Todd Snider "America's Favorite Pastime"

It is good to know that we live in a culture that celebrates acts of bravery, of undaunted souls and unexpected heroes. We just observed Martin Luther King, Jr. day, and as I have been driving around Nashville, I reflected on bus etiquette forever being changed when I turned onto Rosa Parks Blvd yesterday. Another age old tradition is that of the bard. The teller of tales, be they tall or small, which serves to solidify and amplify the deed. Whether of Paul Bunyan or Joe Hill, or Casey Jones, or Casey at the bat.

Then along comes Todd Snider. A dyed in the wool folkie if ever there was one, down to his barefoot performances. With an ironically twisted tale of heroism, that of Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who supposedly threw a perfect game on LSD! America's Favorite Pastime, indeed!

-Jessie

Kristen Kelly & Modern Day Drifters "Payments Are Due"

Texas Music is not one dimensional. In fact, it is a many splendored thing. It rocks, it honky tonks, it Western Swings. It is soulful, gospel, bluesy, gothic folk, or cowboy. There is also a strain getting ready for prime time. Of late, there has been a move afoot to mainstream some of the music coming out of Texas. And how cool is that? For Texas artists are rooted in performance, they cut their chops early and learn how to entertain audiences. And with the national success of Jack Ingram, Eli Young Band, and the like, there is a path to pursue. I think Kristen Kelly & the Modern Day Drifters can walk that line. Nashville, take notice. Folks in Texas don't need to be invented, they are busy inventing themselves.

We first saw the Modern Day Drifters at the Galleywinter party last SXSW. Now, not even a year later, they are slamming. Check it out!

-Jessie

Doug Moreland "Fly On"

THIS is the sound I love! Stripped down to just acoustic guitar and bass, but the whole song carries with such swagger and weight. Doug Moreland has captured the vibe and feel of my beloved "Bakersfield sound" and added a twist of West Texas cowboy swing, with a crooked smile. I had a blast recording this session---of course it helps that Doug and Randy Roberts are fun to hang out with, too. Doug even shared his Tito's Vodka based "Naked Armadillo" recipie with us. Simple, strong, and tasty. Much like his music!

-Aaron