Videos Archive - Page 22 of 34 - The Bluegrass Situation

WATCH: Aubrie Sellers Performs at the Autry Museum in L.A.

In an effort to support the visual and musical arts, especially during a time when we can’t visit museums or concert venues, The Autry Museum of the American West is presenting a music video series featuring intimate, acoustic performances by some of L.A.’s best musical artists, all filmed live on location. The Autry will be unveiling a new performance every two weeks. This installment features Aubrie Sellers, who blends country music and garage rock on original songs from her 2020 album, Far From Home. That project also offers a superb rendering of “My Love Will Not Change,” which is part of this set from The Autry, too. She’s joined here by Ethan Ballinger on electric guitar.

The Autry Presents: The Best of Los Angeles, produced by Gia Hughes and filmed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Austin Straub, will feature 20+ minute sets by Los Angeles-based artists Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Gaby Moreno, Aubrie Sellers and soul artist Chris Pierce throughout its run. The musicians will perform alongside artwork and objects on display at The Autry including Bridges by James Doolin, War Music II by Mateo Romero, and a Concord Mail Stage Coach made by Lewis Downing.

WATCH: Valerie June, “Drink Up and Go Home”

On our fourth and final episode of Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, our online Americana-meets-comedy-meets-Ed-Helms variety show from this spring, singer/songwriter and banjoist Valerie June paid tribute to our theme (drinking songs for a happy hour, go figure!) and the King of Bluegrass himself, Jimmy Martin, with a simple, down-to-earth performance of “Drink Up and Go Home.”

Maybe you’re familiar with Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s rendition, or any of the ample covers that have been offered up by string bands from across the genre map. But, for our WSHH purposes, Valerie June’s version — complete with an incoming thunderstorm and delicious ambient background vocals supplied by insect and bird song — has its own particular charm. For those in the know, that charm is quite easily traceable to June’s ethereal, cosmic approach to poetry through folk music. Her personal touches to this country classic demonstrate both her own and the tune’s broad appeal — without overthinking it.

We hope you’ll enjoy this Whiskey Sour Happy Hour rerun of “Drink Up and Go Home.”

WATCH: Chris Pierce Performs at the Autry Museum in L.A.

In an effort to support the visual and musical arts, especially during a time when we can’t visit museums or concert venues, The Autry Museum of the American West is presenting a music video series featuring intimate, acoustic performances by some of L.A.’s best musical artists, all filmed live on location. The Autry will be unveiling a new performance every two weeks. This installment features independent soul artist Chris Pierce, whose powerful songs have been placed on This Is Us, True Blood, and many other TV and film projects.

The Autry Presents: The Best of Los Angeles, produced by Gia Hughes and filmed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Austin Straub, will feature 20+ minute sets by Los Angeles-based artists Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Gaby Moreno, Aubrie Sellers and Chris Pierce throughout its run. The musicians will perform alongside artwork and objects on display at The Autry including Bridges by James Doolin, War Music II by Mateo Romero, and a Concord Mail Stage Coach made by Lewis Downing.

Live at Ear Trumpet Labs: The War and Treaty, “I Miss You”

You know that feeling you get when somebody leaves — but says they’ll be back? Then you’ll have a deeper understanding of this rare track from The War and Treaty, written by Michael Trotter, with his wife and bandmate Tanya Blount-Trotter at his side to drive those powerful emotions home.

The mesmerizing duo recorded this performance video at the Ear Trumpet Labs workshop while on tour in Portland, Oregon. They’re using the Delphina model on vocals, an Edwina on the guitar amp, and a stereo pair of Delphinas as room mics. And if this performance moves you, then just count the days until September 25 when The War and Treaty release their second album, Hearts Town.

WATCH: Aubrie Sellers & Lee Ann Womack, “Keep on the Sunny Side”

On our first episode of Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, mother-daughter duo Aubrie Sellers and Lee Ann Womack delivered a message we oh-so desperately needed to hear. Only a month into nationwide stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were all missing live music — with no visible light at the end of the music-less tunnel — and craving human connection as we fell into the new normal of isolation and social distancing.

This first night of performances from multiple BGS Friends and Neighbors, such as Yola, Watkins Family Hour, Billy Strings, and many more, reminded us of the power of both music and community. And while the depths of social isolation, not to mention the world’s seemingly constant negative news, may seem like the perfect breeding ground for pessimism and hopelessness, Sellers and Womack remind us that there is a sunny side — we just need to look for it.

