Artist:Meadow Mountain Hometown: Denver, Colorado Song: “Waiting for Tomorrow” Album: June Nights Release Date: May 13, 2024 (single)
(Editor’s Note: Over the last few weeks, Colorado-based bluegrass band Meadow Mountain has premiered a series of exclusive, live performance videos of newly releasing tracks. Watch each installment of their SkyTheory Sessions right here, on BGS. The final installment will be released next week.)
In Their Words: “This song attempts to answer the question, ‘What if, instead of starting the band Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl had picked up a mandolin and spent a year exclusively listening to Alison Krauss & Union Station?’ I guess I was doing a lot of thinking and writing about time – the great healer, but also that which brings an end to all things. And then a new beginning. This is a song about time, and hope.” – Jack Dunlevie
Track Credits: Written by Jack Dunlevie
Photo Credit:Video still by Erik Fellenstein
Video Credits: Videography – Erik Fellenstein Lighting – Payden Widner Mixing – Vermillion Road Studio
You’ve reached the end of another week so let’s celebrate like we always do, with a round up of exciting video and track premieres from our BGS family. Below, find a new video skewering NFTs and the commodification of art from folk string duo Adrian + Meredith, plus mandolinist Mark Stoffel covers a bluegrass gospel classic with an all star cast of pickers – and double mandolin!
Plus, earlier this week on BGS, Certified Guitar Player Tommy Emmanuel debuted a brand new performance video of “Bella Soave,” from his iconic album Endless Road in celebration of its 20th Anniversary edition releasing. And, progressive Colorado bluegrass outfit Meadow Mountain continue their SkyTheory Sessions with “Trail to Telluride.”
Here’s hoping your new music Friday is flush with excellent, exciting, engaging new songs. Like these few below, and to be honest – You Gotta Hear This!
Adrian + Meredith, “NFT”
Artist:Adrian + Meredith Hometown: East Nashville, Tennessee Song: “NFT” Release Date: May 17, 2024 (single) Label: Vertigo Productions
In Their Words: “Exploring the themes of NFTs in the song, we reflect on the history of patron-driven commissioned artwork and on the complexities of how, as a society, artwork is ‘valued.’ Who decides what art is worth? Who decides as a culture what art is worthy of preserving? How have barriers of artistic gatekeeping prevailed and adapted as society has progressed?
“All these questions made this music video engaging to create. It was shot at a location called The Forge Nashville, which is a co-working space for artists and makers that offers affordable access to the tools, space, and support artists and makers need to succeed. As AI and mass consumption of art threatens artists of every medium, we wanted to highlight the importance of art and artists as part of robust community ecosystems. As we navigate a changing world, our passion for original, independent artistry, the power of live music, and the strength of community that comes from both has deepened and that really comes out in the lyrics of this song.
“This track was particularly fun to write and record. The complementing verses highlight two different perspectives, one from Adrian and one from me, and were written separately using the same prompts. The vocals, drums, bass, violin, and guitar came together so well in the studio that they are one full live studio take. After initial mixing, we spent an afternoon with Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers, Mighty Poplar) working out a harmony line for the fiddle pizzicato, which he recorded on guitar, had Henry Westmoreland (Squirrel Nut Zippers) add in trumpet flair, and had Paul Niehaus (Justin Townes Earle, Calexico) add in his magic on pedal steel.” – Meredith Krygowski
Track Credits: Adrian Krygowski – Vocals, acoustic guitar Meredith Krygowski – Vocals, fiddle, clogging John Kveen – Bass Bronson Tew – Drums, engineering Henry Westmoreland – Horns Chris “Critter” Eldridge – Electric & acoustic guitar Paul Niehaus – Pedal steel
Video Credits: Kaedi Maney Dishen and Ryan Dishen – Videographers and editing Shot at The Forge Nashville.
Mark Stoffel, “I’m Using My Bible for a Road Map”
Artist:Mark Stoffel Hometown: My birthplace and original hometown is Munich, Germany. My adopted hometown is Murphysboro, Illinois Song: “I’m Using My Bible for a Road Map” Release Date: May 10, 2024 (single) Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “Years ago, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers were booked to play a Sunday morning show at the Blueberry Music Festival in Stony Plain, Alberta. I suggested we add ‘I’m Using My Bible for a Road Map’ to the setlist because I just love the simple beauty of this Reno & Smiley classic. I was lucky enough to record my version with Chris Luquette on guitar, Ross Sermons on Bass, Tony Creasman on drums, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Niall Murphy on Fiddle, and Alan Bibey on mandolin. Alan contributed a super tasteful mandolin twin part on the last go-around of the tune. Check it out — I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it!” – Mark Stoffel
Track Credits:
Mark Stoffel – Mandolin, guitar Rob Ickes – Dobro Alan Bibey – Twin mandolin Chris Luquette – Guitar Niall Murphy – Fiddle Ross Sermons – Bass Tony Creasman – Drums
In Their Words: “The song was written after my first visit in Soave, Italy in 1999. It was the first festival I ever played. I was so happy and overjoyed from the experience of the festival that I started writing when I got into the backseat of the car. We were driving from Soave down to Rome for a show and workshop, and I wrote this song on the way there. I got it finished and played it that night at the show. I tried to give it a sort of Spanish feel in the bridge, because I had met a lot of Spaniards that weekend at the festival. Bella Soave means ‘beautiful Soave.’ It’s a beautiful place and has been a big part of my musical life.” – Tommy Emmanuel
Artist:Meadow Mountain Hometown: Denver, Colorado Song: “Trail to Telluride” Release Date: May 6, 2024 (single)
In Their Words: “I have attended the Telluride Bluegrass festival every year for over 12 years now. It is where I fell in love with bluegrass music and it is where I felt my first calling to write the music of the Rocky Mountains. This song tells a fictional story of a miner in the late 1800s who traveled from Denver to Telluride in an attempt to strike it rich mining for silver. While I am no miner, I do feel that the story tracks with the life of a working musician. You go out there to try something new, and if it doesn’t stick, you reset and get back to work.” – Summers Baker, guitar and songwriter
Artist:Meadow Mountain Hometown: Denver, Colorado Song: “Trail to Telluride” Release Date: May 6, 2024 (single)
(Editor’s Note: Over the next few weeks, Colorado-based bluegrass band Meadow Mountain will premiere a series of four exclusive, live performance videos of newly releasing tracks. Watch each installment of their SkyTheory Sessions on Thursdays each week for the next three weeks right here, on BGS.)
