john Arthur martinez "Cajita de Milagros"

Have you ever noticed that so many holidays that are celebrated in America wind up heavily embracing either booze or shopping? St. Patrick's Day was about more than tying one on. And President's Day, now isn't that about White Sales? I like to swill and bask in fine linens as much as the next one, but really, isn't there more to these days to think about? Today is Cinco de Mayo, which has become another excuse for inebriation, but has a quite serious reason for being. Cinco de Mayo acknowledges the victory of 4,000 Mexican soldiers against 8,000 French forces in Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City in 1862. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which actually took place on September 16th, 1810. As a regional holiday, it is not observed everywhere in Mexico, but in America and in many countries around the world, it is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

It is in that spirit that we bring you a john Arthur martinez track, "Cajita de Milagros," filmed at The Mansion On O. Milagros are miracles, and they are an awesome and powerful thing. Boxes of Miracles, now we could be talking about a charity near and dear to jAm's heart, Casita Linda. john Arthur and I were talking about this at lunch yesterday. It is a miracle indeed, as their mission is to create a dignified, safe and empowering environment that will provide a foundation of hope for families living in extreme poverty. Independence. Something to strive for, besides a buzz, this Cinco de Mayo.

- Jessie Scott

Kristi Rose & Fats Kaplin "Come Back Tomorrow"

Nashville residents Kristi Rose and Fats Kaplin are an interesting couple to behold. He is a world class instrumentalist. She is a vocalist of dramatic southern gothic sensibility. Together they have created a musical genre they call Pulp Country. Theirs is a cinematic world that has been described as an “eclectic walk on the wild side.” They have released two critically acclaimed albums, This Is Pulp Country! and Kristi Rose, Live In Holland, and have played thematically satisfying shows as duos and beyond on stages as diverse as Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, major festivals and venues in Europe, honkytonks, and legendary rock clubs. Onstage they summon the ghosts of our lives, the sorrows and regrets, as well as allow for joy and release. Their shows are certifiable events, and I encourage you to see them together. Not to mention that if you haven't seen Fats play, you are in for a total treat. He is much in demand with a host of artists, as well as with Kane Welch Kaplin...stellar stuff indeed! And there are solo Fats projects to pick up on, The Fatman Cometh and Fats Kaplin’s World of Wonder.

When they came to play for us in Memphis during Folk Alliance, I did not share what their trip was with the other Foggers in advance. Sometimes it's better not to explain, so as to watch the faces as it unfolds. And so it was. Theater came before our cameras. No Dorothy, you are not in Kansas anymore! "Come Back Tomorrow" is available as a free download on their website, or you can buy other tracks at CD Baby.

- Jessie Scott

P.S. And the rains came to Nashville in what is being called the 100 Year Flood. Mayor Karl Dean declared a State Of Emergency on Saturday. We pray that all our Nashville family and friends are safe, and that life returns to normal as soon as possible. Sadly, 22 people have lost their lives in Tennessee and adjoining states through this shocking weather. The Tennessean has reported that portions of The Opryland Hotel are under 10 to 19 ft of water. There are many other buildings, obviously, downtown and afar that are in the same situation as well. The Red Cross has opened at least 28 shelters across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi. Your help is needed. Give to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund if you can. Click on the Red Cross logo on our page, or here.

Gurf Morlix "One More Second"

Gurf Morlix is an enigma. He is a major player. He can rock as hard as his lyrics pose questions. He is a roots MVP, having worked with a most impressive collective of artists through the years: Patty Griffin, Robert Earl Keen, Tom Russell, Warren Zevon, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard, just to name a few. In 2009 he produced albums by BettySoo, Slaid Cleaves, Romi Mayes, and porterdavis. Here are his credits from last year: Produced, engineered, mixed, mastered, played various instruments, including lap steel on Buddy and Julie Miller's Written in Chalk CD. 2010 is bringing more shows, more production, and I am sure, more surprises to be unveiled.

Morlix was acknowledged by the Americana Music Association as Instrumentalist of the Year in 2009 during the Americana Honors and Award ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. In pure Gurf style, he was not in attendance. I texted him only to find out it was to a land line. He is old school. So much so, that I hear the echoes in his lyrics of all those great brooding noir detective novels, you know, the ones where it is so clear the thought process, and you are screaming (on the inside) "No no no, don't do it!" I don't know why he chooses to explore the soft white underbelly, because he doesn't come off as dark when you talk to him, but for whatever reason, he deals well in dread. "One More Second" was on last year's CD Last Exit To Happytown, rendered here from our Threadgill's sessions in March.

-- Jessie Scott