Chris Scruggs "Old Souls Like You and Me"

Chris Scruggs is grounded in the age-old forms, but flourishes in today's hipster scene. Don't know the name? Well you should, it's THAT Scruggs. What's more, he spent his young years touring the country on a Silver Eagle bus, with his mom Gail Davies, who was a country hit maker in the 80's. Then, you might not know that it was his voice out front, as he penned and sang the title track of the BR549 Tangled In The Pines CD during his 3 1/2 year tenure with them. Or, that he has appeared on three Grammy award nominated albums. Chris is a multi-talented instrumentalist, playing steel guitar without the pedals, an all but lost art form that fell out of favor in the 1950's. He aims to keep it alive. Chris honors the older techniques, but is not held fast by them, which allows for exploration and innovation. In fact, on Anthem, his latest CD, you are not hearing a string quartet, it is a canny steel guitar making you think there is!

While I was living in Nashville in the late 90's, this next generation was coming of age. They are the sons and daughters of folks you know. We industry types heard their names whispered as they bonded with each other, forming their first bands to play out in the clubs. It was a time of unspoken promise and excitement for the future. And the future is here now. Chris is steeped in the tradition, yet free to fly. Here is "Old Souls Like You and Me" with Mike Whitty on bass and Matt Arnn on snare from our Threadgill's recording this year.

- Jessie Scott

Justin Rutledge "Be a Man"

Happy Father's Day! As I move into a new abode, I am spending a lot of time thinking about my husband Robert, the father of my son, who passed three years ago. I am living with rich memories which seem to bombard me more this time of year. It reminds me of when we met in LA, where he was perpetually in shorts with tan legs in the sunshine. He was a guy with a big heart who would do anything to help others. There is the expectation of fearlessness to being a man in our society. The protector, the explorer, the anchor; whether one feels these things, or has to dig down deep to bring them forth. Men just bite the bullet and get it done.

Justin Rutledge's fourth CD, The Early Widows, just came out a few weeks ago. On it, he pulls the curtain back a bit on the emotional terrain, peering into the dark corners. Justin is resolute in his songwriting and delivery, this is moody stuff, sparse and haunting. We bring you the song "Be a Man." It's an interesting documentary-style video, in which the events leading up to his performance provide punctuation to the song. Conquer your fears and drink deep.

This Father's Day we wish you a long, healthy, and happy life with your family.

- Jessie Scott

The Winchester Twin "Good Old Days"

On the back of our Music Fog business cards, Beans came up with something of a signature slogan for us...the flip side says "Hazy Details," under which there are some lines for you to write on, that hopefully will be a directive when you get home after a night at the bar, to tell you about who you talked to and what you talked about. That's if you even remember to write something. Otherwise all bets are off. Today we are posting a video from The Winchester Twin. I know almost nothing about them. But they've been playing around Austin, in some form or another, for a few years. We're friends with their drummer, Steven Anderson, and I think he describes the band as this:

"If a lost Okie, a type-writer-pipe organ inventor, and an Eagle Scout met Buddy Holly's ghost and simmered some grits, there in the haze of the steam you might begin to see the secret TheTwin has been keeping hidden in the cornmeal. Broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken bottles is our story, but a great love song is our curse. So, grab a bowl and a scoop of 'dem grits. As they say...music is the food of the soul."

I have not turned up an official bio. I don't know where the name 'The Winchester Twin' comes from. Are they named after the former movie theater in Lubbock, TX? How about a bed set, or linens? There is a young Canadian author that has written a series on "The Winchester Twin." I am sure there is a damn good back-story, we just don't know what it is. Hazy details indeed!

What we do know is that there's an EP on the way very soon. So, meanwhile, grab a bowl of grits, some red-eye gravy if you please, and listen to the tune "Good Old Days" from the stage at Threadgill's this past March.

- Jessie Scott

P.S. You can appropriate our 'Hazy Details' line on the back of your business card if you like. Just give Beans credit if you do!