Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland "Broken One"

As a long-time observer of country music, the concept of ‘duo’ is sure ingrained on my brain. Johnny & June, Conway & Loretta, George & Tammy, just to name a few. It is wonderful to see it reinterpreted for a new era in a most innovative way. I think the paradigm shift has to do with the feeling that these are ‘Bands,’ though they just happen to be groups of two. I am just coming back from Nashville, where this year’s Group or Duo Award Winner was the magical breakout band Civil Wars. Others redefining the role are The Mastersons, Shovels & Rope, and Whitehorse.

Of course, we have brought you Whitehorse before, just not by that name. Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet are Whitehorse. They are each celebrated, having been recognized with awards and nominations including the Juno Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Hamilton Music Awards, the Independent Music Awards and Polaris. Whitehorse showcases their artistry in an ongoing fall tour. We had the honor of filming them on the Threadgill’s stage during SXSW 2011 in Austin.

-Jessie Scott

HoneyHoney "Angel of Death"

I did the bounce up and down the stairs at the Cannery Row complex in Nashville on Saturday night, and one of the bands I caught was Honeyhoney. First a bit of history. The neighborhood used to be industrial, and blighted at that. When I lived in Nashville in the late 90s, I worked just up the railroad tracks at Cummings Station. There was an abandoned feel to it all, and it is so good to see a reclamation of the buildings. The area is starting to come alive again. The Cannery has been a venue since the early 70s, and has been through the twists and turns of eras and changing needs. The building now houses three venues: The Cannery Ballroom, The Mercy Lounge and The High Watt. The Cannery was built in 1883 as a flour mill and later was used to grind coffee. It earned the name of The Cannery in 1957 when the Dale Food company bought it and began processing food there.

Now a bit of history on the band Honeyhoney. Suzanne Santo (vocals/banjo/violin) and Ben Jaffe (vocals/guitar) came together in Los Angeles where they meld Woody Guthrie-esque folk with the ghosts of Buffalo Springfield and Gram Parsons, for an earthy and energetic brand of Americana. Oh, and they rock on stage, spinning a captivating web that will make you want to get closer. They are embarking on the three-month long “Ten Buck Tour” with Joshua James this Friday, September 21st in Albuquerque. I love this video, one of the tunes from their Billy Jack album, here is “Angel of Death.”

-Jessie Scott

The Black Lillies "Goodbye Charlie"

Travel is a series of snapshots, impressions, and vignettes. For whatever reason, my experience at Americana Fest in Nashville this time was filled with heartfelt moments, often from total strangers spontaneously sharing stories. Oh yes, there were many magical music moment. The Americana Honors and Awards Show on Wednesday night at The Ryman Auditorium was simply spectacular. Every year we are amazed that it achieves the mark set by the previous year, and somehow, it just grows in stature each time. I watched, I listened, I absorbed! From the industry panels to the Americana Board and Membership Meeting, to a cool career counseling panel called Staying Alive hosted by Tamara Saviano, Tom Killorin and me, I tried to make the most of the landscape. You have to know that I missed the Music Foggers terribly. So many people asked after them and wished they were attending the conference, as did I. Oh what we could have captured with the 100 official artists and legions of other who were on hand.

Our Lone Star Music, KDRP, Hill Country Live and Luckenbach, Texas party on Saturday afternoon was a treat, with performances from John Fullbright, The Trishas, Jesse Dayton with Kinky Friedman and a special surprise set from Jimmy LaFave and Tim Easton. And did you know that there is a new Kinky Tribute album coming from Jesse? Yes indeed, it’s called Jesse Sings Kinky and it’s being released this fall!

There were so many stellar performers and great days and nights. Just as an example, I was in attendance for one evening that rolled with one fine band into another at the Basement: Lydia Loveless, Angel Snow, Sons Of Fathers, The Deep Dark Woods with Kendel Carson, and The Black Lillies. Music Fog filmed Cruz Contreras and Co. Last year during our capture at Marathon Recorders during the 2011 Fall Music Fog Marathon at Americana Fest. Bidding ‘adieu’ to Nashville for another year, here is “Goodbye Charlie.”

-Jessie Scott