Truth & Salvage Co. "Heart Like A Wheel"

"On the road again..." - "Just a hippie gypsy..." - "Roll on down the highway." Lyrics that have all been burned into our synapses. The life of the troubadour has always been anchored in moving, in perpetual motion. It has been a while since we caught up with Truth & Salvage Co. "I've Been Everywhere..." They are heading out starting September 1st for the second leg their U.S. tour, behind their recently released self-titled debut album. You might have seen them on the first go-round, a coast-to-coast summer trek that included festival performances at Bonnaroo, Stagecoach, High Sierra Music, and headlining club shows. Oh yeah, they also did opening sets for The Avett Brothers and The Black Crowes.

Truth & Salvage Co.'s debut project was produced by Chris Robinson and was released on The Black Crowes' label, Silver Arrow/Megaforce. It debuted on the Billboard Heatseeker Chart the week it came out, drawing comparisons to classic artists such as The Band, The Eagles and The Flying Burrito Brothers. T&SC also made headlines for the track "Old Piano,” which was co-written with Katy Perry and the bizarre and unwarranted arrest of vocalist/songwriter Tim Jones for trespassing in his own hotel room in Visalia, CA.

Schmitty CamTruth & Salvage Co. features four distinct songwriters and vocalists Bill "Smitty" Smith, Scott Kinnebrew, Tim Jones, and Walker Young, weaving four-part harmonies into soulful ballads and rousing country rock. We filmed them at the Gibson Guitar showroom in Washington DC, whereupon the Foggers named the third camera "Schmitty Cam" as it was dedicated to capturing the movement of Bill "Smitty" Smith on drums during its maiden recording. Never fear, we have two other cameras, so all the other guys are here too: Scott Kinnebrew on acoustic guitar, Tim Jones on electric guitar, Walker Young on accordion, Joe Edel on bass and Adam Grace on keys. Here is the sweet "Heart Like A Wheel."

- Jessie Scott

Elliott BROOD "Riding In Time"

It is an awesome thing to immerse oneself in music. I just got to see The Trishas again, more powerful than ever, as they played Shady Grove in Austin on Thursday. Their long awaited EP is out! They Call Us The Trishas features five tunes, and just whets the appetite for more. Then, on Saturday, it was enigmatic post-folk singer Tom Freund, accompanied by hipster maestro Chris Masterson, delivering easy lyrics, playing with their articulation and twisting the cadence. Tom will be heading south to play Austin City Limits Festival, and has a new EP out called Collapsible Plans. Last night, it was the magnificent Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros, whose new CD is called Agave. And as I am traveling with them, it is a joy indeed to be treated to their artistry. We hope to soon be bringing you some Walt and the gang, and some solo Mystiquero Bill Small, who recently released an album too, The Next Time. I could go on and on with recommendations, but I will stop here. Maybe I'll do another installment in another article. Just know that there is great music out there, if you look for it. The creative spirit is alive and well. It is almost too much to keep up with.

When Music Fog took over the stage at Threadgill's, during SXSW, we encountered the "problem" of just having too many artists that we wanted to book. We are ever vigilant to bring you more. Some that you know, some that you might have heard of, and some that might be totally new to you. Here's hoping that this wasn't your first rodeo with the Elliott BROOD. They are about to head out on another leg of their tour on August 26th, this time to Europe. Wish we could go with them! Let's talk Zen, let's celebrate gentle harmonies and introspective licks that don't scream, but wash upon you as the water laps the shore. Elliott BROOD, "Riding In Time."

- Jessie Scott

Robert Plant - Band of Joy

Wha...? Robert Plant is Americana? Now when did that happen? He, the iconic Led Zeppelin vocalist and native of Great Britain? Well, hell yeah! When you think about Led Zeppelin's inclusion of the roots flavors, it really should come as no surprise. He and Alison Krauss collaborated on the Raising Sand CD, and then attended the Americana Conference in Nashville two years ago. Robert was seen everywhere, wanted to go to everything, and by all accounts had a blast! There was a famous quote from him issued back then, "It's great to be considered to be part of the movement that is healthy and has some discrimination."

So, it should come as no surprise that Robert would follow up the 2007 album by continuing, again, to work with guitarist and co-producer Buddy Miller. And the inclusion of Patty Griffin, Marco Giovino, Byron House, and Darrell Scott makes the self titled Band of Joy album an Americana MVP project, which drinks deep from American roots music. The palate is broad, with flourishes from mid 50's Rockabilly, Country, Soul and R&B; covering traditional songs as well as "Harms Swift Way" from Townes Van Zandt and Los Lobos' "Angel Dance," which is the lead track. Check it out here, or dive even deeper (below) with a back-story video on the making of the album, which comes out on September 14th.

Don't forget the Americana Music Association's Festival and Conference is coming up September 8th--11th in Nashville. The 2010 Americana Lifetime Achievement Award honorees were just announced. They are Wanda Jackson - Performance; John Mellencamp - Songwriting; Luke Lewis - Executive; Greg Leisz - Instrumentalist, and Brian Ahern - Producer/Engineer. All will be present to receive their awards at the 9th Annual AMA Honors and Awards Show September 9th, presented by the Gibson Foundation at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The show will also feature appearances by Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Patty Griffin, Sam Bush, The Avett Brothers, Corb Lund, Will Kimbrough, Sarah Jarosz, and more. Jim Lauderdale will again serve as master of ceremonies, while Buddy Miller will lead an all-star house band. The host hotel is the Sheraton Nashville Downtown, which has a special conference room rate. Can't wait!!!

- Jessie Scott