Essentials: The top 10 Townes Van Zandt songs

 It never gets old to revisit the music of Townes Van Zandt. Recently Baltimore singer/songwriter Caleb Stine and I dug deep into Van Zandt's catalog and complied the ten essential tracks that define his music.

Brooklyn-based alt-country/Americana artist Matthew Check shares new single "Old Wooden Floor"

(From Baby Robot Media) On the heels of The Bridgeford Sessions EP, Matthew Check describes his forthcoming record, Without a Throne (out September 30), as a "coda" to those very sessions. An American roots musician whose career encompasses everything from Emmy-nominated bluegrass bands to critically-acclaimed solo albums, Matthew Check has never been afraid to mine his personal life — including the vices, victories, loves, and losses of a man who's spent much of his adulthood in a creative whirl — for musical inspiration. “The music I record is written when I’m in the depths of despair,” muses Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Matthew Check about his process of composing music. “It’s usually very painful, dark and depressing.” 

Interview: Yonder Mountain String Band’s Adam Aijala on getting outside

 It was great to catch up with my man Adam Aijala from Yonder Mountain String Band to chat about their new album 'Get Yourself Outside.' Swing by AmericanaUK to check it out.

"A few short months later the world shut down due to COVID. The band was undeterred and sent out to write a new album in this odd new world. The result is the stunning ‘Get Yourself Outside’. An album that exemplifies the best of Yonder with their forward-thinking approach to bluegrass, while at the same time finding new sonic ground upon which to explore, as well as highlighting the recent addition of Nick Piccininni."

Interview: Yonder Mountain String Band’s Adam Aijala on getting outside

Chris Castino & Fresh Pickles

It has been such a treat to listen to my man Chris Castino's new album "Fresh Pickles." Chris set out with Wisconsin based bluegrass outfit CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE to re-imagine tunes from his deep The Big Wu catalog. The result is the stunning “Fresh Pickles,” which is both comfortable and eye-opening at the same time.

“Fresh Pickles” represents a complete reinvention of classic Wu/ Castino tunes – there’s new life and soul breathed into each song. I have been listening to the music of the Big Wu nearly 25 years and this album has rediscovered new avenues upon which to explore each song. Its like hearing all of them again for the first time.

Swing by Slide & Banjo to see what we talked about then go check out the album.

CHRIS CASTINO: FRESH PICKLES, CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE, AND THE SOUL OF JACKSON COUNTY

Americana Roots: Armchair Boogie

My latest Americana Roots column for AmericanaUK features the funky newgrass of Wisconsin’s Armchair Boogie. Armchair Boogie is a band whose music is a non-stop, high-energy, party-inducing, thought-provoking, cavalcade of good-times.

Americana Roots: Armchair Boogie

My new upcoming book on Pete Browning

 

Thrilled to be working on a new book for the University Press of Kentucky on 19th Century baseball slugger and legend Pete Browning. Pete ended his career with a .341career average and 3 batting titles in two leagues, and was one of the game's most dominant players in the 1880s. He was also one of its most colorful. A legendary boozer who even when he was half-drunk was twice as good as most of his peers.

Out in 2023 maybe? Follow me on twitter for book updates.

“It takes a whole nine to put me out between bases.” - Pete Browning

Holiday Shopping!

Nothing says I love you like a copy of Leftover Salmon: Thirty Years of Festival​. So make sure to say I love you to all your friends and family and get them a copy!  If you already have one why not take a moment a leave a review at the link below to let others know why they need to get this book!

https://www.amazon.com/Leftover-Salmon-Thirty-Years-Festival/dp/1538113295