Tag: Dallas Burrow

You Gotta Hear This: Dallas Burrow, Joy Oladokun and More

Posted on by Editor

Every Friday, BGS shines a light on some of our favorite new tracks in bluegrass, folk, Americana and beyond. Then we ask the artist about the inspiration behind the music and pass their wise words along to you.

This week, we have sibling trio BAILEN, whose magnetic harmonies pull you right in with “Kansas Tornado.” London singer-songwriter Jack Browning found writing inspiration in Kentucky and offers an acoustic rendition of “Muhlenburg County Stars,” while Texas musician Dallas Burrow turned to Joseph Conrad’s classic novel, Heart of Darkness, for a line in “Let It Shine,” along with added sparkle from Kelly Willis on harmony. For Mac Cornish, writing “Wayfaring Woman” helped her get recentered after some ups and downs. You’ll find that this Nashville artist possesses a genuine warmth and country tinge to her voice that is all too rare these days.

In addition, fiddler Hillary Klug incorporates the sounds of her impressive footwork into her music with superb results, as evidenced by “Little Sadie.” Meanwhile, Joy Oladokun blends folk music and African music in “Sage,” a song about self-assurance with a feature from Nigerian superstar Adekunle Gold. Concluding our roundup, acoustic ensemble Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground reimagine Connie Converse’s “The Clover Saloon,” and bluegrass guitarist Jesse Smathers refreshes a deep cut from Miss Dixie Hall titled “Sally in Poor Valley.”

As we say every week, You Gotta Hear This!

BAILEY, “Kansas Tornado”

Artist: BAILEN
Hometown: New York, New York
Song: “Kansas Tornado”
Album: SWIM!!!
Release Date: September 25, 2026

In Their Words: “If you were to ask me what my favorite song I’ve ever written is, lately my answer has been ‘Kansas Tornado.’ Singing this song takes me to the place I’m always searching for as an artist. These days it sometimes feels like the word ‘artist’ has become interchangeable with content creator. In a world of endless social media posts, emails, news, messages, and the constant stream of information thrown at us every day, it’s easy to get swept away by other people’s lives and distractions. They pull us away from noticing the cicadas humming at dusk in Fort Greene Park, a hummingbird tapping at the window, the smell of rain rolling in… or even a tornado on the horizon.

“To me, ‘Kansas Tornado’ is about surrendering to something bigger than yourself. Sometimes that’s the whirlwind of nature. Sometimes it’s the whirlwind of falling in love with someone who suddenly appears in the porch light and carries you away. Either way, it’s about letting yourself be overwhelmed by wonder instead of noise. There’s so much richness we can miss in the constant chatter of modern life. I recently read that people are actually happier when they regularly experience awe, and that idea has really stuck with me.

“We recorded the song in Marlboro, New York, in the Hudson Valley with our friend Lee Falco. Lee’s studio is this old chapel that they converted and we sang the song into one mic and left all the doors and windows open so you could hear the breeze and the birds.

“A few months ago we played a show in Flagstaff, Arizona. After the concert, an astronomer had set up a few powerful telescopes on the concert grounds. He pointed one toward what looked like a faint, hazy patch of the night sky. Through the lens, I saw two galaxies merging right before my eyes. What blew my mind wasn’t just what I was seeing—it was realizing I could have spent my entire life looking at that same patch of sky and never known that incredible dance was happening overhead.” — Daniel Bailen

Jack Browning, “Muhlenburg County Stars (Acoustic)”

Artist: Jack Browning
Hometown: London, England
Song: “Muhlenburg County Stars (Acoustic)”
Album: Painted Skies
Release Date: September 16, 2026
Label: Too Fine Records

In Their Words: “In 2024, I went to Kentucky for the first time on my first-ever US tour, and immediately fell in love with the place and its wonderful people. It was my fiancée and I, and we rented a vehicle that was promised as a ‘Toyota Corolla or similar vehicle’…and received a 3.5 litre Dodge Charger! I guess they both have four wheels, sure! That whole week was a fever dream – I got to befriend some musical heroes of mine, played sold-out shows on a different continent, nearly wrapped the car (and us) around a tree driving through the worst storm I’ve ever witnessed, and more importantly, I was in awe at the lengths my soon-to-be wife would go to supporting me and my career. I always felt too precious and too pressured when trying to put that love for her into words, and this song spilled out and said more than I could ever have if I sat down to consciously write it.” — Jack Browning

Dallas Burrow, “Let It Shine”

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “Let It Shine”
Album: Modern Day Vagabond
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Label: 40 Below Records

In Their Words: “‘Let It Shine’ wasn’t my song to begin with. An old friend of mine who was kind of a street performer had the first verse and chorus and brought it to me a couple years back. I added the second verse and bridge, and after we worked on it, he said I could have the song and asked that I not give him credit. Pretty gracious really. It’s got this soul country pop gospel thing that is just super catchy. Within the context of the album, we also expand on the idea of having a light to shine that gets introduced in the title track.

