Videos Archive - The Bluegrass Situation

Rootsy Summer Sessions: Judy Blank

While much of the U.S. – and really, much of the Northern Hemisphere – has been plunged into the frigid throes of winter, let’s stroll back to balmy summer and to Falkenberg, Sweden. During Rootsy Summer Fest ’24 our videographer friends at I Know We Should were once again on hand to capture a few special live performances of artists and musicians from the festival lineup. Earlier this year, we featured an entire series of sessions from Rootsy Summer Fest ’23 (view those videos here), so we’re especially pleased to bring you these special encore performances captured this August.

For our latest session, we’re excited to introduce our BGS audience to indie-folk artist Judy Blank. Born and raised in the Netherlands – though now based in Nashville, Tennessee – Blank has her own sort of transatlantic style, combining textures and tones from Music City, Los Angeles, Europe, and beyond. Pop sensibilities combine with a raw earthiness that feels authentic and grounded, while simultaneously polished and highly conceptualized.

Her first number, “Karaoke,” is warm and charming in this solo context, accompanied solely by her well-loved and broken-in Gibson acoustic guitar. The original song is pulled from Blank’s 2022 EP, Saddies, where the production is something of a broken dreamscape dressed in acoustic alt-pop and lush, layered vocals. The song still shines in this stripped down, solo setting – especially with the beautiful Falkenberg riverside as a background.

Blank continues with her second selection, “No, Thank You,” which she introduces slightly mischeviously: “I wrote this song when I first came to turns with my mortality…” If that intro doesn’t hook you, the first lyric will.

I’m not going to die tonight/ If that’s alright?
I’ll just stay alive/ That would be better…

Still, the song isn’t gratuitous or morose, a deft balancing act by the singer-songwriter. Whether the song’s speaker is addressing herself, another, or the Grim Reaper in their flowing cloak, the message here is striking and resonant.

It’s been a number of years since Blank’s most recent EP or full-length releases, and “No, Thank You” appears as yet unrecorded, so hopefully this is an indicator of new music coming from the artist soon. It’s certain her songs and lyrics will stick with listeners, echoing with an aftertaste of the mortality she addresses in the song. As she questions, “Who’s to say I’m not allowed to live forever?”

(Editor’s Note: Explore more of our Rootsy Summer Sessions and our nearly endless supply of live performances here.)

Video Credit: Brad Wagner, I Know We Should

The Good Country Goodtime: Robbie Fulks, “I Just Lived a Country Song”

On September 27, Good Country and BGS debuted our brand new variety show, the Good Country Goodtime, at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. The inaugural show, hosted by country and bluegrass singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks, featured comedy, country, and performances by musicians Victoria Bailey and Aubrie Sellers, comedian and actor Kurt Braunohler, and our all-star Goodtime house band led by the Coral Reefers’ Mick Utley.

Dynasty Typewriter is one of LA’s premier spaces for comedy, music, podcasts, improv, and so much more. The very first Good Country Goodtime was captured by the venue’s state-of-the-art cameras and we’re so excited to begin sharing exclusive sessions pulled from our debut edition of the show with our readers and fans. To kick off the new series, we’re highlighting our impeccable host for the evening, Robbie Fulks.

For one of his several selections during the variety show, Fulks performed “I Just Lived a Country Song,” a sardonic and self-referential western-flavored tune all about the hilarious and lonesome ups-and-downs of a life lived within country tropes. The original number trots along, propelled by the first-rate pickers in our Goodtime band, while it follows the rise and fall of a perhaps fictional country star.

It’s a perfect representation of Fulks’ dry, hilarious style – which fit in perfectly to our vision for the brand new Good Country Goodtime. Comedy and country have always gone hand-in-hand and this tradition is safe in good hands with multi-hyphenate musicians like Fulks. Between his deadpan one liners, delightfully sarcastic line reads, and heartfelt renditions of originals and covers alike – including a show-stopping acoustic homage to Kris Kristofferson, who had recently passed – Fulks epitomized the kind of fun-filled, country community-centered evenings we hope to host regularly at Dynasty Typewriter in 2025.

Enjoy Fulks’ performance of “I Just Lived a Country Song” and stay tuned for more songs and silliness from our very first Good Country Goodtime coming to you soon right here on BGS and Good Country.

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Tønder Sessions: Jon Muq

Earlier this year, during the waning days of summer, our videographer friends at I Know We Should traveled to Denmark to capture a handful of special sessions with Americana and roots artists performing at Scandinavian music festivals. For our next installment in this mini-series, we’re excited to feature singer-songwriter Jon Muq performing during his time at premier Danish music event, Tønder Festival.

