe CD will contain eight live bonus tracks and the Black Ice Vérité DVD directed by Jason Thrasher, as will the LP version on white vinyl. Bonus live versions will include “Dead Drunk and Naked” from Southern Rock Opera.

As the final track on English Oceans, “Grand Canyon” brings together both the record and the band’s 40 Watt performance, as it is an emotionally overwhelming elegy for Craig Lieske. Lieske was a longtime member of DBT’s touring family, a former manager of the 40 Watt Club and a key player in the city’s experimental music scene. Lieske died suddenly of a heart attack in January 2013 following the first night of the band’s three-night homecoming stand in Athens. English Oceans is dedicated to him.

“I probably wrote it in 15 minutes,” Hood says. “It wasn’t any kind of a conscious thing. It’s the most important song of mine on the record. I wrote new songs to go with it. It recalibrated something. It became a totally different record for me than the record I thought we were going to make.”

Pre-order English Oceans Deluxe + Black Ice Vérité

CD Bonus Track Listing

1. First Air of Autumn
2. Grand Canyon
3. Made Up English Oceans
4. The Part of Him
5. Feb 14
6. Panties in Your Purse
7. Dead Drunk and Naked
8. Shit Shots Count

Tour Dates

9/12 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater w/ North Mississippi All-stars
9/13 – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Theater%
9/14 – Champaign, IL – Canopy Club%
9/16 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown#
9/17 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom#
9/18 – Dallas, TX – Southside Music Hall#
9/19 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall%
10/4 – Mt. Pleasant, SC – Holy City Hogs
10/10 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle$
10/11 – Birmingham, AL – Cask and Drum
10/ 17 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater$
10/ 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory$
10/ 19 – Albany, NY – Hart Theatre at The Egg
10/21 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met
10/22 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Cafe
10/23 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall^
10/24 – Chicago, IL – Riviera Theater^
10/25 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theater^
10/28 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge^
10/29 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric Oxford^
10/30 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium^
11/1 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore^
11/20, 21, 22 – San Fran, CA – The Fillmore w/ Sturgill Simpson

# = Lucero
% = Lee Bains & The Glory Fires
$ = St. Paul & the Broken Bones
^ = Houndmouth

Nickel Creek Performance on Live & Direct Series

Nickel Creek Performance on Live & Direct Series

Check this intimate but vibrant performance and interview with the reunited newgrass super-group Nickel Creek, curated by 91.3fm WYEP & Produced by AltarTV.

Songs played are “21st of May” and “Destination,” both from their new album ‘A Dotted Line’ via Nonesuch Records.

Subscribe to the Live & Direct channel for more great performances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5EsSrDiN28

21 Performances To Catch at AmericanaFest 2014

The Hello Strangers perfrom at the Patterson Theatre in Baltimore

If you’re a fan of roots music there is only one place to be in the fall, and that’s Americanafest. The Americana Music Association will be presiding over this 15th Festival – along with its Conference and Awards Ceremony – in Nashville, September 16-21.

This is the premier industry event celebrating the music we love. Thousands of artists, fans and industry folks from all over the world will gather to talk biz, eat BBQ, drink local beer and, yes, hear the best music on the planet.

then get up the next morning and do it all over again (pace yourself, drink water!)

This year the increased the number of acts has grown to 160 (!) performing across 11 venues (!!) This might have given me more awesome choices, but I’ve yet to figure oy t that whole cloning myself thing. This makes seeing many performances, many happening at the same time, an impossibility.

But the upside is no matter where you find yourself you’re in for some of the best music going.

Over the years of attending this extraordinary event I’ve tried to dig deep in the bill and look for hidden gems that might I might miss on my initial scan. Some newer or more obscure performers are the ones that can often leave an impression and have fans talking for days after.

Though I like to see the big names as much as anybody, There are a few names that fly a little lower under the radar but will be well worth making time for.

See the full lineup here.

Caroline Rose – The Basement – Tuesday September 16, 2014 7:00pm – 7:45pm

Caroline Rose just came across my ADD addled mind and I’m better for it. Pop folk never sounded so fresh and vibrant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4cAnRTrKD0

————–

John Moreland – High Watt – Wednesday, September 17, 2014 11:00pm – 11:45pm

There’s nothing fancy about a John Moreland performance. He sits alone, mostly with an acoustic guitar spinning rich tales of the human landscape. His sparse, concise yet elegant style has him counting Lucero and Jason Isbell as fans and having his songs showcased on the biker drama, Sons of Anarchy

————–

Hannah Aldridge – Fanny’s House of Music “Americana Ladies Night Line-Up” – Thursday September 18, 2014 5:30pm – 8:30pm

A voice of the ages that can be heard from two blocks over (unmiced) Aldridge beings the goods and more on her sterling debut “Razorwire.”

————–

Banditos – The Rutledge – Thursday September 18, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm

This Nashville-by-way-of Birmingham band is a potent blend of rock, country and soul that draws on many influences and squeezes greatness from every drop. Some of the tunes might seem “jammy” but they always right themselves and head straight for solid framework.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKzxzvyc35M

——————————–

Zoe Muth – Listening Room Café – Thursday September 18, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm

Zoe Muth’s sweetly plantive voice sings songs of hardscrabble love and life that can tear out your heart or rock your soul, often at the same time.

