King Washington "Bawl and Change"

You gotta know it is a blast to play music on the radio. For the last month, I have been working afternoon drive on KDRP in Dripping Springs, TX. You can listen on line, or download the app for your smart phone. The most coolest thing about this, is that I am putting the library together for my show - Freedom is a wonderful thing. You will hear Chuck Berry and Fats Domino and Little Richard, Dylan and the Stones, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Chris Knight and Paul Thorn. New stuff too; The Lumineers, JD McPherson, JP Harris and The Tough Choices. I am on every day Monday through Friday, 2-7 pm CT, but on Wednesday it's 12 noon to 4 pm. I
welcome you to check it out. It kind of puts the pieces in place nicely, as I continue to scout for new music. Now I can do more than write about it, I can play it on the radio too.

I gotta get my hands on this, King Washington's debut album, The Gears. The band is out of Los Angeles, and their sound is nothing short of hypnotic. Love the vocals, love the harmonies, love the texture to the music. Yes they have been compared to The Beatles, which is not such a bad thing if you bring something new to it, which King Washington does. The album came out yesterday, and was produced by the band and Grammy-Award winner Joe Puerta. This is a luscious album full of longing and serious chops. Today's video is
for the song "Bawl and Change." The storyboard for it is a tad on the strange side, but the tune totally rocks.

-Jessie Scott

Elliott, Rose, da Costa "Note"

Today is Memorial Day and we want to take a moment to honor the fallen. Each was an individual, set on this planet with skills and gifts a unique personality and people who loved them. They gave all for this country, but my mind wanders to what else these warriors and citizens might have accomplished had they lived. Today, take time to talk to a stranger and find out their history. Old, young, American born or foreign, neighbor or stranger; be open to making a new friend, and understanding them. Take time to cherish our hard won freedom, our blessed country, and our wonderful servicemen and women.

Lately, I have been having conversations worthy of Joni Mitchell’s Woodstock lyrics, “I came upon a child of God…” There has been a series of memorable characters to talk to, and it has been enriching and exhilarating. Some of the people that cross my path are those that come to play the Threadgill’s School Night Sessions. Right before SXSW this year, Raina Rose played it, and blew me away when she did a cover version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You.” That is a hard song to sing, and she brought an exceptional grace to it. When the Music Fog Spring Marathon came around, she brought John Elliott, Andrew Pressman, and Anthony da Costa along. Anthony has been hailed as a comer since he emerged as a fifteen year old, and two years later, he was the subject of a rave review in the New York Times. We were delighted to have them, and here is the Music Fog version of Anthony’s song “Note.”

- Jessie Scott

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit "Alabama Pines"

The Americana Music Association's nominations for this year's Honors & Awards will be announced this Thursday at the GRAMMY® Museum's Clive Davis Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Jim Lauderdale will host, and actor John C. Reilly will unveil the list, and then Buddy Miller and The Americana Allstars; Don Was, Greg Leisz, and Don Heffington, will be the backup band for performances by Robert Ellis, Shelby Lynne, and Lucinda Williams. You can watch the nomination ceremony online at The Americana Music Association's Facebook page. Of course, don't forget this year's Americana Fest will take place from September 12-15, 2012 in Nashville, TN, and the Americana Honors & Awards Show returns to the historic Ryman Auditorium on September 12th. Americana Music Festival and Conference Registrations are now available at Early Bird rates through their online store.

Of course, we wish everyone who is eligible 'Bon Chance!' The nominees are unknowable for the moment, but we wonder if Jason Isbell will be on that list. His Here We Rest album solidifies his footprint as a major talent, and his shows with the 400 Unit at places like MusicFest at Steamboat, Cherokee Creek and Luckenbach have made legions of new fans. Jason is playing an intimate solo show tomorrow night at The Mansion On O Street in Washington, DC, and tickets are available in advance only, not at the door. Today, we bring you one of the fine tunes from that album, here's “Alabama Pines.”

- Jessie Scott