The Civil Wars "Barton Hollow"

Joy Williams and John Paul White are The Civil Wars. That is such a good name that it is a wonder why no one has used it before. She is from California, he from Alabama, and they now reside in East Nashville, and are on the road to everywhere else, as they are touring like crazy! It has been a breakout year, starting with their song "Poison & Wine" being played in its entirety on Grey's Anatomy. Hundreds of thousands of viewers Googled it to find out what it was. And then Taylor Swift gave them yet another unexpected boost, when she tweeted about them, and then included the song on her official iTunes playlist. Yes, I just mentioned Taylor Swift. Don't judge me.

Their first full-length CD, Barton Hollow, hits the street on February 1st. It was recorded in Nashville, produced by GRAMMY® Award winner Charlie Peacock, whom they met at their very first show at The French Quarter Cafe in East Nashville. It is the follow up to 2010's Live At Eddie's Attic CD (which was taped at their second show ever), and the 4 song EP from 2009, Poison & Wine. We can't wait to see what happens next, but what has gone on so far is truly astounding. There have been 100,000 downloads of the live CD; 400,000 views of the video "Poison & Wine;" and their EP debuted at #4 of iTunes Singer/Songwriter Top Albums Chart. What can I say? We couldn't wait until the release date. Here is the title track, "Barton Hollow."

- Jessie Scott

Radney Foster "Until It's Gone"

It was wonderful catching back up with Radney Foster on the occasion of his very first visit to MusicFest in Steamboat Springs! Ours is yet another friendship made during my time living in Nashville in the late 90s, a time I treasure. Now don't you be sneering at that. Nashville is home to a wealth of artists that are not part of the 'mainstream machine.' People who can't help but create; who write and perform from heart and soul. Radney is yet another Americana MVP. He is a renowned writer, instrumentalist, producer and performer. His discography is a thing of wonder. And that is just the stuff with his name on the cover.

Of course, the Foster & Lloyd titles are on that list as well, and the big news is that there will soon be another one! It is the first album that Radney and Bill have recorded together in twenty years. After our recording session, Radney returned to our room to play us tunes from the new F&L CD, out this spring. And WOW is all I can say. But I say wow a whole lot when it comes to Radney's work. His varied credits include producing CDs for Randy Rogers, Brandon Rhyder, Roger Creager, Jack Ingram, Rosehill, and of course, himself.

Radney's most recent album is the stunning Revival, released in 2009. From it we bring you the song "Until It's Gone." It really does give you insight into Radney's need to, love of, and immersion in, the music. And it might just be a great theme song for what goes on at MusicFest at Steamboat every year!

- Jessie Scott

Zack Walther Band "Get Up"

They came in with the aid of a bellman, and two carts. I had been trying to set up our session with the Zack Walther Band in advance, but connectivity was spotty up in the mountains, and for a second, I wondered if they were going to be bringing us full concert production. No, not to worry, they just had to bring all their stuff along, but weren't going to use it all. It got crowded in our room at the Steamboat Grand, but in a good way. Our "studio" threatened to become a frat party several times through the week. Zack Walther and the band have developed this artistic progression with a residency from legendary Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX, where George Strait, Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett, Hal Ketchum, and Robert Earl Keen all came before. The Zack Walther Band's debut CD Ambition, came out in 2009. It was produced by Mark Addison, who has credits that include Ian Moore, Guy Forsyth, Band of Heathens, Bob Schneider, Will Sexton and others, and so they are in good company once again.

All that stuff was made especially meaningful when they started to play. It was 'close your eyes and go for a ride' time. All us Music Foggers felt it. We all listened back to the recording after it was done; one at a time, the band, us, all putting the headphones on and basking in Aaron's mix and the band's steady roll. It was quite magical, as strangers became friends. Then we kept running into the guys from the band everywhere we went, from that evening on. Such is the power of the community that John Dickson creates at MusicFest in Steamboat Springs. Giggles! Here is one of the Zack Walther Band songs from that session, "Get Up." I believe I will!

- Jessie Scott