——————————–

Shinyribs – High Watt – Wednesday September 17, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm

Shinyribs is the pseudonym of The Gourds mastermind of madness Kevin Russell. Tightly arranged tunes, spiked with a heavy dose of whimsy, shows Russell reflecting a stew of influences from Bob Wills to the Texas Tornadoes.

———————-

Jonny Two Bags – The Basement – Wednesday, September 17, 2014 11:00pm – 11:45pm

Sometimes punk rockers age and cross over to Americana. Sometimes their original band has always had a foot in the dusty road. The latter is the case for Jonny Two Bags. As the guitarist for the SoCal institution Social Distortion, Jonny Two Bags didn’t have to travel far to pull out his

————————–

Whiskey Shivers – Station Inn – Thursday September 18, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm

Newgrass? Naw, how bout thrashgrass. Whiskey Shivers heats up the already hot genre by pulling in an audience and making a performance a communal celebration that will have you to leaving your troubles at the door. They’ve even caught the ear of fellow Texas genre-hopper Robert Ellis who has produced their upcoming self-titled album.

————————-

Otis Gibbs – Station Inn – Thursday, September 18, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm

Otis Gibbs is what a musician looks like that refuses to compromise. His songs are instantly relatable and yet poetic.The man effortlessly exudes that ever elusive quality of authenticity.

————————–

Hello Strangers – Two Old Hippies – Friday, September 19 6:00 PM – 7:00pm

Sisters Larissa Chace Smith and Brechyn Chace hail from the foot of the Appalachian mountains, due north of the Mason-Dixon Line , in Mercersburg, PA. They ended up in Austin where they worked their craft in the rich music scene helped hone their harmony-rich folk and roots rock spirit.

————–

Jonah Tolchin – Third Man – Friday, September 19, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm

Jonah Tolchin’s voice belies his years on earth. His neo-soul roots style transports you and breathes life into the past.

—————-

Marah – The Basement – Friday, September 19, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm

Marah are one of my favorite rocks bands, all ramshackle and passion fueled recklessness. Thier newest roots music production, ‘Mountain Minstrelsy of Pennsylvania’ takes all that’s great with the band and runs it through a copper wire od dark mountain folk.

—————-

Cale Tyson – Listening Room Café – Friday, September 19 – 10:00pm – 10:45pm

Nashville by way of Texas classic country and Townes Van Zandt influenced Cale Tyson’s musical path. Tyson’s latest EP, “High On Lonesome” reflects that legacy with hints of Gram Parsons, Guy Clark and Willie Nelson.

——————

Jamestown Revival – Mercy Lounge – Friday, September 19, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm

After seeing Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance, Jamestown Revival, at an LA Americana event honoring the Everly Brothers I was hooked. They arguably stole the show that night. This was a show that included Rodney Crowell and Bonnie Raitt get there early. JR might be somewhat off the radar but their popularity is growing.

——————

Cory Branan – High Watt – Friday, September 19, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm
Sharp songwriting and an aversion of the lazy trope has made Chuck Ragan and Lucero into fans of Cory Branan. Come see what all the fuss is about.


————————-

Grace and Tony – Station Inn – Saturday September 20, 2014 8:00pm – 8:45pm

Grace and Tony come from a bluegrass and punk rock background respectively. Not just joining in matrimony they fused a hybrid style they describe as Punkgrass. Colliding the worlds of Charlie Poole and The Clash might have been a disaster for some, but they make it work thanks to a love of craft many of live performances in front of adoring fans.

———————

Lera Lynn – High Watt – Saturday September 20, 2014 9:00pm – 9:45pm

Texas-born Lera Lynn has a hard one to characterize. A little Dusty , a dash of Loretta, leads to a quality to her that make her rock-roots/soul style irresistible.

————————–

Jason Eady – Mercy Lounge – Saturday, September 20, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm

Jason Eady’s is the odd man out here. He’s not Americana, he’s country..or at least he’s what country used to be , before it became Americana. Damn it just go see him!

———————-

David Ramirez – The Rutledge – Saturday September 20, 2014 10:00pm – 10:45pm

Austin’s David Ramirez is the textbook definition of a troubadour. A songwriter hammering out hard tales with a guitar and a song. His extensive touring has gained him fans from coast to coast.

————————–

Carolina Story – Listening Room Café – Saturday September 20, 2014 12:00am – 12:45am

With the official demise of the Civil Wars I invite you to turn your wistfully romantic ears toward husband and wife dup Carolina Story (Ben and Emily Roberts.) Though they can get a little more country (read twang) than TCW the Arkansas couple can also plumb the depths of a forlorn soul.

————————–

Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons – The Basement – Sunday September 21, 2014 12:00am – 12:45am

Joe Fletcher’s solo debut ‘You’ve Got the Wrong Man,’ populated with soldiers, scammers, hangers-on, hellraisers, boozers and the woe-begone. Comparisons to Tom Waits would not be far off.

http://vimeo.com/98921881

Watch Out! Ben Miller Band “Life on Wheels” [VIDEO]

Ben Miller Band "Life on Wheels"

Fragments and glimpses of touring make up the video for Ben Miller Band’s new video for “Life on Wheels.”

This might seem obvious (and cheap!) but these video segments, compiled by BMB one-stringed washtub bass player Scott Leeper fits the rambling song perfectly. It also offers a view on how
hard life on the road can be. So next time your at a live show spring for a shirt or two. That could be the band’s gas money.