tuck's music journal

off to NASHville to the Americana Music Association festival this week

2011-10-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

I will be traveling to Nashville Thursday to see the Americana Music Association awards event Thursday evening at the Ryman, and three days of lots of showcases around town, and some other special events. We went last year, and really enjoyed it, and will have that advantage of seeing how things work for this year. Really looking forward to it; I'll give some reports from the road.

Todd Snider at Stuart's

2011-10-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Thursday I traveled to Nelsonville to see Todd Snider at Stuart's Opera House. He is a frequent visitor to Nelsonville these last few years; a mutual admiration society!!! Todd was in fine form and seems to thrive on the enthusiastic crowd reaction; he takes a lot of requests when he is there! He finished up his encore with Mr. Bojangles and Fish and Whistle on the piano. A good fix for my musical addiction; seeing Todd is always a big lift!!!

John Prine Tribute last night

2011-10-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

We held our 9th annual John Prine tribute as a benefit for Children's Home Society of WV last night at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg. We had 5 great acts of music with people playing sets of John Prine songs. Randolph Ramsey started us off, with a solid, diverse set of songs, getting everybody in the spirit. Matt Kirkland and Tom Gibson came up next, and likewise, had a nice diverse set list, broadening the audience's appreciation of John Prine's great body of work. Todd Heslep was next; one of the original Tribute show performers, he has a deep, deep set of John Prine tunes. Jonny Nutter gave a typically spirited set, to great audience acclaim. Jonny brings a good audience with him! Carly Stephens and Austin Alexander performed next, and they were fantastic with harmonies and guitar work. Todd Heslep finished up the night with a second set with songs he didn't work in the first time! There were some fun contests and story sharing about John Prine's impact on people. All in all a great evening!

adelphia shows last night in Marietta

2011-10-01T17:19:00.001-07:00

Enjoyed a good, long evening of music last night in Marietta Ohio, at the Adelphia. First a song writer round robin with Todd Burge, Larry Groce, and Jess Kaufman, and then some groups- Sasha Collette and Magnolia, and Duke Junior and the Smoky Boots. Lots of good songs and music!!!

Bill Toms coffee house

2011-08-30T04:53:00.000-07:00

Bill Toms from Pittsburgh PA came and performed in our coffee house Saturday night. He is a rooted rocker, with some great stories to tell in song. It was a laid back evening; suited for some of his in-between songs stories behind the songs, and lots of changes of style and tempo, to keep you engaged in his deep song list.

Bill Toms coffee house next Saturday

2011-08-19T05:28:00.001-07:00

When Will Kimbrough came to Parkersburg a few months back for a house concert/ coffee house, we talked about Bill Toms, who Will was working with to produce an album over the past year. Soon after that, Bill contacted me about coming to do a show in parkersburg. Well, that day is arriving, next Saturday, August 27th at 8 pm; Bill will be coming to our storefront coffee house at 1739 St. Mary's Ave. (Third door) Parkersburg. $10 tickets to see this great performer from Pittsburgh. Bill has a long intriguing musical history, so check him out on his website or Facebook. The night of the show, we will be drawing for the trip to Nashville for the Americana Music Association festival in October, a raffle we have been running for several months now.

Greens tomorrow night at the Adelphia in Marietta

2011-08-19T05:24:00.000-07:00

The Greens are playing at Gibbie's in Morgantown tonight, and come to Marietta Ohio tomorrow night for a show at the Adelphia (the partner establishment to the Galley on 2nd Street). The Greens have an interesting mix of shows coming up as they shift to "fall schedules." Come on out and see them in the Mid Ohio Valley tomorrow night.

Lonely Blog

2011-07-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

I have continued to blatantly neglect my lonely music blog. I PROMISE I will get back to it soon; with a little oomph of energy for new music postings. I will add some things about the Bill Toms coffee house coming up; some new reviews of music coming out that I will pick up. Reflections on Johnny Rivers Realization album. I will try to catch a Greens show here in the next few weeks; working around the Tuck family vacation in Michigan. Hang in there.

Greens last night at Fairplain Yacht Club in Ripley

2011-07-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Ventured down to Jackson County last night to see the Greens in a new venue. The unfamiliar confines of Jackson County. The Fairplain Yacht Club is a big room, well set up for live music/ dancing / convivial socializing. There is a big speedway/ dirt racing track right behind it, and the roar of the vehicles rises ever so often. We had our table full of Greens fan regulars, but otherwise it must have been the FYC crowd. I was only able to stay for the first set, so I'll wait to hear how the rest of the evening proceeded, but the Greens had a solid first set, breaking out Truck Stop Religion (written after a stop at the Go Mart there at Fairplain, just a half a mile from the venue).

600lbs of Sin

2011-06-26T15:09:00.001-07:00

The band, 600lbs of Sin performed yesterday at our outdoor music festival here in Parkersburg, and really impressed the audience. They were engaging and diverse in their music, and we look for them to come to Parkersburg again. They are playing on the weekend of the July 4th at the riverfront in Charleston (on the 2nd).

Children's Home Society of WV-Parkersburg 2nd Annual Shindig

2011-06-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

Today is the day for our outdoor music festival here in Parkersburg; a benefit for CHS of WV-Parkersburg. 7 music acts, some refreshments, some things for the kids, and a second stage of music to boot. Starts at 2 pm with Steve Hussey, and concludes with a set by the Greens starting around 9:30 pm. Visit the facebook site "mid ohio valley americana music tribute series" for all the information. I'll give a report on the event after a busy day today. Thanks to everyone who has been volunteering in so many ways to make this thing happen. Nick Barry, Liecus, Chemical Valley, Flame in the Cellar, 600lbs of Sin round out the line up of WV musicians performing. Its at the Ohio Valley Rowing Club down the end of 19th St. in Parkersburg (on the river) (the old water works brick building) under the toll bridge). $10 donation helps CHS in its work with area children, youth, and families.

Beatles Tribute

2011-06-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

I attended a benefit tribute last night at the Adelphia in Marietta. This was a great line up of musicians, paying tribute to the Beatles songbook. Don Dixon, The Carpenter Ants came from distances away to participate at the request of Todd Burge, the organizer of the event to raise funds and awareness of a Food Allergy Network. Local acts included: John Walsh, Steve Hussey, Vinnie Mele, Joseph Hale, RJ Crowdery among a number of quality performances.

Greens Acres Festival

2011-05-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

I ventured out to Rockport to the Greens Festival Saturday afternoon and evening. Had a great time with a nice festival atmosphere. I helped take the gate money and direct people to parking areas. A very convivial group. The line up of music was fitting and flowed. Culminating with the Greens late into the evening. Especially inspired versions (appropriate in the outdoor late night setting) of: Swamp Queen, Thunderwear, and Country Maestro. Lots of instrumental jams. Larry provided his drum kit throughout, thanks to Bud for a day's worth of sound; thanks to the property owners for hosting, and lots of good helping people.

announcement of the nominees for AMA awards

2011-05-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

THE 2011 AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION HONORS AND AWARDS NOMINEES:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Band of Joy, Robert Plant
Welder, Elizabeth Cook
Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
Blessed, Lucinda Williams

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Elizabeth Cook
Hayes Carll
Robert Plant

NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
The Secret Sisters
Jessica Lea Mayfield

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Avett Brothers
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy

SONG OF THE YEAR
Decemberists with Gillian Welch- "Down By The Water"
Elizabeth Cook - "El Camino"
Hayes Carll - "Kmag Yoyo"
Justin Townes Earle - "Harlem River Blues"

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Kenny Vaughan
Sarah Jarosz
Will Kimbrough

Greens tonight in Parkersburg

2011-05-14T15:13:00.001-07:00

The Greens are coming tonight to play at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg. With the recent parenting status of Andy and Nathan, we are cherishing the shows! I am heading out to catch Aaron Whited doing a dinner time show in town before heading over to 6 Pence. I'll be promoting the Bob Dylan Tribute which will be next Friday there at 6 Pence, too. Nelsonville Music Festival going on this weekend, with lots of great acts all weekend.

Owen Temple - house concert here in Parkersburg last night

2011-05-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

Owen Temple made a second stop in Parkersburg last night to do a house concert. He had an upright bass player, Josh Flowers, with him. They played a great show, featuring many (if not most) of the songs off Mountain Home, his new CD, as well as a LOT of songs from "Gary Floater" - a very hysterical "alter ego" for odd songs/ spoofs/ funny stuff, that still comes off as good music, but is just plain enjoyable listening. He is a sharp, witty guy; with a great eye for the absurdities of this culture, and also a poignant capturer of the human condition. He's added to my list of those I will follow and be eager to see him come back around this part of the country. He stopped by today to browse the vinyl collection, and exchange some music around his recent discovery of the Weedhawks. He gave me a good background of his life, and I enjoyed getting to know him.

