You may forget the singer, but don’t forget the song, the Carter Family bade listeners of one particularly mournful tune they recorded more than eighty years ago. The writer of those lyrics needn’t have worried. Today the songs of America’s roots music are not only remembered but thriving – in forms that both recreate the authentic sound and remake it in fresh ways – in the widely diverse Americana music genre. These old songs continue to spark artists of all types, yours truly … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget This Song: Celebrating the Carter Family and Other Roots Musicians
November 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My Favorite Things of 2010
December 13, 2010 By 5 Comments
For reasons I won't go into, 2010 has not been my favorite year. But, inspired by the year-end list posted by fellow Tennessee writer Susan Cushman on her Pen and Palette blog, I've realized there have been plenty of things I've enjoyed, especially in the area of books and music. So here are my personal favorites of 2010, which I share in hopes that you might find something here that will inspire you. Happy reading, happy listening, happy following your muse. POETRY Favorite new poetry … [Read more...]
Daring to Be Different: Bluegrass in My Heart, and the Heart of Bell Buckle
September 25, 2009 By 2 Comments
This Sunday, September 27th, in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, the 3rd Annual Dare to Be Different Showcase is slated to feature 9, count 'em, 9 hours of bluegrass music from bands near and far, including 29 Strings from the Slovak Republic. The event is hosted by Bell Buckle-based Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, who themselves tour internationally. Admission is only $10. As a nerd and a disciple of Ms. Cheap, I have to point out that's only $1.11 per hour, quite the entertainment value. And, … [Read more...]
