Archives: Videos

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

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: 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

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: Gabe Lee, 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: 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

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:
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

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: 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

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:
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

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. You can listen to more SistaStrings here, on Basic Folk.

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

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

AEA Sessions: Gaby Moreno, 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. We’re proud to kick off the AEA Sessions with longtime friend of the Bluegrass Situation, the one-and-only Gaby Moreno performing three songs from her new album, Dusk, released in February of this year.

Artist: Gaby Moreno
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Songs: “New Dawn,” “Solid Ground,” and “Luna de Xelajú”

In Their Words: “It was a wonderful experience performing a few songs for AEA at Bell Tone during AmericanaFest. The sound quality and the energy in the room were unforgettable.” – Gaby Moreno

“Gaby is charismatic and energetic. She lights up a room when she walks in and when she performs, it’s electrifying.”
– Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Gaby is using the AEA R44CX for vocals and the AEA R92 on her amp. To purchase these or other AEA 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.

Yamaha Sessions: Jack Schneider, “Don’t Look Down”

Our latest series of Yamaha Sessions concludes with a final performance from guitarist, songwriter, and producer Jack Schneider. (Watch the full series of videos, which include performances by Trey Hensley as well, here.)

For his second Yamaha Session, Schneider picks up his Yamaha FS9 R acoustic guitar to perform “Don’t Look Down,” an original song from his 2022 album, Best Be On My Way. While the studio version features Schneider’s longtime friend, Liv Greene, the track certainly shines solo in this context, as well.

Gentle fingerstyle picking gives way to tender vocals, text painting a long-suffering image with an ultimately hopeful tinge. It’s a song about keeping your chin up, literally and figuratively. Written during the turmoil of the pandemic, the message in the lyrics is certainly not one of toxic positivity, making the moral within them even more resonant. It’s easy to tell Schneider is not just speaking to his listeners, but also to himself.

The chorus listens like a mantra, its repetitions of “Don’t look down/ Don’t look down at the gravel on the road…” reinforcing that moving forward, one foot in front of the other, is an active process and not a passive one.

Whether flatpicked and shredded by Trey Hensley or utilized as an emotive and lush backdrop for Jack Schneider, Yamaha guitars can do it all. Discover more about Yamaha Guitars and their FG series here.

Video Credit: Steve Voss, Solar Cabin Creative

DelFest Sessions: Mountain Grass Unit, “Lonesome Dove”

For a special bonus edition of our DelFest Sessions from earlier this year, we return to Cumberland, Maryland and the banks of the Potomac River for an encore performance by bluegrass four-piece, Mountain Grass Unit. On September 20, the group will release a brand new EP, Runnin’ From Trouble, which features this original number, “Lonesome Dove,” as the lead track. In fact, at the time of the session’s taping, the band had just recorded the song a week prior.

“We had an amazing time at the riverside DelFest Session performing our new song, ‘Lonesome Dove,'” said mandolinist Drury Anderson via email. “Watching people float down the river while we recorded made the experience even more special. It was an honor to be part of such a unique series!”

Watch two more songs from the band’s DelFest Sessions performance here. “Lonesome Dove” demonstrates a charming tinge of darkness from the tune’s minor chords. It’s built around a driving groove that leans forward into a bright tempo that belies the song’s longing undercurrents. Festival goers watch from their hammocks in the trees and their inner tubes on the river as the band gallops through the properly lonesome song.

Runnin’ From Trouble is the buzzworthy group’s first EP release since 2023, as they build momentum and gain fans and followers touring the country and playing many popular bluegrass and roots music festivals, like DelFest.

“Each of the five tracks explores different elements of our favorite types of music, all tied together by a bluegrass influence,” bassist Sam Wilson continued. “The hope is to give every type of listener something they can enjoy.”

Guitarist Luke Black also chimed in: “After a lot of hard work we’re excited to see how listeners connect with the variety of tunes we’ve created.”

Runnin’ From Trouble from Mountain Grass Unit drops Friday, September 20.

Video Credit: Brad Wagner, I Know We Should
Drone Footage: Christopher Weist
Audio Credit: Juan Soria, I Know We Should