Cracker "Eurotrash Girl"

A couple of days ago, I drove through Virginia on the way to New Orleans. As we started the road trip in DC, you really get the full effect when you drive the entire state, from the northern suburban sprawl of our Nation's Capital, to the incredible beauty of the rural mountains as you head southwest. Virginia is a state that very much embodies the cross cultural influences in America, from bustling and sophisticated, to home spun and natural. And it's all good. Virginia will soon lay claim to a new festival hosted by two native son bands, Sons Of Bill, and Cracker. Even the poster for the event was done by a Virginian, Wes Freed.

The inaugural event is coming up on June 17th and 18th at Misty Mountain Camp Resort, the first annual Campout East in Greenwood, Virginia. It will feature some of the area's best food, art, and cool music from some bands we love, with sets by Camper Van Beethoven, Those Darlins, The Futurebirds, American Aquarium, The Mag-bats featuring Wes Freed, Johnny Corndawg, and of course Sons Of Bill. Here is where to find out more info on ticketing, lodging and camping.

By the way, David Lowery of Cracker is producing the new Sons Of Bill record. Look for that to come out in a few months - but SOB will be touring this summer, as they just keep rolling down the highway. Also, note that Johnny Hickman of Cracker is about to drop a new Hickman Dalton Gang CD. (And we filmed Jim Dalton with Roger Clyne in Steamboat last January.) Lots of friends of the family here! We wanted to bring you a Cracker video today, from their 1994 EP Tucson which then found its way onto the Kerosene Hat album as an unlisted track, "Eurotrash Girl."

-Jessie Scott

Rod Picott "Welding Burns"

We have been chasing Rod Picott here and there for several years, in multiple cities and circumstances. More than anyone else, he is the ‘one that got away’ from Music Fog. Repeatedly. Our intentions were honorable, you must know that, as were his, but the twists of fate that prevented the consummation of our sessions should have been serialized like a Dickens story. Plus there was no way of knowing, as every time it didn’t happen, it was for a different reason than the one before. Since they were all unexpected, and when we planned to overcome one, we got bogged down into something else. I don’t want to make this sound convoluted, but it was pretty weird. Sometimes there was no time, sometimes there were ghosts in the machine, and sometimes it was the mojo not working thing. But this is where the new dawns out of the markers streaking pastel colors across the Plexiglas. And finally a new day has been animated.

It is the morn of the release of his brand new CD Welding Burns, Rod Picott’s 8th, counting one he released with Amanda Shires. He has gigs in support all week. We have the title song from the album, "Welding Burns" from our Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ.

-Jessie Scott

Jude Johnstone "On That Train"

In the rewrite in my own head of the song "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things,"  funky and elegant are contenders  for inclusion. Funky and elegant together is a sure shot winner in my book, which is why I am so drawn to The Mansion On O. Ooooh, they have a hot show coming up with Jon Dee Graham and Sam Baker play an SRO on June 12. They have a full dance card of artists coming to play there.

I always feel like I am home when I get to stay at The Mansion. Thankfully, I had occasion to do just that last week, and was bathed in the glow of crystal chandeliers, with art and letters and music, and STUFF of every description, everywhere. And as I am a pillow hound, The Midshipman Room, where I stayed this time, was absolutely great, as half the bed was covered. Then I took the Amtrak to NYC, watching pastures and woodlands and green turn to exurbs, suburbs, and finally the Big City. I love it all.

The Jude Johnstone song "On That Train" is echoing in my head. When one is moving, there are always the regrets of parting to get gone again. By the way, Jude is yet another celebrated songwriter, having had her stuff done by Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and Bette Midler, just to name a few. You can see the words forming under her skin, she sweats iambic pentameter. During Cherokee Creek Music Festival last year, we were taken with her authority and her power, but we didn't get a chance to capture performances from her last year. This year, we rectified that, and here is one of the songs from her new album, Quiet Girl. Now I ask, why can't this be the kind of song that gets nominated for an Oscar? "On That Train."

-Jessie Scott