Troubadours of Divine Bliss returning to Parkersburg!

2011-05-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

I bumped into Smokestack Betty last evening, and she excitedly told me the Troubadours of Divine Bliss are returning to Parkersburg July 9th, to play at the Blennerhasset Hotel; this is great news, and worth spreading the word! I will find the details and circulate them as soon as I can.

Maybelogic

2011-05-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

I went to Washington State Community College in Marietta last night to see a free concert as part of the Evergreen Arts and Humanities Series. Maybelogic, consisting of Andy McVey, Jessica Baldwin, Andy Hall and Clay Paschal, performed before an appreciative and enthusiastic audience. Three musical guests also joined them for specific songs, Julia Dryer, Buddy Lee, and Kelley Klemick. This is a talented and creative group with an eclectic reach and an engaging way with an audience. I avoid classifying music I hear, but to convey to someone else you need a few descriptors; they use fusion; jazz; funk. Diversity in the song crafting among the members is a trademark, and leads to the admiration and appreciation of all their talents, as well as their collective solid combination. Their descriptions of the songs, and how they came to select them was a nice touch to the evening of music. Look for them in a variety of settings and venues around the Mid Ohio Valley.

Greens in Pennsylvania this weekend; story in Graffiti, too

2011-04-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

The Greens have an interview in the current issue of Graffiti across West Virginia, interviewed by Erin O'Neill of the paper. There is also a review of their new CD Songs for People. The Greens are in Pennsylvania for two shows this weekend.
They are slated to be back in parkersburg on May 14th at 6 Pence.

A good musical week

2011-04-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

I had 4 good musical events out of 5 days this week. Tuesday, Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle returned to Parkersburg for the fourth time to do a coffee house for us. They were as good as always, and enjoyed the group we assembled; with many familiar faces and some new comers, too. They did a small set at a Promise Place dinner and recognition event down the street at a church for about 40-50 people, and then a Tuesday evening coffee house at our storefront community center for about 30 people of all ages. They had lots of good conversations with folks, and played two sets of their great harmonies and story-songs, with their captivating guitar styles. They were coming up from North Carolina, and heading to Wisconsin after the show.
Wednesday night I went to see Bill Kirchen at the Adelphia in Marietta. Opening for him was John Lilly and then the Carpenter Ants, and then Bill in a three member band, with drums and bass. Bill is a legendary guitar slinger going back into the 60's and most famous for his "Hot Rod Lincoln" which Commander Cody made famous, and Bill still plays with vigor and style. He is relaxed with an audience with his stories and diversity of music styles, but a solid guitar presence, with very able sidemen.
Friday it was back to the Adelphia for the Greens. A fun venue for them, and their dancing fans, with plenty of room up front for folks to get their dance moves on, to the infectious Greens sound.
Saturday it was up to John Radcliff's house on Quincy in Parkersburg for a house concert with Peter Katz, a singer songwriter from Canada, who is a hard touring fellow, with some very good songs, and once again, to complete the week, a very engaging stage presence and connection with an audience.

Greens tonight in Marietta Ohio

2011-04-15T17:23:00.001-07:00

The Greens come to the Adelphia in Marietta Ohio this evening. 9 pm. OOPs- I better get up there. More later on this great musical week I have had.

John Prine show, Ashland Kentucky

2011-04-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

We ventured down to Ashland Kentucky from Parkersburg WV to see John Prine at the Paramount Art Center Saturday night. Opening act was RB Morris. We had great seats right up front, and enjoyed our annual or semi-annual treat of seeing John Prine in person, and the adoring audiences he brings out, and the great songs that mean so much to so many people.

Bis-quits

2011-03-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on the idea of tracking down the Bis-Quits 1993 Oh Boy Records album from some Facebook reference, and I'm certainly glad I did. I ordered it off Amazon, and have enjoyed it immensely; mainly filling in a gap in Will Kimbrough and Tommy Womack's great legacy of musical genius. It is getting to be pretty fun to have dug this deep into their music, and see the similarities and evolution of their current sound. Some great music, and some fun lyrics coming through their partnership.

Buddy Miller's "The Majestic Silver Strings"

2011-03-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

A new CD spearheaded by Buddy Miller has been getting some playing time in my CD player. Buddy has joined with Bill Frisell, Mark Ribot, Greg Leisz to put this eclectic mix of music together. Joined by some singers and other accompanists, its a wide range set of songs. With some old folk and cowboy familiar songs; Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie, and Freight Train, some Lefty Frizzell songs, and a kooky version of Roger Miller's Dang Me, it is an entertaining mix, which is refreshing in its range.

Ol' Hank Williams songs

2011-03-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

We held our Hank Williams tribute the other night. It was a little thin on the number of performers, but with the two acts we had some great renditions of the wonder of Hank Williams legacy and influence on music. Lisa and Jerry Queen, and their incarnation of the Neon Moon band, delighted the audience with a good mix of Hank songs, songs in a similar vein, and some Hank Jr. songs. Jonny Nutter combined some Hank Senior with some Hank III for a different outlook. It was a shorter night than some of the Tribute shows, but coming on the heels of the Cajun and Chili Cookoff that was held earlier in the evening, it made for a satisfying evening in the Americana Music Series.

Troubadours of Divine Bliss show last night

2011-03-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! We had a great pleasure last night to be entertained by the Troubadours of Divine Bliss here at a coffee house in Parkersburg. They are truly troubadours, in their spirit and love of performing for folks in settings of all kinds across the country. They are great people, with an ability to connect and mesmerize an audience with their stories and beautiful songs. They dive into their performance and cast a powerful spell and sing magical songs. We hope they will come back through the Mid Ohio Valley soon.

Troubadours of Divine Bliss

2011-03-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night (Friday, March 18th) the Troubadours of Divine Bliss are coming to our coffee house here in Parkersburg West Virginia. They have been in the Mid Ohio Valley before, and have some enthusiastic comments from those who have seen them. They are a folk duo from Kentucky, with some powerful harmonies, and a fun spirit. The show will be at 8 pm; we will be working on the coffee house setting tomorrow afternoon after yet another busy week here at the Mid Town Family Resource Center.

Scott Miller – When you write a good song and you know it

2011-03-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Scott Miller – When you write a good song and you know it

Greens show last night

2011-03-13T08:19:00.001-07:00

Very enjoyable Greens show last night at 6 Pence. Lots of mix of songs; Moving Picture, Mercy, Anon, Beekeeper; lots of instrumental jams. Not a super big crowd, but lots of enthusiasm and appreciation.

Greens at 6 Pence tomorrow night

2011-03-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

The Greens return to Parkersburg Saturday night, March 12th to play at 6 Pence Pub on 7th St. Billed as a CD release party for the Songs For People CD.

Will Kimbrough's show last night

2011-03-06T07:02:00.000-08:00

We really enjoyed having Will Kimbrough come to Parkersburg last evening for a coffee house setting show; enjoyed by 50+ people in our little store front listening room. There were many loyal Will fans, eager to see him whenever they can within a pretty wide circle of towns (glad to have him close by!!!) and many new comers to Will's music, who were "wowed" by his music, guitar work, story telling, and audience engaging. He played a lot of songs from across his discography, and worked back and forth from slow, soft ballads to rockers. Will is so great with an audience, and with folks after the show, eager to "catch up" with admirers who have seen him at other venues, and with a wide range of musical topics!

Tomorrow Night: Will Kimbrough comes to town

2011-03-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

I have been eager to bring great musicians to our humble little town over these past few years, and tomorrow night will be a highlight for me, with Will Kimbrough coming to Parkersburg to play a listening room/ house concert/ coffee house setting. There has been a great outpouring of enthusiasm from regional music lovers who are big fans of Will; glad to have the opportunity to see him near by. Will's music and promotion of lots of good music around him has been inspiring to me for a good number of years. With his blog post this week, I will be particularly interested in some of his recent recording and songs that he has been working on. I will be interested in a set list he comes up with, and how many requests he takes from what will undoubtedly be a crowd that knows his discography pretty darn well. He can go a lot of different directions on any given night I am sure! I will be interested what kind of guitar work he intends to do: I have seen him, and can imagine again, a wide variety there! I hope for a good smooth show, and an encouragement to come back, and tell others in his music circle about the possibility of coming to the Mid Ohio Valley for a show with an appreciative audience.

other people can say these things better than I.....

2011-03-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

Kimbrough’s body of work reflects a lifetime of performing, writing and collaborating from more angles than Da Vinci’s protractor. True to his search for universal truths, his profound musical knowledge and expert creations reflect years of learning the intricacies of folk, blues, gospel, country, rock’n’roll, punk rock and jazz.

