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Uncle Lucius "Pick Your Head Up/Ain't It The Same"

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Uncle Lucius A few Tuesdays ago, I headed to the Saxon Pub in South Austin to see a kick ass evening of music that included the groups Deadman and one of my hometown favorites, Uncle Lucius. Now, I see the guys as I cruise around town, but it was great to see them on stage again, and this time with HORNS! They are tight, sweet, and dynamic...and there is big news. The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau has chosen "Everybody Got Soul" as one of the songs on their annual CD compilation due out in February. They were among the first 200 artists selected to showcase at SXSW, and they have just announced that they will be touring with Leon Russell in January and March. Now that is a cool bill! For the rest of the UL dates, and to sign up for their newsletter, visit their website here.

-Jessie

Uncle Lucius - Pick Your Head Up - Ain't It the Same

Americana Announces Top 100 Albums of the Year

AMA 10 yr Last year, I had a list from X Country that we were able to post, although we didn't quite make it until the end of the year. So it was an 11/12th's list. This year, we are happy to bring you the Americana Music Association's Top 100. This chart is produced weekly by the association, gathering playlists from the Americana reporting radio stations, shows and syndication from around the country. 

Our organization is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and my 2 year tenure as President of the board is coming to an end. This decade has brought much change to the music industry, as well as seen much growth as Americana works its way into being a household name. Certainly the artists are worthy of it. We were so excited to see the youth explosion at this year's Americana Festival in September. And it is wonderful to see how many legendary artists sit under the Americana banner as well. Music with a roots sensibility that honors the past while it advances it into the future. I am so proud to be associated with these amazing folks!

-Jessie

The Top Ten most played albums, as charted on the Americana Airplay Chart are: 

1. Buddy & Julie Miller

2. Steve Earle

3. Slaid Cleaves

4. Flatlanders

5. Willie Nelson and Asleep At The Wheel

6. Gourds

7. Tejas Brothers

8. Levon Helm

9. Justin Townes Earle

10. J.J.Cale

To view the full 2009 Top 100 Albums visit www.americanaradio.org and click the Top 100 Albums link (bottom of right column, near end of weekly list) or click here to download it.

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Chip Taylor & Kendel Carson "Sparkle Not Shining"

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Kendel Carson Kendel Carson is blond and beautiful, with an amazing warmth vocally, and on the track "Sparkle Not Shining," a mellow sound to her fiddle. Since so much of this time of year is gaiety and frenzy, we allow for a moment of melancholy here on Music Fog.

We taped Chip Taylor, Kendel Carson and company at the world famous Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, on December 13. Me, I love the shot at the end panning around Kendel's head, which gives you a sense of playing to the audience! And having the room empty just adds to the feeling of introspection in the tune. Beautiful, just beautiful! Chip Taylor has put together a band of wonderful artists, with lots of depth, range and sensitivity. Make sure you catch them when they come to your town! Tour dates here.

-Jessie