String Theories, Inbox Edition
AmericanaFest, Mexico City, Scruggs Fest, The SteelDrivers, Darrell Scott, and more...
I used to relish stating my truth and mixing it up online about American politics and sometimes world affairs, but I confess it’s become much harder in these darkening and stupefying times. Just now though, it’s impossible to reach out to you with new music writing without also acknowledging my grief and fury at the assault that’s been waged so brazenly and with such genocidal madness on the people of Israel. While every rocket, every home invasion, every kidnapping, every murder is deeply shocking, the fact that Hamas targeted a music festival as part of its assault, taking at least 260 lives, brings this tragedy closer to me emotionally. I know those fans. I am them. The news broke while my wife and I were on a long weekend in Mexico City celebrating our anniversary, and at first, I couldn’t let it in, but this week I’ve tried to sit with the stories and to understand the terror and shock and grief that’s rippling out from Israel across the Jewish world. To all who mourn and to all who passionately desire justice, humanity, and (ultimately) peace, I’m with you.
Mexico was a quick hit of color, flavor and street life, four nights and three days based in the Roma district of the 20-million-person megalopolis they call CDMX. It was, I feel compelled to say, a reminder that much of not most of the world, while beset with the usual array of challenges, hums along with life and joy. I saw a vibrant place full of people making things happen. Taylor is our in-house travel master planner, and she found us a great place to stay on a small park/plaza as well as a walking tour of taco stands and street vendors in the center city, led by a wonderful city native who knew the best spots. The art and archeology museums and the city streets were dazzling. I was also impressed by a slick and moody mezcal bar where we sampled the smoky liquor and I had one of the best margaritas of my life, as well as a couple crunchy crickets from our bowl of salty bar snacks. Thanks to my wonderful wife for this and so many tasty adventures over our 20 years of happy marriage.
Here are a few more highlights since I last reached out, some of which resulted in journalizing. In August, I attended my first hi-fi show in an attempt to better understand the industry and culture around the quality audio I’ve grown to love so much. I heard astonishing music in the suites and hotel rooms of the Raleigh, NC Sheraton, and I wrote this report. The event also led to my meeting analog guru Michael Fremer, who invited me to contribute to his fascinating record and gear review site The Tracking Angle. I wrote my first review for them about Molly Tuttle’s second album City Of Gold, which is very good, though not quite as magic as her Golden Highway debut Crooked Tree.
Back in Nashville, I saw a glorious show by my new favorite local jazz composer Sofia Goodman, as she led an 8-piece band from her drum kit on complex but accessible works that excelled harmonically as much as they did rhythmically. With the awesome sound system at the slick Analog club, the expertise of her musicians truly sang. The show celebrated Sofia’s new and exceptional second album Secrets Of The Shore, which is among the best jazz albums to ever come out of Music City. It was just recognized as such by the Nashville Scene and got a strong review in Down Beat. I haven’t had the chance to write about Sofia’s music yet, but last year I interviewed her for a two-part video, which captures a bit about who she is. This new album captures just how much potential she has.
In September, I lit out for NC again, this time by car, to attend the second Earl Scruggs Music Festival at the Tryon Equestrian Center, not far from where Earl was raised around Shelby. Y’all may know I have a decade-long relationship with Shelby’s Earl Scruggs Center, having directed their museum films back when I did such things, so I feel invested in the success of this festival, which they put on in partnership with the venue and with radio station WNCW. I went as a fan and civilian this time, not with a reporting agenda, and I really enjoyed its three days of fair weather and eclectic roots/bluegrass music. My highlights included the Jerry Douglas Band with guitarist Mike Seal and my pal fiddler Christian Sedelmyer, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, the new lineup of Sister Sadie, a small-stage performances by the awesome Irish band I Draw Slow, and a masterful solo acoustic set by Shawn Camp. On the drive home I had the good fortune to stop for a visit with Darrell Scott at his Cumberland Plateau farm two hours out of Nashville. That led to a special episode of The String, which is clipped below.
And oh yeah, let’s not forget AmericanaFest 2023, which took place Sept. 19-23. Amy Alvey and I had a successful second year kicking off the week with a Tuesday evening Old Fashioned String Band Throwdown. The party, open to the public, celebrates our weekly radio show on WMOT, and again Dee’s Country Lounge made a great home. We filled the outdoor yard and featured a stellar lineup of Robbie Fulks, The Lonesome Ace Stringband, Missy Raines and Allegheny, Della Mae, and Cristina Vane. That was my personal musical highlight for the week frankly. I really enjoyed showcases by Eilen Jewell, Logan Ledger, and Jenny Owen Youngs, all of whom I interviewed for upcoming String shows. But overall I felt like this year’s event (and mind I’ve covered all 22 of these things) was too far-flung with too many choices that spread our community too thin. I had less good fortune running into friends and colleagues, fewer moments of discovery and surprise than usual. While I admire the AMA, I’d like to contribute to a conversation about shaking up certain aspects of the event. After all, Americana has had so much success in the past decade that one wonders if the association’s mission and methods need further change and refreshment.
On we go into the deep Fall. I’m happy my calendar is calming down and I have a lot of wonderful tape in the bank to share with y’all in the coming weeks. Thanks for reading my stuff and listening to my shows. I hope you’ll share this irregular but heartfelt bulletin with your friends who love our healing, civilizing music-making community.
NEW WORK
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When Nashville lost MVP musician Mike Henderson suddenly (so soon after the passing of fellow studio stars Dave Roe and Michael Rhodes), I thought about my friends in the SteelDrivers, the bluegrass band Henderson formed in 2005 with his then-unknown songwriting colleague Chris Stapleton. While Hendo and Stapleton moved on after a couple albums, Mike’s spirit and songs live on in this fine band. Their release of a gospel album about the same time was a providential send-off to the great guitar player and scene maker, so I tried to capture that in this essay.
Nashville continues to generate great new bluegrass bands, and we’ve watched East Nash Grass evolve over the years into a powerhouse through weekly sets at Dee’s. Here’s my review of their second album and the show that brought it into the world.
I’d long hoped to have Vince Gill on The String, and the opportunity came up to do something more interesting than just the traditional one-on-one career highlights kind of thing. Vince made a wonderful album with his old friend Paul Franklin, and I got to go to Vince’s home to talk about it.
This one’s a sleeper but a conversation I really cherished - Johnson City, TN musician and venue owner Ed Snodderly on five decades of keeping the lights on for roots music in the Smoky Mountains.