Come see Will Saturday night here in Parkersburg and see for yourself!!! 7 Pm at Children's Home Society of WV- 1739 St. mary's Ave. Suite 3; a little listening room/ house concert type setting. $15 to see a great show right here in the Mid Ohio Valley.

Johnny Cash Tribute re-cap

2011-02-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Well, prod me to write more about this, but I'm sort of in a hurry now. We had our 6 annual Johnny Cash Tribute this past Saturday night. Some great sets by our musicians, kept the audience entertained. Thanks to all of them; Jonny Nutter, Steve Peck, Aaron Whited, Randolph Ramsey, Mary Gonot, Jeff Fox, Jimmy Clinton. And a Americana Music Series first; Greg Oxley playing his I-Phone to accompany himself for I Walk the Line. Thanks to all who came out and supported our benefit, and who participated in some entertaining trivia contests for prizes.

Sorry I had to miss a great Mountain Stage lineup last night

2011-02-28T13:43:00.000-08:00

With Wendy recovering from surgery, I hated to miss Mountain Stage last night. Red Horse, (gilkyson, Gorka, Kaplansky), Lucinda Williams are "must see's" for me. Oh well, have to miss some of them. Low Anthem, Sarah Guthrie and Johnny Irion.

Will Kimbrough coming to parkersburg

2011-02-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to have arranged to have Will Kimbrough coming to Parkersburg this Saturday night. Will is a fantastic performer with a great body of musical work, as well as just being a very intriguing and strong collaborator with many other solid musicians. I have been getting some good enthusiasm for bringing Will to town, and hope everybody keeps enjoying these little listening room/ coffee house setting shows. Will's diverse styles and skilled guitar work, as well as his wry observations of life lyrically, are just so engaging.

The Greens in Marietta last Friday night

2011-02-28T13:36:00.001-08:00

The Greens played Marietta Brewing Company last Friday night. The all-instrumental CD Rock Saga release party was held; and the CD's were being gobbled up by some of the Quirky Turkey's present for the gala. Lots of dancin' fools were there, many dancing like only awkward white guys can......
The Greens had a good time, and lots of good energy flowing from them to the crowd and back again. Of note, 10,000 Days was dusted off as an encore song. Thunderwear made an early-show appearance. Lots of the instrumentals were worked in. The Greens were distributing a little one page flyer with a "review" of their music of sorts, and a discography summary of their CD's. Its a nice little info flyer, and worthy of distributing around. The Greens will be back in the MOV within a few weeks, to follow up and have a CD release of Songs For People. I assume there will be similar events in the Morgantown shows coming up, too.

Tuck's Music Journal sponsors a t-shirt!

2011-02-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

Right up there with several other Parkersburg area businesses, Tuck's Music Journal is a sponsor for the Children's Home Society of West Virginia Mid Ohio Valley Americana Music Tribute Series t-shirt. You can get one from us at any of the upcoming events, or by stopping in at 1739 St. Mary's Ave., Parkersburg, for $10.
Even though the blog has been in the doldrums ever since this Facebook thing came along, its still in their alive and kicking, waiting for that moment of inspiration and the writer's muse.

Baylor University Press - Right by Her Roots

2011-02-24T05:10:00.000-08:00

Baylor University Press - Right by Her Roots

johnny Cash Tribute countdown

2011-02-21T11:51:00.000-08:00

Our 6 th annual Johnny Cash Tribute is this Saturday at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg. 9 pm is when the music starts; with a solid line up of dedicated musicians ready to entertain Johnny fans in the Mid Ohio Valley. I've got some good prizes lining up, and a few contests to get folks involved. $5 donation helps our neighborhood center in our work with after school kids, families, and the community. The line up of musicians will solidify by mid-week so stay tuned.

Greens CD Release(s) Party this Friday in Marietta

2011-02-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

The Greens have been working hard in the studio and have not one but two CD's ready to get out to the hands and listening ears of Greens fans everywhere. One, Rock Saga, is an all instrumental CD. Songs for People is a full length CD of newer songs in the Greens repretoire that will be recognized by live Greens fans from the last year or so. They worked hard with Mark Poole at his studio up there in Morgantown to get these sounds captured. This Friday the Greens hit marietta and the Marietta Brewing Company for a CD release party in the Mid Ohio Valley. I am sure Morgantown will get their opportunity soon, too!

Troubadours of Divine Bliss coffee house March 18th

2011-02-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

A third coffee house of 2011 will be held March 18th, Friday, starting at 8 pm here at the Mid Town Family Resource Center coffee house (1739 St. mary's Ave. Parkersburg) The Troubadours of Divine Bliss will be coming for a 8 pm show. Tickets are $15. This duo from Kentucky has been touring out west of late. They have a great eclectic mix of music styles, and have exquisite harmonies. We hope you'll come out and enjoy their infectious performance style. Help spread the word!

updated announcements about acts at the Nelsonville Music Festival

2011-02-15T11:04:00.001-08:00

Hi again,

We will slowly be announcing additions to the 2011 Nelsonville Music Festival in the coming weeks. There are still limited remaining weekend passes available for $60. Get them before they are gone, the price will continue to increase as we get closer to the festival. Individual day passes will go on sale no later than March 1st. Order tickets HERE.

Some new additions:
Justin Townes Earle (friday)
Lost in the Trees (sunday)
Bomba Estereo (late night friday) Columbian Electro-Cumbia
Mucca Pazza (saturday) 35 piece marching band
The Growlers (friday)
Duke Junior & The Smokey Boots
Whale Zombie
Scubadog
Chris Biester

Headliners:
George Jones, (friday, may 13)
Flaming Lips, (saturday, may 14)
Neko Case, (sunday, may 15)

Over 25 additional bands will be announced in the coming weeks. Get them before they are gone, the price will increase as we get closer to the festival.
Thank you!
Tim
NELSONVILLE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Save the dates: May 13 - 15, 2011
www.nelsonvillefest.org

Steve Forbert show last Saturday night

2011-02-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

I thoroughly enjoyed Steve Forbert's show at the Adelphia in Marietta Saturday night. Opening act was Sasha Collette from Kentucky. Steve performed songs from throughout his career; eliciting many requests and trying to accommodate them. He is an expressive singer and performer, and his depth of career makes for a good show.

Bonnaroo line up announced

2011-02-15T10:47:00.001-08:00

Impressive lineup for Bonnaroo!

Highlights include:

Buffalo Springfield (feat Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale), Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson, My Morning Jacket, Robert Plant & Band of Joy, Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, Mumford & Sons, The Decemberists, Ray Lamontagne, Iron & Wine, The Del McCoury Band & the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John and The Original Meters, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Gregg Allman, Hayes Carll, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bootsy Collins & the Funk University, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Mavis Staples, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Amos Lee, The Black Angels, Justin Townes Earle, Deer Tick, Sharon Van Etten, Abigail Washburn, The Low Anthem, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Head and the Heart, Karen Elson, Phosphorescent, Arcade Fire, The Black Keys and String Cheese Incident

June 9th-12th in Manchester, TN

More info at Bonnaroo.com

Steve Forbert- Saturday night in Marietta

2011-02-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

Steve Forbert. Meredian Mississippi- Jimmy Rodgers territory. Born in 1954; ventured to NYC as a young 20-ish; busking, folk singing era. Big hit song Romeo's Tune, in the late 70's - 1980-ish. Putting out steady albums, performing all around. 13 some albums; linked with lots of great musicians over his career. Come out and see a guy with great staying power and legendary status right here in our little neck of the woods. Adelphia in Marietta, 8 pm.

Will Kimbrough coming to Parkersburg

2011-02-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Will Kimbrough will come to Parkersburg Saturday, March 5th for a 7 pm coffee house (house concert type) setting. $15 for tickets to see this great musical act. 1739 St. Mary's Ave. Door number 3. We can seat about 40 people and its a nice intimate listening room setting with pretty good sound, based on what others have said about previous shows here.
Will is one of my favorites. I have seen him at Fur Peace Ranch, at Court Street Grille in Pomeroy, at an outdoor festival in Pomeroy, down by the river, at the Americana Music Festival in Nashville in one of the local venues. His range of songs is fantastic, from hard rocking instrumental stuff, to sharp lyrical commentary, to melodies that grab you from first listen. He is a stellar collaborator and supporter of other musicians, which is a lot of where I bumped into him: his partnering with Todd Snider, Adrienne Young, Tommy Womack, Rodney Crowell, Jimmy Buffett. He has won instrumentalist of the year in Americana Music Association awards. Many of his songs are in my top list of favorite songs, across several styles. My first songo the day, listed last February 4 (2010) was a Will Kimbrough song "You Don't Know Me So Well." He has recorded this in two very different versions, which is also impressive and intriguing. (The version on Home Away is my personal favorite, but the one on Godsend is also powerful. I will write a little more about Will Kimbrough and his music in the lead up to the show on March 5th.

