Twang Nation – The Best In Americana Music
Americana & Roots Music & Culture
I’m kicking the tires at a local start-up that reminds me of when MTV used to play music videos.So far it’s easy and coll to put the playlist together. I’ll be interested to hear what other folks think about and and look forward to the maturation of Cull TV as a channel for music social discovery and exploration.
Head over to the Twang Nation Cull TV channel and check it out some my my favorites from The Civil Wars, Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earle, Conway Twitty and many more.
The band member door revolves once again for the Mighty Drive-By Truckers as long-time bassist/vocalist (and ex-Mrs. Isbell) Shonna Tucker posted on the band’s site that’s she’s parting ways with Drive-by Truckers after eight years with the band. The tone of the note seems to indicate that her recent foray into singing on recent DBT albums might allow her to follow her ex-husband lead into a solo career.
Hello friends,
Unfortunately, I come to you all with some sad news.
It’s time for me to move on to the next great thing, whatever that may be.
I want to thank each and everyone of you, with my whole heart for your overwhelming kindness and support over the years. You are the greatest fans in the world! You really do amaze and inspire me. I can’t express how much you all mean to me. Your rock solid encouragement has carried me through, many nights. I have been so lucky to have had the chance to meet and talk with so many of you. Your stories and passion are so incredibly inspirational to me.
I am, without a doubt, not done. I will have a website up and running very soon so that we can keep in touch. I have a whole lot left to say and do, and I can’t wait to hear what all of you are up to. This is very difficult, so I’ll leave you with this… for now…
Thank you all so much!
Safe travels and Happy Holidays to you all!
See you soon somewhere…
All my love,
Shonna
Asked through his twitter account if he would rejoin the band in the wake of Tucker’s departure, Jason Isbell responded “No. I’m a terrible bass player.“
Aesthetics aren’t the only think that separates mainstream Music City country from it’s rustic yet urbane cousin Americana , there are political themes that differentiate as well. Music City doesn’t have a lock on patriotism any more than it does mom and apple pie. Here’s some Americana/classic country greats on this day for remembrance for those that serve.
Jason Isbell – Dress Blues
Johnny Cash – The Ballad Of Ira Hayes
Bruce Robison – Travelin’ Soldier
John Prine – Sam Stone
Tom Russell – Veteran’s Day
Drive-By Truckers – Mama Bake A Pie (Daddy Kill A Chicken)
Jamey Johnson – In Color
Hank Williams – Searching For A Soldier’s Grave
Radney Foster – Angel Flight
Steve Earle – Johnny Come Lately
Saturday is where things really take off. On Friday the main Banjo stage would have been a fine place to park your blanket to get the most for your musical enjoyment and Saturday is also the case.  Greensky Bluegrass, Alison Brown, Earl Scruggs, Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings and Steve Earl. The last few years The Arrow Stage has been the place for Texas performers and this Saturday follows that theme –  featuring The Band of Heathens, Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses, Reckless Kelly and The Flatlanders (Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock) The crowning jewel of this day is the legendary Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard performing together on the Star Stage at 2:20.
Banjo Stage
11:00am Greensky Bluegrass
12:00pm Alison Brown
2:45pm Earl Scruggs
4:15pm Gillian Welch
5:45pm Steve Earle & the Dukes (& Duchesses) featuring Allison Moorer
Rooster Stage
11:00am The Wronglers with Jimmie Dale Gilmore
1:35pm Guy Clark & Verlon Thompson
2:50pm Patty Griffin
4:15pm Punch Brothers
5:45pm Robert Earl Keen
Star Stage
12:30pm Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
2:20pm Kris Kristofferson & Merle Haggard
Towers Of Gold Stage
11:40am Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Arrow Stage
12:15pm The Band of Heathens
2:55pm Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
4:25pm Reckless Kelly
5:45pm The Flatlanders feat. Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock
Passion, jealousy, betrayal, lying, cheating, drinking, drugging, violence,, reconciliation, repeat…ah love. Here are 6 of my favorites. What are yours?
Ridley Bent – Nine Inch Nails
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU5jxFwEA6U[/youtube]
Ryan Adams – Come Pick Me Up
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRnoh86FD2A&feature=related[/youtube]
Jason Isbell/Drive By Truckers – Goddamn Lonely Love
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEMpKJtbokQ&feature=related[/youtube]
Guy Clark – Dublin Blues
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sx8lqm2Lw0[/youtube]
Blaze Foley – If I Could Only Fly (at a wedding, no less!)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69YCXgVdyR4[/youtube]
Steve Earle – Valentines Day
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVeKSJzezMg[/youtube]
Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line (BONUS)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEV58ztuihs[/youtube]
Set those DVRs! Justin Townes Earle rings in the new years by making his debut on the David Letterman Show this Wednesday, January 5th. Jason Isbell will be a member of his band for the event.
This is a pretty sparse post so I wanted to share a great video I cam across.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLU8C9WeIH8&feature=player_embedded#![/youtube]
To all who have served to create the life we enjoy every day.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJqX0zC00gU[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJb1_EGnapY[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsNp7x_pJJA&feature=related[/youtube]
Remember those that gave all.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJb1_EGnapY[/youtube]
The Americana Music Association announced the nominees for the trade organization’s 2009 Honors and Awards ceremony today at its annual celebration at BMI Nashville. The show, in its eighth year, will be held Thursday, September 17 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
I’ve attended the conference and showcase for the last three years and it’s always an amazing time. I don’t agree with all the nominees, and as a member of the organization I voted accordingly. But one thing is for certain, every nominee kicks the shit out of 99% of the CMA Awards.
The 2009 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees are:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Real Animal, by Alejandro Escovedo
Written in Chalk, by Buddy & Julie Miller
Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit, by Jason Isbell & The 40 Unit
Midnight At The Movies, by Justin Townes Earle
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alejandro Escovedo
Buddy Miller
Justin Townes Earle
Raul Malo
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Jerry Douglas
Sam Bush
NEW & EMERGING ARTIST
Band of Heathens
Belleville Outfit
Justin Townes Earle
Sarah Borges
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Chalk,†written by Julie Miller, performed by Buddy Miller & Patty Griffin
“Country Love†by the Gourds
“Homeland Refugee,†by Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock, performed by the Flatlanders
“Rattlin’ Bones†by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson, performed by Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
“Sex And Gasoline,†by Rodney Crowell, performed by Rodney Crowell
DUO GROUP OF THE YEAR
Buddy & Julie Miller
Flatlanders
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
Reckless Kelly
If your in the Bay Aarea tonight and are hankering for some riughtous roots flaovored honky-tonk and alt.country Southern rock (wheew!) head over to the The Independent tonight in San Franciscoto see Justin Townes Earle opening for ex-Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. Personally I think the bill should be reversed, but that’s me…
Justin Townes Earle – Mama’s Eyes – Live at SxSW 2009
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0JFIISMKr8[/youtube]
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – Soldiers Get Strange
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqnOdL2znow[/youtube]