Citizens Band Radio "Whistlin' Dixie"

Things are certainly squirrelly about music labels lately---the term you use to describe a style. The GRAMMYs® didn’t help matters much by redefining the Folk Category to be almost the same thing as the Americana Category, but then there are blurred lines between Folk, and Singer Songwriter, and Texas and Red Dirt, and it just goes on and on. So much of this is about perception, anyway, with each person filtering things through what they know, or how they got introduced to something. I reference the term ‘Rock and Roll’ for the definitive; that became understood by the songs and sounds that lived under its name until everyone KNEW what it was. And then Rock came along, and that was sonically different than the earlier era. And so it goes.

Time was that the term Country was something of a dirty word. It was thought to be low brow, nasal, and unsophisticated. Kind of amazes me now to think back, but when I was on the radio in the 70s at the Country station in New York City, WHN, we NEVER actually said we were country on the air. We just played the music and let the audience decide whether they liked it or not. And they did. The station was a huge success, with an audience of 2 million people, in NEW YORK CITY?!!!?

We might have played today’s song on the air, if only it had been out back then. It does plant a couple of references to tunes from old. And whatever you call it, it is fun to revisit the set we did last year during the Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s. Here is Citizen’s Band Radio with “Whistling Dixie.” They are playing New Jersey next weekend, March 11th, at the Garden State FOLK Festival. See what I mean?

- Jessie Scott

Amy Speace "Manila Street"

I am ever struck as I sit in the midst of marvelous music, at just how many talented creatures I encounter on an almost daily basis. Every single person that came to play my concert series this week at Threadgill’s, The School Night Sessions, was incredible. On Sunday night we had the fabulous harmony of Texas Renegade. Monday night was an in the round with Raina Rose, Will T. Massey, and Mack Fockler. All were wonderful, all were entities unto themselves. And Tuesday night brought Ali Holder and The Broken Hearted, and the mercurial John Evans. There is so much talent around, that it is an even bigger shame that radio doesn’t feature folks like this. There is something so soul satisfying about connecting with music that can move you.

I think that is why I am bummed that I didn’t get to go to Folk Alliance, besides seeing friends, of course. So much music, the communication raw and real and high touch. Amy Speace didn’t make it to Folk Alliance last week either. She was doing a tour in Colorado, including playing the Historic Boulder Theater with Judy Collins. Good thing that there are more dates coming with Miss Collins later in March. Two glorious songbirds; what a well matched evening’s entertainment. We bring you vintage Amy today, from our Americana Music Association sessions from the previous event year, September 2010, to be exact. As I recall, it was very early in the morning when Amy showed up, and drenched us in elegance and sorrow with a song of lost love, “Manila Street.”

- Jessie Scott

Dirty River Boys "Carnival Lights"

This has been a crazy week as Music Fog barrels down on the final touches preparing our live webcast for the Spring Music Fog Marathon in Austin, at Threadgill’s. There are deadlines to hit, tickets to book, lines to install, plus all the usual other stuff that crashes into one’s consciousness via email, text and phone. My wanderlust is getting to me, though. Instead of being nose to the grindstone, as I have had to be, I really just want to jump in my car, blast the radio, (or iPod) and take off for parts unknown. Having time to tool around, have lunch in some historic town where there is plenty to explore - I guess it will have to wait until after the Marathon is done. We are getting ready to unveil our Music Fog Marathon line-up for the four days from Wednesday March 14 to Saturday March 17. Wow, that is just two weeks away. I am especially thankful to know that 200 people helped us make this event a reality through our Kickstarter campaign. Thanks to you all! We can’t wait to bring it!

We Foggers are on a mission to bring you cool music. Someone has to do it, ya know? A year ago during MusicFest at Steamboat Springs, we met the Dirty River Boys from the west Texas town of El Paso. They have had a meteoric year, touring all over the place and adding a fourth player on upright bass – Colton James. Nino Cooper, Marco Gutierrez and Travis Stearns bring the joy here as we saved one of their songs from way back in January of 2011. By the way, they are also doing a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds for their next album. They have until April 22 to hit their goal. If you can help, they would totally appreciate it. We know how that goes.

Here is the Music Fog recording of “Carnival Lights” from our Steamboat sessions, a tune you can find on their EP, Long Cold Fall.

-Jessie Scott