Preparing for The "AMFAC" In Nashville

Phones have been ringing every 15 minutes here in the Music Fog basement offices.  We are preparing for another excursion to the South to capture more video for our followers. This time we are traveling to Nashville for the AMFAC.  Everything is an acronym these days, so I won’t bore you with the actual name of the event.  Anyway, it sounds cooler to say “AMFACs” and just be done with it.  So There.

We have a bit larger crew for this venture.  And we have loftier goals as well.  We are bringing this guy – Chris Walsh – with an eye on a prize. Chris seems to think our story is viable enough for TV.  Really!  He likes the montra of Music Fog and has heard us say it over and over again: How hard can it be? So Chris will be along to capture everything else that happens while we are fumbling with artists and mic cables.Video Camera

I look at it this way. Either he works for the government and is out to get us, or Chris is one of those savants who fathoms something we don’t. So if you see us getting set to tape an artist somewhere in Nashville, and there is a camera on us, get in the shot. Make yourself a problem for Music Fog. Who knows, Chris might launch your career as well.

- Beans -


"It Ain't Easy Being Me" - Chris Knight Pt.1

Austin storm This morning dawned with rolling clouds, rumbles of thunder, and pelting rain in Austin. Perfect for reflecting on an amazing Labor Day Weekend of music.

Started Thursday night at Whitewater Amphitheater with Mike McClure of Great Divide fame. An unsung hero for sure. He has a string of CDs out under his name, and The Mike McClure Band moniker, the latest being Onion. In his "spare time" he has garnered some impressive producer credits, as his most recent effort is the new Cross Canadian Ragweed CD Happiness And All The Other Things.Mike McClure Band

Friday night, it was the former Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash, who have changed their name to Mark Stuart and The Bastard Sons. (He is not the same Mark Stuart who is Stacey Earle's partner….) This Mark has a mellifluous baritone and honky tonk sensibility, and they have a new CD coming out, Bend In The Road. They were in fine form as they opened for Chris Knight at Gruene Hall. Chris Knight 2 Chris just might qualify as an honorary Texan, as folks just GET his music here. There is the darkness and the intestinal fortitude written into the DNA of his songs that makes this Kentuckian totally relatable. Chris is just releasing his second album of demo versions, Trailer II, which contains three never before heard songs. I got to talk to him after the show, and he shared that he, having the earliest stirrings of knowing, has to get back into the studio to record a new album. And BTW, his band TOTALLY rocks!

Saturday night was jam packed at Whitewater Amphitheater, as the Band Of Heathens (new CD is One Foot In The Ether) opened for Cross Canadian Ragweed, who have fine tuned their act to the pure energy that is a rock and roll show, and then Americana icon and poet laureate Robert Earl Keen, who also has a new CD coming out September 29 called Rose Hotel.

- Jessie -

Elliot Randall Exclusive

Music Fog is so looking forward to the launch of our first sponsored tour.  Elliot Randall & Gina Villalobos hit the California highway this week to play the left coast. First stop, Fox & Goose in Sacramento on the 11th. Then it's on to Bottom Of The Hill in San Francisco on the 12th. 

We have to give praise to Chelsea Christer who shot this exclusive video of The Elliot Randall Band over the past few weeks. She is a film student who has crazily decided to give herself a baptism of fire and cover the tour for Music Fog with her camera and glam looks. Just for stepping up, we give her lots of acclaim already!  Hope you like "road food" Chelsea.Road food

West coasters.  Watch your Twitter fingers today.  Some time later we will be giving away a pair of tickets for the show in San Francisco.

- Beans -