In these times of dissension and hostility, with the constant threat of international terrorism, ponzi schemes and out-of-control tween queens, it only makes sense that security remains at a high level. And the best security we have seen yet is backstage at the Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp tour. 

Music Fog traveled to this show, not for the headliners (but we did ask for Dylan), but for the opening act, The Wiyos.  As it turns out, these guys are an act well worth chasing.  And, quite by association, The Wiyos now have the highest level of security know to mankind.  We were astonished after learning that this tour has not one, but three “Heads of Security." And, had it not been for their publicity guy Carl, we are all certain that Music Fog personnel would have been water boarded by sundown. The rules were rigid:

•    No video of staff
•    No video of buses, trucks or horses
•    No video of food
•    No video of anything that is not a Wiyo

Carl is the guy that got us though it all.  Like a Marine coming ashore on a south sea island, Carl would have taken a bullet for any of us. Unwavering, Carl was actually able to put the Music Fog cameras on the stage- back there where the deepest dark secrets of stadium concert wizardry are kept.  We didn’t see anything or anybody.  Really!  There's nothing to talk about here folks... 

But there is Carl and The Wiyos. Their talent and generosity will not go unnoticed.  And we look forward to bringing Music Fog watchers closer to what they all believe so much in…a truly different spin on Americana.

We salute you Carl. And in the spirit of event security, we are not giving up your last name. Or your complete identity.  Don’t let “the man” keep you down Carl.

-Beans

I was over at a friend's house in East Nashville seemingly a hundred years ago, and she was playing me music from some of her neighbors. And so I first heard Amelia White. There is a earthy, eerie, ethereal quality to her music; questioning and yearning. Amelia emerged from same scene that produced Mary Gauthier, Lori McKenna and Sarah Borges. Her Albums BLUE SOUVENIRS and BLACK DOVES (funzalo Records 2006) put her on the map with critical acclaim nationwide. Her latest CD is self released, and White, scrappy as ever, is touring behind it old school. We caught up with her this past Saturday at Cyclops in Baltimore during ArtScape. She hooked up with Joe Rathbone and his band The North Stars for this taping. From her new album, "Motorcycle Dream," here is Rusted Dreams.

MUSIC FOG PRESENTS: ELLIOT RANDALL AND GINA VILLALOBOS  
CO-HEADLINE TOUR 


Rising Americana Artists Team Up for September Tour of California


 
SAN FRANCISCO - Music Fog, that fine purveyor of roots music spearheaded by Americana expert Jessie Scott, and California recording artists Gina Villalobos and Elliot Randall made a statement of alliance today announcing that they will join forces to promote an exclusive seven-date tour of the golden state in September, 2009. As Music Fog breaks new ground for emerging artists from all over the world, this affiliation acknowledges that the left coast is rife with talented Americana artists, exemplified by Villalobos and Randall, that can hold their own with the best of Texas, Nashville, and beyond.
 


The tour kicks off in Sacramento on the 11th before heading back to Randall's home base of San Francisco for a show on September 12th at Bottom Of The Hill. It will then move south with stops in Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Villalobos' home, Los Angeles on September 19th at the The Bootleg Theater, culminating with a show in Ukiah.
 


California native Gina Villalobos became one of the most acclaimed new artists in alternative country with her breakthrough album, 2005’s “Rock N Roll Pony” when legendary BBC disc jockey, Bob Harris