AJ Lee and Blue Summit perform their version of Darrell Scott’s “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” live from WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, CO.
AJ Lee and Blue Summit perform their version of Darrell Scott’s “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” live from WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, CO.
The Lone Bellow treat us to three live harmony-rich performances of tracks from their 2022 album Love Songs for Losers, recorded live at WinterWonderGrass in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Utah’s Pixie and the Partygrass Boys eat fascists and sing of unending love in two newly released live sessions – “These Chickens Eat Fascists” and “Club Thing” – recorded at this year’s WinterWonderGrass festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Artist: Mike Mizwinski, better known simply as Mike Miz
Hometown: Nashville now, via Northeast Pennsylvania (Pittston)
Song: “Wander Blue”
Album: Only Human
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Label: Blackbird Record Label
In Their Words: “‘Wander Blue’ was the last song written for the album. The inspiration of this song came from the idea that struggle, heartache, and pain, can sometimes lead to a path of humility and a more meaningful life purpose. I was doing a lot of self-reflecting, thinking about how my ego sometimes got the best of me, and how I was the only one who couldn’t see it. It was also written fast, in about an hour with my co-writing partner Boo Ray. I must also give credit to Laur Joamets, who rearranged the entire song right before it was about to be recorded. At the time I wasn’t thrilled about his changes, I felt too close to the way I wrote it, but in the end he was absolutely right and I’m so glad I listened to his input. This song is a true live-to-tape production. It’s a seven-piece band playing live in the studio, no edits, no overdubs, no metronome, and a completely live vocal take untouched in post production.” — Mike Miz
Artist: Tanya Tucker
Hometown: Seminole, Texas; Willcox, Arizona
Song: “Kindness”
Album: Sweet Western Sound (produced by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings)
Release Date: June 2, 2023
Label: Fantasy Records
In Their Words: “Sweet Western Sound is another revelation and I’m excited to see what folks think of our new endeavor. It’s ALWAYS a trip working with Brandi and Shooter. I didn’t know if we’d be working together again on a new album after While I’m Livin’!! But we did it! Lots of new things we did this time and I even co-wrote some of the songs, which means a lot to me. Brandi says we’re MAGIC together, and I’m starting to believe her!!!!” — Tanya Tucker
Bob Ross and bluegrass go well together. Kyle Tuttle, Lindsay Lou and John Mailander fly above the happy little trees in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, during this performance of “Not Quite Spring.” The trio took time during the WinterWonderGrass festival to record the live gondola session.
We’ll be premiering more sessions from Steamboat in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Lindsay Lou, Kyle Tuttle, and John Mailander took to the gondolas in Steamboat Springs for a performance of “Takes So Long, Goes So Fast” during WinterWonderGrass earlier this month. The festival was celebrating its tenth year in Colorado, and this weekend, they’re headed to Tahoe.
We’ll be premiering more sessions from Steamboat in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
On this year’s Cayamo, the Black Opry Revue, led by Allison Russell, gave us an uplifting performance of “You’re Not Alone” with moments from Jake Blount, Chastity Brown, Brady Blade, and Yasmin Williams.
Keep an eye out for an interview with Black Opry founder Holly G. in the coming weeks, as well as more Sixthman Sessions from the 15th edition of Cayamo: A Journey Through Song being released exclusively by BGS. The Black Opry Revue will be back on Cayamo in 2024, and while it is sold out you can sign up for the waitlist – next year’s lineup includes folks like Leyla McCalla, Lake Street Dive, the Mavericks, Lyle Lovett, the War and Treaty, and Sunny War, to name just a few.
BGS March Artist of the Month Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper made a special appearance with Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr inside East Nashville’s 3Sirens recording studio for a Sitch Session recording of the Starr-penned “One Horse Town,” which is also featured on Cleveland’s new album Lovin’ Of The Game.
Cleveland first heard “One Horse Town” during the pandemic when Flamekeeper guitarist Josh Richards covered the tune in a Facebook video, and he “fell in love with the song immediately.” Hear Michael and Charlie banter about their online meet-cute in this very special Sitch Session.
Produced in partnership with Compass Records and 3Sirens. Check out more about Michael Cleveland and his upcoming live dates at MichaelClevelandFiddle.com.