In Their Words: “I have attended the Telluride Bluegrass festival every year for over 12 years now. It is where I fell in love with bluegrass music and it is where I felt my first calling to write the music of the Rocky Mountains. This song tells a fictional story of a miner in the late 1800s who traveled from Denver to Telluride in an attempt to strike it rich mining for silver. While I am no miner, I do feel that the story tracks with the life of a working musician. You go out there to try something new, and if it doesn’t stick, you reset and get back to work.” – Summers Baker, guitar and songwriter
Track Credits: Written by Summers Baker
Photo Credit:Video still by Erik Fellenstein
Video Credits: Videography – Erik Fellenstein Lighting – Payden Widner Mixing – Vermillion Road Studio
In Their Words: “The song was written after my first visit in Soave, Italy in 1999. It was the first festival I ever played. I was so happy and overjoyed from the experience of the festival that I started writing when I got into the backseat of the car. We were driving from Soave down to Rome for a show and workshop, and I wrote this song on the way there. I got it finished and played it that night at the show. I tried to give it a sort of Spanish feel in the bridge, because I had met a lot of Spaniards that weekend at the festival. Bella Soave means ‘beautiful Soave.’ It’s a beautiful place and has been a big part of my musical life.” – Tommy Emmanuel
It’s another full week of new releases and exciting premieres! Leading off our round up this time is young fiddlin’ phenom Carson Peters singing a Bob Seger classic, “Long Twin Silver Line.” Plus, don’t miss bluegrass tracks from our friends Unspoken Tradition and Meadow Mountain – the latter of whom debuted the first installment of their SkyTheory Sessions on BGS yesterday.
There’s also plenty of Good Country to find herein! Kyle McKearney is joined by bluegrass flatpicker Trey Hensley on “Lonesome,” Jessie Wilson brings us a new one, “Outlaw,” and Will Stewart & the Gold Band share a tune from their Live in Norway project. Plus, Jordie Lane brings us a new single, too.
Yesterday, Donovan Woods exclusively premiered a new Lori McKenna and Matt Nathanson co-write on BGS,. as well so don’t miss that! It’s all below and really, You Gotta Hear This!
Carson Peters, “Long Twin Silver Line”
Artist:Carson Peters Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Long Twin Silver Line” (Bob Seger cover) Album:Silver Bullet Bluegrass Release Date: July 12, 2024 Label: Lonesome Day Records
In Their Words: “Randall Deaton approached me with this tribute project a while back, and I loved the idea and jumped at the chance to be included with the great artists that were already on board. I grew up listening to classic rock and roll music riding in my parents’ car. It definitely helped me appreciate all styles of music and I always enjoyed hearing Seger songs. Randall had most of the track ready for me when I came in to put vocals and fiddle on it, and his ideas and choices made this song even better than I imagined. We played around with arrangements for a fiddle break in the middle, but he was the brain behind the arrangement for sure. I think (and hope) that the youthfulness in my voice and aggressive style of fiddle playing suits this song well, and gives it a nice spin. I am working up a live version with my band so we can put into our shows.” – Carson Peters
Track Credits: Written and published by Bob Seger, Gear Publishing Company Producer – Randall Deaton Engineers – Randall Deaton, Jimmy Nutt Tracked at Lonesome Day Recording Studio, Booneville, KY / The NuttHouse Recording Studio, Muscle Shoals, AL. Mixed at The NuttHouse Recording Studio, Muscle Shoals, AL.
