Suzi Ragsdale "Two on a Tightrope"

We told you a while back about the new CD Up On The Ridge from Dierks Bentley, who has enjoyed multi-platinum mainstream success. Dierks digs into the roots and bluegrass stylings that originally interested him in pursuing a country music career. He put together an impressive list of contributors from the Americana world on this venture. It was produced by our old buddy Jon Randall Stewart, and guests include Kris Kristofferson, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Tim O'Brien, and the Del McCoury Band. Plus, there is an equally impressive list of songwriters that Dierks culls from: Bob Dylan, Shawn Camp, Buddy & Julie Miller, and Verlon Thompson & Suzi Ragsdale; our featured artist today. Their tune is called "Bad Angel," and on it, Dierks is joined by Miranda Lambert, and Jamey Johnson. Suzi also  landed a previously unreleased song on Darrell Scott's new CD A Crooked Road, called “Candles in the Rain (Childless Mothers),” a tune she co-wrote with Darrell.

Suzi is a fully realized creative force, spread equally between her music, yoga, and her culinary skills. Last month she taped a segment for Lorianne Crook’s “Celebrity Kitchen” TV show for airing on the RFD Network. Suzi prepared Halibut and Grilled Eggplant Caponata en Papillote. Yum. There are more recipes on her website. Here she is cookin' on the Music Fog bus with "Two On A Tightrope," the original of which can be found on her latest, a two-disc set, Best Regards/Less of the Same.

- Jessie Scott

Truth & Salvage Co. "Welcome to LA"

There was a time when guitars reigned supreme. When harmonies flowed that were anchored in gospel and came from deep in the soul. When lyrics were pure and honest and tuneful. It was the Southern Rock movement that started in the 60's and exploded in the 70's, and on into the 80's. Then it seemed to fall out of favor, at least on the mainstream radio airwaves, except for the staples that became permanent fixtures on classic rock stations around the country. For the most part, this deep, rich musical vein got reduced to a short list of a few songs from the likes of Skynyrd or Marshall Tucker. But this music never really went away, as it still resonates. Good Ol' American Rock and Roll.

There's now a new crop of artists drinking from the well. We joyously bring you one of them, Truth and Salvage Co. Their self titled CD, produced by Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, came out about a month ago. They have been touring like crazy. They came through DC last week. You know, the whole Music Fog crew spent the last decade in Washington, so it came as a total surprise to us that there was a private Gibson Guitar showroom in the Nation's Capital! We thought we knew where all the Gibson showrooms around the country were located, and we didn't know this one even existed! Lo and behold, last Wednesday, there we were filming. So, thanks to Gibson for welcoming us into their family for the first of what we hope will be many exclusive sessions. And hurray! A mighty nice first outing...we and the Truth and Salvage guys so enjoyed being there! Scott Kinnebrew on vocals and electric guitar; Tim Jones on vocals and acoustic guitar, Bill "Smitty" Smith on vocals and kick 'n snare; Walker Young on vocals and accordion; Joe Edel on bass; and Adam Grace on electric piano - they are a tour de force.

Today's tune is "Welcome to LA," where they all migrated to from elsewhere in the states to start a scene growing. And what a scene it is!

- Jessie Scott

Griffin House "River City Lights"

Grifffin House is blessed with movie star good looks, not as a pretty boy though, but rugged, stoic. He would be believable playing a scene against Sean Penn. In the April issue of Esquire, there was that totally cool layout in which he was featured with four other artists: Dierks Bentley, Bob Schneider, Ben Kweller, and Charlie Mars. Good company, and they all were asked to pen a song with the line "Somewhere In Mississippi." The tunes they wrote couldn't have been more different from one another. The exercise was in preparation for the shoot, which took place at the Crossroads - you know, where Robert Johnson was said to have made his deal with the devil. When Denise and I were staying at the Shack Up Inn in Clarksdale this past February, we were told that there was no way to know at which crossroads that actually happened, that the railroad tracks cross Highway 61 in four or five places. Not to quibble, though. The Delta is rich with ghosts and their hushed voices.

We met up with Griffin at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival last month, and I was struck by his serenity and his voice, which to my ear is reminiscent of Tim Hardin, as his high notes hang gently in the air. His new one, The Learner comes out today. You can stream it by clicking here. And if you are in Nashville this Friday, you can see Griffin House up close and personal at the West End Borders Books & Music.

Here's one of the songs from the new CD, filmed aboard the Music Fog bus, it's "River City Lights." If you like this one, be sure to circle back and watch our version of "Rule the World," too!

- Jessie Scott