Exene Cervenka "Alone In Arizona"

In so many ways, I am a Luddite, except for the violent aspect, though certainly the meaning has changed a bit from its original usage. I refuse to combine my electronics into the one convergence unit; I am PC, not Mac; I still like to shop in stores rather than online. There is something really wonderful about the atmosphere of a well done retail environment. I am particularly sad about the closing of 200 Borders Stores nationally. I have spent countless hours perusing the racks for music, magazines and books. There was a closing sale in my local store this weekend, and I loaded up on as many books as I could stack up and carry, to stand on line for the registers with the other old school readers. What it says about publishing scares me. I look at the printing press as the beginning of mass communication, and we are seeing all that devolve. Yes, the internet is an incredible forum, but I, for one, still think books are important to have and to hold. Having worked in a digital environment, I know that data can be wiped out in a moment. I think it is important to have a backup. And I do not like the idea that one can’t impact the population the way one used to be able to do, be it via newspapers, magazines, television, radio, CDs and yes, books. But we at Music Fog believe in the internet, and we thank you for finding us here, and for telling your friends about us. This period of development is pretty exciting, as the paths have not matured yet; there is no status quo. In so many ways, it is still becoming. We ride the wave, and it is infinitely interesting seeing where it takes us and what is possible. At the end of the month, we will celebrate our 3,000,000th view on the Music Fog YouTube channel. We are forging on, pioneering in our own way.

It is so wonderful to be able to follow careers that have been iconic and innovative on these pages. Take Exene Cervenka, for instance. She has a new album, The Excitement of Maybe, coming out in a few weeks, and it continues paving the path that this Renaissance woman walks. Exene, of course, is best known for her work as the singer for the legendary punk band X, as well as The Knitters and The Original Sinners. She has lived an exotic life, has explored creation in many modes. The Excitement of Maybe is her next solo project. She graced us with a song from it when she stopped by our Sweet Suite at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown, back in September during the Americana Music Festival & Conference. Here is “Alone In Arizona,” with Cindy Wasserman from Dead Rock West, and Cheryl Lyndsey from The Breeders.

- Jessie Scott

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion "Bright Examples"

In a lot of ways, I look at Neil Young’s career as inspired by the little engine that could. In his loud periods and in his gentle ones, he has continued to feed his head and his art, seeming not to waiver from the path of the muse over the decades. And he has brought so many good things to the world via his activism, The Bridge School, and Farm Aid, so it is an awesome thing to see him being honored as well. He just picked up his second GRAMMY® a couple of weeks ago for Best Rock Song, “Angry World.” A few nights before the GRAMMYs, voices were raised joyously in a tribute to Neil at Carnegie Hall in New York, a concert that raised money for music education, though Neil himself was not on hand for the show. In October, at The Bridge School benefit, seminal band Buffalo Springfield reunited after 42 years, and tongues began wagging, clamoring for a tour. We are waiting for those details to be announced, but Buffalo Springfield will be playing Bonnaroo.

Neil Young’s music has influenced countless others in the generations that have come after. I hear his DNA embedded in the new album out today from Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion. They carry other legacy genes, as she is Arlo’s daughter and Woody’s granddaughter. The new CD, Bright Examples, has been culled from 50 songs written over the last 5 years. Sarah Lee remarks that it has taken them in a dreamy, psychedelic direction (have you noticed that psychedelic is a buzz word again?) It is hard to believe it is just their second full length album, as the follow up to 2005’s Exploration. That is not to say that they haven’t had oodles of other projects to keep them hopping!

There are a string of tour dates ahead, including an album release party tonight at LA’s famed Hotel Cafe. Here is the title track from the new one, ”Bright Examples.”

- Jessie Scott

Micky Braun "Never Been Out West"

It’s Presidents Day, whatever that means. Well I know the banks are closed and there is no mail delivery, but really, has it just become an opportunity for white sales, car sales, who knows what other kind of sales? The holiday was originally George Washington’s Birthday, designated in 1880 by an Act of Congress to honor the father of our country. It was celebrated on his actual birthday, which is tomorrow, 2/22. In 1971, the date was shifted in the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which yielded some three-day weekends. It actually makes it impossible for it ever to fall on GW’s birthday, but who is counting. And actually, the holiday is still called Washington’s Birthday, even though it is never on that day. In some states, Lincoln’s Birthday is still celebrated as a stand alone, on February 12th. In any case, we hope you have today off, and are enjoying a three day weekend, yourself, and that maybe even you are pondering the march of democracy, the history of our country.

Civilization spread relentlessly across this continent. When I think about Muzzie Braun raising the Braun sons in remote Idaho, I am awed by what it must have been like, especially as they were so self-sufficient . Two weeks ago, I toured through that spectacular Rockies landscape; Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Today’s tune is a brand new song from Micky Braun that we recorded in Colorado during last month's MusicFest at Steamboat. We expect to find it on the upcoming album, which Micky & The Motorcars will be recording in March and April. Ooh, there is a gig coming up with Micky and company, Reckless Kelly and dad Muzzie, doing a day at Luckenbach on March 12th, as Spring Break with The Braun Family. And Stonehoney will be playing a free show there earlier in the day...so you can make a day and night of it! That sounds like fun! Here is the first-ever recording of “Never Been Out West.”

- Jessie Scott