The Coal Porters "No More Chains"

The Coal Porters. What a name. It is a wonder no one got to it first, but then Sid Griffin is just the kind of wunderkind that would have a band named so cleverly. And for Sid, it has been a glittering list of engagements, some with illustrious band names like the Long Ryders and Western Electric. He is a pro golfer, broadcaster with BBC credits under his belt, internationally recognized authority on Gram Parsons, and just put his fourth book out, Shelter from the Storm: Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Years. Oh yeah, and he performs solo too! Sid is Kentucky born, and a sixties punk band denizen in the band The Unclaimed, before the Long Ryders came into existence. Sid now resides in London, where the Coal Porters are the leading Alt. Bluegrass band, and where his Western Electric plays both kinds of music: country and EASTERN! You can read more about his history in the EXPLOITS page of his website. 

Photo Credit: Michael Clement

The Coal Porters formed in 1992, relocating from Los Angeles to London, and from electric to acoustic. Their latest CD, Durango, came out in January and was produced by the legendary Ed Stasium with cameo appearances from Peter Rowan and Tim O'Brien. They came to Music Fog dressed for British Invasion success, when we brought them to our Sweet Suite at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown. They danced, troupe-like into our consciousness. Sid Griffin on vocals & mandolin, Neil Robert Herd on guitar & vocals, Carly Frey on fiddle & vocals, Andrew Stafford on double bass, and Dick Smith on banjo & vocals, who is leaving to join a new band called Burning Desire. And so the Coal Porters are actively looking for a new banjo player extraordinaire, so if you know of one (or you ARE one) reach out to them via their website. Their next U.S. gig will be February's Folk Alliance in Memphis. Just think, you could be making the trip, that is if you play banjer! Maybe we'll see you there. In the meantime, we revisit Nashville from last month during Americana Fest!

- Jessie Scott

Sara Petite "Bootleggers"

I don't know if you get HBO, but I am digging the new show Boardwalk Empire. It explores the era of prohibition in that fabled town of gilded pleasure, Atlantic City, and is set against the great art deco architecture, coupled with opportunism born of desperation. I'm sure the book that inspired the show is an interesting read, too. Freeing the liquor or making it appear out of thin air; why are we so taken with these activities, these enduring 'common man beats the heat' stories? Outrunning the revenuer in the hollow, bringing booze in across the border from Canada, stomping grapes in the bathtub in Brooklyn. These are stories of folk heroes. I don't know what it is with man and "the buzz," but I suspect it has been going on since the dawn of time. For some reason, it resonates even today when we don't have that to rail against.

Observe if you will exhibit A: that would be Sara Petite, who fairly explodes when she hits the stage. She came to visit us on the last morning of the Americana Music Festival in Nashville just a few weeks ago, and she brought us the song "Bootleggers." She is one of the new crop of female singer/songwriters that are Americana traditionalists, with a gonzo twist, a rocking attitude that makes you want to jump out of your chair. She put out her third album, Doghouse Rose, just a few months ago, and presently she is bouncing around the country. Catch her if you can, though she may just outrun you. There is that wild spirit of evading the cops in this song. You will want to take chase after her.

- Jessie Scott

Will Hoge "Favorite Waste of Time"

There are surprises in this life, unpredictable moments where something catches fire, has a life beyond what you expect. Will Hoge holds the number three most viewed video on Music Fog with the song "Even If It Breaks Your Heart." I for one, didn't see that coming, although he is totally worthy of it! BTW, James McMurtry is number one with "Choctaw Bingo," but I expected that, hell, we ALL expected that. Number two is Eilen Jewell's "Sea of Tears." We filmed Will in a back green room at The 8X10 in Baltimore, and it was one of those trips where the Music Foggers showed up, and proceeded to be blown away. They walked out saying Will could be the new Springsteen. And yes, he could! He is everyday, he is eternal, he rocks.

Will has a new EP, at last! This comes off the heels of the horrible accident he suffered in Nashville, being knocked off his scooter, and months of healing and rehab were necessary. The album he was working on at the time came out as The Wreckage. We bring you his brand new video for “Favorite Waste of Time” to celebrate the release of his acoustic EP The Living Room Sessions, a six-song mini-album recorded in just two days in his living room. It features stripped-down versions of essential songs, including  "Favorite Waste of Time" which was originally on his studio album The Wreckage. This video spotlights that electric version, and is included as a bonus on the digital download version of the EP.

Will is forever on the road, and you can catch up with him somewhere soon, just check his website for all the dates. Or visit his Facebook page and enter the "Favorite Waste of Time Contest," through November 15th, for a chance to have Will and the band come to your home and waste time with you! Oh yeah, and play this loud!

- Jessie Scott