“The second verse also includes an allusion to Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, a favorite old book of mine, but ultimately, it’s this song’s repeated references to salvation, being a blessing, not dealing with the devil, letting your light shine, that make it kind of a gospel song without saying so, if you ask me. And it just feels good, almost Motown style. I play nylon string guitar on this one, with the great Kelly Willis singing harmonies, Katie Shore on fiddle, Kullen Fox on trumpet, Will Sexton on electric guitar, Mike McClure on steel string acoustic, Adam Odor on bass, Cameron Martin on drums, and we did some fun stuff in production / postproduction with some Rick Rubin-style single-note stuff on grand piano, gang vocals, and of course, the hand claps.” — Dallas Burrow

Mac Cornish, “Wayfaring Woman”

Artist: Mac Cornish
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee and Bay Area, California
Song: “Wayfaring Woman”
Album: Wayfaring Woman
Release Date: September 25, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Wayfaring Woman’ is the title track off my second record and is definitely my favorite song to come out of the album sessions. The instrumentation and groove of the song really captures my love of blending country, folk, and rock, and I think is a perfect example of the direction I’m moving in musically. The lyrics encapsulate where I was at when writing this record, feeling lost within the lifestyle of touring, going out to bars every night, and just constantly moving.

“I wrote it without knowing it would be a sort of letter to myself that something had to change. I needed to find my way home, or back to myself, so I could move past what I was seemingly running from. This desire for balance in my life between the night life, that seems ever entwined to my work life, and the rest of my life I think is a theme of the record. I’m still trying to find a balance where I can be truly centered in myself while pursuing this career and putting myself out there, careerwise and socially/romantically. Any musician knows it’s a hard balance to strike.” — Mac Cornish

Hillary Klug, “Little Sadie”

Artist: Hillary Klug
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Little Sadie”
Album: Dancing Fiddler
Release Date: August 25, 2026
Label: Fiddle Feet Records

In Their Words: “‘Little Sadie’ is one of my personal favorites from Dancing Fiddler because it really captures the idea behind the album. I’ve spent years performing as both an old-time fiddler and buck dancer, but on my previous recordings, the dancing was mostly something audiences experienced visually in videos or at live shows. With this record, I wanted my feet to become part of the music itself.

“On ‘Little Sadie,’ the footwork you see in the video is also part of what you’re hearing on the recording. My dancing provides percussion throughout the track, so rather than dancing to the music, I’m creating music with my feet. My feet are actually one of the instruments in the arrangement. I love the contrast between the dark story of this old traditional song and the rhythmic energy of the dancing. I also really enjoyed finding the vocal character for this one. It ended up becoming a track that represents what I do as a whole—singing and playing old-time music while using my feet as an instrument.” — Hillary Klug

Joy Oladokun, “Sage” (Ft. Adekunle Gold)

Artist: Joy Oladokun
Hometowns: Casa Grande, Arizona, and Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Sage” feat. Adekunle Gold
Album: Hope Is a Heavy Thing
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Label: Concord Records

In Their Words: “‘Sage’ is the sonic marriage of the music that raised me. African music and folk music have been two of my favorite genres my entire life. From Paul Simon and King Sunny Ade, to I’m With Her and Tems, both genres have been foundational to me navigating the world and finding my own artistic voice. Adekunle and I wrote ‘Sage’ at the height of the pandemic about needing to shake off the weight of things we couldn’t control. It’s so easy to rush to want to make a change without being able to acknowledge the grief of things not being as we think they should be. Collaborating with him feels like such a full-circle moment for me.” — Joy Oladokun

“Joy is one of those rare artists who tells the truth so beautifully that you feel it from the first listen. Being part of ‘Sage’ was an honor. This song has been a long time coming and I’m grateful she invited me into her world.” — Adekunle Gold

Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground, “The Clover Saloon”

