Tag: behind the scenes

WATCH: Reckless Kelly Go Behind the Scenes of “What’s Left of My Heart” Video

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Austin, Texas-based alt-country rockers Reckless Kelly released their music video for “What’s Left of My Heart” – from their 2024 album, The Last Frontier – a handful of months ago. Now, they’ve returned with a special “Pop-Up Music Video” that takes viewers behind the scenes of the making of the video. (Watch below.)

Bits of commentary, context, insight, facts, and fun “pop up” as noteworthy action occurs on screen, bringing outlaw country fans into the processes that led to the zany and fun visual rendition of the track. Set in the now-legendary South Austin honky-tonk Giddy Ups, just days before it permanently closed its doors, the video includes plenty of Easter eggs and details that would have easily gone overlooked if not for the illuminating pop-ups. Viewers follow frontman Willy Braun through a series of hijinx brought on – or enhanced by? – the band’s informal mantra, “sorry for partying.”

“We shot the entire video in about five hours after a show,” Willy’s brother and bandmate Cody Braun explains via press release, “So a ton of pre-prep and organizing had to happen. It was amazing to have friends, family, and musician buddies join us and bring this vision to life. Giddy Ups was one of our favorite spots, and as Austin changes, we wanted to give it a proper send-off.”

“What’s Left of My Heart” is certainly that send-off, but with so many collaborators, actors, cameos, industry folks, and special guests, the behind-the-scenes touches of the pop-up video help illustrate how important community and family are to the band over the decades. There’s so much to see and hear in “What’s Left of My Heart,” we don’t want to give any of it away! So don’t miss a single beat and watch Reckless Kelly’s new pop-up music video.

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Photo Credit: Robert Millage
Video Credit: Co-directed by Tony Gates and Cody Braun.

Cayamo 2024: A Behind the Scenes BGS Photo Diary

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

BGS’s third year on board Cayamo’s Journey Through Song brought no shortage of familiar faces and “fun in the sun” vibes.

From a jam-tastic BGS Nightcap set lead by our pals Mipso – which included appearances from Hiss Golden Messenger, Dom Flemons, Lizzie No, Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive, and Taylor Ashton – to live podcast tapings with Basic Folk hosts Cindy Howes and Lizzie No. There was our exclusive wine tasting experience hosted by myself and Mipso’s Jacob Sharp (who moonlights as a wine rep for Terrestrial Wines). There were stopovers in Aruba and the Dominican Republic and countless musical sets from the likes of Lyle Lovett, Lake Street Dive, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Colvin, the Black Opry, Waxahatchee, and so many more! Our eight days on the high seas went by way too fast.

Our team documented the whole thing (on our new Camp Snap screen-free digital camera!) so you, too, can soak up the sunshine and memories. Will you join us on board next year? The 2025 lineup was just announced and suffice to say we’ve already got some great things cooking for Cayamoans. But hurry, because this is one fest that sells out faster than you can say piña colada… – Amy Reitnouer Jacobs, BGS executive director

Booking information and more details available at Cayamo.com

All photos by Amy Reitnouer Jacobs shot on Camp Snap.

Inspired by Loretta Lynn’s Story Songs, Margo Price Sings a Duet With Her Hero

Posted on by Editor

Loretta Lynn’s new album, Still Woman Enough, not only brings a collection of new songs from the venerable artist, but also makes a point of celebrating women in country music that have come after and alongside her. Appearing on the Legacy Recordings project are pillars of country music like Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Tanya Tucker, and Margo Price. About including these all-stars, Lynn said, “I am just so thankful to have some of my friends join me on my new album. We girl singers gotta stick together. It’s amazing how much has happened in the 50 years since ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ first came out and I’m extremely grateful to be given a part to play in the history of American music.”