Greens show last night

2011-02-06T08:54:00.001-08:00

The Greens converged on Parkersburg last night with a show at 6 Pence Pub on 7th Street. Resplendent in their bright green warm up suits, they hit the ground running with a spirited Psychedelic Sky, with harmonica interludes where the flute used to be!! Early on High Country Blues, Thunderwear, were indications of the great jams and solos that were going to fill the night. An early-in-the-evening version of Heavy Mentals got the audience going strong on the dance floor. Andy jumped right in to some intense guitar work right from the first songs. Ben and Nathan were on fire with their rhythm work. Larry Wright brought in a hand made drum kit that was exquisite in its beauty and craftsmanship; and brought out the fantastic sound of Nathan's percussion work throughout the entire nearly 4 hours of music. I think the audience, musicians, and all, were awed by the drum set. The Greens know immediately whether this is going to be a crowd that NEEDS the dance music going strong all night, and this was one of those nights. Despite the Greens wild variety of music, they can play to their audience like no other band- lots of adoring and awestruck, appreciative music lovers go away at the end of the night satisfied to the core.
Andy worked in a few new songs; he's had a flurry of writing of late he says. They also referred to the recently completed new CD Songs For People, with many of the songs on that new CD well established now in the set lists. Some jimi hendrix was worked into this show with great flair and energy. The requests were flowing hot and heavy in the second set.
It is getting amazing the depth of the body of work the Greens have. I am envisioning a three day set of shows, where no two nights there would be any repeat songs, and you'd still be amazed at the variety and diversity of the night of music. She's a Busy Girl was dusted off for a request. Swamp Queen and Big Old Betsy got great reaction. Kenya Dig, Country Maestro.
Thanks to the Greens for a great show; thanks to a good audience for feeding off their energy and giving it right back. A good mix of loyal fans from different eras, and still plenty of solid Greens fans that can look forward to the next show in the MOV- Feb. 25th at Marietta Brewing Company.

Today

2011-02-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

Today I am wrapping up a vinyl record sale, where I sold over 400 records to happy customers, as a benefit fund raiser for our agency. Lots of genres people were interested in; lots of trivia being passed back and forth.
Going to see the Greens at 6 Pence Pub tonight. First time in Parkersburg since Andy is a poppa. Hope they get a good crowd with lots of other things going on around town and in the area.
I've arranged to have Will Kimbrough come do a coffee house for us here in Parkersburg on March 5th. $15 tickets 7 pm show.
Our Johnny Cash Tribute will be Feb. 26 at 6 Pence, starting at 9 pm. $5 donation at the door. Prizes and Contests throughout the evening. These are fund raising benefits for Children's Home Society of WV.
Steve Forbert at the Adelphia in Marietta next Saturday night, February 12th.
A couple of good Mountain Stages coming up in the next month.......
Nelsonville Music Festival just announced the headliners: George Jones, Neko Case, The Flaming Lips for their festival in May (13-15th).

Tommy Womack

2011-01-29T12:46:00.001-08:00

Tommy Womack performed a coffee house concert here in Parkersburg Saturday January 22. It was a good turnout and an appreciative audience for this show from this colorful and talented singer songwriter.

Oh, the poor woeful blog

2011-01-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

Another lapse of time has occurred of neglect for the blog. The evil Facebook is to blame, as I daily update THAT. Not only SHOULD I have reported on the most excellent Todd Snider concert at Stuart's (and several other excellent updates about Stuart's) but the Greens have suffered neglect in their postings from here. Even the Children's Home Society -Parkersburg Americana music series has suffered. The Johnny Cash Tribute, February 26th is approaching, and I have squeezed in a coffee house, January 22nd, with Tommy Womack coming to town without nary a post. I'll try to revive my efforts here in 2011, and hope to get back to some reflections about music, too.

Requests / Inquiries about shows

2010-12-23T12:02:00.001-08:00

I am working with a few folks to line up some shows for Parkersburg among the group of musicians I stay in contact with. These are requests for listening room type shows which I hope will work out. Stay tuned.

Todd Snider Dec 30 at Stuart's

2010-12-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

I am looking forward to Todd Snider's show at Stuart's in Nelsonville on December 30th. Its been a while since I have seen Todd; and since November's Dirty Dozen Brass Band that I have caught a show at Stuart's.

Greens new CD

2010-12-23T11:58:00.000-08:00

The Greens are to the point of mixing and fine tuning the recordings that will be their new CD. I have listened to it and am excited for its release.
The Greens play at 123 Pleasant St. on New Year's Eve in Morgantown.

Greens last night in Parkersburg

2010-12-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

The Greens came all deck out in matching warm up outfits- bright Green pants and tops; looking all spiffy. 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg was the place; cold was the night. The Greens warmed up the audience in the first part of the evening with classics from their song list; waiting for that little nuanced turning point when the first dancers got out there, and then turned it into a rocking dance fest clear to the end. The Greens introduced (to the Parkersburg audience) a few new songs. A good crowd was out; not as big perhaps as the Thanksgiving weekend shows, but nonetheless a big crowd. The Greens booked shows on into 2011 with Kim, guaranteeing lots of good evenings on music on into 2011 for the Parkersburg Greens fans.

Greens - two nights out of three!

2010-11-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

The Greens, playing for the second time in three days at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg, put on a show for a very large crowd, celebrating the holidays. The Greens had a varied set list from the previous show, getting back to the power trio mode, after the added diversity of Aaron Phillips presence Wednesday night. The depth of the Greens body of work is evident in the fact they can play two almost entirely different sets and still have lots of contented fans happy to have their requests honored.

Greens show last night

2010-11-25T05:16:00.000-08:00

In a long line of shows during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Greens put on another great show last night at 6 Pence. Aaron Phillips was in town, and added his signature saxophone parts to many songs from the Greens playlist; stepping right back in. The newer songs; from the power trio stage, were also great fan favorites, with a good blend back and forth. Good to see lots of loyal Greens fans out, and there is another chance Friday night; same time and place!

Greens tonight and Friday in Parkersburg

2010-11-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

A long awaited chance to see the Greens bring some holiday cheer to Parkersburg; tonight at 6 pence pub at 10 pm. Friday night, too; and that one is likewise at 6 Pence Pub at 10 pm; and Children's Home Society of WV-Parkersburg is receiving the proceeds of this event to kick off our Little Red Stocking campaign. HOpe to see you there?

Stuart's annual fund raiser- Dirty Dozen Brass Band!

2010-11-15T08:19:00.001-08:00

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band was the feature of the Stuart's Opera House fund raiser Saturday night in Nelsonville. This was a fantastic show, and very festive occasion; with an audience that to a person was filled with the good musical vibes of the Band. They put on a show and got the audience engaged in their unique infectious style. The event must have been very satisfying and rewarding for the Stuart's Opera House board and staff as being very successful and affirming. They know how to do it up right.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Stuart's next Saturday

2010-11-06T12:02:00.001-07:00

Stuart's Opera House will host the Dirty Dozen Brass Band for a show next Saturday November 13th; for a rollicking good time. Haven't been able to get over there for a while; so I'll be glad to take this in.

Recent listening music on back to back trips to Charleston

2010-11-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

I listened to John Mellencamp's "No Better Than This" on a recent work trip to Charleston. A very enjoyable listen; some real rootsy music, and some very down to earth lyrics. Also, Fred Eaglesmith's Cha Cha Cha. These are two similar CD's in their down to earth lyric content. Fred's connects some of his recent interesting musical sounds; John's sound bears the imprint of T-Bone Burnett. I also listened to Will Kimbrough's Home Away, and Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle's Must Be Live.

Lucy Kaplansky show in Marietta last night

2010-11-06T11:53:00.001-07:00

i went to the Adelphia in Marietta last night to see Lucy Kaplansky. Opening act was John Walsh. Lucy wove some stories giving glimpses of her life into songs on guitar and piano. She interspersed some covers; such as Long Black Veil, Ring of Fire, hallelujah, and a closing Thunder Road. The audience knew her body of work; calling out requests throughout, and she seemed impressed and pleased to have an audience that knew her songs, and spent a good bit of the show honoring requests. It was a sold out show, and keeps the momentum going for this fine local music venue.

A great new batch of vinyl records came in this week

2010-10-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

In my humble little running vinyl record sale, I got a new batch of donations this week; some vintage rock and roll and intriguing stuff. Stop by and check it out!!!

The Greens at Adelphia last week

2010-10-29T08:37:00.002-07:00

Andy reports a good debut for the Greens at Adelphia last Saturday. He likes the venue and felt they had a good crowd. The Greens take this weekend off I believe.

