Stone River Boys "Bluebonnet Blue"

Summer's here and the time is right for dancing in the street. Cut to the Stone River Boys, as they tear around the States bringing their 'Country Funk' mix of R&B, trad country, and 60's bar band, that sounds about perfect. When we last wrote about them, they were still holed up in Austin, doing a happy hour residency at The Continental Club. They return there for a date on July 7th, but in the meantime they are out west, and we encourage you to spend a night out with them if you can.

The Stone River Boys new CD Love on the Dial is climbing the Americana Chart. It features 10 original songs written or co-written by Dave Gonzalez and Mike Barfield, and four other tunes, including one by Stephen Bruton. Stephen passed just over a year ago, and I am proud to say he was a friend of mine. There is an eerie feeling that Stephen still has a hand in things on this mortal coil. Grown men of otherwise even keel are telling me about visitations. And on stages all over town, when people play a Bruton tune, the tears still pour down the musicians' faces, but there is also an experience of the divine about it too. The whole story of Stephen Bruton's kindness, focus, generosity, and talent has not been written to my satisfaction yet. It comes out in bits and pieces, but suffice it to say, there was never a finer human being. The Stone River Boys chose to cover a Bruton tune, here is "Bluebonnet Blue" from Threadgill's back in March.

- Jessie Scott

Suzi Ragsdale "Two on a Tightrope"

We told you a while back about the new CD Up On The Ridge from Dierks Bentley, who has enjoyed multi-platinum mainstream success. Dierks digs into the roots and bluegrass stylings that originally interested him in pursuing a country music career. He put together an impressive list of contributors from the Americana world on this venture. It was produced by our old buddy Jon Randall Stewart, and guests include Kris Kristofferson, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Tim O'Brien, and the Del McCoury Band. Plus, there is an equally impressive list of songwriters that Dierks culls from: Bob Dylan, Shawn Camp, Buddy & Julie Miller, and Verlon Thompson & Suzi Ragsdale; our featured artist today. Their tune is called "Bad Angel," and on it, Dierks is joined by Miranda Lambert, and Jamey Johnson. Suzi also  landed a previously unreleased song on Darrell Scott's new CD A Crooked Road, called “Candles in the Rain (Childless Mothers),” a tune she co-wrote with Darrell.

Suzi is a fully realized creative force, spread equally between her music, yoga, and her culinary skills. Last month she taped a segment for Lorianne Crook’s “Celebrity Kitchen” TV show for airing on the RFD Network. Suzi prepared Halibut and Grilled Eggplant Caponata en Papillote. Yum. There are more recipes on her website. Here she is cookin' on the Music Fog bus with "Two On A Tightrope," the original of which can be found on her latest, a two-disc set, Best Regards/Less of the Same.

- Jessie Scott

Truth & Salvage Co. "Welcome to LA"

There was a time when guitars reigned supreme. When harmonies flowed that were anchored in gospel and came from deep in the soul. When lyrics were pure and honest and tuneful. It was the Southern Rock movement that started in the 60's and exploded in the 70's, and on into the 80's. Then it seemed to fall out of favor, at least on the mainstream radio airwaves, except for the staples that became permanent fixtures on classic rock stations around the country. For the most part, this deep, rich musical vein got reduced to a short list of a few songs from the likes of Skynyrd or Marshall Tucker. But this music never really went away, as it still resonates. Good Ol' American Rock and Roll.

There's now a new crop of artists drinking from the well. We joyously bring you one of them, Truth and Salvage Co. Their self titled CD, produced by Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, came out about a month ago. They have been touring like crazy. They came through DC last week. You know, the whole Music Fog crew spent the last decade in Washington, so it came as a total surprise to us that there was a private Gibson Guitar showroom in the Nation's Capital! We thought we knew where all the Gibson showrooms around the country were located, and we didn't know this one even existed! Lo and behold, last Wednesday, there we were filming. So, thanks to Gibson for welcoming us into their family for the first of what we hope will be many exclusive sessions. And hurray! A mighty nice first outing...we and the Truth and Salvage guys so enjoyed being there! Scott Kinnebrew on vocals and electric guitar; Tim Jones on vocals and acoustic guitar, Bill "Smitty" Smith on vocals and kick 'n snare; Walker Young on vocals and accordion; Joe Edel on bass; and Adam Grace on electric piano - they are a tour de force.

Today's tune is "Welcome to LA," where they all migrated to from elsewhere in the states to start a scene growing. And what a scene it is!

- Jessie Scott