Sara Petite "Bootleggers"

I don't know if you get HBO, but I am digging the new show Boardwalk Empire. It explores the era of prohibition in that fabled town of gilded pleasure, Atlantic City, and is set against the great art deco architecture, coupled with opportunism born of desperation. I'm sure the book that inspired the show is an interesting read, too. Freeing the liquor or making it appear out of thin air; why are we so taken with these activities, these enduring 'common man beats the heat' stories? Outrunning the revenuer in the hollow, bringing booze in across the border from Canada, stomping grapes in the bathtub in Brooklyn. These are stories of folk heroes. I don't know what it is with man and "the buzz," but I suspect it has been going on since the dawn of time. For some reason, it resonates even today when we don't have that to rail against.

Observe if you will exhibit A: that would be Sara Petite, who fairly explodes when she hits the stage. She came to visit us on the last morning of the Americana Music Festival in Nashville just a few weeks ago, and she brought us the song "Bootleggers." She is one of the new crop of female singer/songwriters that are Americana traditionalists, with a gonzo twist, a rocking attitude that makes you want to jump out of your chair. She put out her third album, Doghouse Rose, just a few months ago, and presently she is bouncing around the country. Catch her if you can, though she may just outrun you. There is that wild spirit of evading the cops in this song. You will want to take chase after her.

- Jessie Scott

Will Hoge "Favorite Waste of Time"

There are surprises in this life, unpredictable moments where something catches fire, has a life beyond what you expect. Will Hoge holds the number three most viewed video on Music Fog with the song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart." I for one, didn't see that coming, although he is totally worthy of it! BTW, James McMurtry is number one with "Choctaw Bingo," but I expected that, hell, we ALL expected that. Number two is Eilen Jewell's "Sea of Tears." We filmed Will in a back green room at The 8X10 in Baltimore, and it was one of those trips where the Music Foggers showed up, and proceeded to be blown away. They walked out saying Will could be the new Springsteen. And yes, he could! He is everyday, he is eternal, he rocks.

Will has a new EP, at last! This comes off the heels of the horrible accident he suffered in Nashville, being knocked off his scooter, and months of healing and rehab were necessary. The album he was working on at the time came out as The Wreckage. We bring you his brand new video for “Favorite Waste of Time” to celebrate the release of his acoustic EP The Living Room Sessions, a six-song mini-album recorded in just two days in his living room. It features stripped-down versions of essential songs, including  "Favorite Waste of Time" which was originally on his studio album The Wreckage. This video spotlights that electric version, and is included as a bonus on the digital download version of the EP.

Will is forever on the road, and you can catch up with him somewhere soon, just check his website for all the dates. Or visit his Facebook page and enter the "Favorite Waste of Time Contest," through November 15th, for a chance to have Will and the band come to your home and waste time with you! Oh yeah, and play this loud!

- Jessie Scott

Jon Langford "1234Ever"

Artwork by Jon LangfordJon Langford is a Renaissance Man for the 21st Century. His music stints, starting with punk and moving through the Alt. Country landscape, and his other creative endeavors lead us to the obvious, that ONE THING can't contain his energy and his vision. His art is a thing of glory and is on display at Yard Dog in Austin. He has created iconic visual images of Hank, Johnny and Elvis, among others in his prolific portfolio. His paintings appear on bottles and other items for the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. We have a bit of it for you here, too, as he crafted the poster for the three-day Americana Live In New York event which kicks off tonight! Join us if you are in the NYC area at Rodeo Bar for sets from Bill Kirchen, Jim Campilongo, and Jack Grace! And then tomorrow and Friday at Hill Country!

Jon Langford, a Welshman who now calls Chicago home, works with different groups for the different flavors needed to satisfy his soul: The Three Johns, The Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Waco Brothers, Wee Hairy Beasties, not to mention under his own name. He has written a book, is a regular contributor to the radio show This American Life and is a father figure to many next gen Chicago musicians. His multimedia music/spoken-word/video performance, The Executioner's Last Songs, premiered in 2005. He also illustrated the comic strip Great Pop Things under the pseudonym Chuck Death. Since 2005 he has been one of the hosts of a weekly radio program, The Eclectic Company, broadcast on WXRT in Chicago. In early 2009, the Walkabout Theater Company in Chicago premiered a stage adaptation of Jon's Goldbrick, featuring a live band, two actors and video projections. At the end of last year The House Theatre of Chicago staged a production written by rock journalist Mark Guarino and based on Langford's art and his 2004 solo album All the Fame of Lofty Deeds. I am wondering if he ever sleeps, because here it is 2010, and there is a new CD out! It is called Old Devils, and from it we bring you "1234 Ever," with Jim Elkington on guitar, videotaped during our Music Fog sessions at the Sheraton in Nashville during Americana Fest last month.

- Jessie Scott