Guitar – Stephen Mougin, Gary Nichols Mandolin – Darrell Webb Banjo – Ned Luberecki Bass – Mike Bub Dobro – Jake Joines Fiddle – Carson Peters Harmony vocals – Sarah Borges
Artist:Kyle McKearney Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Song: “Lonesome” (featuring Trey Hensley) Release Date: April 26, 2024 Label: Kyle McKearney Music
In Their Words: “I’ve been following Trey Hensley for years and have always been a huge fan of his playing, singing, and Southern charm. I got to meet Trey at a gig in Colorado and I was blown away to learn that had been a fan of mine as well. My keyboard player James and I wrote ‘Lonesome’ with Trey in mind, hoping that he’d jump on for a shred on his flattop. I love how this song turned out and am grateful to Trey and team for their contributions. I can’t wait for folks to hear this burning two stepper!” — Kyle McKearney
“I became a huge fan of Kyle McKearney the moment I heard his music several years ago. I became an even bigger fan when I got to meet him and hear him live out in Colorado last year. I knew then that I would love a chance to work on some music with him in the future. I was thrilled when the opportunity arose for me to go up to Alberta and record with Kyle for his new song ‘Lonesome.’ As soon as I heard the song, I immediately knew this was going to be a blast… and sure enough, it was an absolutely incredible experience. Kyle is such a phenomenally talented artist, and I’m beyond honored to be included on ‘Lonesome.’ I can’t wait for y’all to hear it!” — Trey Hensley
Jessie Wilson, “Outlaw”
Artist:Jessie Wilson Hometown: Phenix City, Alabama Song: “Outlaw” Release Date: May 3, 2024 (single)
In Their Words: “‘Outlaw’ depicts a universal feeling – no matter what field you are in or where you’re at in life, almost everyone has felt like they weren’t good enough and wanted to fit into a certain group at some point or another. I wrote this song about Nashville; I’ve often wondered what I need to do to be wanted in this town and the music industry. Is it about dating the right person, or changing my morals – what’s the answer? This song was written from that state of mind. It took a lot of vulnerability for me to admit that there was a time when I would do anything to fit in and gain the love of others, because deep down I was so lonely and lost. It’s typical to want to compare yourself, but you have to steer your mind away from that idea. I’ve since learned that I don’t have to change who I am and that the right people and opportunities will come to me and love me for the person I am.” – Jessie Wilson
Track Credits:
Producer – David Dorn Acoustic & electric guitar – Tim Galloway Bass – Tim Denbo Drums – Matt King B3/Synthesizer – David Dorn BGVs – Kristen Rogers and Caleb Lee Hutchinson Recorded at Farmland Studios. Mixing – Mark Lonsway Mastering – Mayfield Mastering
Will Stewart & The Gold Band, “Real Drag” (Live)
Artist:Will Stewart & The Gold Band Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama Song: “Real Drag” (Live) Album:Will Stewart & The Gold Band Live in Norway Release Date: June 7, 2024 Label: Cornelius Chapel Records
In Their Words: “Ross Parker, my longtime friend and bassist, sent me a rough demo of ‘Real Drag’ last year. I slightly tweaked the arrangement and melody and added a verse and it immediately became a staple in our live set. I get to throw in some jangle on this one, and Janet’s guitar playing compliments that in a nice way. The lyrics sort of speak for themselves, but it’s about a series of unfortunate events after a long night of being out, which seems to be a common theme in a lot of my songs, now that I’m thinking about it. It’s a combination of people and places that we’ve encountered over the years.” – Will Stewart
Track Credits:
Will Stewart – Guitar, vocals Janet Simpson – Guitar, vocals Tyler McGuire – Drums Ross Parker – Bass Recording Engineer – Harvard Soknes Mixed by Brad Timko. Mastered by Alex McCollough.
Jordie Lane, “The Changing Weather”
Artist:Jordie Lane Hometown: Melbourne, Australia (Based in Nashville, Tennessee) Song: “The Changing Weather” Album:Tropical Depression Release Date: May 2, 2024 (single); August 23, 2024 (album) Label: Blood Thinner Records, under exclusive licence to ABC Music/The Orchard
In Their Words: “I had just got back to America after the terrible 2019-20 Australian bushfires when this massive EF-3 Tornado devastated our East Nashville neighborhood. Everything in my mind and body was kind of in shock about this severe weather, being so close to being hit. It scared the sh*t outta me. The song came after thinking about how people often complain about the very things that could and should be seen as a gift. Like the simple act of getting caught in the rain.
“Humans are remarkably good at denying the truth sometimes and covering it up with a bunch of other crap that we pretend is more important. We tend to just wanna get on with our lives, and not think about the scary things inside us, or with this planet we live on. This song is my take of an easy-breezy ’60s song to keep cruising along to, until the moment it’s all too late.” – Jordie Lane
Track Credits: Written by Jordie Lane. Produced by Jordie Lane & Jon Estes.
Video Credits: Director, director of photography, editor – Korby Lenker Aerial photography – Travis Nicholson Producers, production designers – Jordie Lane & Clare Reynolds
Unspoken Tradition, “Georgia In Her Eyes”
Artist:Unspoken Tradition Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina Song: “Georgia In Her Eyes” Release Date: May 3, 2024 Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “‘Georgia In Her Eyes’ is a deeply personal song that I wrote in a fit of inspiration not long after meeting the woman who is now my wife. Looking through the perspective gained from 12 years together, the lyrics are even more meaningful. I’m excited that the guys in the band chose to help bring this song to life.” – Sav Sankaran, bass and songwriter
Track Credits:
Audie McGinnis – Acoustic, vocals Sav Sankaran – Vocals, bass Tim Gardner – Fiddle, vocals Zane McGinnis – Banjo Ty Gilpin – Mandolin
Donovan Woods, “Back For the Funeral”
Artist:Donovan Woods Hometown: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Song: “Back For The Funeral” Album:Things Were Never Good If They’re Not Good Now Release Date: July 12, 2024 Label: End Times Music
In Their Words: “‘Back For The Funeral’ is a story that a lot of us end up experiencing. Big life events – deaths, births, divorces – seem to pull us out of the flow of time somehow. The days around these events can feel like a dream wherein the regular rules of our lives don’t apply. People fall back onto old habits or maybe construct a new temporary-self to shield them from grief or shock. What I like best about this song is that it reflects that dream-like feeling without sacrificing clarity. It feels the way those life-dividing days feel. I wrote it with Lori McKenna and Matt Nathanson. I’m about as proud of it as anything I’ve written. I hope it’s useful to people.” – Donovan Woods
In Their Words: “It sometimes feels like my life is split up into eras – periods of a year or two that, upon looking back, have a distinct, overarching feeling. As I get older I’ve started to recognize when I’m on the edge of one era, moving into the next one, and I begin to get a sense of the overall color of my recent life. I had that feeling as spring moved into summer last year and wanted to document it in a song. It recounts moments in the Colorado wilderness, misadventures in love, and my abiding wish to be Sam Bush in the 1980’s.” – Jack Dunlevie, mandolin and songwriter
(Editor’s Note: Over the next few weeks, Colorado-based bluegrass band Meadow Mountain will premiere a series of four exclusive, live performance videos of newly releasing tracks. Watch each installment of their SkyTheory Sessions on Thursdays each week for the next four weeks right here, on BGS.)
