Bonnie Bishop "Lucky Ones"

I know there is stuff going on with Bonnie Bishop, I can just feel it in my bones. I looked on MySpace, and Facebook, and Googled her and such, but I wasn't seeing what was really going on, so I picked up that old analog device, the telephone, and I called her. I caught her on the way to hosting the Red Carpet at the City of Hope/CMA Celebrity Softball Tournament. Posts about Celebrity Softball games twice in one week...who'da thunk it? Bonnie said she hoped she'd do OK, as she didn't know anything about baseball. But then she said she is going to channel her inner Chelsea Handler. I told her just ask lots of weird questions, and that she would be just fine. Doing a Red Carpet is one of the stranger things on the planet. The "journalists" on the red velvet rope approximate newborn birds in the nest, caw-ing really loudly to get the attention of "mom," played by the artists and their handlers that are walking the path, stopping here or there to give quotes to tape decks being waved in the air. Exhausting, really. Of course, this game is part of the CMA Music Fest, which is going on this week in Nashville. So if you like your country in the mainstream, that's certainly where you should be.

Bonnie is heading out on the road this week, after doing the Andy Griggs Celebrity Poker Tournament and Jam. Bonnie is becoming quite the celebrity sports woman! She'll be heading back home to Texas on this run, and I can't wait to see her! Meantime, let's revisit her from MusicFest at Steamboat! "Lucky Ones" with the master, Michael Webb.

- Jessie Scott

Joe Ely "Live Forever"

Telluride. The word conjures up clean, breathable air, and pine trees majestically towering over the steep terrain. You gotta remember, I live in Texas now, and summer has descended upon us in a big way! Telluride also has this amazing Americana commitment. There are festivals planned all summer long. First up is the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, which starts on June 17th. Then on August 13th, you have the Rocky Mt. Folks Festival.

Smack dab in the middle, July 21st to 24th, it's the Americana Music Weekend at the Historic Sheridan Opera House in Telluride. You might have noticed their ad on our website. If you haven't clicked on it, then you don't know 'bout this sweet deal! And there is an added bonus, now, as the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, which puts on free Sunset Concerts in the Mountain Village on Wednesday evenings in the summer, has announced that its July 21st guest will be Corey Harris. That will be immediately followed by the VIP party with Darden Smith. Then, on Thursday, July 22nd, it's a Song Swap featuring Amanda Shires, Rod Picott, Stacey Earle, and Mark Stuart. Friday, July 23rd brings you Jason Eady and The Band of Heathens, and on Saturday, July 24th it's Sam Baker and Joe Ely. Beans and I are going! You should too! We can caucus in the high mountain air for some sweet times with great music. Summer camp, indeed.

So let's get you some Joe Ely, as inspiration!!! This is Billy Joe's "Live Forever" recorded in front of an avid audience at Threadgill's during SXSW in March. I am counting the days 'til Telluride!

- Jessie Scott

Reckless Kelly "I've Done Everything I Could Do Wrong"

Cody and Willy Braun long wanted to do an album of Pinto Bennett tunes, he of the craggy face and straight ahead honky tonk lyricism. On Reckless Kelly's latest album, Somewhere in Time, they finally got the chance to pay homage to Pinto, who offered guidance to them early on. Talking with Cody in advance of the CD coming out, he wondered whether it would be accepted by radio, as it had more of a country feel than what Reckless Kelly is usually known for. As the album debuted in early February, and is still on the Americana Radio Chart four months later, I would have to say that its country vibe has not been a barrier to entry. Of course, even prior to saluting Pinto with an album of his music, was the song "Motel Cowboy Show," which honors him in their own words.

The Reckless tour of world domination continues. There was another Celebrity Softball Jam (and game) in April at Dell Diamond, outside of Austin, in Round Rock. A spectacular event with so many artists that it was dizzying! And not to mention a baseball game which included awesomely serious uniforms! Next, there is the upcoming Braun Brothers Reunion in Challis, Idaho, August 12-14 which features Reckless Kelly, Micky And The Motorcars, Randy Rodgers Band, Asleep At the Wheel, Cody Canada, Hayes Carll, Slaid Cleaves, The Braun Family, Billy Joe Shaver, Two Tons of Steel, Frim Fram Four, and Jason Boland.

Stripping it down to just Cody and Willy Braun here, from MusicFest at Steamboat Springs, Cody takes the helm for this tune, "I've Done Everything I Could Do Wrong."

- Jessie Scott