So let us greet, with a song of hope, each day. We can get started by watching Sellers and Womack, with guitarist Ethan Ballinger, serenade Whiskey Sour Happy Hour listeners with their version of the Carter Family classic, “Keep on the Sunny Side.”

WATCH: Shout & Shine Featuring Lizzie No

BGS is proud to announce Shout & Shine has moved to video! Harpist and singer/songwriter Lizzie No is our debut guest for the livestream version of Shout & Shine, which comprises short-form, intimate video performances by underrepresented and marginalized artists in Americana, folk, and bluegrass.

Please support Lizzie directly, via PayPal: [email protected] and visit her website for more information and music.

Lizzie No’s Shout & Shine set, presented by Preston Thompson Guitars, will feature a brand new song, “Mourning Dove Waltz,” and will be streamed live right here on August 5 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET.

WATCH: Buffy Sainte-Marie, “America the Beautiful”

When Buffy Sainte-Marie performed on our fourth and final episode of Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, her song choice was a mite unexpected. Amid a lush corner of the Hawai’i jungle outside her home, Sainte-Marie sang her slightly-enhanced rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Given she had been isolating by herself at the time, the legendary activist, singer/songwriter, and folk icon gently sings solo to a backing track.

As we go into the Fourth of July weekend, BGS offers this song as an alternative to a traditional celebration of this country’s independence. Unless we as a culture — and more specifically, as members of the greater roots music community — immediately center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in this country, injustices will continue. Injustices that disproportionately impact those members of our society who have been purposefully marginalized by it, since the moment of its inception. Injustices like those detailed in Sainte-Marie’s lyrics to this ageless, patriotic verse.

We aren’t going to wish you a “happy” Fourth of July this year, but we hope you will take this holiday to reflect on the ongoing genocide this country inflicts upon peoples it claims to allow life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thank you, Buffy Sainte-Marie, for sharing this gorgeousness with all of us.

Photo credit: Matt Barnes

Live at Ear Trumpet Labs: Anthony D’Amato, “Passing Through”

Anthony D’Amato is a world traveler, as you might have guessed from listening closely to the lyrics of “Passing Through.” His tour diary recounts his global journeys, while his original songs give insight into his own experiences. To wit, he released an EP last year titled Five Songs From New Orleans, and his latest singles are a cover of Wreckless Eric’s “Whole Wide World” and the thoughtful and introspective “Love, Again.”

While on a trek through the Pacific Northwest, D’Amato dropped by Ear Trumpet Labs workshop in Portland, Oregon, to give a special acoustic rendition of “Passing Through.” Anyone with the undeniable need to keep moving will surely relate to its message. He is heard through a Edwina microphone as well as a stereo pair of Delphinas utilized as room mics.

WATCH: Queen Esther Unpacks the True Origins of American Roots Music

“Twang is the essence of that Blackness…” — Queen Esther

BGS stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and Folks of Color. While we have always done our best to amplify a spectrum of artists — especially in an industry that has all too often co-opted, appropriated, ignored, and undervalued Black creators — we know we must do better. Now more than ever, we are committed to the work of being allies and advocates.

The simplest act of protest you can participate in is listening. We encourage you to start with this powerful 2018 TED Talk from musician and activist Queen Esther, where she addresses how American roots music — including country, bluegrass, and Americana — is all rooted in blues and African instrumentation and tradition.

There is much work to do and we are just getting started.

More resources for learning, giving, and support here.

Amy Reitnouer Jacobs is the co-founder and executive director of BGS.

WATCH: Sarah Jarosz, “Orange and Blue” (From Whiskey Sour Happy Hour)

During her appearance on our online variety show, Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, our June 2020 Artist of the Month Sarah Jarosz, joined by bassist Jeff Picker, performed an exclusive duo version of “Orange and Blue,” a track off the Grammy-winning artist’s just-released album, World on the Ground.

Produced by John Leventhal, the project captures ethereal, fleeting moments of musical magic direct from the creative mind of Jarosz, as she unspools intricate details and evocative narratives in her writing and playing.

Watch Jarosz and Picker perform “Orange and Blue” on Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, and don’t forget to spend some time with our AOTM Essentials Playlist, too.