Lucy Kaplansky in Marietta next Friday night

2010-10-29T08:37:00.001-07:00

The Adelphia will be hosting Lucy Kaplansky next Friday night; this is a great opportunity, yet again, that the Adelphia is providing to see a great national touring act.

Todd Snider returns to Stuart's Opera House in December

2010-10-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

I've already got my ticket to see Todd Snider in Nelsonville at Stuart's Opera House on December 30th. Todd has had some memorable shows there; and it will definitely be a holiday treat. Stuart's has many good things coming up- Dr. John for next Sunday is sold out; and I will be going to Dirty Dozen Brass Band for the annual big fund raiser on November 13th.

John Prine show last night in Columbus

2010-10-24T08:35:00.001-07:00

I ventured up to Columbus for my annual John Prine concert "fix" to the Palace Theater. Sara Watkins opened. Great show as always!

Weedhawks and Nick Barry show Friday night

2010-10-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

The Weedhawks visited Parkersburg Friday night to put on a great show at the Sly Fox, kicked off by Nick Barry performing an opening set. The music was spirited and met by an enthusiastic audience of old music friends, and exposed some Sly Fox regulars to a great musical act.

Southern Culture on the Skids

2010-10-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

I went to see S.C.O.T.S. a few days ago at the Adelphia in Marietta OH. A great show. The Adelphia is really making a run at some good shows for the area. SCOTS had as an opening act Rattletrap String Band from Athens, to give a spirited opening set. There was a good crowd for a weeknight; and you could tell many loyal SCOTS fans were in attendance. They are a great act; with solid music and lots of audience connection. A great musical experience.

John Prine Tribute

2010-10-07T08:57:00.001-07:00

We're down to the last couple of days before the 8th Annual John Prine tribute here in the Mid Ohio Valley. Saturday, October 9th starting at 9 pm at 6 Pence Pub here in Parkersburg. $5 donation supports the work of Children's Home Society here in the Parkersburg area. Local musicians play sets of songs of John Prine. Steve Peck, Jonny Nutter (two mainstays in the Americana Music Tribute Series), Don Baker, Austin Alexander and Carly Stephens, Matt Starcher, are in the line up. Randolph Ramsey is coming in special from out of town (Fayette County) to participate. Randolph and his wife Genny Ferri, won the raffle to attend the Americana Music Festival in Nashville a month ago, and had such a great time, it inspired him to come up and participate in the Tribute show.

John Prine Tribute this Saturday night

2010-10-04T04:18:00.000-07:00

the 8th annual Mid Ohio Valley John Prine Tribute will be this coming Saturday, October 9th at 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg. $5 donation to Children's Home Society of West Virginia gets you a night of local musicians singing songs of John Prine. There will be some prizes and good comraderie. Come on out and join the fun.

Greens at 6 Pence the other night

2010-10-03T07:18:00.001-07:00

The Greens played at 6 Pence in Parkersburg Friday night. It was good to have them at the familiar setting. Lots of good loyal long time Greens fans were out for the festivities. The Greens plucked from their various eras to put on a raucous performance; sticking entirely with originals except for a version of Neil Young's Walk On. (and a closer version of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World) before the encore. There was some initial impromptu instrumental work, during the sound check phase, showing their talent for working up sounds together on the fly. I haven't been doing a set list for their Parkersburg/ marietta shows for a long time, and it gets hard to recall- I like having some of Lee's set lists for shows up in Morgantown when he records them; just for comparison and connecting. The Greens have an upcoming show in Marietta in October (I'll be seeing John PRine that night in Columbus), and then some holiday shows coming up, we'll be reminding folks about.

Greens this coming Friday night- 6 Pence Pub

2010-09-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

The Greens bring their high energy good time music to 6 Pence Pub in Parkersburg this coming Friday night. Hope to see many good Greens fan/friends there. Andy has been playing a good number of solo shows too, in the Morgantown area, on time slots when the Greens aren't playing. I don't think he's exactly "dragging himself through the day" nor "feeling low down on high street" but he's using his "natural voice" to reflect on looking "down" on some of the scenic towns of West Virginia. Many music lovers feel "its not enough."

Greens last night in Marietta

2010-09-25T05:59:00.001-07:00

The Greens played a late set during the Marietta Brewing Company Festival last night. They sparked a strong crowd reaction to their danceable tunes, and re-connecting with some fans who hadn't been able to see them for a while. Lots of hard rocking guitar work by Andy on the Gibson. A very enthusiastic crowd urged them on. An appreciation of the diverse styles and creativity of their songs.

Americana Music Festival

2010-09-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2010 Americana Music Festival in Nashville on September 9-11. We arrived at the Nashville Sheraton mid afternoon, and checked into the hotel, noting the bustle of musicians and music fans already well underway. We picked up the wristbands (for the three nights of music) and the tickets to the awards ceremony that evening at the Ryman. There were lots of gatherings of musicians and music business folks going on in the lounge and lobby areas. We checked out maps to get an idea where things were in downtown Nashville. We walked on over to see what kind of walk it was to the Ryman, and took in some of the flavor of Nashville. We found the honky tonk area of Broadway, too, on this first outing. We ate at a downtown restuarant, and connected up with the winners of the trip to Nashville raffle we had been conducting as a fund raiser through most of the year. They were ecstatic about having won this great trip.
That evening was the 9th annual Americana Honors and Awards at the Ryman. We got there early enough to check out some of the historic displays around the edge of the theater, about Grand Ol Opry history, and particular musicians. The show was fantastic with album of the year, artist of the year, duo/group of the year, instrumentalist of the year, new and emerging artist of the year and song of the year. There were 5 lifetime achievement award honorees, too. There were performances interspersed throughout, by individuals, and combinations of musicians. Jim Lauderdale was the main host, and Buddy Miller led an all star house band. Lots of legends introduced the winners and honorees. At the end of the ceremonies, Robert Plant was re-introduced and did a set featuring his new album Band of Joy. He had Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, and Darrell Scott featured in a line up of songs.
That night after the event, I went to the Rutledge and took in David Olney, Tommy Emmanuel, and Will Kimbrough.
The next night we went to The Basement, and saw Minton Sparks, Chip Taylor, Peter Case. We visited Grimey's briefly and got a in store show there.
The last night we opted for The Station Inn, and saw the Cherryholmes, the Cole Porters, Paul Burch. Earlier that day, at the Country Music Hall of Fame, we saw a performance by Jimmy Webb, and then an interview with Sid Griffin, who is not only a musician, but a writer of books about music.
The whole festival was a wonderfully organized and boggling immersion in great music. More later!

Greens in the MOV upcoming

2010-09-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

its been a dry spell since I have been able to announce some upcoming Greens shows in the Mid OHio Valley. They are playing at the Marietta Brewing Company's fest this weekend, Friday night around 10 pm; you can go on their site for a full lineup with two different stages going at once. Next Friday the Greens return to 6 Pence Pub after a long gap (October 1st) Then, October 23rd the Greens will play the new(er) Adelphia in Marietta (next to the Galley). Then it swings into the holiday season with some Thanksgiving weekend, and December shows. It will be good to see the Greens here locally, and to renew some fan connections.

I've neglected to post on our fantastic trip to Nashville for the Americana Music Assocation festival

2010-09-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

I've been back a week from Nashville, but had too busy of a week at work to post anything about this great trip to the Americana Music Association festival. In short, it was fantastic, and everything I anticipated- it is well organized, very positive and upbeat, and a real treat to attend. I will try to summarize things, and then add some individual accounts of events over the next few days.

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart here last Thursday

2010-09-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

We had Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart for the third time here to Parkersburg this past Thursday. For this show we arranged to use a room at the Blennerhassett Hotel (since we were having a work related conference there). We had a good enthusiastic crowd - several who had traveled to see Mark and Stacey, and several who have been to the previous shows here locally. They put on a great show, working off of different eras of their songs. We hope they'll keep coming back as they keep up their troubadour wanderings. They are great people, along with being inspiring musicians,and singer songwriters.

Will Kimbrough's show at Court Street Grill Friday night

2010-09-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

I traveled down to Pomeroy Friday night to catch Will Kimbrough's solo show. Jackie does a great job of bringing acts like this in, with his enthusiasm and commitment to a wide variety of music. Will put on a great show; two solid sets of songs from throughout his career; weaving some good stories and humor, and great guitar work in this solo configuration. Will moves through some different paces and styles to his songs in a way that captures a lot of my favorite music. He has a great outlook on our culture and society; he has very versatile guitar work. He is an approachable guy for an audience. He has connected himself to some really intriguing mix of fellow musicians. A very enjoyable night of music!

Couple of good interviews lately

2010-09-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Robert Earl Keen and Ray LaMontagne both had good interviews I read recently. Good delving into the songwriter craft. I've since lost track of where I read them, but if I hunt them down, I will transfer them here.

