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Amos Perrine

THROUGH THE LENS: The Biggest Moments from Big Ears 2024

THROUGH THE LENS: The Biggest Moments from Big Ears 2024

During a talk with NPR’s Ann Powers, Kristen Hersh said that when a performance goes especially well with a receptive audience it's “extrapolating creativity into the fingerprints of others.” That pretty much sums up the Big Ears Festival, which wrapped up Sunday in Knoxville, Tennessee. I have

THROUGH THE LENS: The 2024 Cayamo Cruise Presented Roots Music at Its Finest

THROUGH THE LENS: The 2024 Cayamo Cruise Presented Roots Music at Its Finest

The 16th edition of the Cayamo cruise set sail from Miami on March 1 for a week of roots music at sea. Promoted by founder Sixthman as “A Journey Through Song,” the floating festival once again delivered on its promise of unforgettable sets and rare collaborative performances that can only

THROUGH THE LENS: Two Baseball-Themed Roots Music Festivals Arrive Just in Time for Spring Training

THROUGH THE LENS: Two Baseball-Themed Roots Music Festivals Arrive Just in Time for Spring Training

Which came first, baseball or roots music? While that may be somewhat of a trick question, in this week’s column we get the best of both worlds: a report from two roots music festivals in Arizona just as Major League Baseball’s spring training kicks off. The previous five

THROUGH THE LENS: Washington State’s Wintergrass Kicks Off the 2024 Festival Season

THROUGH THE LENS: Washington State’s Wintergrass Kicks Off the 2024 Festival Season

Ever wanted to attend an indoor winter roots music festival that’s all under one roof? If so, the Wintergrass fest in Bellevue, Washington, is for you. This year held Feb. 22-25, Wintergrass features four performance stages in the Hyatt Regency, but has a lot more to offer besides. There

THROUGH THE LENS: Why Vinyl? The Roots Music Lover’s Guide to Analog, Part 5

THROUGH THE LENS: Why Vinyl? The Roots Music Lover’s Guide to Analog, Part 5

To paraphrase one of the The Godfather movies, just when I thought I was out of things to say about vinyl, I have been pulled back in by some important happenings since last year’s report. For your convenience, I've listed my previous columns on vinyl at the

THROUGH THE LENS: Jason and the Scorchers Reunite to Support Former Member Jeff Johnson

THROUGH THE LENS: Jason and the Scorchers Reunite to Support Former Member Jeff Johnson

Nashville, Tennessee's underground country-rock scene of the 1980s and 1990s reconnected at the Eastside Bowl on Jan. 27 to support one of its own, Jeff Johnson. While Johnson played with numerous groups, he's perhaps best known as the bassist with Jason and the Scorchers, a band

THROUGH THE LENS: New Roots Music Releases Blooming on the Horizon

THROUGH THE LENS: New Roots Music Releases Blooming on the Horizon

We may still be in the throes, somewhat, of winter's short days, but spring promises nicer weather, longer days, and a slew of new roots music releases. This week's column highlights five releases — three albums and two singles — that should not get lost in the shuffle.