In Their Words: “It sometimes feels like my life is split up into eras – periods of a year or two that, upon looking back, have a distinct, overarching feeling. As I get older I’ve started to recognize when I’m on the edge of one era, moving into the next one, and I begin to get a sense of the overall color of my recent life. I had that feeling as spring moved into summer last year and wanted to document it in a song. It recounts moments in the Colorado wilderness, misadventures in love, and my abiding wish to be Sam Bush in the 1980’s.” – Jack Dunlevie, mandolin and songwriter
Track Credits: Written by Jack Dunlevie.
Photo Credit:Video still by Erik Fellenstein
Video Credits: Videography – Erik Fellenstein Lighting – Payden Widner Mixing – Vermillion Road Studio
You’ve reached the end of the week and we’ve got your soundtrack to take you into your weekend! This Friday, we’re showcasing premieres from indie folk singer-songwriter Malena Cadiz, from our old friends the Barefoot Movement, and Steven Keene gives a Woody Guthrie classic a new spin. Plus, Norwegian-via-Louisiana country artist Rainy Eyes takes us on a road trip down the “Lonesome Highway” and Darin & Brooke Aldridge bring a new lyric video for “Same Ole New Love.”
Don’t miss the conclusion of our Rootsy Summer Sessions series, too, featuring roots duo Violet Bell and special guest Emily Scott Robinson. Scroll for more, because You Gotta Hear This!
Malena Cadiz, “Getting By”
Artist:Malena Cadiz Hometown: Los Angeles, California Song: “Getting By” Album:Hellbent & Moonbound Release Date: October 20, 2023
In Their Words: “I think of ‘Getting By’ as a love song for the long haul, appreciating that the highs and lows of life that are all part of the beautiful, messy ride. Getting to move through them with the person I love is something I’m really grateful for. My producer, Andrew Lappin, suggested we bring in Lara Somogyi to play harp on the recording. In the live video, Tyler Cash & Jason Abraham Roberts reinterpret that part on keys and guitar. I love how it elevates and brings magic to the unglamorous, scrappy stories of day to day life – lying on the linoleum floor of my kitchen after a long waitressing shift, buying fancy foods with EBT, getting bit by a chihuahua, voicing the feeling that ‘this isn’t where I thought I’d be.’ This whole record is really about that – learning to let go of the expectations we’ve internalized around what and where we “should” be and instead embrace our own paths and our own unique journeys.” – Malena Cadiz
Track Credits:
Lead vocals – Malena Cadiz Bass – Aaron Stern Electric guitar – Jason Abraham Roberts Vocals – Leeann Skoda Drums – Sam Kauffman-Skloff Keys – Tyler Cash
Producer, Music Director, Mixer – Andrew Lappin Engineer – Brittney Orinda Assistant Engineer – Ian Fogarty
Video Credits:Director & Videographer – Audrey McGee Assistant Camera – Haden Cadiz Editors – Thaddeus Ruzicka, Casey Jones, Audrey McGee Hair & Makeup – Bethany Johnson
The Barefoot Movement, “Sarah Jane”
Artist:The Barefoot Movement Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina Song: “Sarah Jane” Album:Let It Out Release Date: April 19, 2024 Label: Box Monkey Studios
In Their Words:“One of the last times I saw my great grandmother, I took her out of the nursing home to treat her to a manicure. I started rubbing her back while the technician was working on her nails and it must have felt really good, because she uttered this exclamation I’d never heard before: ‘Jump back Sarah Jane!’ The next time I saw her a few months later, she had had a stroke, she didn’t recognize me, and she died soon thereafter, so the Sarah Jane moment was one of my last memories of our time together.
“To some, she lived a rather ordinary, unremarkable life, but to us she was everything. She had an alcoholic husband, who died from complications of a car accident, leaving her to raise their three boys on her own. She worked at the cotton mill in Roxboro, North Carolina her whole life, until she retired. She loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren fiercely, and she made sure we knew it. She also made legendary biscuits from scratch.
