Amanda Shires is dewy and young…we wondered if she was even old enough to sign our waiver! And she brought a friend along, as Rod Picott accompanied her, as he has been doing on the road. They make a fearsome duo. They had us entranced with emotion and virtuosity. We love the whole murder ballad concept…how can something so beautiful be so WRONG!

Ahhh age old dilemma, huh! Witness "I Kept Watch Like Doves" and you be the judge.

-Jessie

Hot damn, it's another new song from the brilliant new Ragweed album, Happiness and All The Other Things.

Now, to be sure, we didn't know what to expect...it could have been just Cody up on the Celebrity Coach bus, but we were honored to have the WHOLE band, and they are such a tight outfit. You know what I don't get...it's the people who say they don't get Cross Canadian Ragweed. What? Is it too loud, too joyous, too much like the rock and roll of old that we went to see at The Fillmore? With all due respect, how can you NOT GET this. Q-tips anyone?

-Jessie

So good to catch up with Dan, of the AAA duo Lowen and Navarro. I have known him since they were just starting to break when I was at WMMO in Orlando. In June, right before I left DC, I witnessed the El Fin Del Camino show at the Birchmere, an evening-long tears-running-down-your-face affair, as Eric has now retired because of ALS. So sad, such a bittersweet night. Ahhh life.

Keep The Light Alive - The Lowen and Navarro Tribute album will be out later this year, but in the meantime, Dan has a new solo album out with Stonehoney, Live At McCabe's. If I am not mistaken, this was his first trip to the Americana Festival and Conference. He is such a magnetic character...between the zany voice impersonations, the impeccable songwriting craft, and that beautiful singing voice...here goes!

-Jessie