The Wood Brothers - authentic roots

In case you have not heard them now, you have to check out The Wood Brothers:

http://www.TheWoodBrothers.com/

Oliver and Chris Wood have been playing seperately (Oliver in King Johnson and Chris in Madeski, Martin, and Wood), but they have been collaborating to create some of the best roots blues that I have ever heard. Rarely do you hear such a rich sound come from only two instruments! Also the soulful, gravely voice of Oliver layers perfectly over the resounding but subtle bass and the rythmic jangle, jangle of the steel guitar. Get their CD (and their live downloads) from their site, and even better, catch them live in a city near you!

BTW, I love the review Amazon gave to the Wood Brothers' album 'Ways Not To Lose' along with picking it their 2006 Editor's Pick in the Folk category.


The Wood Brothers
(photo courtesy of TheWoodBrothers.com)

I am locally, semi-famous!

So the local Atlanta NBC affiliate: WXIA Atlanta did a story about the legislation regarding Internet radio. For the story they interviewed HoundDogRadio.net owner Frank "Hound Dog" Coon. During the interview, I was preparing for my interview with Little Country Giants, and unbenownst to me, they shot some footage with me preparing for my interview. You can read the story about the good fight that Frank and other Internet radio webcasters are fighting as well as see video of me in action behind the control board:

http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=96302
(Click Blair Meeks reports in the top right to see the video. Next time I will request a speaking role!)

You can catch all of the latest breaking news on this story as well as support the cause at the Webcaster Alliance site:
http://www.webcasteralliance.com/

Little Country Giants Interview

On Tuesday, May 1st Cameron and Russell Cook of Little Country Giants joined me in HoundDogRadio.net studio to talk to me and play some tunes live on the air. I found Cameron and Russell to be quick witted, engaging, and personable. The four songs they played live on the air were well written and it was quite a treat to hear them. Here is a link where you can listen to the interview online:

http://www.hounddogradio.net/productions.php

Here are a few of the pictures I took during our interview:

Little Country Giants - simply amazing!

So I went to see Little Country Giants at Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA a few Sundays ago with my wife Michelle and my friend David.

I would like to share with you a few of my observations:

1. Eddie's Attic is a phenomenal place to see a show. It is a listening room, so no loud talking, smoking, etc. They do have a patio designed for that. The food is awesome, the service is great, and the acoustics are fantastic. If you find yourself in Atlanta, go to Eddie's to hear a show, and you will not be disappointed.


Bob Ephlin - owner of Eddie's Attic
(photo courtesy of Eddie's Attic)


2. The opening band for Little Country Giants was Hoots & Hellmouth from Philadelphia. The quartet of grungy, hairy, male troubadours put on an inspired acoustic performance. The last number was a gospel tune sung a cappella with the exception of a solo acoustic guitar. Towards the end of the song, they strolled out into the crowd and sang without any amplification. It was a perfect cap for a truly fun show.


Hoots & Hellmouth
(courtesy of Hoots & Hellmouth)


3. The Little Country Giants are truly one of those groups of people that just make you feel great to be alive. They are talented and honest artists who provide an intimite environment for their audience so that you feel like you are right there on a journey back to a simpler time and place. If you have not heard them, you MUST purchase Sing Pretty for the People and Breaking Hearts and Living Free. Both are excellent albums that capture the rich, deep sound of the Little Country Giants. BTW, here are the fantastic musicians that make up the Little Country Giants (featuring two sets of spouses):

Cameron Lee Cook (Upright bass & vocals)
Russell Cook (Guitar, mandolin, and vocals)
Joseph Evans (lead guitar)
Julie Evans (backup vocals)
David Long (mandolin)
Andy K (pedal steel guitar)



Little Country Giants
(photo courtesy of Chris Lewis)


I have been featuring the music of both Little Country Giants and Hoots & Hellmouth on my Internet radio show - www.GumboShow.com. Check it out on Tuesday nights on www.HoundDogRadio.net.

MerleFest 2007

So again it was another fantastic MerleFest. Here are some of the highlight moments for me:

Crooked Still on the Americana Stage
Waybacks on the Hillside Stage
Sometymes Why in front of the No Depression tent
The Duhks with John Paul Jones (from Led Zepplin) on the Watson Stage

It was another amazing MerleFest. Anyone else have favorite moments to share?

Sometymes Why
(photo by Joe Koufman)

The Waybacks with Rushad Eggleston

(photo by Joe Koufman)

Crooked Still

(photo by Joe Koufman)

The Duhks with John Paul Jones

(photo courtesy of Jeff Eason)