Sean McConnell "The Other Side"

Some things are just meant to be. Sean McConnell was paying attention when his parents were playing the folk clubs around the Boston area, as he was growing up. When they up and moved to Atlanta, he found his father's guitar, as a means to heal from being separated from the people he loved and left behind. By college time, he had two indie albums, and a buzz growing around Atlanta. The move to Middle Tennessee State University, which by the way has a mighty fine music program, was a fortuitous next step. Close to Nashville, but just out of reach enough to actually focus on one's studies. Sean made the most of it. In his sophomore year, he started touring the country, and then signed a coveted publishing deal. His songs have since been recorded by Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and lots of others. But we are just interested in Sean singing himself. He of the soaring voice and beautiful pacing, can make notes hang in mid air, can make them ache.

There was something going around at Steamboat this year. If truth be told, there is something going around everywhere, every year. Sean was in bed for a couple of days, and we were heartsick that we weren't going to be able to meet up with him. Then the proverbial skies cleared, and he was in our studio, bringing that unmistakable warmth. The song "The Other Side" comes from Sean's 2010 CD Saints, Thieves, and Liars. This is how it is done.

- Jessie Scott

The Civil Wars "Barton Hollow"

Joy Williams and John Paul White are The Civil Wars. That is such a good name that it is a wonder why no one has used it before. She is from California, he from Alabama, and they now reside in East Nashville, and are on the road to everywhere else, as they are touring like crazy! It has been a breakout year, starting with their song "Poison & Wine" being played in its entirety on Grey's Anatomy. Hundreds of thousands of viewers Googled it to find out what it was. And then Taylor Swift gave them yet another unexpected boost, when she tweeted about them, and then included the song on her official iTunes playlist. Yes, I just mentioned Taylor Swift. Don't judge me.

Their first full-length CD, Barton Hollow, hits the street on February 1st. It was recorded in Nashville, produced by GRAMMY® Award winner Charlie Peacock, whom they met at their very first show at The French Quarter Cafe in East Nashville. It is the follow up to 2010's Live At Eddie's Attic CD (which was taped at their second show ever), and the 4 song EP from 2009, Poison & Wine. We can't wait to see what happens next, but what has gone on so far is truly astounding. There have been 100,000 downloads of the live CD; 400,000 views of the video "Poison & Wine;" and their EP debuted at #4 of iTunes Singer/Songwriter Top Albums Chart. What can I say? We couldn't wait until the release date. Here is the title track, "Barton Hollow."

- Jessie Scott

Radney Foster "Until It's Gone"

It was wonderful catching back up with Radney Foster on the occasion of his very first visit to MusicFest in Steamboat Springs! Ours is yet another friendship made during my time living in Nashville in the late 90s, a time I treasure. Now don't you be sneering at that. Nashville is home to a wealth of artists that are not part of the 'mainstream machine.' People who can't help but create; who write and perform from heart and soul. Radney is yet another Americana MVP. He is a renowned writer, instrumentalist, producer and performer. His discography is a thing of wonder. And that is just the stuff with his name on the cover.

Of course, the Foster & Lloyd titles are on that list as well, and the big news is that there will soon be another one! It is the first album that Radney and Bill have recorded together in twenty years. After our recording session, Radney returned to our room to play us tunes from the new F&L CD, out this spring. And WOW is all I can say. But I say wow a whole lot when it comes to Radney's work. His varied credits include producing CDs for Randy Rogers, Brandon Rhyder, Roger Creager, Jack Ingram, Rosehill, and of course, himself.

Radney's most recent album is the stunning Revival, released in 2009. From it we bring you the song "Until It's Gone." It really does give you insight into Radney's need to, love of, and immersion in, the music. And it might just be a great theme song for what goes on at MusicFest at Steamboat every year!

- Jessie Scott