Artist: Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground
Hometown: Portland, Maine
Song: “The Clover Saloon”
Album: Little Storms
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Label: Adhyâropa Records

In Their Words: “I came across this song when looking for an uptempo song to round out this record. If you’re familiar with Connie Converse’s version, you know it’s not generally played like this! But I heard it working in this manner, tried it with the band, and the rest is history. I think the subject matter lends itself well to the occasionally frenetic nature of bluegrass, and that’s one of the big things that caught my ear and made me think this could work. Everyone sounds so great and it’s so fun to sing this with Brittany. I’m so stoked about the video that Jeff Liu did for this song, I love his animation style and he did a great job bringing both the story and our band to life!” — Ethan Setiawan

Jesse Smathers, “Sally in Poor Valley”

Artist: Jesse Smathers
Hometown: Floyd, Virginia
Song: “Sally In Poor Valley”
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I thought immediately when first hearing ‘Sally In Poor Valley’ years ago that it would lend itself to a full stringband rendition. Iconic songwriter Dixie Hall wrote a lyric that fits the bill to a T with its tongue-in-cheek mountain poetry. It’s full of humorous and romantic imagery of ‘Sally’: a true, hard-working mountain girl who is eager to win the heart of the narrator by cooking, keeping the house warm, and even whispering sweet nothings to his mule. Its lighthearted lyric encourages a smile and its forward-driven melody will likely keep dancers on their feet. I hope everyone enjoys ‘Sally in Poor Valley.'” — Jesse Smathers

Photo Credits: Carley du Menil (Dallas Burrow), Graham Tolbert (Joy Oladokun)

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Swamp Dogg, Allison Russell, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Another week, another batch of excellent new roots music! You Gotta Hear This…

There’s plenty of Good Country to enjoy below, as we kick things off with Dallas Burrow’s brand new track, “Underdog.” In his heart of hearts, Burrow has always considered himself something of an outsider. He channels the angst and emotion of being an underdog through the rocking, passionate crescendo of the gritty country track. Then we immediately follow that up with more from similar sonic territory, as Whey Jennings and Karen Waldrup join forces on a song they co-wrote, “Damned If I Stay.” We’re sharing the new video for the number, a thoughtful Outlaw-steeped ballad that was begging for the duet treatment – which Jennings and Waldrup execute very well. It’s as relatable as it is personal.

In bluegrass (or from nearby!), banjoist Max Wareham launches his new album, If The Cosmos Were Whiskey…, today. To celebrate, we’re sharing the music video for “Closer To You,” as cosmic and enchanting as the record title. It’s experimental string band music that falls somewhere in the nebulous territory between neo-folk, indie, and trance. The psychedelia of jamgrass, but more deliberate and “slowed down.” When you read Wareham’s inspiration behind the track, these connections make even more sense.

Also arriving directly from the magical musical cosmos is a new track from the ethereal Allison Russell. Timed for release on Juneteenth, “Black Lavender” features Brittney Spencer and is a song about extending grace, comfort, and care – and the importance of community to lift each other up. “We saved this song for Juneteenth for a reason,” she explains. “Black women have been showing up for each other in this way as long as we’ve been here, and we can’t stop, won’t stop now!” Listen to the timely track below.

You’ll also want to hear new music from an Americana legend Swamp Dogg. His new album, Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife, is out today. But the Dogg doesn’t want you to be too concerned that our roundup selection, “Final Approach” is about mortality. “‘Final Approach’ uses an airliner metaphor, but it’s more about a homecoming than dealing with the end of life,” he explains via email. “[But], I’m OK with this ‘final approach,'” he continues. “I’ve been blessed and that’s something to sing about.” The song is smooth, grooving, and dripping with Swamp Dogg’s personality.

It’s all right here on BGS and You Gotta Hear This!

Dallas Burrow, “Underdog”

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “Underdog”
Album: Modern Day Vagabond
Release Date: June 17, 2026 (single); September 25, 2026 (album)
Label: 40 Below Records

In Their Words: “Like the character Dally from The Outsiders – a rebel through and through – in my heart of hearts, I’ve always felt like a little bit of an outsider, an outlier, an underdog, but I always found that, on some level, to be a point of pride. It gives you a unique perspective when you’re on the outside looking in. That’s the basic spirit of this song, though it was also inspired somewhat by my own experiences within the music business, where so many people are telling you who they think you are and how things ought to be done. Usually in some attempt to conform you to their vision of who you ought to be, when each of us, ultimately, has our own path.