“After she died, I was thinking about the life she lived and the phrase ‘Jump back Sarah Jane’ kept coming back to me. I wondered what it would have been like to raise kids through such tumultuous times in the 1940s, when it probably felt like the world was ending. This song is me imagining what a day in the life would have been like from her point of view, navigating a sense of impending doom while knowing that priority number one had to be showing up for her family. She did it well. And there were always biscuits on the table.” – Noah Wall
Video Credit: Workshop Media
Darin & Brooke Aldridge, “Same Ole New Love”
Artist:Darin & Brooke Aldridge Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina Song: “Same Ole New Love” Album:Talk of the Town Release Date: April 19, 2024 Label: Billy Blue Records
In Their Words:“‘Same Ole New Love’ is an original tune co-written with our good friend Dennis Duff. Dennis brought the idea for this song to the table based on the long standing relationship and bond that he’s always shared with his wife after he noticed the same kind of love between Brooke and I. Through all the ups and downs in life, time and time again, love will always conquer and keep coming back around to that same ole love.” – Darin Aldridge
Track Credits: Brooke Aldridge – Vocal Darin Aldridge – Vocal, mandolin, guitar Mark Fain – Acoustic bass Cody Kilby – Rhythm guitar Jacob Metz – Dobro Samantha Snyder – Fiddle Lynn Williams – Percussion
Artist:Steven Keene Hometown: New York City, New York Song: This World Is Your World Release Date: April 19, 2024
In Their Words: “As one of the first, if not the first true Americana protest songs ever written, Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land Is Your Land’ was a landmark song that defined Woody and the genre of folk protest music as a whole. It was all about opening the public mind to what was going on in America at the time from a social and economic perspective. Instead of just talking about how great our country is, it was a call to talk about how divided this nation was with its walls of social division and exploitative economic practices.
“The idea behind ‘This World Is Your World’ was to take that important message and relate it within the context of the modern globalized world and to what we are going through right now as a universal society. In many ways, the world is smaller than it was 50 years ago, so I think it’s a song that has so much importance and relevance to what’s going on in the world today, from the threat of international conflict to the need to collectively address global environmental concerns.
“I’m very thankful to the Guthrie family for allowing me to change up some of the words and music and for granting me a co-write with Woody.” – Steven Keene
Rainy Eyes, “Lonesome Highway”
Artist:Rainy Eyes Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana Song: “Lonesome Highway” Album:Lonesome Highway Release Date: July 12, 2024 Label: Royal Potato Family
In Their Words:“‘Lonesome Highway’ was written over the course of several years, and came about as an attempt to write a short movie in song form. Drawing loosely on inspiration from the personal experience of having to sever ties with toxic family members, and knowing that you can’t always help the people you love. Change has to come from within and sometimes you just have to take that lonesome highway and trust that if you take the leap of faith into the unknown, the universe will catch you.” – Rainy Eyes
Track Credits:
Irena Eide – Vocals, acoustic guitar Dirk Powell – Violin, electric guitar, wurlitzer, accordion Bill Smith – Drums Gina Leslie – Background vocals
Video Credits: Honest Art – Production Syd Horn – Director Olivia Light – Camera Emily Istre – Makeup, hair & stylist Rainey Credeur – Makeup & hair
Rootsy Summer Sessions: Violet Bell
After seven gorgeous and lovely Rootsy Summer Sessions, we’ve reached the final installment of this series with two songs featuring Americana string duo Violet Bell. Shot overlooking the waters of the Kattegat, a bay on the North Sea, you may recognize the golden hour location from our earlier session with Emily Scott Robinson, who makes an appearance with Violet Bell after the North Carolina-rooted band appeared as guests in Robinson’s performances, as well.
Last summer, during Rootsy Summer Fest ’23, the videography team from I Know We Should captured this series of eight sessions in Falkenberg, Sweden featuring more than a dozen performers and nearly twenty individual tracks from Americana, country, and folk artists from across the genre spectrum and from both “sides” of the Atlantic.
Completing the series, Violet Bell – Lizzy Ross and Omar Ruiz-Lopez – first perform “Fisherman’s Daughter,” a fantastic story song from their critically acclaimed 2022 album, Shapeshifter.
This week, banjoist and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding member John McEuen kicks off our You Gotta Hear This round up with a track from his brand new album, The Newsman: A Man of Record. Check out his adaptation of a Robert Service poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” below.
Plus, we’ve got track premieres from gritty country outfit Tylor & the Train Robbers, from Claire Lynch singing Tom Paxton for an upcoming album, Bluegrass Sings Paxton, from the Stetson Family contemplating mortality, and from the Onlies a rendering of a classic old-time ballad.
Don’t miss our video premiere from Max McNown, too, which posted to BGS just yesterday. It’s all right here and, if we do say so ourselves, You Gotta Hear This!
John McEuen, “The Cremation of Sam McGee”
Artist:John McEuen Hometown: Oakland, California Song: “The Cremation of Sam McGee” Album:The Newsman: A Man of Record Release Date: April 12, 2024 Label: Compass Records
In Their Words: “Using sound effects, music I composed, and some ‘recording tricks’ with instruments, I concocted the back up for one of my favorite poems, ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee.’ My (late) older sister would sometimes tell her 8-10 year old brother, me, this favorite Robert Service poem from 1906, captivating me with the story of a place unknown. I later found it in my high school English book and fell in love with it again. It takes me away to that strange time in these miners’ lives, and while starting kind of morose, manages (in my opinion, anyway) to reach a ‘happy ending’ with Sam finally getting warm! Trying to make the ‘definitive’ version of this classic was a challenge. It is one of my best ‘works.’ I am hoping each time a listeners hears it they will hear something different show up in the mix, as I planned it to be ‘with surprises’ like that.” – John McEuen
Claire Lynch, “I Give You The Morning” (by Tom Paxton)
Artist:Claire Lynch from Bluegrass Sings Paxton Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Song: “I Give You The Morning” Album:Bluegrass Sings Paxton Release Date: April 12, 2024 (Single) Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “Claire Lynch has one of the most recognizable and expressive voices in bluegrass. We knew we wanted to have that voice on the album and her choice of ‘I Give You The Morning’ was a great call — it’s got an old-fashioned ballad construction, a deliciously unusual yet natural rhythm to the first lines in each verse, a captivating melodic rise in the refrain, and an evocative lyric. And, the band has just the right balance of strength and delicacy to complement those same qualities in her approach. It’s a performance that brings out so many aspects of what makes Tom Paxton’s songs so memorable, and I can’t think of a better way to introduce this project to listeners!” – Jon Weisberger, co-producer
“Since the early 1960s, when bluegrass and the emergent folk revival first crossed paths, arguably no songwriter from the latter world has seen more of their songs adopted by the former than Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Tom Paxton. From early covers of his epochal ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’ by Bluegrass Hall of Famers, The Dillards and the Kentucky Colonels, to regular performances of ‘Leaving London’ by IBMA Entertainer of the Year Billy Strings, to Ashby Frank’s version of ‘Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound,’ which landed a place among the 30 most-played tracks on bluegrass radio in 2023, Paxton’s creative visions have echoed in bluegrass studios, on bluegrass stages and in bluegrass jam sessions for generations.
