Writings in the Key of You: Woody Guthrie's Enduring Legacy
This story first appeared in Sing Out! v.55#1, Autumn 2012
Woody Guthrie is a very busy man these days. That’s a peculiar thing to say about a man who turns 100 this year and has been dead for nearly a half-century. But Woody is a peculiar genius,
Benmont Tench - You Should Be So Lucky
Here's a scenario for you. Picture this:
One of the premier keyboard players of the past 40 years sits down with one of the greatest producers in the history of modern music. The keyboard player's got a raft of original songs he wants to record, and
Ray Lamontagne: With a Little Help from My Friends
Having experienced and generous friends comes in handy.
When Ray Lamontagne was unsatisfied with the batch of songs he'd written as the follow-up to his chart-topping, Grammy-winning album God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise, he shot an email to a pal named Elvis Costello
Lori McKenna – Numbered Doors
Accomplished and acoustic, Numbered Doors delivers ten ‘mighty fine’ new Lori McKenna songs
The initial plan was to cut a five-song, acoustic EP of McKenna’s latest creations, supported only by long-time sideman Mark Erelli who would also occupy the producer’s chair. She booked a couple of days at
What I Learned from Chrissie Hynde
I was lucky to grow up in an era of real powerful frontwomen, so I had some examples to look to when I was ready to lead a band. There were the singers who fronted awesome bands, like Debbie Harry and Belinda Carlisle, but, oh, the ones who sang and
The 24 Most Underrated Merle Haggard Songs
Lists provide something to argue about, and that's what the internet is for, isn't it? With an artist as prolific as Merle Haggard, there will always be songs that touch someone more than most, or that never got the attention they deserved. Finding such songs turns