The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Music Festival 2016 in San Francisco
When Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival began in 2001, at the urging of fellow West Virginia native Hazel Dickens, it was called Strictly Bluegrass. But, in 2004, in order to reflect the wider changes in roots music, the word "Hardly" was added. That broadening takes on an added resonance
Tedeschi Trucks: They're an American Band
An Appreciation of Six Nights at New York’s Beacon Theater, Sept. 30th - Oct. 8th, 2016
Hey, friends! The degenerative state of our American political discourse got you down? Feeling sort of humiliated in the eyes of the world? Worried that we may descend any moment into civil war? Concerned
Adam Carroll Should Be Famous
Here’s a look at the latest crop of albums I find noteworthy, including several from artists you’ve probably never heard of.
Various artists, Highway Prayer, A Tribute to Adam Carroll. Most tribute albums tip a hat to a widely acclaimed veteran performer but this one argues that a
Bob Dylan, Nobel Laureate
In the wake of the — to me — superb and delightful news of Bob Dylan receiving the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature this week, there has been, to quote a phrase from Dylan's fellow Minnesota wordsmith F. Scott Fitzgerald, some foul dust floating in that wake. Writers, and non-
Sea Stories & Soul: Sturgill Simpson + Valerie June at Kings Theatre
"The banjo is an Appalachian instrument," Valerie June remarked to the sold-out crowd in Brooklyn, NY. "But its roots are in Africa, so I like to think of it in both capacities." Her reference to the origin story of the instrument encapsulates a musical style
Good Taste From the Roadhouse With Greg Vandy
I introduced myself to Greg Vandy at this year's Americana Music Conference in Nashville, back in September. I knew he was cool because I saw him at all the good shows over the week and then at Arnold's "meat & three" Country Kitchen. Then