The MusicFest 2011 - Day One

We departed our respective homes for points west, a loose caravan of techies headed for the great unknown, only occasionally glancing up from our respective hand-held's to check out the scenery. Of course, that changed when we got to the Rockies. We drove up, up through curving roadways and impossibly high peaks, and then hit Rabbit Ears Pass, carved in through the rocks, the snow piled high to the sides of the road. Ooh and aahs, and then the descent down seven miles to Steamboat in the Yampa Valley. There was a serenity for the whole trip, until we pulled into to the parking lot here. You know how life can suddenly change gears? It got kicked into 4th in a blink!

Oh man, it is so good to be back! Friends, hugs, and Happy New Year's were exchanged, set amidst the mountains and the pines and the Christmas lights. Just glorious. Joel Schoepf from Dickson Productions met us in the parking lot to ease our entry. As did intrepid 'Boat' dweller Brian Smith from Authentic Records and The Ghost Ranch Saloon, who dug the snow out of the bed of his truck to haul our equipment. Adam Odor, who coordinates the production team for MusicFest at Steamboat Springs appeared to help get us situated, too. Shannon Ford from the Steamboat Grand escorted us in, and then there was a quick trip to the Artists welcome party, where drinks were hoisted and kisses exchanged. We had dinner at the Slopeside Grill, a big thanks to Chad there. To John and Robin Dickson, we can't thank you enough for inviting us back to this incredible event, the very best way to start the year. I have been coming to MusicFest at Steamboat Springs since 2002, as we broadcast live from here on X Country through 2008. We segued into Music Fog coverage when that ended. In fact this was our very first event as a new company two years ago.

The rest of the Foggers went on to set up our production space, and I detoured for a walk through Gondola Square at the base of the mountain. Walt Wilkins "Trains I Missed" was playing on the PA system outdoors as I crossed. How totally appropriate. You never know where life is taking you, but you have to trust and have faith. In the next few days, we will bring as many MusicFest artists in front of our cameras as is humanly possible, and share at least a few of them with you in the next few days. So keep checking back with us here at the Fog. Let the year begin!

- Jessie Scott

Charlie Faye with Will Sexton "Whirlwind"

Sitting in the quiet before the 'storm' of MusicFest at Steamboat Springs 2011, which is just getting underway. Gotta catch your breath a bit, and not because the altitude is so extreme, but that's part of it, for sure. I don't buy the "drink water for altitude sickness" cure, preferring beer, thanks. I am watching a celebrity travel show on TV, that is shining a light on exotic locations and exotic hotels. Kinda funny, as the Music Fog crew is ensconced on location again. I love my travel. Once we setup shop here, and start recording, we'll bring you a few performance videos during the long weekend, with more to come over the following weeks.

What a year 2010 was for Charlie Faye. Nothing like dreaming big and doing it…she pledged to spend 10 months in ten different cities, putting bands together in each and then recording with each. As she and I have been in orbit in different parts of the planet, I haven't seen her to ask how it all went. But I did get progress reports on her as the year went on, and I think a good, productive time was had by all, and that included members of Calexico, The Eagles, Violent Femmes, Ian Moore, among many others. There, of course, is an album in the works...wonder if this song will be included? Wow, we have been holding this video for almost a year, and what a year it was for Music Fog too! Let's revisit Folk Alliance in Memphis this past February. Charlie Faye along with Will Sexton on "Whirlwind." Whew!!!

- Jessie Scott

Jake Shimabukuro "Bring Your Adz"

Music Fog is migrating westbound for MusicFest, and will be arriving in Steamboat Springs, Colorado tomorrow if the Good Lord is willing. Gotta do our studio build out, then hit record and play...and the beat goes on! It seems somewhat unusual to me that CDs are slated to come out this early in the year, but hey, there are no rules. And so we welcome today's offering of a brand new album, Peace Love Ukulele, from Jake Shimabukuro. "The ukulele," he says, "is the instrument of peace - and if everyone played the ukulele, the world would be a better place." That said, if everyone played with the level of virtuosity he brings, the world would be Utopia! Jake will be joining the lineup for the Old Settler's Music Festival, which is set for April 14th though the 17th in Austin, along with other award-winning artists; The Avett Brothers, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Langhorne Slim, Green Mountain Grass, Elliott BROOD, and Emmitt-Nershi Band.

All I can say, as we embark on our first event coverage of the nascent year, is there are plenty of cool festivals coming for 2011. And there are plenty of opportunities ahead to showcase talented artists here at Music Fog. Today we source a song from Jake's new album called "Bring Your Adz."

- Jessie Scott

PS There is another song on this album I would like to mention here, a tribute to the courageous American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought and sacrificed their lives in World War II. "Go For Broke" was the motto of these second-generation (Nisei) Japanese-American soldiers from Shimabukuro's native Hawaii. The men of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Infantry Battalion, the 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) fought for the U.S. against their ancestral land at a time when those of Japanese heritage were often viewed with suspicion. Also, I wanted to recommend a wonderful book I just finished that was set in that era, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, a novel by Jamie Ford.