“I grew up listening to hard rock and metal as a kid, before I got into the more restrained approach of the singer-songwriters who I have come to love and admire. But there’s always something in me that, at some point, wants to dig in, let loose, and rock out, so it was very liberating for me to lay this track down. It gave me a chance to scream my heart out a little bit in the song’s crescendo; a guttural catharsis that is hard to achieve through any other means except rock ‘n’ roll.

“The band really brings this one to life: Mark Tokach’s searing electric guitar, Larry Chaney’s booming distorted baritone, Kullen Fox’s fiery B3 organ track, Katie Shore providing her tastefully avant-garde harmony part in the chorus, legendary producer Mike McClure on second acoustic guitar, and Adam Odor on bass, and finally Cameron Martin from my touring band on drums, who comes from a rock ‘n’ roll background – and who were all chomping at the bit to rock this one out.” – Dallas Burrow

Whey Jennings & Karen Waldrup, “Damned If I Stay”

Artist: Whey Jennings
Hometown: West Texas
Song: “Damned If I Stay” with Karen Waldrup
Album: Baptized By Fire
Release Date: June 18, 2026 (video/single)
Label: Dirt Rock Empire

In Their Words: “‘Damned If I Stay’ is about being caught between staying and leaving when both choices hurt. It’s that tension a lot of people don’t talk about. This song called for a duet and Karen’s voice added the contrast that helped bring the full emotion of the story to life.” – Whey Jennings

“Writing this song with Whey Jennings was such a career highlight for me. He is such an emotional singer and that’s what this song needed. I have such a special friendship with Whey and it’s incredible to see that friendship spotlighted on such a personal song for both of us from our own life experiences.” – Karen Waldrup

Video Credits: Director/producer – Gio Gotay.

Allison Russell, “Black Lavender”

Artist: Allison Russell
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Song: “Black Lavender” with Brittney Spencer
Album: In The Hour of Chaos
Release Date: June 19, 2026 (single); July 10, 2026 (album)
Label: Fantasy Records

In Their Words: “We are swimming in rivers – flash floods! – of adrenaline right now. ‘Black Lavender’ is a song about extending grace and soothing comfort to a chosen sister… the kind I have trouble extending to myself. But the beautiful thing is, she’s the same way – and she gives it all back and some. Brittney Spencer is a voice for all the ages who we need right now. We saved this song for Juneteenth for a reason. Black women have been showing up for each other in this way as long as we’ve been here, and we can’t stop, won’t stop now! Incomparable . That’s what we all are, you know? Precious… magical.” – Allison Russell

Video Credit: Directed by Athena Kulb.

Swamp Dogg, “Final Approach”

Artist: Swamp Dogg
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia
Song: “Final Approach”
Album: Swamp Dogg Contemplates The Afterlife
Release Date: June 19, 2026
Label: S-Curve Records

In Their Words: “‘Final Approach’ uses an airliner metaphor, but it’s more about a homecoming than dealing with the end of life. That’s something that’s inevitable, but the life I’ve lived has been truly fulfilling and I remain both hopeful and thankful. I cite some of the music pioneers – Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Chuck Willis – who went before their time. While I’ve come as far as I have for as long as I have, and that’s something spiritually uplifting. The great work of those guys lives on and so do I, which is why I’m OK with this ‘final approach.’ I’ve been blessed and that’s something to sing about.” – Swamp Dogg

Max Wareham, “Closer To You”

Artist: Max Wareham
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “Closer To You”
Album: If The Cosmos Were Whiskey…
Release Date: June 19, 2026

In Their Words: “I wrote this one thinking about 8th-century Chinese mountain poets and Milarepa, the Tibetan yogi who sang his way to enlightenment in a cave, which is either the most pretentious thing you’ll read this week or the most honest. There’s a figure wandering through it, searching for something that keeps shape-shifting: person, place, idea. The song refuses to say, and that refusal is the whole point. To me, it has the patience of something that’s been waiting a long time.

“Chris Sartori, formerly of Twisted Pine, plays an inspired bass part like he’s keen on the trail of this ghost. Give it a listen and see what you think you’re looking for.” – Max Wareham

Track Credits:
Max Wareham – Banjo, vocals
Jack Holland – Guitar
Chris Sartori – Bass
Karl Helander – Percussion
Lily Sexton – Harmony vocals

Video Credits: Grant Bouvier

Photo Credit: Swamp Dogg by Cooper Davidson; Allison Russell by Mason Poole.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Tray Wellington, Dallas Burrow, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Country and folk, bluegrass and new acoustic music all come together in this week’s edition of our new music and premiere roundup!