Steel guitar, fiddle, shuffling drums, and a story told straight are the key ingredients in “One’s on the Way,” a song about the underappreciated struggle of raising children. In a promotional, behind-the-scenes spot for their duet version, Price shared her unique perspective as a creator who had the privilege of working alongside a lifelong heroine. The song is especially meaningful to Price, who said of the collaboration, “I chose ‘One’s on the Way’ because it’s an important song. It was an important song at the time and it’s still an important song; to be able to talk about birth control and women’s rights in country music is legendary.”

Lynn carried “One’s on the Way,” which was written by Shel Silverstein, to No. 1 in 1971. It also served as the title track of her album that year. Her recording of it received a 1972 Grammy nomination, one of 18 she’s earned in her six-decade career. Still Woman Enough is the country legend’s 50th studio album.

In an interview about their duet, Price observes, “What first drew me to Loretta was, obviously I love her voice and I love the way she sings, it’s so powerful, but it is what she’s saying and how she’s saying it. ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ and those story songs, they gave me the blueprint as a country artist and just as a writer in general. Loretta said you either have to be first, great, or different. You know, she was all three.”

As an acclaimed artist who has been outspoken in her music throughout her own career as well, Price concluded, “Loretta is such an important figure to me. She’s larger than life in so many ways, and she really was this no-frills, no-BS, singing straight from her heart. And yet, men can sing about sex, they can sing about straight-up murdering someone and it was fine, but Loretta was not afraid to step on any toes. She wrote her truth. I think Loretta’s songs are timeless, and I’ve taken so much knowledge and wisdom from her, just watching how she navigated her career and motherhood. She’s one of the greatest of all times.”

Photo credit: Bobbi Rich

Gig Bag: Maggie Rose

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. This time around, singer/songwriter Maggie Rose gives us a glimpse at the staple items she always has at the ready while out on the road. 

With my new album Change The Whole Thing, I wanted to capture all the elements of my live shows that my fans are drawn to, so we simply recreated that energy in the studio. I assembled a band made up of a bunch of my talented friends and touring bandmates and we tracked the album live in the studio in one take. It turned out that together, we created this special blend of soul, roots, funk and Ppop music that we love playing and is authentic to us. I’m so thankful that I get to bring that same energy out on the road on Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning of Life Tour and on my own headlining Change The Whole Thing Tour with an ensemble made up of the same people with whom I made this record. I’ve never felt more in love with the music or the people I’m making it with than I do now.

My UE 18+ in-ear monitors with Swarovski crystal detail (as seen above) sound phenomenal. Even when I am offstage and listening to different records, they provide a listening experience that is pretty stellar. I have been using various models of these in-ears over the years and they protect my hearing onstage while letting me hear everything in the mix.

I love these Dannijo earrings. My mother-in-law gave them to me for Christmas one year and I wear them all the time. They have this beautiful, vintage western vibe that goes with almost everything I wear and they provide enough drama and movement without being distracting onstage.

My trusty Tumi suitcase (sparkles not included). It was a wedding present we received a few years ago and I’ve put it through the ringer and it still gets the job done. I’ve seen it thrown onto the belt with impressive force so many times in all sorts of weather and it hasn’t failed me yet.

My pearl white Gibson J-200 goes with me most everywhere. She looks and sounds beautiful and has only improved in both arenas with age. I always loved watching Emmylou play her model of this guitar over the years because the body is a little bigger than most, especially for someone of her stature, but she always has had such a command over it, so I am trying to live up to that standard.

My American Apparel disco pants. Without fail, these babies make any outfit pop, even when paired with a vintage tee shirt. They are super sleek with a high rise waist. I’ll admit I have them in multiple colors and I’ve even had my stylist customize a few pairs for me to make them a little unique.

Finally, there is my vintage Levi’s red label denim jacket. If you ever see me in the airport I’ll probably be wearing it. I like the Canadian tuxedo look so I truly wear it with anything. It has a nice convenient pocket on the inside for easy access to my phone and passport. It always looks classic.

All photos courtesy of Maggie Rose