Greens last Friday

2010-09-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Andy reports on a good show in Morgantown for the Greens last Friday. Maybe there will be some other reports come in, from folks who were there.

Kayla Ward lets me know about a nice CultureFest down at Pipestem

2010-09-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

The same weekend I am going to Nashville, Pipestem, down in the southern part of the state, is having a CultureFest, which looks very good. Check it out through facebook or google. Sorry to be missing it; but the Nashville trip is one I have been anticipating for a long time!!

Will Kimbrough at Court Street Grill in Pomeroy- September 17th

2010-09-06T06:06:00.001-07:00

I hope to make it down to Pomeroy where Jackie has brought Will Kimbrough back for a Friday night, September 17th show.

Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle return to Parkersburg next week

2010-09-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

For the third time, we are hosting Mark and Stacey here in Parkersburg for a coffee house/ house concert setting. They are a great evening of music. This year we are having the event at a room at the Blennerhassett Hotel (seats 40) to try for a little classier setting! We've got a room for them at the Hotel as a little nice touch to keep them coming back! The show starts at 7 pm on Thursday September 16th. Tickets are $15, and I would prefer to sell advance tickets so I don't end up with some disgruntled people at the door if it sells out.

Venturing to Nashville this Thursday for the AMA Festival

2010-09-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

The long anticipated trip to Nashville will be this week. I will be attending the Americana Music Association Festival; including the awards event at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday night, and three nights of lots of great musicians playing at various venues around town. We'll be "hosting" and taking along the winners of the raffle for the trip that we held throughout the year as part of our 2010 Mid Ohio Valley Americana Music Tribute Series. We hope everybody has a great time, and that we can then begin planning another big trip for next year.

yet another attempt to define "Americana"

2010-09-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

The hive mind of Wikipedia describes the genre as "an amalgam of roots musics formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the American musical ethos," which says everything and nothing.

"I don't really know what Americana is," Miller says with a shrug. "It's just the music I like. I don't understand why some people aren't Americana and some people are. I don't really get it, I'm just glad I fit in."

article from the Nashville Scene about Americana music

2010-09-03T09:29:00.001-07:00

As Americana's identity takes shape — and boosts sales — the fledgling genre revels in its new momentum
Roots Take Hold
by Edd Hurt

You could spend a lot of time trying to come up with a working definition of Americana without succeeding even halfway, and it wouldn't be for want of musical examples that could bolster your case. Not exactly a genre and certainly not a style, Americana is probably best viewed as a series of connections in time and space — the apotheosis of various philosophies of American music. But for all the confusion the term engenders, Americana in the past year has achieved the visibility and critical mass its adherents have been seeking for over a decade.

Not only did the Recording Academy add a brand-new Grammy category for Americana, it stocked the nominations with a veritable continuum of American roots music, from Bob Dylan, Levon Helm and Willie Nelson to Wilco and Lucinda Williams. What's more, for the first time the coalescing genre can say that it is breaking artists. Americana adherents point to briskly selling recordings by otherwise unclassifiable acts such as the Avett Brothers — a pop-country-folk-rock ensemble of ex-punks who refuse to abide by the industry's no-size-fits-all categories, yet who played to tens of thousands of eager fans at this year's Bonnaroo.

It's a story that seems new, but its oppositions — rebellion and selling out — are as old as pop music itself.

As it has for the past 11 years, Nashville's Americana Music Association holds its yearly conference and festival this week, with dozens of artists playing its showcases. There are also Americana labels, publicists and other business people in attendance. It's a well-run trade show with a homey atmosphere, and the range of performers — everyone from country singer Elizabeth Cook to punk-rocker Jon Langford — is impressive. Attending the festival is a bit like time travel, since Americana artists are often well-established artists who have settled into comfortable mid-level careers, or new artists who work within the grooves of styles popular decades ago.

That means it's tempting to dismiss Americana as another name for what used to be called alternative country, country-rock, or roots music. And indeed, AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly has a simple enough definition of the music.

"I would say our definition is whole lot more clear than the current definition of country music, or the current definition of rock," he says. "Our definition is really simple: It's contemporary music that honors and/or derives from American roots music, period."

For example, the Mississippi singer and songwriter Paul Thorn has done well in the past year with a combination of story-songs about the South and a savvy variation on rock 'n' roll. His latest full-length, Pimps and Preachers, sat on top of the Americana chart — which, by the way, tracks radio play on Americana stations, not sales — and has seen action in Billboard as well. He writes songs such as "Ray Ann's Shoes" and sings them in an artless voice that puts one in mind of a Tupelo Graham Parker.

"I had a record deal on a traditional label, and having been through that, I think the big difference now is that I actually get to sing songs that mean something to me," Thorn says. "I'm 46 years old, and I don't want to be singing songs about holding hands with a girl on the front porch." He makes mature, well-observed music that holds its share of surprises — the strings and mordant melody of "Ray Ann's Shoes" reveal a subtle artist.

If Thorn's music recalls anything, it's the roots-rock of Little Feat, right down to the slide guitar. But it could be that bluegrass and acoustic music stand as Americana's ultimate signifiers. If jazz was one American musical style to which '70s artists looked for inspiration — one has only to think of proto-Americana artists such as Little Feat and Randall Bramblett — bluegrass has become the method by which contemporary artists assert their authenticity.

Born in Texas and now in her sophomore year at Boston's New England Conservatory of Music, Sarah Jarosz is a 19-year-old mandolin player and singer who is taking time from her studies to appear at the AMA. Much like predecessors such as Tim O'Brien, Jarosz is equally at home with Bill Monroe and progressive pop groups such as The Decemberists.

"Bluegrass was the result of trying to be different," Jarosz says. "I know there are a lot of bluegrass purists who want to keep it straight and preserve the music's history. But Bill Monroe was kinda breakin' the rules, you know, in creating bluegrass music." Jarosz isn't afraid to be arty, and her impressive instrumental skills carry you through some of her more callow moments.

Jarosz's eclecticism puts her in the tradition of the '70s and '80s artists upon which the edifice of Americana rests — Gram Parsons, Doug Sahm, David Grisman, Waylon Jennings, Guy Clark, The Mekons, Elvis Costello and all the rest of that ragtag collection of cosmic cowboys, punk-rockers and disaffected rock 'n' rollers. Like Jarosz and other Americana artists, they developed a vision of American music that combined traditional values with modernist sensibilities. This sort of experimentalism can seem alien to the average fan of pop music or the mainstream country follower — not to mention advertisers.

Still, radio seems to be lending support to Americana, with Nashville's WSM adding such artists as Justin Townes Earle to its playlists. As WSM program director Joe Limardi says, "I still believe that Americana is what country was before it became a big money machine and hit-making giant." Meanwhile, Sirius/XM's Jeremy Tepper programs that station's Outlaw Country channel, which features music that shows up on the Americana charts, along with Dylan and Tom Petty.

Americana does seem to be about these kinds of purely musical connections. Barry Mazor, a veteran music journalist who has covered both Americana and country music for such publications as No Depression and The Wall Street Journal, takes the long view. "In some ways, you can trace it all back to Capitol Records in the '40s," he says. "They had a whole set of records they started calling Americana. It was a little out there at the time. There's still a tension to American music. You can track it and place where it came from, in time and in history."

If those tensions produced rock 'n' roll in the '50s and '60s, the tensions that arose in the '70s produced the roots of Americana, which may well produce its own set of oppositions down the road. The great Nashville singer and songwriter Marshall Chapman will be talking about her career at one of the AMA conference panels, and she has been mixing rock, country and whatever else tickles her fancy since the mid-'70s. As she muses, "What if a young Jimi Hendrix arose in our midst? Where would he find a home? Probably Americana. Or a young Elvis Presley? Americana.

"Hank Williams? Definitely Americana."

I'll be seeing some of these great Americana acts next week in Nashville!!!!!!