Born and raised in Uganda, Jon Muq has made waves since relocating to Austin, Texas and leaving his mark on the American roots music scene. Earlier this year he released his debut full-length album, Flying Away, on Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound. That’s the project from which Muq’s first selection is pulled. On a waterside boardwalk with a marshy backdrop, Muq offers “Bend,” a song about resiliency, flexibility, and connection.

“So come on, come on, don’t let me love you,” Muq sings, plaintively, to a loping acoustic guitar rhythm. “You’ll come on, you’re strong enough to bend…” He offers his own take on a not-so-uncommon lyrical hook, breathing freshness into it and bringing his own perspective to the idea that strength isn’t unflinching or stoic, it’s flexible and responsive.

For his second number, Muq performs “Hello Sunshine,” another track from Flying Away – one just perfect for August in Denmark. “Hello, hello sunshine/ Goodbye rainy days,” he begins, foregrounding the hopeful message in the song’s text. His message of encouragement and perseverance is more than apropos to carry with us into wintertime and our uncertain future. (Whether facing a Scandinavian-level winter or one a bit more balmy.)

These two tracks begin to illustrate the depth and breadth of Muq’s style, even in this simple and unadorned context. With just one album to his name at this early point in his international career, there’s certainly so much more great music to come from this singular roots artist.

Want to learn more about Jon Muq? Check out our 5+5 interview from earlier this year here.

Rootsy Summer Sessions: Katie Pruitt

Earlier this year, we partnered with our friends at I Know We Should to share a set of gorgeous sessions captured during their time at Rootsy Summer Fest in Falkenberg, Sweden in 2023. We’re very excited to once again partner to bring you a handful of special encore performances, shot at 2024’s edition of the event by videographer Brad Wagner. (See more from the full series here.)

So that’s how we find ourselves returning to the banks of the Ätran, the picturesque river that winds its way through historic Falkenberg to the North Sea, where Americana singer-songwriter Katie Pruitt first performs “If I Call You Mine,” with a beautiful August golden hour backdrop. A few passersby linger on the sidewalk, enjoying the surprise-to-them rendition.

“If I Call You Mine” is new, or as yet unreleased, and begins with a tender and longing guitar melody, giving way to a lyric that’s as grounded as it is winsome – or perhaps, pining. “This [song] is about that kind of nervous phase of a new relationship, being able to trust someone again after being heartbroken,” Pruitt explained, when introducing the song before performing it at Tønder Festival in Denmark on the same trip. You can hear the tension and hesitation in the words, the fear of losing – or of accepting – love.

“Is it all gonna change?/ If I call you mine…” she sings, turning around the chorus with that delicious picked hook once again.

For her second selection, Pruitt offers an acoustic take on “Leading Actress,” a track from her critically-acclaimed 2024 album, Mantras – we featured the album in a Cover Story interview in the spring. The song carries a similar theme of longing to “If I Call You Mine,” each number the perfect bookend to the other. The song’s speaker, whether Pruitt or a character, finds themselves orbiting another, or the space left behind by their absence.

“I’m sleeping in the middle of the mattress/ Thinking about changing up my address/ Somehow you’re still the leading actress/ In the movie of my life.”

(Editor’s Note: Explore more of our Rootsy Summer Sessions and our nearly endless supply of live video performances here.)

Video Credit: Brad Wagner, I Know We Should

AEA Sessions: Zach Meadows, Live at AmericanaFest 2024

Editor’s Note: Over the last few weeks, BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics to share special live sessions shot during AmericanaFest at Bell Tone Recording in Nashville, Tennessee. The series features a variety of performers and Americana artists, a small selection of which have premiered weekly here on BGS. While today’s session is our last installment, you can see more videos from the series here. And, see the full set of sessions on YouTube via AEA Ribbon Mics.

Artist: Zach Meadows
Hometown: From Orlando, Florida; currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee
Songs: “Three White Crosses,” “Cardinal Song,” “Marianne,” “Texas Two Step”

In Their Words: “Since moving to Nashville, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some incredibly talented folks. Having just put out my debut record, Road to Nowhere, getting the chance to share some of my journey through music with AEA and play a bit of the album live with Brandon Bell in the room, who was absolutely so instrumental in helping to bring this record to life, was truly a one-of-a-kind experience.” – Zach Meadows

“Brandon Bell had worked on Zach’s album and recommended him for this session. I looked Zach up online and couldn’t find much info about him. This was our last session that day and the sun was setting and starting to throw some weird shadows in the room (you can see them in the video). We mostly wanted to get through it and go to dinner. Then Zach started performing and it was like time stood still. His authenticity and talent left us all speechless.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, please contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com. See the full series of AEA Sessions shot live during AmericanaFest by subscribing to AEA Ribbon Mics on YouTube.

Video Credits:
Audio – Brandon Bell
Audio Assistant – Annie Petrik
Video – Michael Perlmutter
Host – Julie Tan
Filmed at Bell Tone Recording, Nashville.

