Gary Nicholson "Smile Millionaire"

I wanted to take a minute to report the passing of my friend Greg Trooper. Greg was a raconteur, troubadour, and curmudgeon with a perpetual twinkle in his eye. He left us too soon, succumbing to cancer over the weekend. My condolences to his family, and to all of those who are the legion of his friends. In another life, I asked him to open for Emmylou Harris at The Bottom Line in New York, in the late 90's. He blew the room away, as did Emmy with Buddy and Julie Miller accompanying her on stage. It was a golden night.

With so many music legends leaving us in 2016, I am a little melancholic. But there are a couple of things that I need to emphasize. We should continue to support our artists: buy their records, stream their music, come out to see them play live.

Today’s video comes from Gary Nicholson, who had Colin Linden in tow for this Music Fog session from January 2016. Gary is one of those guys that has a rich and deep catalog – check out all the stuff he has co-written with Delbert McClinton, and you will see. (Explore all the artists that have recorded his songs here.) By the way, Delbert has a new album just coming out called, “Prick of the Litter.” Look for Gary touring solo, and under his blues persona Whitey Johnson. He is a magic man.

Remember too, that music heals. So do smiles. Here is Gary’s Music Fog exclusive video for "Smile Millionaire."

- Jessie Scott

Bonnie Bishop "Poor Man's Melody"

I write this with gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving. I want to send up thanks for every day that I see the sunlight, and every day I get to do what I love. And you know, music is what I love. That is not all, obviously, I am thankful for my family and friends and this country, and democracy. That is so precious, we must hold it near and nurture it from the winds of change. I am thankful for working collaboratively, as we can make something out of nothing with a common goal if we all roll up our sleeves and get busy. From Music Fog, to the Americana Music Association, to XM Radio, to my newest venture, WMOT Roots Radio, I love start-ups especially, cobbling new initiatives into existence. I get to do things that bring joy to people, including the audience, the artists, and the folks I work with. I am humbled and grateful beyond words for that.

Today's tune from Bonnie Bishop sums it up, getting to a place where LOVE is all we need. What a great year she has had, rising out of the ashes to put forth a great new record, Ain’t Who I Was, produced by Dave Cobb. Bonnie has toured the country, playing well respected music venues with a whole new audience discovering her. And you know Bonnie is a jaw dropping performer. She brings it all, every time. Go see her when she comes close to you. In the meantime, here is a taste from the Music Fog video shoot at the end of January in Nashville at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage. “Poor Man’s Melody” is one of the fine tunes on Ain’t Who I Was.

- Jessie Scott

Sierra Hull "Black River"

Wow, Daylight Saving Time has ended, and now the season changing is upon us. The stores are already stocking Holiday goodies of every description. Loudon Wainwright III has a great song that speaks to the whiplash that we experience post Halloween, called Suddenly It’s Christmas. I have already made the necessary travel plans that one must book months in advance. Though when I fly through Chicago in the wintertime, I always wonder if I will make it through if there is weather. I almost didn’t one year, heading to MusicFest at Steamboat. My producer was on the next flight out, and it took her two extra days to get there. But I digress. Yikes, winter is coming, and now we will be plunged into darkness earlier in the evening. It will feel like a thousand years until March comes and the clocks change once again.

Sierra Hull has the wistful tune for today, “Black River.” We filmed her back in January at 3rd & Linsdley Backstage in Nashville, when Weighted Mind was just coming out. Congrats to Sierra for being awarded Mandolin Player of the Year at the IBMA’s in Raleigh, NC in September, which she hosted along with Dan Tyminski. You can catch Sierra touring until the Christmas break, and then picking right back up after the holidays and getting back to it. You owe it to yourself to see her. We are excited to bring you the Music Fog version of "Black River,” a timeless and hauntingly beautiful song.

- Jessie Scott