2010-09-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

Performing Showcase Artists confirmed so far include:

18 South ~ Abigail Washburn ~ American Aquarium ~ Cadillac Sky ~ Charlie Louvin ~ Chatham County Line ~ Cherryholmes ~ Chip Taylor ~ Chuck Mead ~ Corb Lund ~ Courtney Jaye ~ Dale Watson ~ Danny Barnes ~ Darrell Scott ~ David Olney ~ Dex Romweber Duo ~ Don Schlitz ~ Elizabeth Cook ~ Exene Cervenka ~ Fairfield Four ~ Frazey Ford ~ Frontier Ruckus ~ Greg Koons & The Misbegotten ~ Guy Clark ~ Hans Rotenberry & Brad Jones ~ Hayes Carll ~ Holly Williams ~James Intveld~ Jim Lauderdale ~ John Oates ~ Jon Langford & Skull Orchard ~ Kevin Gordon ~ Langhorne Slim ~ Larkin Poe ~ Madison Violet ~ Manda Mosher ~ Mary Gauthier ~ Micky and the Motorcars ~ Mike Farris ~ Minton Sparks ~ Nora Jane Struthers ~ Otis Gibbs ~ Over the Rhine ~ Paul Burch and the WPA Ball Club ~ Paul Thorn ~ Peter Case ~ Peter Karp & Sue Foley ~ Railroad Earth ~ Randy Kohrs Band ~ Raul Malo ~ Ray Wylie Hubbard ~ Rayland Baxter ~ Richard Julian ~ Sara Storer ~ Sarah Jarosz ~ Shannon Whitworth ~ Shelby Lynne ~ Steeldrivers ~ Stone Honey ~ Stone River Boys ~ Susan Cowsill ~ Sweetback Sisters ~ The Black Lilies ~ The Chapmans ~ The Defibulators ~ The Infamous Stringdusters ~ Todd Snider's Rock and Roll Revue featuring Jason D. Williams, Dan Baird and Friends ~ Todd Thibaud ~ Tommy Emmanuel ~ Tony Joe White ~ Tristen ~ Troy Cassar-Daley ~ Wanda Jackson~ Will Kimbrough

No Depression 's Kim Ruehl's interview with Lucinda Williams

2010-08-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Lucinda Williams requires little introduction. After all, over the course of the past three decades, she's become one of the most reliable singer-songwriters on the Americana/roots/indie/whatever scene.

When I was preparing for our recent interview, I was considering the artfulness with which her career has grown over the past 30 years, despite the fact that she's never scored a pop hit. In fact, it struck me as a bit of a blessing to her catalog that she's somehow managed to skirt the mainstream.

Consider Shawn Colvin. I'm a fan, so stay with me. She had that one song that struck on pop radio, for whatever reason, "Sunny Came Home." Compared to her entire moving, memorable catalog, that wasn't her best song. But, suddenly, mainstream America knew Shawn Colvin, and they continue to know her for that tune. I know comparing the worth of songs can be like comparing that of individuals (how do you measure it?), but I'd say it was no "Diamond in the Rough" or "Polaroids" or "Steady On." It was surpassed on its own album by "Trouble" and "If I Were Brave." It was the cockroach song - the one which showed itself to the rest of the world, while back here inside the walls, we all knew there were countless more milling about, going persistently unseen.

I say this not as a criticism of Colvin's work. Like I said, I'm quite fond of her gift. I only find it unfortunate that your average casual music fan knows her for that song.

Lucinda Williams, meanwhile, has skirted that whole issue. People know Car Wheels on a Gravel Road or they know Essence, or the Folkways recordings. They're familiar with individual songs like "Lafayette" or "Joy" or "Six Blocks Away." They have their personal favorite, but it's one they've chosen. Not one which mainstream radio has chosen for them. It's a feat, the sort of thing much more likely for an artist starting their career right now, than for one whose career launched decades ago, and spanned the era of MTV and corporate radio. And, it's a feat which has led Williams to the level of artistic control and integrity which has become a bit of a trademark for her work.

So, that's where I started when we got on the phone a couple weeks ago, and you can read the whole transcript below. But first, I should mention she's taking the stage at the 2nd Annual No Depression Festival Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, at 7:05 p.m. (Tickets are still available here.)

And now, for my full interview with Lucinda Williams:

KR: Since this is for ND and they gave you a lot of ink in the print days, and you were on the cover a few times, I was wondering if you ever read what's written about you.
LW: Sometimes. I always read the stuff in No Depression. I used to read more, but now I read less and less of the stuff that's out there. ND always wrote good stuff about me, so I didn't mind reading what they wrote. [laughs] As a general rule, though, I don't voluntarily read it now. If someone says, "Here's a great review," I'll read it. I used to read all of it, and then it got to be...sometimes, the more there is out there, there's always gonna be the one or two weird ones.

KR: Do negative reviews get you down?
LW: Most of them aren't all the way negative. I think as an artist, your sensitivity gets heightened, especially when you're on the road and you're working night after night. It's probably the hardest when a new album comes out. That's when [you have to wonder] whether it's four stars, or did you get three stars...but that's why I don't read too much of it, becuase you get sensitive. For the most part, overall, I've had good press. I can't really complain. Some of my best friends are music critics [laughs]. Maybe because my father's a writer, and I grew up with writers, I'm real comfortable with music journalists. I find kind of a common bond.

KR: Well, and you've also been in this industry making records for 30 years now, so you must just get used to the constant feedback.
LW: That started happening after Car Wheels, because that was the album that put me out there. Up until then, I was the critic's darling, and then I went from the critic's darling to being the star, and that kind of thing. It's similar, but maybe on a different scale. I wasn't playing big arenas like REM. Although they went through the same thing. First they were the underground band, then they made it and people started taking potshots at them. It's just [a matter of] going up the ladder. Wilco went through the same thing. People wanna feel like they just discovered you or something.

My first album, the self-titled one on Rough Trade, that was the one that people were like, "Where have you been all these years?" Then I did the Sweet Old World album. Then Car Wheels kind of put me in the spotlight, and that got all the great reviews and the Grammy. Then, after Car Wheels, things started moving to a different place. All the while, I was building a fanbase.

KR: And yet somehow you've never really had a big pop hit...
LW: I was so critically accalimed when I first got discovered and more people were just kind of...I don't know how it goes. You can't get great reviews from every reviewer for every album.

KR: But, do you think maybe it's a blessing in terms of your audience that you've never had a big pop hit? You've kind of skirted that, and yet still been respected all along...
LW: I don't know. I guess. I'm sort of balanced on the edge between...are you saying the fact that I haven't "sold out" or whatever?

KR: I think some of the singer-songwriters who have scored big hits, people just know the one song. Whereas, with you, people kind of know your whole catalog.
LW: Yeah, they follow my career. I've always made albums. I think that's the nature of the kind of music I do. Each song is crafted with the same attention to detail, and it comes out as part of an album. At a certain point, I didn't even think about trying to get a song played in rotation on the radio, because radio started changing so drastically. Really, the only way the kind of music I'm doing [can get known], you have to get out there and play live and make records. It's a slower climb, but that's how I've always done it and it's worked for me.

I get stuff on the radio, but at this point you're not gonna hear me on K-ROCK. That would be fine if you did, but at this point it's kind of nebulous. It's like worrying about having a video on MTV. That used to be a way to get to more people. Somehow, not by choice, I just kind of skirted around all that. I wasn't against doing a video, but if I was going to do a video, I wanted to do it my own way, and do something real artistic. That wasn't going to fly. At the time, I didn't have that kind of creative control with videos. With the music, I did. But, the first time anybody ever talked to me about making a video, they wanted to put it on CMT - the country music video channel - because they said MTV would never play it. I'd get all these treatments from the different directors and I just didn't like any of them. If I was going to do a video, I wanted to do something like Bob Dylan Don't Look Back - that kind of style.

Then the days of MTV came and went and I survived. [laughs] I survived and here I am. And now it's all about my Facebook fan page, which, just since i got off the road at the end of last year, I had some time. I didn't pay attention at all to that stuff, but I started going on there and I set up a personal page and then I started chatting with my fans a little bit. Amazingly enough, my fanbase grew on my fan page from 10,000 to now over 75,000, just because I've been going in and conversing with them. Most of them go, "Is this really you?" and I say, "Yeah it's me" [laughs].

KR: Do you spend a lot of time looking for music online?
LW: No. Tom does that, though. He's all connected in with all that. He knows about every band, songwriter, and singer who walks the face of the earth. Tom, my husband/manager, worked in A&R at record companies in marketing for years and years. He does a lot of that. He goes on the Velvet Rope and checks in. This morning, I said to him, "Did you hear the original bass player in the Kinks died?" and he said, "Yeah that was a couple weeks ago." I said, "Ok, well I just read about it in Rolling Stone yesterday."

I'm online, in the meantime, and I'm looking for a weight bench and some skin care that isn't loaded with preservatives, and that kind of thing. Trying to find rugs for the bathroom.

KR And you're working on new music now?
LW: Yeah we're in the mastering stages of a new record now. I started writing toward the end of the year. We got home [from the last tour] in November and I was writing a little bit every day or every few days. We got everything cut and mixed. We've been working with Don Was. We recorded over at Capitol Studios. It sounds great. We're finishing mastering and everything.

