News/Thoughts

Tag Archives: Americana Music Magazine

If You Wanna Get To Heaven

My high school years were in the 70s and 80s. I grew up in a rural, agricultural community and attended school with a bunch of kids that were a product of that setting. It was an exciting era in music, producing what some still call “the best music ever.” Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Eagles, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 38 Special ...

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Irish Roots and Folk Traditions

Danny Burns began his career as a traveling folksinger nearly 20 years ago, working both in the US and across the pond. His unique Irish roots weigh nicely into the mix of folk traditions from his native Ireland and his American influences. He’s lived in the US for 19 years, beginning in New York City, playing bar gigs before gigging ...

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The Carter Scratch

They didn’t call her Mother Maybelle for nuthin.’ Nope. In addition to being the mother of three girls (Helen, Valerie June, and Anita), Maybelle Carter certainly earned the title of Mother of Bluegrass Guitar. Starting in 1927, her lead and rhythm guitar playing laid the foundation that was built upon by those who followed in her footsteps. Her signature lick ...

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Married To The Music

Marriage is not only marrying the right partner, but also being the right partner, it’s been said. Many of the 60.8 million pairs of married couples in the United States may wonder what that means, especially for those couples whose circumstances require frequent travel. Here, three well-known professionals in the bluegrass music industry discuss precisely what that means. They reveal ...

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When I Rise

Cary Morin is a Crow tribal member born in Billings, Montana. Cary spent the bulk of his youth in Great Falls, where he honed his musical skills picking guitar standards at neighborhood get-togethers. He eventually moved to Northern Colorado in 1989 where his professional musical career hit the ground running. Cary’s first big break came with the internationally acclaimed band, ...

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Hard Drivin’ Carolina String Band

Calling Town Mountain a hard drivin’ Carolina string band is just the beginning of the story. While at first glance, one could assume they are a straight up bluegrass band, from about the first chord, you know you’re in for more than just another bluegrass concert. Not that this is a bad thing, but in this case, the fellas from ...

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The Nouveaux Honkies

When pressed for how one would classify the duet known as The Nouveaux Honkies, co-founder, Tim O’Donnell, called it, “mother lovin’, country folkin’, blues.” He and his partner in crime, Rebecca Dawkins met at a jam, recalls Tim. “Florida got slammed with four hurricanes in 2004. My business got leveled and I was hustling to pay bills. Rebecca had just ...

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Attitude Matters On The Road

As musicians, we have all spent time playing with other musicians as a band member or the lead. The adage that wrangling band members is like herding cats can definitely be true. Ultimately it comes down to attitude, and a good attitude always pays off. Following are a few examples of experiences I have had. I am hoping that if ...

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Family Bluegrass Favorites

What originally started out as simply a way for the Harris family to enjoy music together, has now become one of the top touring family bands on the bluegrass scene today. Originally known as the Harris Family Band, the now well known Trinity River Band has landed several top songs and several industry awards. Sarah Harris, the oldest of the ...

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The Music Of Spayed Koolie

Central Florida is home to the guys from Spayed Koolie, and Americana/country/southern rock band who borrows its name from famed 1940’s swing fiddler Spade Cooley. Fiddler Neal Phillips spent some time with us recently, talking about the heritage of his hip band who’s opened for Montgomery-Gentry, Kellie Pickler, 38 Special, and Charlie Daniels, just to name a few. “We like ...

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