Griffin House "River City Lights"

Grifffin House is blessed with movie star good looks, not as a pretty boy though, but rugged, stoic. He would be believable playing a scene against Sean Penn. In the April issue of Esquire, there was that totally cool layout in which he was featured with four other artists: Dierks Bentley, Bob Schneider, Ben Kweller, and Charlie Mars. Good company, and they all were asked to pen a song with the line "Somewhere In Mississippi." The tunes they wrote couldn't have been more different from one another. The exercise was in preparation for the shoot, which took place at the Crossroads - you know, where Robert Johnson was said to have made his deal with the devil. When Denise and I were staying at the Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale this past February, we were told that there was no way to know at which crossroads that actually happened, that the railroad tracks cross Highway 61 in four or five places. Not to quibble, though. The Delta is rich with ghosts and their hushed voices.

We met up with Griffin at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival last month, and I was struck by his serenity and his voice, which to my ear is reminiscent of Tim Hardin, as his high notes hang gently in the air. His new one, The Learner comes out today. You can stream it by clicking here. And if you are in Nashville this Friday, you can see Griffin House up close and personal at the West End Borders Books & Music.

Here's one of the songs from the new CD, filmed aboard the Music Fog bus, it's "River City Lights." If you like this one, be sure to circle back and watch our version of "Rule the World," too!

- Jessie Scott

Chris Scruggs "Old Souls Like You and Me"

Chris Scruggs is grounded in the age-old forms, but flourishes in today's hipster scene. Don't know the name? Well you should, it's THAT Scruggs. What's more, he spent his young years touring the country on a Silver Eagle bus, with his mom Gail Davies, who was a country hit maker in the 80's. Then, you might not know that it was his voice out front, as he penned and sang the title track of the BR549 Tangled In The Pines CD during his 3 1/2 year tenure with them. Or, that he has appeared on three Grammy award nominated albums. Chris is a multi-talented instrumentalist, playing steel guitar without the pedals, an all but lost art form that fell out of favor in the 1950's. He aims to keep it alive. Chris honors the older techniques, but is not held fast by them, which allows for exploration and innovation. In fact, on Anthem, his latest CD, you are not hearing a string quartet, it is a canny steel guitar making you think there is!

While I was living in Nashville in the late 90's, this next generation was coming of age. They are the sons and daughters of folks you know. We industry types heard their names whispered as they bonded with each other, forming their first bands to play out in the clubs. It was a time of unspoken promise and excitement for the future. And the future is here now. Chris is steeped in the tradition, yet free to fly. Here is "Old Souls Like You and Me" with Mike Whitty on bass and Matt Arnn on snare from our Threadgill's recording this year.

- Jessie Scott

Justin Rutledge "Be a Man"

Happy Father's Day! As I move into a new abode, I am spending a lot of time thinking about my husband Robert, the father of my son, who passed three years ago. I am living with rich memories which seem to bombard me more this time of year. It reminds me of when we met in LA, where he was perpetually in shorts with tan legs in the sunshine. He was a guy with a big heart who would do anything to help others. There is the expectation of fearlessness to being a man in our society. The protector, the explorer, the anchor; whether one feels these things, or has to dig down deep to bring them forth. Men just bite the bullet and get it done.

Justin Rutledge's fourth CD, The Early Widows, just came out a few weeks ago. On it, he pulls the curtain back a bit on the emotional terrain, peering into the dark corners. Justin is resolute in his songwriting and delivery, this is moody stuff, sparse and haunting. We bring you the song "Be a Man." It's an interesting documentary-style video, in which the events leading up to his performance provide punctuation to the song. Conquer your fears and drink deep.

This Father's Day we wish you a long, healthy, and happy life with your family.

- Jessie Scott