KR: So you'll be playing new tunes at the festival?
LW: Yeah

KR: Is there anything else you want people to know?
LW: We're just looking forward to [the festival]. We haven't played in a little while now, and we have this great new guitar player who's going to be playing the shows with us, named Val McCallum. He played on the record. Him, Greg Liesz...we wanted Greg to come out but he was booked in Australia. Then it's my regular bass player and drummer - Butch Norton on drums, David Sutton on bass. For these shows it'll just be the four of us. Rami Jaffee, who's now playing with the Foo Fighters and used to play with the Wallflowers, he played keyboards and accordion on the record. He might try to come and do a couple of the shows with us. I'm not sure which ones, but he was booked up with other stuff, too. It'll be cool. It's going to be great, we're looking forward to it.

For more on the 2010 No Depression Festival, check out the full lineup and schedule. Visit Lucinda Williams' website for a full list of her current tour dates.

Greens off to sunny Florida- hope they don't get discouraged by the Gulf and the Oil spill!

2010-08-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

I believe this is the weekend the Greens are off to play at a wedding in Pensacola Florida. Unfortunately, minue Nate; so someone else is filling in on drums. I believe they were getting the bus out on the road again, if they got an inspection sticker. Oops, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that publicly. I hope they have smooth travels, and a good story to tell at the end of the trip. School back in session in Morgantown coming up!!!

songwriter night tonight in Marietta

2010-08-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

Todd Burge and the Galley crew have organized a songwriter night tonight up there in Marietta. Lots of the local favorites of songwriters and performers will be there, and its a chance, if you haven't seen it yet, to see the Adelphia. They have lots of exciting shows lined up in upcoming months, so check them out.

Greens show last night in Marietta

2010-08-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

The Greens put on a great show last night in Marietta at the Brewing Company, to a very enthusiastic and appreciative crowd. As always happens the greens got the crowd up and dancing throughout the evening. Weaving in old and new songs craftily; taking the audience on a happy musical adventure. The Greens hustled back to Morgantown today for two different shows; a County Fair and a night at Gibbie's. They will be over a month before coming back to the Mid Ohio Valley. They have a wedding in Florida to play for next weekend; taking the bus!!!

Most current list of performers at the Americana Festival in Nashville Sept. 9-11

2010-08-13T13:21:00.001-07:00

Abigail Washburn ~ American Aquarium ~ Hayes Carll ~ Peter Case ~ Exene Cervenka ~ Elizabeth Cook ~ Susan Cowsill ~The Defibulators ~ Tommy Emmanuel ~ Frazey Ford ~ Frontier Ruckus ~ Mary Gauthier ~ Kevin Gordon ~ Ray Wylie Hubbard ~ Wanda Jackson ~ Jon Langford & Skull Orchard ~ Sarah Jarosz ~ Shelby Lynne ~ Charlie Louvin ~ Corb Lund~ Raul Malo ~ Chuck Mead ~ Micky and the Motorcars ~ John Oates ~ Over the Rhine ~ Joe Pug ~ Dex Romweber Duo ~ Paul Thorn ~ Steeldrivers ~ Stone River Boys ~ Sweetback Sisters ~ Todd Snider's Rock and Roll Revue featuring Jason D. Williams, Dan Baird and Friends ~ Chip Taylor ~ Tony Joe White ~ Will Kimbrough and more tba.

Adelphia booking up a storm

2010-08-13T13:15:00.001-07:00

I get word of Southern Culture on the Skids; Steve Forbert; bookings at Adelphia in Marietta; some other sooner local events coming across the announcements. Check out the Galley's website, or a related Facebook page.

Green tonight- hot fun in the summertime.....

2010-08-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Greens return to the MOV - its like a HEAT WAVE- burning in ya heart; tearing all apart. (Martha and the Vandellas). Marietta Brewing Company tonight. See what they have in store for their patient fans in the MOV. They play two shows back in Morgantown tomorrow so you gotta be quick to catch 'em. No chance for them to participate in the Neil Young Tribute tomorrow night in Parkersburg at the 6 Pence Pub. We'll soldier on without their contribution of: Cinammon Girl, and such.

Neil Young Tribute this Saturday

2010-08-10T05:23:00.001-07:00

We have lots of our Americana Music Tribute Series shows throughout the year, and this Saturday we revive the Neil Young Tribute. This has not been an annual event, unlike most of the others, but we wanted to celebrate Neil's music again, so put this one together for August. Saturday, 9 pm at Six Pence Pub in Parkersburg. $5 donation supports the work of Children's Home Society here in the area. We'll be having local musicians playing songs of Neil Young, and a few contests and prizes.

Greens back in MOV!

2010-08-10T05:21:00.000-07:00

The Greens will be playing at Marietta Brewing Company this Friday night- Friday the 13th!!! OOOOHHHHH, spooky. Its been a while since the Greens have been here, it will be a great opportunity to catch up with them, and see what they have been up to, and to get revitalized with their infectious music.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival lineup- wow!

2010-08-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

Patti Smith, Robert Earl Keen, Fountains of Wayne, Peter Himmelman, Yonder Mountain String Band, Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes, Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, The Felice Brothers, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Wronglers, Doc Watson & David Holt, Kinky Friedman, The Ebony Hillbillies, Skip Gorman, Buddy Miller, Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane & Fats Kaplin, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Lucero, The Magnolia Sisters, Carolyn Wonderland, Anderson Family Bluegrass, the subdudes, Nick Lowe, Moonalice, Earl Scruggs, Blue Highway, David Olney & Sergio Webb, Martin Sexton, Randy Newman, The Flatlanders featuring Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Patty Griffin, The Band of Heathens, The Dukes of September Rhythm Revue featuring Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald & Boz Scaggs, Citigrass, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Jenny & Johnny featuring Jenny Lewis & Johnathan Rice, Jonathan Richman, Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women, The Avett Brothers, Kelly Willis, Wendy Bird, Railroad Earth, Richard Thompson, Umphrey's McGee, Gillian Welch, David Grisman Quintet, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, Holly Golighty and the Brokeoffs, Keller & the Keels, Hot Tuna Electric, Indigo Girls, Bonnie Prince Billy & the Cairo Gang, Joan Baez, Hazel Dickens, Mondo Cane, Jon Langford, Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys, Evie Ladin, Rosanne Cash, T Bone Burnett and Friends, Jackie Greene, The Del McCoury Band, Justin Townes Earle, Nathaniel Rateliff, Steve Earle and the Dukes, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, James McMurtry
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Slide Guitar favorites- from No Depression blog

2010-08-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Driving home from a gig in Mobile yesterday, Mark and I put together a list of our top ten favorite slide guitar players (bottleneck or steel). Here’s what we came up with, with a link to a song for each:

Mark:

1. Mick Taylor - Beautiful tone and exceptional vibrato. "Love in Vain"

2. Ry Cooder - To me he's got the hugest slide sound. His technique and vocabulary are so refined that he's impossible to copy. "Get Rhythm"

3. Lowell George - For his economy of notes and his use of compression and sustain. His rhythm playing was impeccable. "Rock and Roll Doctor"

4. Mississippi Fred McDowell - He incorporated bottleneck slide into funky, hypnotic, rhythmic riffs. "Write Me a Few of Your Lines"

5. Sonny Landreth - He's taken everything one step further, doing stuff that no one has ever done before, including fretting behind the slide. He's influenced the whole next generation of players. "Bayou Teche"

Tom:

6. Blind Willie Johnson - One of the earliest recorded slide players and still one of the greatest. His music was beyond genre and beyond time. "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground"

7. David Lindley - He brought the lap steel, kicking and screaming, into rock and roll in the 1970s, and later inspired a renaissance of Weissenborn acoustic Hawaiian guitars. "Mercury Blues"

8. Jerry Byrd - He recorded with Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, and hundreds of others. He was the absolute master of the lap steel guitar and the source of most of the technique I've managed to absorb. "My Little Chickadee"

9. Josh Graves - He established the Dobro in bluegrass music. Yet his sound with Flatt and Scruggs was so gritty and bluesy that Carl Smith once told him, "If they ever figure out what you're playing they'll fire you." "Fireball Mail"

10. The Campbell Brothers - There's some amazing music being played in the Sacred Steel churches, and the Campbell Brothers -- Chuck on pedal steel and Darick on lap steel -- are making some of the best of it. "The Judgment"

Of course, this list barely scratches the surface. I can think of many other great players who deserve to appear on it, and probably you can too. If so, please leave a comment. Whose name would you add and why?
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Larkin Poe- last night in Marietta

2010-08-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Adelphia (connected to the Galley) in Marietta had a show last night featuring the band, Larkin Poe. Todd Burge opened for them. This trio (two sisters and a bass player) hail from Georgia, and had previously toured from a young age as the Lovell Sisters. They have played some major festivals and toured Europe. They share song writing duties, and have some intriguing covers thrown in. They impressed the audience with their spirit and talent, and engaged the audience throughout with their music and showmanship.