First up, country singer-songwriter Dallas Burrow is joined by Ray Wylie Hubbard on a brand new music video for their duo track, “Read ‘Em and Weep,” from Burrow’s upcoming September release. The song was inspired by classic gambling songs, so of course Ray Wylie was the perfect special guest to tap for the track and the country & western-styled video. Also bringing a new music video this week are Americana/folk trio The Last Revel, of Minneapolis. “Static” is about the overwhelm and confusion of new love.

In bluegrass, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers tap Jim Lauderdale for a new track, “How Small of Me.” Despite knowing each other for decades, it’s the first time Jones and Lauderdale have collaborated in the studio. Jones’ labelmates Deanie Richardson & Kimber Ludiker debut another new twin fiddle tune, this time offering their take on a Frank Wakefield classic, “New Camptown Races,” with a mighty backing band.

From experimental string band fringes we have a few stellar selections, as well. Award-winning banjoist Tray Wellington readies a new EP – set for release August 8 – with a performance video of an original song, “Man on the Moon,” continuing his creative relationship and fascination with the earth’s celestial relative. It’s jammy, expressive, and contemplative and shows a blend of many of the different styles of ‘grass he often employs. Mandolinist and composer Ethan Setiawan has new music on the way, too. His next project, Encyclopedia Mandolinnica, arrives mid-August and to celebrate, he’s shared a track featuring Joe K. Walsh called “Mount Holly.”

Finally, you won’t want to miss the return of Thompson the Fox, Tokyo’s quartet of mind-bending pickers who combine jazz, bebop, new acoustic, bluegrass, and so much more. Volume 2 of The Fox In Tiger’s Clothing – entitled TIGER – drops next month, so we’re sharing “Minute Waltz Rag,” the group’s reimagination of Chopin’s quintessential composition that’s ragtime, bluegrass, classical, and jazz altogether. Still, it’s incredibly easy to listen to – and impressive in technique and artfulness, both.

It’s all right here on BGS and, truly, You Gotta Hear This!

Dallas Burrow, “Read ‘Em and Weep” featuring Ray Wylie Hubbard

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “Read ‘Em & Weep” featuring Ray Wylie Hubbard
Album: The Way The West Was Won
Release Date: July 18, 2025 (video); September 26, 2025 (album)
Label: Forty Below Records

In Their Words: “This song, which serves as the opening track of the album, is actually a musical sequel to a song I wrote with my good friend Charley Crockett called ‘The Only Game in Town,’ which I wrote all the verses for after he brought me a chorus and a chord progression. In that song’s third verse the narrator tells us, ‘The dealer is [his] friend and the house always wins.’ This song you might say serves as a challenge to its prequel, with the opening verse declaring, ‘I heard the dealer was your friend, I heard you know him well.’ Both, stylistically, were inspired by great gambling songs like ‘Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold’ by Townes Van Zandt and ‘Dust of the Chase’ by Ray Wylie Hubbard. It was only fitting then that Ray Wylie would sing on this tune. I gave him the whole record to listen to and this was the one he picked out to sing on. It was quite the honor to have him sing the entire second verse, since he’s always been one of my biggest inspirations and heroes. The tune opens with producer Lloyd Maines counting it off and playing a striking harmonic guitar part. As the track continues to build it is further brought to life by Lloyd’s legendary Dobro playing, and Katie Shore’s immaculate fiddle work.” – Dallas Burrow

Track Credits:
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Vocals
Dallas Burrow – Vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriter
Katie Shore – Fiddle
Lloyd Maines – Dobro, bass, acoustic guitar, producer
Pat Manske – percussion

Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, “How Small of Me” featuring Jim Lauderdale

Artist: Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “How Small of Me”
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “Jim Lauderdale and I have been friends for decades now, but this is the first time we have ever sung together on a recording, so I’m really happy about this. Meanwhile I co-wrote the song with John McCutcheon, somebody I first met when I was a teenager, and though more recently, he’s somebody who the band and I have performed with a few times at the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas, we had never written a song together until last year, and ‘How Small of Me’ is one of our first results.” – Chris Jones

Track Credits:
Chris Jones – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Jim Lauderdale – Harmony vocal
Mark Stoffel – Mandolin
Grace van’t Hof – Ukelele
Jon Weisberger – Bass
Tony Creasman – Drums
Chris Scruggs – Steel guitar