“Now a broad-ranging group of artists in and around bluegrass are paying explicit tribute to this vital legacy in a new Mountain Home Music Company collection — Bluegrass Sings Paxton — that places these classic songs alongside less familiar, but no less finely crafted material from the Tom Paxton songbook, including new songs written especially for the project.” – Mountain Home Music Company
Track Credits: Claire Lynch – Lead vocal Darren Nicholson – Mandolin, octave mandolin Deanie Richardson – Fiddle Chris Jones – Acoustic guitar Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo Nelson Williams – Upright bass
Tylor & the Train Robbers, “Workin Hands”
Artist:Tylor & the Train Robbers Hometown: Boise, Idaho Song: “Workin Hands” Album:Hum of the Road Release Date: April 12, 2024 (single); May 3, 2024 (album)
In Their Words: “I wrote this one around a guitar riff I had been playing with for a while. The riff is busy, but something about it stuck in my head and I decided to write a song to match it. I wanted to keep the intensity of that guitar part and extend to every instrument in the band, pushing us all musically. Everyone in the band worked to find the right parts that brought it all together. The vibe is inspired by bands like Barefoot Jerry and the Amazing Rhythm Aces, it’s unpredictable and keeps you on your toes. It’s definitely not a song I would ask someone to sit in with us on unless they came prepared, but it’s become a favorite for us to play live. I think it really showcases the musicianship of everyone in the band.” — Tylor Ketchum
Track Credits:
Tylor Ketchum – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar Jason Bushman – Bass Guitar and Harmony Vocals Tommy Bushman – Drums and Harmony Vocals Rider Soran – Lap Steal Guitar Johnny Pisano – Electric Guitar Cody Braun – Hand Claps and percussion Katy Braun – Hand Claps Jonathan Tyler – Hand Claps and percussion
Recorded at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas. Producer – Cody Braun Engineer – Adam Odor Mixed by Jonathan Tyler. Mastered by Adam Odor.
The Stetson Family, “Make Me Ashes”
Artist:The Stetson Family Hometown: Melbourne, Australia Song: “Make Me Ashes” Album:The Stars, If You Look Closely Release Date: April 19, 2024
In Their Words: “‘When it’s time to meet my maker, come the fire or the hole…’ – the words ‘fire or the hole’ come from a conversation I had with a woman who was the owner of a Vietnamese restaurant in Melbourne where my family and I went every Wednesday night for many years. When my mum passed away, Lisa, the lovely Vietnamese owner, asked me in broken English, ‘Does your mum have the fire or the hole?’ Meaning, ‘Will she be cremated or buried?’ I loved her humble way of asking, it was so heartfelt. It got me thinking about when it’s my time, will I have the fire or the hole? This song lets people know I’ve chosen the fire.” – Nadine Budge
Track Credits: Nadine Budge – Writer, lead vocal, rhythm guitar, resonator guitar John Bartholomeusz – guitar, harmonies Colin Swan – banjo, harmonies Greg Field – fiddle, mandolin, harmonies Luke Richardson – double bass, harmonies
The Onlies, “Matty Groves”
Artist:The Onlies Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee; Durham, North Carolina; Whitesburg, Kentucky Song: “Matty Groves” Release Date: April 12, 2024
In Their Words: “A couple years ago, our friend Sonya Badigian sent a recording of Doc Watson playing this song and recommended we learn it as a band. Before going into the studio, Leo spent many weeks singing the long, epic poem which tells the story of Matty Groves stealing Lord Daniel’s wife and the dramatic duel that later ensues. This story dates back to 17th century Northern England, closely related to Child ballad #81, ‘Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard.’ When we got together to work up an arrangement, a driving fiddle melody emerged to accompany the lyrics. We recorded it late at night in a small studio in Eunice, Louisiana, with the help of incredible engineer Joel Savoy and the unmistakable bass groove of Nokosee Fields.” – Sami Braman
Track Credits: Leo Shannon – lead vocal and guitar Vivian Leva – harmony vocal and guitar Sami Braman – fiddle Riley Calcagno – banjo Nokosee Fields – bass
Max McNown, “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering”
Artist:Max McNown Hometown: Bend, Oregon Song: “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering” Album:Wandering Release Date: April 12, 2024 Label: Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard
In Their Words: “‘Worry ‘Bout My Wandering’ was probably the most difficult song for me to write as it’s so personal. It came from being far away from my family and thinking about my mom and wondering how she feels about my life and the direction it’s taken. Shooting the video in my beautiful home state of Oregon was very important to me… I just always want to make my family and hometown proud.” – Max McNown
Artist:Max McNown Hometown: Bend, Oregon Song: “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering” Album:Wandering Release Date: April 12, 2024 Label: Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard
In Their Words: “‘Worry ‘Bout My Wandering’ was probably the most difficult song for me to write as it’s so personal. It came from being far away from my family and thinking about my mom and wondering how she feels about my life and the direction it’s taken. Shooting the video in my beautiful home state of Oregon was very important to me… I just always want to make my family and hometown proud.” – Max McNown
Track Credits:
Produced by AJ Pruis. Recorded by AJ Pruis at The Chambers, Thompson’s Station, TN. Editing by AJ Pruis. Programming & Arrangement by AJ Pruis. Mixed by John Nathaniel. Mastered by Sam Moses.
