Tag Archives: Gary Clark Jr.

Top 6 Roots Music Moments at the 2016 Grammy Awards

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58th-Grammy-Logo

Grit, heart and soul found it’s way between the sequins and glitter of the 58th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Folks that have been bustin Asa’s for years, and sometimes decades, get recognition (and hopefully a bump in music and ticket sales) and a chance to stand toe-to-toe with ther accomplished msusiaans and remind the sometimes jaded industry audience why music will always tie us into a shared human condition.

Here are some highlights:

The Steeldrivers

After four nominations The SteelDrivers proved the fifth time is the charm. The Nashville-based bluegrass badasses won thier first Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album for their fifth realese ‘The Muscle Shoals Recordings.’
The critically-acclaimed album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and achieved the highest first-week sales in the band’s history.

Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn’s eponymous album picks up the well-deserved Best Folk Album Grammy.

http://youtu.be/WV-Z1cfcVl8

The excellent documentary ‘Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” wins Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media.

Chris Stapleton, Gary Clark Jr., and Bonnie Raitt play steal the show with this BB King tribute.

http://youtu.be/soijapAt6no

Aside from being part of the great tribute Chris Stapleton snagged 2 statues
Best Country Album (for Traveller) and Best Country Solo Performance (for the album’s title track). He shared the spotlight with producer Dave Cobb. He even called Taylor Swift out for “glitter bombing” him.

Jason Isbell made up for the snub of his 2013 ‘Southeastern’ by winning 2 Grasmmys during the event’s pre-telecast. Best Americana Album for ‘Somethng More Than Free’ and Best Americana Roots Song for ’24 Frames.”

Isbell thanked his wife, singer, songwriter Amanda Shires, who provides harmonies on the track; his manager Traci Thomas, his long-time band, the 400 Unit; producer Dave Cobb and those who voted mentioning humbly “It’s a real honor” to accept the award. At the end of his speech, Isbell also thanked Muscle Shoals, Ala., for “teaching me how to play music.”

Well done sir, no one deserves it more.

Listen Up! Chris Cornell and Joy Williams “Misery Chain”

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cornell joy
Photo ChrisCornell.com

12 Years a Slave is the tale of a man abducted in New York and sold into slavery. The story’s soundtrack, overseen by R&B singer John Legend, inspired an eclectic group of songwriters and performing roots, blues, pop, and R&B.

Artists represented are Gary Clark Jr., Alabama Shakes and Cody Chesnutt as well as tracks from the score by composer Hans Zimmer.

Also included is is a new cut from “Misery Chain” by Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell. This slow burner features soulful background vocals by the Civil Wars’ Joy Williams.

Cornell and Williams cut the track in Nashville and it’s produced by Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars, Holly Williams)

Cornell told Rolling Stone “I was moved by this film and the story in a way that transcends any film experience I have ever had,” he said. “I was inspired to write a hundred different songs, but finally landed on one based on what I believe is an extremely important message I took from this man’s journey. Compassion, basic human rights and love must be our priorities above race, religion or commerce. Every generation needs a reminder of that simple idea.”

Here “Misery Chain” below.

Outside Lands Announces Lineup – Willie Nelson, Dawes, Camper Van Beethoven, The Lone Bellow To Perform

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outside-lands-2013Outside Lands has revealed the lineup for this year’s festival, taking place place August 9th-11th in my back yard at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.

Notable country and roots artists performing are Willie Nelson & Family, Band of Horses, Camper Van Beethoven, The Head and The Heart, The Mother Hips, Dawes, Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Easy Leaves and The Lone Bellow.

Also topping the bill is Paul McCartney, Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Advanced three-day and VIP tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 18th at Noon PDT through the festival’s website.