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The Alternative Fact of "Buffalo Gals"

The Alternative Fact of "Buffalo Gals"

In 1844 a blackface minstrel named John Hodges, who performed under the name “Cool White,” wrote and published a song titled “Lubly Fan.” Over the years it became quite popular throughout the country, and touring minstrels would often switch up the lyrics to appeal to wherever they were playing. Now

Rhonda Vincent: All-American Bluegrass Girl

Rhonda Vincent: All-American Bluegrass Girl

Rhonda Vincent has had a long and successful career in bluegrass music. From her origins in northeastern Missouri to her emergence as the Queen of Bluegrass, a crown conferred on her by The Wall Street Journal, she has represented bluegrass music's wholesome image while winning awards and growing

Talking with Mary Sue Twohy of SiriusXM

Talking with Mary Sue Twohy of SiriusXM

I'm always open to interviewing DJs, artists, and other industry types. This week, thanks to a suggestion from Compass Records' Christina Dunkley, we have our first SiriusXM DJ. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions you may have. Bill Frater: Where and when did you

Remembering the Music of Greg Trooper

Remembering the Music of Greg Trooper

Greg Trooper passed away on January 15, 2017 at the age of 61. He had been dealing with pancreatic cancer for some time, but the singer-songwriter lived up to his last name, performing shows up until the end. If you are unfamiliar with Greg Trooper's work, you

Clarksdale Changes Lives in the Birthplace of the Blues

Clarksdale Changes Lives in the Birthplace of the Blues

“Muddy Waters’ music changed my life, and whether you know it or not, and like it or not, it probably changed yours too.” Eric Clapton about Muddy Waters, who grew up in Clarksdale, Miss. Your life has probably been changed by someone from Clarksdale, Mississippi. From Muddy Waters, Ike Turner,

So Much To Defend

So Much To Defend

Described by The Irish Times as “the renaissance man of English folk,” Chris Wood is an English singer songwriter, musician, and purveyor of folk - working true to its original intention – to talk, and to tell, to join-up, debunk and expose what is happening. A new year is upon us,

A fan’s notes on 10 years of Midwest concerts

This story first appeared on the Isthmus website. It is dedicated to the memory of Clark Anderson, slide guitarist, union organizer and friend. By Marc Eisen Yeah, I got a music jones. About 500 concerts and shows’ worth over 10 years. Mostly in Madison, where I live. But also in