The Last Revel, “Static”

Artist: The Last Revel
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Song: “Static”
Album: Gone For Good
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Label: Thirty Tigers

In Their Words: “It’s a simple little song about how overwhelming and confusing love can feel especially in the beginning. It’s about losing yourself and everything you have just to spend time with the only person that seems to be vibrating at the same frantic frequency while everything else seems still and static.” – Lee Henke

Deanie Richardson & Kimber Ludiker, “New Camptown Races”

Artist: Deanie Richardson & Kimber Ludiker
Song: “New Camptown Races”
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘New Camptown Races’ is a song that Kimber and I played together last year and it went so well we knew it was one we wanted on this record. I went to a recording from one of my fiddle heroes, Randy Howard, on this. I will admit, I did steal a few licks from Randy on this one. Love that my dear friend is with us on this track.” – Deanie Richardson

“We have long loved Frank Wakefield’s great mandolin tune ‘New Camptown Races,’ which quickly became part of the bluegrass canon when he first recorded it in 1957. We set out to create a twin fiddle reimagining of this classic Bb tune with the spirit of a high-energy late-night jam with phenomenal playing by Tristan Scroggins on mandolin, Kristin Scott Benson on banjo, Cody Kilby on guitar, and Hasee Ciaccio on bass.” – Kimber Ludiker

Track Credits:
Deanie Richardson – Fiddle
Kimber Ludiker – Fiddle
Cody Kilby – Acoustic guitar
Hasee Ciaccio – Upright bass
Tristan Scroggins – Mandolin
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo

Ethan Setiawan, “Mount Holly” featuring Joe K. Walsh

(Click to listen)

Artist name: Ethan Setiawan
Hometown: Cornish, Maine
Song: “Mount Holly” featuring Joe K. Walsh
Album: Encyclopedia Mandolinnica
Release Date: July 23, 2025 (single); August 15, 2025 (album)
Label: Adhyâropa Records

In Their Words: “This one’s for the Fogels, at whose cabin in Vermont I spent a couple of great New Years, and who smoke the most delicious meat at all hours at festivals in the Northeast. I started to work on the tune in 2022 or 2023 up in Vermont and then finished it soon before tracking with Joe in early 2024. I finished it without a mandolin in hand, which lately has been a good exercise in letting my ear rather than my hands guide the composition. I’m playing mandola and Joe is playing octave mandolin, because we had to get in those low mandolins!” – Ethan Setiawan

Thompson the Fox, “Minute Waltz Rag”

Artist: Thompson the Fox
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Song: “Minute Waltz Rag”
Album: The Fox In Tiger’s Clothing, Vol.2: TIGER
Release Date: August 9, 2025
Label: Prefab Records

In Their Words: “Following our May release of The Fox In Tiger’s Clothing, Vol.1: FOX, we’re excited to announce the upcoming release of its sister album, Vol.2: TIGER, coming out on August 9.

“The album title is a play on two phrases from different cultures: the Japanese proverb, ‘The fox borrowing the tiger’s authority’ and the English idiom, ‘A wolf in sheep’s clothing.’

“While Vol.1: FOX consisted entirely of our original compositions, Vol.2: TIGER is a collection of cover tunes. Ahead of the album’s release, we’ve just shared a music video for ‘Minute Waltz Rag.’ It’s a reimagining of Chopin’s beautiful waltz, which I arranged in two-time for this quartet. We hope you enjoy it!” – Takumi Kodera

Track Credits:
Rie Koyama – Xylophone
Takumi Kodera – Banjo
Akihide Teshima – Bass
Tomohito Yoshijima – Drums

Video Credit: Takumi Kodera

Tray Wellington, “Man on the Moon”

Artist: Tray Wellington
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Song: Man on the Moon
Album: Spatial Awareness (EP)
Release Date: July 18, 2025 (single); August 8, 2025 (EP)
Label: Free Dirt Records

In Their Words: “‘Man on the Moon’ is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written. I wanted to capture how easy it is to hide struggle behind a smile and how many of us carry that weight silently. Writing has always helped me process things I hadn’t fully acknowledged and I hope it can do the same for someone else. This track was also one of my favorites for production as it’s one of the songs I feel like we really captured the feelings of the song throughout.” – Tray Wellington

Video Credit: Rob Laughter

Photo Credit: Tray Wellington by Heidi Holloway; Dallas Burrow by Melissa Payne.

