2012 Americana Music Association Award Nominees Announced
The 2012 American Music Association Award nominees have been announced. We will find out who the winners are during a ceremony on September 12 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tn. The show will once again be hosted by Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller will act as band leader. —————————– Here is a list of the nominees. Album of the Year Here We Rest – Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive – Steve Earle The Harrow & The Harvest – Gillian Welch This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark – Various Artists Artist of the Year Gillian Welch Hayes Carll Jason Isbell Justin Townes Earle Emerging Artist of the...
The Blasters “The Blasters”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#707 in the Series) is the The Blasters. How strong of a debut album this is! Some might not consider it The Blasters debut; they did have one earlier with many of the same songs, but we’re calling it their major label debut at least. Oddly enough, this wasn’t originally a major label album. It was picked up by the Warner Brothers -distributed Slash label (BoDeans, Rank and File etc.) as word about The Blasters and their hot live shows got out. Just think….a new band playing a retro sound in the early 80’s, and they throw five hits at you! It’s very rare to see success like that. Part Americana, part rockabilly...
Pat Green “Songs We Wish We’d Written II”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#706 in the Series) is Pat Green, Songs We Wish We’d Written II In 2001, Pat Green, Texas Troubadour and “Grasshopper” to Texas Hill Country “Sensei’s” Jerry Jeff Walker, Joe Ely, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Tommy Alverson, released an album along with Cory Morrow that was called Songs We Wish We’d Written. The record as the name implies included an eclectic stable of songs that had become standards in their respective live shows and were tunes that had artistically influenced both of the young singer-songwriters. Some of the songs featured were straight up country classics like the Waylon Jennings hit “Are You Sure Hank Does it That Way” and the Jerry Jeff...
Cory Branan “Mutt”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#703 in the Series) is Cory Branan, Mutt With Mutt, his debut release on the Chicago based Bloodshot Records Label, Cory Branan should go from being one of the best kept secrets around, to a “where have you been all of my life?” delicious musical find. Early in his career, with his name being talked about in the same breath as Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn, and Conor Oberst as one of the new young guns, the Memphis based singer-songwriter has shed his post-punk, harder edged sound, he was in a Black Sabbath cover band at one point, for a more introspective classic rock vibe with a renewed focus on the songwriter side of...
The Waco Brothers and Paul Burch “Great Chicago Fire”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#683 in the Series) is The Waco Brothers and Paul Burch, Great Chicago Fire If Great Chicago Fire, the most recent Bloodshot Records release by the fantastic Alternative Country act The Waco Brothers is any indication the band known for their incendiary live performances and legendary fan friendly, road-dog touring mentality have proven that they can serve both creative muses with this fine collection of collection of Americana influenced songs which may be their finest work to date. Band leader Jon Langford was one of the founding members of The Mekons that was one of the first bands to meld Punk, Country, Rock, and Folk influences creating a musical gumbo that would...
Lyle Lovett “Release Me”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#653 in the Series) is Lyle Lovett, Release Me So many people say that there just aren’t any good new albums coming out these days. Usually they’re the same people that just aren’t looking in the right places. If all you listen to is classic rock and hear the same 15 bands over and over you might indeed think that. I felt 2011 was a darn strong year and 2012 is starting off quite nicely as well, thank you. The new music release season is really just starting now as acts get new material out so they can tour when they weather is nice and warm. I loved the new Little Willies...
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks “Where’s The Money?”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#639 in the Series) is Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, Where’s The Money? What do I look for in a band? Some of the elements that I like to see to make me really like an artist are 1) Great Musicianship. 2) Great Writing 3) Uniqueness, and a little 4) Sense of Humor for good measure. When you throw all those in the pot you usually get something that’s fairly entertaining to listen to. One of my all-time favorite bands that easily qualifies on all four fronts is NRBQ and another one would be these guys Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks. In fact I’m giving this great album another listen...
The Spanic Boys “The Spanic Boys”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#635 in the Series) is The Spanic Boys. Today we are looking at an early 1990s band called The Spanic Boys. They are yet another band from the great state of Wisconsin. I raise that topic because besides looking at The Spanic Boys, I also want to take a look at how underrated the state of Wisconsin is in regards to being a producer of some great music. The all-time patron saint of music in Wisconsin is probably not other than the late Les Paul. That name is about as historic in the world of music as you can get. But even in the last 30 or so years state has produced...
Levon Helm “Dirt Farmer”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#632 in the Series) is Levon Helm, Dirt Farmer. (Vanguard Records) Every year since the early 80’s I’ve come up with my own Album of the Year. This won easily as my Album of Year in 2008. (It was actually released late in late 2007, I know! You’ll understand soon.) We all know Levon Helm as drummer, picker and lead vocalist of The Band. If you’re a fan of The Band, or just Americana music in general, you must add Dirt Farmer to your collection. It was strange. I actually had this album for quite some time before I really got into it. I had it, gave it a quick spin when...
The Subdudes “Primitive Streak”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#619 in the Series) is The Subdudes, Primitive Streak I have to admit when I first purchased the CD of this album it stayed in my car’s player for a good long time, and back in 1996 I don’t think they had multi-disc players. However, I am quite sure it was not because I was sick of it that it became a forgotten part of my collection until just recently. When I did revisit, I was blue that I had missed it for so long. Luckily my spirits quickly lifted as I made my way through this thoughtful piece of music. It’s best described as New Orleans style roots music, with lots...
