News/Thoughts

Americana Music Profiles

Sacred, Southern, Soul

Depending on which set you happen to catch of the Jason Lee McKinney Band, you might think they were a different band on another night. Jason says it’s because the band teeters on the edge of several different genres. It’s an alternative country sound at the heart, yet at any given show they could lean to the rock, to the ...

Read More »

A First At 62

Barbara Jo Kammer has been making music for quite a while. Her career as a music therapist working with the elderly and folks suffering from addiction keeps her quite occupied. When she’s not doing that, she entertains guests at the local coffee house with band, The Hippie Buckaroos. “It’s been a dream come true,” she told us recently, referring to ...

Read More »

Matthew Fox

Minneapolis, MN is home for Americana singer/songwriter Matthew Fox for about the last 17 years. Originally from Georgia, Matt grew up in Texas where he discovered his musical chops. Matt says his parents were huge music fans. “Mom was always singing around the house, and dad was like the quintessential listener. He’s the reason people like me have jobs,” he ...

Read More »

Curio Pluska

Chris Pluska and his band Curio have been playing to crowds at juke joints, dives and clubs in and around Chicago, IL since 2009. Their music has been dubbed “hell-raisin’, soul-shakin’ rock n’ roll,” It is steeped in southern gothic lore by way of the Midwest. “I feel like it’s very swampy,” Chris told me. You can hear the growl ...

Read More »

Banjo Maker Makes Music

Bluegrass bands form for all sorts of reasons but most often it’s because a group of folks enjoy picking together; they feel the chemistry is right, and decide to give it a run. South Carolina’s Wilson Banjo Company has a slightly different beginning. Steve Wilson grew up like a lot of musicians, learning to appreciate and play music with his ...

Read More »

Al and Amy Love and Music

Al Petteway and Amy White, a.k.a. Al & Amy, have been charming fans for years with their uniquely crafted Celtic-Appalachian influenced music that even marries in the occasional hints of Blues, New Age, and even Jazz. Before they relocated to the mountains of Western North Carolina, Al and Amy lived in the Washington D.C. area where they were honored with ...

Read More »

French Folk With and a Kiss

Molly’s Kiss is evidence that the influence of American roots music is far reaching. As they define themselves, Molly’s Kiss is “a folk band, lost in the middle of France.” Formed in 2013, the band consists of guitar, accordion, and two vocals. Nicolas Rozier; Vocals /Guitar, Madeline Besson; Vocals, and Alexandre Tobie; Accordion, all team up to play what they ...

Read More »

Tuned In To Real Life

“Jim and Lynna Woolsey have that magical quality of being tuned in to real life, attention to the small stuff, and open heartedness that makes for great songs, and great friends,” said Louisa Branscomb, Founder, Director of Woodsong Farm Songwriter Retreat. The Southern Indiana pair had been performing together for nearly three decades before they finally decided it was time ...

Read More »

Outlaw Country’s Coming Back

Virginia Beach, VA’s Russell Lynch has his music steeped in traditional country music culture, and peppered with notes of Americana and a bit of a rockabilly edge to it This is just like his fans like it, apparently. He has had three top 10 independent country songs in the U.S., including a #1 hit with “Stuck in Between.” His music ...

Read More »

Bluegrass In Kokomo

Larry Norfleet and his band, Branded Bluegrass, received nine nominations at the SPBGMA awards ceremony this past February in Nashville, TN, making them one of the top nominees. Their brand of traditional bluegrass is turning heads, and gaining fans all across the bluegrass community. The Kokomo, Indiana based band leader tells of his humble beginnings learning on a guitar with ...

Read More »