The Bowmans "Twenty Days (The Slumber)"

Folk Alliance was a real test. There were SO many people we wanted to have come your way, but there just wasn't enough time. I do, however, like to bring some folks on the bus at the suggestion of other people, in this case Mike Meadows of Black Swan fame.

We were outside the first day talking, sitting on the wall outside the bus before it got balls to the wall crazy, and he recommended that we have the Bowmans up. I said I would check out our spreadsheet, my handy dandy guide to the Music Fog universe. And just by happenstance, there they were the next morning as I attempted to walk through the lobby of The Marriott. There Mike was with Claire and Sarah sitting having brunch, and I actually knew when there was a hole in our schedule. First thing in the morning. 

We seem to have a newfound tradition of beautiful girls first thing, which goes all the way back to Nashville for the AMA's with The Trishas and The Lovell Sisters. It helps the guys , um, focus. But back to The Bowmans, they are twins, it is close harmony. A perfectly beautiful way to wake up. They have a brand new self titled CD, and through the month of March, they will donate 50% of the sales to Haiti. Read all about it here. This song, "Twenty Days (The Slumber)," is from that brand new CD.

-Jessie

Madison Violet "No Fool For Trying"

When Madison Violet played the Mansion on O last year, I have to confess I didn't know anything about them. All that changed in the space of a few minutes during soundcheck. Their sound is unforgettable, feeling at once brand-new and warmly familiar. Their songs are equally distinct, and so it's no wonder they just took the Folk Grand Prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their song "The Ransom". It was fantastic to see them again in Memphis, where they joined us on the bus for a few songs, including this one, the title cut from their last album. Check out the rest of the album at the link below.

-Chris

The Music Fog Manifesto, Part One

Are we a cult? Sometimes I think so, just from the vibe when we are together. Someone jokingly accused us of being a pyramid scheme, which would be a pretty good deal if we could create prosperity for all the artists who come before our cameras wherever that might be.

Hey...maybe we are a cult pyramid!

"The cult pyramid, enclosed by its own perimeter wall, stands near the southeast corner of the pyramid. In the pavement of the surrounding courtyard, there were quartzite basins for libations."

Now that sounds about right.

Really, so many people come to our website wondering who we are, what we do, WHY we do what we do; that I figured I should offer an explanation. When we all left XM Satellite Radio, we knew we were leaving the nest for a reason. As we are all long time media people, the Music Fog concept grew from a look at the world to see what excited us. So many times in the past when we were on the road together broadcasting from Bonnaroo, SXSW, Willie's Picnic, Farm Aid and the like, remarkable and funny things happened. We decided to continue to incorporate these kinds of trips into the game plan, to be where artists congregate. And we wanted to see if we could make the same magic, only this time capturing video as well as audio. And so Music Fog was born. And we have been on the road for just over a year. We've been growing in every way possible these days, thank goodness for social media, and for you, dear reader! And what with the fracturing of mass media, and the convergence of all things to the web, Music Fog is surfing the seismic shift.

First, though, Music Fog is a production company. We believe in GOOD audio, and intimate video. We offer our services for all kinds of music shoots, as well as other kinds of non musical production; TV commercials, documentaries, digital press kits, news clips. The Music Fog website? Now that is purely an Americana music video blog, which, for my money, is the cauldron for the best song writers of our time. It also is our 'showroom.' If you like what you see, we might could do it for you. Interesting though, our editorial content cannot be purchased. We reserve the right to bring what we think is cool with no fees attached. When we are for hire, that's another story. Hell, it might be rap or politics or a sales piece, or a tribute for a convention, and so you likely wouldn't want to see it, anyway.

In this ever changing world, we are just trying to find our way, too. Our society seemingly has been asked to play a gigantic game of musical chairs, with the chair being jobs taken away. And really, are we all supposed to compete for what's left?

Nah, we'd rather reinvent, hang it out, forage and forge. At the mass communications level, Americana music is sorely lacking from the landscape. You just get drips and drabs of it, if you get any at all. We will continue to pound the drum, to showcase, to provide a voice and an up close look, to bring you new artists and tried and true artists who have a story to tell. You know, someday the web will have become what it is going to be, but right now it is still the Wild West. And Music Fog is out there, growing a community - even though it's just a virtual one. No, borders. AMEN!

-Jessie