AJ Pruis – Bass Drew Belk – Guitars, pedal steel, Dobro Mike Walker – BGVs
In the words of Chris Stapleton, “What are you listening to?” This week, our premiere round up is full of music we’re very excited to bring to your speakers and earphones.
Below, check out new videos from Ana Egge, Ordinary Elephant, and our brand new Rootsy Summer Session featuring Jim Lauderdale performing at a cute music shop in Falkenberg, Sweden. Plus, we’ve got new tracks from Jaelee Roberts, Parker Smith, Wyndham Baird, and Will Kimbrough. To top it all off, Phillip Lammonds performs “Forever Ain’t That Far Away” with his pal, the legendary Pam Tillis.
There’s so much to enjoy in our latest premiere round up, and if we do say so ourselves – You Gotta Hear This!
Ana Egge, “Door Won’t Close”
Artist:Ana Egge Hometown: Ambrose, North Dakota Song: “Door Won’t Close” Album:Sharing in the Spirit Release Date: May 17, 2024 Label: StorySound Records
In Their Words:“‘Door Won’t Close’ is about confronting an abusive person. One of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. I stood up to him on behalf of my sister and nephew. I opened the door to what he’d done by telling the truth and not allowing myself to be shut down by fear. Then I left the door open by telling his wife and friends about it. The song is mostly in conversation with his wife — her denial of his abuse and her support of him.” – Ana Egge
Track Credits:
Ana Egge – Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmony vocals Michael “Squeaky” Robinson – Pedal steel Alex Hargreaves – Fiddle Rob Heath – Drums Lorenzo Wolff – Bass Devon Yesberger – Organ, Wurlitzer
Video Credits: Directed, filmed and edited by Haoyan of America. Special thanks Alden Harris-McCoy and Cole-Berry Miller.
Jaelee Roberts, “Stuck In The Middle With You”
Artist:Jaelee Roberts Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Song: “Stuck In The Middle With You” Release Date: April 5, 2024 Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ is a song that I have loved for a really long time and I’ve been keeping it in mind to record, because I felt like it would be so much fun to cover. Of course I love the original version by Stealers Wheel (written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan), but when I was pretty young I found Keith Urban’s version from the ’90s with his band, The Ranch, and I was really hooked on it. I have literally listened to it hundreds of times and it never gets old. I love all genres of music and I recorded a ’70s rock song (“Landslide”) on my debut album and people really seemed to enjoy it, so I wanted to include a song from that era on my new album, too. I knew ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ was the one. I’m excited that it just happens to be the first single!
“I have to say that I am absolutely thrilled with how this song turned out with the help of my producer and bass player, Byron House, and all of the other STELLAR musicians: Ron Block on banjo/guitar, Cody Kilby on guitar, Andy Leftwich on mandolin, Russ Pahl on dobro, and John Gardner on percussion along with backing vocals by John Cowan.
“It was truly amazing to hear this come to life and I really think we made it our own by combining two awesome versions and throwing in a twist or two for a new take on ‘Stuck In The Middle With You.’ I hope it makes you smile and maybe even want to get up and dance!” – Jaelee Roberts
“Jaelee’s voice is THE GOLDEN THREAD shining so brightly in what feels to me like a well-woven tapestry of mighty fine playing, all supported by this classic groove. Her version of ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ was every bit as fun to play and produce as I hope it will be for you to hear! So grateful to be working with Jaelee Roberts!” – Byron House, producer
Parker Smith, “Air Stream”
Artist:Parker Smith Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Song: “Air Stream” Album:Short Street Release Date: June 7, 2024
In Their Words: “My brother and I drove up to Unicoi State Park with his two kids, a couple of cots, one tent, and not enough warm clothing. We debated not making the trek, because the weather was supposed to dip below freezing, but we didn’t want to disappoint his kids, who were looking forward to it. When we rolled up to the campsite, our neighbors, an elderly couple, were sitting outside in a couple of crazy creek chairs with their dog in front of an Airstream.
“I’ve always wanted an Airstream camper, and I am big into double meanings to a fault when it comes to song lyrics; ‘Air Stream’ also refers to the cold snap we were experiencing in North Georgia. We said maybe two words to the couple, but it was so interesting how we interacted with neighbors pretty much the same at home and on vacation. We overheard them bickering with each other and then making up at the end of the night. It was also interesting to see how they had everything figured out with some warm shelter and supplies, and we were out here roughing it with two young kids in a cold tent. We ended up having a great time outdoors, swinging on hammocks and making a fire, but the kids were complaining and shivering in the middle of the night, and we ended up leaving at 5 a.m. to head home.