AEA Sessions: Tony Arata, Live at AmericanaFest 2024

Editor’s Note: BGS is excited to partner with AEA Ribbon Mics to share special live sessions shot during AmericanaFest at Bell Tone Recording in Nashville, Tennessee. The series will feature a variety of performers and Americana artists, a small selection of which will premiere weekly here on BGS. See more videos from the series here.

Artist: Tony Arata
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Songs: “When I Remember You,” “Here I Am,” “The Dance,” “Getting Older”

In Their Words: “My hometown is Savannah, Georgia, but I grew up on nearby Tybee Island, which I always claim as my hometown. Jaymi and I have been in Nashville since 1986.

“The shoot was done in one of my favorite places I’ve ever worked – Bell Tone Studios in Berry Hill (Nashville, Tennessee), and could not have been easier nor more relaxed. I know I met you, Julie, for the first time that day, but you made me feel like an old friend. And though I’m not a gear-head, the mics were super cool! Thank you for making and representing great stuff. And I love Roger Nichols, my only hope is that he never realizes how talented he is, because he might be hard to live with! He is a truly brilliant musician/engineer/producer/human.” – Tony Arata

“Tony Arata is so revered in Nashville, not only because he is songwriting royalty, but because he’s still a regular at the Bluebird Cafe and continues to mentor and bring up the next generation of songwriters.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics other gear, please contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com. See the full series of AEA Sessions shot live during AmericanaFest by subscribing to AEA Ribbon Mics on YouTube.

Video Credits:
Recorded by Roger Alan Nichols.
Mixed by Brandon Bell.
Audio Assistant – Annie Petrik
Video – Michael Perlmutter
Host – Julie Tan
Filmed at Bell Tone Recording, Nashville.

AEA Sessions: Kim Richey, Live at AmericanaFest 2024

Artist: Kim Richey
Hometown: Zanesville, Ohio
Songs: “Chapel Avenue,” “Angels’ Share,” “The Absence Of Your Company,” “Take The Cake”

In Their Words: “I really enjoyed working with the gang at [AEA] Ribbon Mics. The mics are great and the folks are wonderful to work with.” – Kim Richey

“Kim is a treasure. Every song is like a masterclass in songwriting and her voice invites you right into tableaus her songs create.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits:
Audio – Brandon Bell
Audio Assistant – Annie Petrik
Video – Michael Perlmutter
Host – Julie Tan
Filmed at Bell Tone Recording, Nashville.

AEA Sessions: Gabe Lee, Live at AmericanaFest 2024

Artist: Gabe Lee
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Songs: “Drink The River,” “Alright Ok,” “Beverly,” and “Eveline” featuring Lucciana Costa and Rachel Coats of King Margo

In Their Words: “Gabe is a fresh voice with an old soul. Just listening to him is like dropping the needle on an old album at the end of the day. Feels like coming home.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits:
Audio – Brandon Bell
Audio Assistant – Annie Petrik
Video – Michael Perlmutter
Host – Julie Tan
Filmed at Bell Tone Recording, Nashville.

AEA Sessions: Brit Taylor & Adam Chaffins, Live at AmericanaFest 2024

Artist: Brit Taylor & Adam Chaffins
Hometown: Hindman, Kentucky (Brit), Louisa, Kentucky (Adam); now, both call Nashville home.
Songs: “Little Bit at a Time,” “Holding On Holding Out,” “Trailer Trash,” “The Best We Can Do Is Love,” and “Saint Anthony”

In Their Words: “It was fun playing and talking about new songs on some incredible sounding AEA gear with Brit Taylor on the Bell tone sessions!” – Adam Chaffins

“Brit and Adam’s songs are personal, yet universal. They are warm in person and it’s clear they spend a lot of time together singing, playing, and writing. Their vocals weave and intertwine so effortlessly.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits:
Audio – Brandon Bell
Audio Assistant – Annie Petrik
Video – Michael Perlmutter
Host – Julie Tan
Filmed at Bell Tone Recording, Nashville.

AEA Sessions: SistaStrings, Live at AmericanaFest 2024

Artist: SistaStrings
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Nashville, Tennessee
Songs: “Cadenza for Chauntee,” “Her Name Was,” and “Goodbye”

In Their Words: “We come from a classical background so learning about the proper gear that works for our instruments and sound is always exciting for us and still a bit new!” – SistaStrings

“Chauntee and Monique are a tour de force. They are personable and absolutely hilarious. The session was like a hang with old friends. Listening back, it’s like you can feel every stroke of their bows in your soul. Turn it up and immerse yourself in their musical magic.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits:
Audio – Brandon Bell
Audio Assistant – Annie Petrik
Video – Michael Perlmutter
Host – Julie Tan
Filmed at Bell Tone Recording, Nashville.