Dallas Burrow on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

One of my favorite people on earth, Dallas Burrow, stopped by for this new episode of Only Vans to talk about owning a music venue, shamans, Charley Crockett, having a complicated past, and all the good vibes!

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • AMAZON • MP3

Find Dallas’s music, podcast, tour dates and merchandise here.

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, The MusicFest at Steamboat, Lakeside Tax & CH Lonestar Promo!

Editor’s Note: Only Vans with Bri Bagwell is the latest addition to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about the podcast coming on board here. Find our episode archive here.

LISTEN: Dallas Burrow, “River Town”

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, TX
Song: “River Town”
Album: Blood Brothers
Release Date: June 16, 2023
Label: Soundly Music

In Their Words: “The record kicks off with the true story of my youth in small town Texas; the leaving, and the coming back to start a family, all with an outlaw country back beat, dressed up with fiddle, organ, and electric guitar, and producer Jonathan Tyler singing harmonies. The hill country of the Lone Star State,  and my hometown in particular, is a community that revolves around its rivers, lakes, and swimming holes, offering folks, and especially kids growing up there, an eternally timeless pastime. Even still, I have always been a bit of a free spirit, and as a young man I felt like the town wasn’t quite big enough for my taste. After getting in a little trouble, doing a lot of traveling, fast living, and soul searching, and finally meeting my wife and starting to settle down a little, in the end, I realized just what a beautiful area it was to live in after all, and the perfect place for us to raise a kid.” – Dallas Burrow

Photo Credit: Madison Taylor

The BGS Radio Hour – Episode 217

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Welcome to the BGS Radio Hour! Since 2017, this weekly radio show and podcast has been a recap of all the great music, new and old, featured on the digital pages of BGS. This week we have California country from Elijah Ocean and the Ben Reddell Band, acoustic folk goodness from Anna Tivel, a final farewell to our August Artist of the Month Amythyst Kiah, and much more.

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Amythyst Kiah – “Black Myself”

In our recent two-part interview with our August Artist of the Month, Amythyst Kiah, she spoke with us about faith, about mental health and singing vulnerable, open songs every night, and the intent behind lyrics and songs like “Black Myself.” Plus, she retells the series of events that helped her leave her “shut-up-and-sing” policy behind. Thank goodness for that.

Chris J. Norwood – “Good Guy With a Gun”

On “Good Guy With a Gun,” singer-songwriter Chris J Norwood examines the grief and loss of his father’s suicide while challenging the United States’ gun culture: “Truth be told, we as a country need to talk more openly about suicide. Especially as it relates to the gun debate…”

Ava Earl – “New Light”

One of the first love songs singer-songwriter Ava Earl ever wrote, “New Light” is also a little existential — it deals with the wonder and mystery of the universe as well as that of love.

Elijah Ocean – “Honky Tonk Hole”

As Elijah Ocean himself puts it: “‘Honky Tonk Hole’ is about a guy who has seen better days and whose big dreams have all gone up in smoke. Now he spends all his time drinking and playing country music in bars. Not entirely sure why he’s complaining about it, though. Seems kinda fun and not a bad life. It’s a high-energy shuffle about falling into a rut but also kind of loving it.”

Ben Reddell Band – “12 Bar Blues”

Musician and frontman Ben Reddell recently put together a Mixtape celebrating bands and artists who have played The Grand Ole Echo, a roots music concert series he books at LA’s Echo Park, or who rely on the creative and rehearsal space he manages, Bedrock LA. To quote: “We love our traditional country here in Echo Park, but we also like to let our freak flag fly with the hippie-dippie, pot-smoking types as well.” Check out the community-minded Mixtape here.

Kashena Sampson – “Hello Darkness”

Nashville-based Americana singer Kashena Sampson brings us a Shocking Blue cover that carries a feeling of yearning for someone you can’t be with.

Morningsiders – “This Could Be Good”

Morningsiders began writing their new album after the pandemic lockdowns began. They wanted “This Could Be Good” to be dance-y and delicate while being about aimless nights out with friends.

Anna Tivel – “Illinois”

Singer-songwriter Anna Tivel talked with us about her pre-show rituals (or lack thereof), drawing inspiration from literature and poetry, observing the natural and manmade world, and more in a recent 5+5.