“My favorite line in the song is ‘growing cold together, blaming it on the weather’ in the last verse. This line can be interpreted in several ways, and I liked substituting ‘cold’ for ‘old.’ This verse is when the song gets quiet, and the vocals are upfront before all the instruments tumble back in for the last chorus. Sonically, the song has a floating quality, especially with the sound of the pedal steel and the faraway fiddle solo. I wanted a simple chorus that people could sing along around a campfire, and my producer Colin had a great idea for me to overdub my vocals an octave apart to give it that vibe. ‘Air Stream’ has been a fun one to play live.” – Parker Smith
Track Credits:
Parker Smith – Guitars, vocals Trygve Myers – Bass Christopher Case – Keyboards John Kingsley – Pedal steel, lap steel, fiddle, slide guitar Colin Agnew – Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Mixing & production – Colin Agnew Mastering – Bob Weston, Chicago Mastering Service
Wyndham Baird, “Meet Me By the Moonlight, Alone”
Artist:Wyndham Baird Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Song: “Meet Me By the Moonlight, Alone” Album:After the Morning Release Date: May 31, 2024 Label: Jalopy Records
In Their Words: “I learned ‘Meet Me By The Moonlight’ from The Carter Family when I was about 20 years old. When I first heard The Carter Family it felt like I was listening some long lost relatives. They sounded like they had been my great grandmother’s neighbors. Taking up Maybelle’s picking style set me free from the doldrums of riffing. Her playing taught me how to make the guitar sound good enough all by itself. That being said, Eli Smith’s autoharp lends our recording of ‘Moonlight’ some rocking chair rhythm and Samoa Wilson’s harmony vocal sounds somehow like a roll top bread box.” – Wyndham Baird
Will Kimbrough, “Every Day”
Artist:Will Kimbrough Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Every Day” Album:For the Life of Me Release Date: April 5, 2024 (single); May 3, 2024 (album) Label: Daphne Records, Soundly Music
In Their Words: “David Henry and I wrote ‘Every Day’ trying to create something carefree and joyful. We pulled it off! I needed it then and we need it now. Favorite lyric: ‘Singing in the sunshine. Laughing in the pouring rain. Gonna have a good time. Everybody it’s a sunshine day.'” – Will Kimbrough
Track Credits:
Bryan Owings – Drums Chris Donohue – Bass Will Kimbrough – Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Ordinary Elephant, “I See You”
Artist:Ordinary Elephant Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana Song: “I See You” Album:Ordinary Elephant Release Date: May 3, 2024 Label: Berkalin Records
In Their Words: “We can talk to anyone in a song. Time, space, beliefs, viewpoints — none of those can keep the ‘I’ from having a conversation with the ‘you.’ The ‘you’ can be Gandhi, a grocery store clerk, the President, or your dog. It can also be yourself, perhaps at some future point in time.
“I started this song a few months into my journey with sobriety. Because there were things I couldn’t escape from seeing about myself. And there were, and are, so many things I don’t yet know, or know how to figure out, but there’s a sense of what I want this unraveling to look like when it’s sewn back together.
“Being in the moment and accepting who and where we are is valuable, and I believe that getting better at this is a practice that can hold a lot of happiness. But it also seems that if we don’t look ahead and think of a future self, it can be difficult to grow in ways that feel meaningful. So this is a talk with that future self, letting her know that I see her.” – Crystal Damore
Video Credits: Directed & edited by Syd Horn & Olivia Perillo. Cinematography & color by Olivia Perillo. Honest Art Productions, Lafayette, Louisiana.
Phillip Lammonds, “Forever Ain’t That Far Away”
Artist:Phillip Lammonds Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Forever Ain’t That Far Away” Album:Cowboy Things Release Date: April 5, 2024 Label: Freestone Records
In Their Words: “It’s a song that I wrote with Matt Wynne – a great singer-songwriter from Missouri and just a great guy. We were co-writing one day and we didn’t really have anything. We were working around in the writers room and he said, ‘You know, the afternoon is not that far away,’ and I said, ‘Wait a minute…’ and we backed into this title, ‘Forever Ain’t That Far Away.’ It’s turned into one of the coolest songs. One of the greatest things about this song is that on the record, Pam Tillis sings the background vocals on it. There is no question you can hear her. She is amazing, and she’s still the same star she’s ever been.” – Phillip Lammonds
Track Credits: Written by Phillip Lammonds & Matt Wynne. Produced by Lee Brice. Co-Production by Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein, Phillip Lammonds. Engineered & Mixed by Cody Labelle, Gabriel Klein, Gideon Klein.
Video Credit: Brooke Stevens
Rootsy Summer Sessions: Jim Lauderdale
This week, we bring you a brand-new installment of our Rootsy Summer Sessions, which were shot last year in gorgeous Falkenberg, Sweden, during Rootsy Summer Fest ’23. The videography team behind I Know We Should set aside time during the summertime roots music festival with Nashville renaissance man, Americana magnate, and hit songwriter Jim Lauderdale while on his trip to Scandinavia.
For his first performance, he performs “The Road Is a River,” a song from his 2018 album, Time Flies, in an adorable local music store, Liljedahls Musik. Joined by his band, including recording artist and fiddler Lillie Mae, guitarists Craig Smith and Frank Carter Rische, Jay D. Weaver on bass, and Dave Racine on drums, they cheerfully lope through the darker tinges of the song, harmonizing in three parts on the track’s foreboding and certainly apocalyptic lyrics. “The Road Is a River” demonstrates the ease with which Lauderdale combines styles, textures, and sonics with his deep understanding of history and a literary reckoning with the machinations of the earth – natural and unnatural.
Photo Credit: Ana Egge by Lorenzo Wolf; Jaelee Roberts by Eric Ahlgrim.
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