Artist: Jordan Smart
Hometown: Ludlow, Kentucky
Song: “Lonely Is the Wheel”
Editor’s Note: Jordan Smart is the winner of the 2023 Gems in the Rough contest, hosted by GemsOnVHS, for his submission of “Apple Don’t Fall.” He will be supporting Tommy Prine on tour dates from June through October.
In Their Words: “I entered the Gems in the Rough contest a couple times before and had never placed. This year I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to submit or not and actually didn’t get my submission in by the time they had planned to close submissions. Apparently there was an error and they reopened submissions so I figured what the heck. I didn’t expect much from it, and especially did not expect to win. Third time’s a charm I guess. I was able to get down to Nashville the day after receiving the news to shoot videos with GemsOnVHS and Western AF. The song featured here is one I wrote a couple of years ago during quarantine, a love song of sorts. You can expect it to be on my next album later this year.” — Jordan Smart
Denver’s own Clay Street Unit were kind enough play for us when they came over to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, for this year’s WinterWonderGrass festival, sharing two songs from their debut EP A Mighty Fine Evening. Watch their live performances of “Weight of the World” and “1200 Miles” right here on BGS.
Artist: The Milk Carton Kids
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “North Country Ride”
Album: I Only See the Moon
Release Date: May 19, 2023
Label: Far Cry Records in Partnership with Thirty Tigers
In Their Words: “My wife’s Uncle Peter died in November 2021. He was a beautiful guy. The funniest person in the room and — more than anyone else I have ever met — genuinely interested in other people’s creativity. Pure joy, and tenacious — he gave us many laughs and many tears. I wrote ‘North Country Ride’ for Peter. Joey helped me finish it, and provides singular rhythm + harmony on our studio rendering here and whilst on stage (Thanks, Joey). Love you Unky, see ya in the stars.” — Kenneth Pattengale, The Milk Carton Kids
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!