Anya Hinkle – “Why Women Need Wine”

Asheville’s Anya Hinkle told us about the massive influence Gillian Welch had on her musically, combining the spirits of musicians who had influenced Hinkle early on — like Tony Rice, the Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, Sarah McLachlan and Madonna — into one tangible, modern, and original roots sound. Read more in this edition of 5+5.

Jay Nash – “Shine”

Jay Nash wrote “Shine” inspired by the new arrival of his daughter. It took him nearly ten years to return to the song idea: “Because, as all parents know, what followed those calm and quiet moments of parenthood was an all-out sprint… a crash course [of] becoming a parent.”

Dallas Burrow – “My Father’s Son”

On his new track, “My Father’s Son,” self-described troubadour Dallas Burrow tells the four-generation story of the men in his family line — and the influence they’ve had on their sons. It’s a tender, honest, autobiographical history.

Lonesome River Band – “Every Minute Means a Mile”

The Lonesome River Band pays tribute to the Easter Brothers on their upcoming album, Singing Up There: A Tribute to the Easter Brothers. And “Every Minute Means a Mile” is an uncomplicated Easter Brothers classic.

Adeline Stringband – “Hickory”

Adeline Stringband — a veritable old-time supergroup featuring Chris Coole, Mark Kilianski, John Showman, Adrian Gross, and Sam Allison — holed up in a cabin in the woods and recorded old time tunes for three days and three nights. Gross describes it as one of the most off-the-cuff and creative sessions he’s ever been a part of: “Seeing as it was -20º and there was a blizzard outside the whole time, there was nothing to do but pick tunes and roll the tape, and that’s exactly what we did.”

Jackson Melnick – “John the Revelator”

“Apocalypse isn’t to be confused with tragedy. Apocalypse is seeing something in truth, and the pain that might come from having the blinders pulled off.” Jackson Melnick brings us a bluegrass version of this classic blues song.

Photos: (L to R) Elijah Ocean by Wolfe & Von; Amythyst Kiah by Sandlin Gaither; Anna Tivel by Matt Kennelly

LISTEN: Dallas Burrow, “My Father’s Son”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “My Father’s Son”
Album: Dallas Burrow
Release Date: July 23, 2021

In Their Words: “A real storyteller’s song, this is an autobiographical history of four generations of men in a family line and the influence that fathers have on their sons, sparing no detail. My grandfather was born on the 4th of July and he was a Master-Sergeant in the Army Air Corps, and survived D-Day. They called him Junebug. He’s always been a mythical character in my mind, as I never got to meet him. My dad never saw much of him either, as my grandfather was usually either off at war, or otherwise absent. Then my father was a hippie and a hitchhiker, a rebel and an outlaw, a poet and a songwriter, and later in life, a teacher, a triathlete, and more than anything else, unlike his father, always there for me. So I absorbed all those things; the legacy of having a war hero for a grandfather who was there when our country needed him, but who was absent from his own children’s lives because of it, and the stories my dad told me of his own travels and exploits when America was young and wild and free, in the ’60s and ’70s.

“Then of course there was my own journey, taking up the mantle of being a storytelling musician, the struggles, the trials, the beauty, the wonder, all of that, which would eventually lead me to meeting a woman, and having a son, which ultimately, radically changed my life from one of a wandering troubadour with an insatiable taste for the wild side of life, to a relatively responsible, grounded adult, still a troubadour, and still with a wanderlust, but with an entirely different set of priorities and lifestyle choices. This tune tackles the job of weaving all of those nuances of my family line into a neat little folk song that captures the idea that no matter who our fathers were, we are who we are in part because of those that came before us.” — Dallas Burrow

Photo credit: Ryan Vestil

LISTEN: Dallas Burrow, “Leaving Colorado”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Dallas Burrow
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “Leaving Colorado”
Album: Southern Wind
Release Date: September 20, 2019
Label: Subliminal Hyminal

In Their Words: “I had been on a dry spell for a while, and then out of the blue, I wrote ‘Southern Wind’ (the album’s title track) and ‘Leaving Colorado’ in two days, back to back. While the first was more of a wholesome account of building a family, ‘Leaving Colorado’ on the other hand scratched an itch for adventure and mischief, through the eyes of the mythical wandering frontiersman, in a story that could have just as easily have taken place in the 1800s or today. It’s the timeless tale of love, love lost, adultery, betrayal, murder, and mayhem — soaked in whiskey and smelling of sixgun smoke that is always alive and well in the imagination of the Wild West.” — Dallas Burrow

Photo credit: Lyza Renee