Americana music has been most conspicuously represented in the last few years by songwriting, band-leading artists, including Jason Isbell, Sierra Ferrell, and Billy Strings. Flash back to the origins of the alt-country and Americana movement, and the conversation was more often about bands, such as Son Volt, Whiskeytown, and the Old 97s. Such outfits made well-written roots music that rocked with that collective commitment that makes bandcraft so fascinating. This week I present two veteran and venerable roots rock bands that came along in the second Americana wave, bands that have weathered changes and renewed their vows - Austin’s revived Uncle Lucius and Raleigh, NC-based Blake Christiana of Yarn.
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When Gaby Moreno was announced as an official showcasing artist at this Fall’s Americanafest, it stirred a tingle of recognition in me, but I had to do some digging to realize what a big deal it was. The Guatemala-born, Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter became part of the Watkins Family Hour at Largo in LA and a regular on Chris Thile’s Live From Here Show. She’s released nine records, winning two Latin Grammy Awards - and an album Grammy Award earlier this year. She’s internationally known as one of the most versatile and enthralling voices in any genre, but her latest Dusk, produced by Nashville’s Dan Knobler, brings a needed Spanglish influence to the Americana community.
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While the public has become hyper aware of Billy Strings on his rocket ride to the top of bluegrass, only a small retinue of the music’s traditional veteran artists have achieved popular name recognition. I think especially of Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs. But there’s a deeper world there, and we should work a little harder to shine the light on more of the old school masters working today. That’s what episode #299 of The String is about, through conversations with singer Danny Paisley and mandolinist John Reischman. They are “musicians’ musicians,” which doesn’t help them put food on the table or build their legacies.
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When the curtain falls on 2024, it will be hard to name an Americana/roots band that had a better year than Alabama’s Red Clay Strays. Last October, they traveled by van and played 3rd & Lindsley to a few hundred people. By the time they pulled their new bus in for their debut at the Ryman Auditorium in September, they had enough momentum to sell out three nights. That run has been curated into Live At The Ryman, announced recently for a quick turn Nov. 15 release, and that’s just the latest landmark in a remarkable rise.
LINER NOTES
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Check out these performances of songs from all eleven of our Mansion Sessions artists. These sessions were released on 9/3 and 9/10.
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The Lone Bellow stopped by the WMOT East Nashville Studio for a Words & Music performance with Jessie Scott.
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WMOT VIDEO: LIVE SESSIONS ON NPR MUSIC
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Watch Farmer Jason perform "Punk Rock Skunk" and "The Tractor Goes Chug, Chug, Chug" for WMOT's Mansion Sessions, recorded live from inside Two Rivers Mansion during this year's Roots on the Rivers festival.
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Watch The McCrary Sisters and The Wild Feathers perform LIVE for WMOT's monthly Wired In concert series at Riverside Revival in Nashville, TN at 7:00 p.m. CST on November 6th, 2024.
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Devon Gilfillian performs "All I Really Wanna Do" and "Love You Anyway" for WMOT's Mansion Sessions, recorded live from inside Two Rivers Mansion during this year's Roots on the Rivers festival.
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Join WMOT in celebrating Public Radio Music Day with live in-studio sessions from Brenna MacMillan, Andrew Leahey, Rosie Flores, and Drew Holcomb.
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Special counsel Jack Smith is taking steps to end both federal cases against Trump before the president-elect takes office, according to a source familiar with the Justice Department deliberations.
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Leaders from around the world congratulated Donald Trump on his presidential election victory, as governments prepare for his return to the White House and the potential impact that will have.
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Despite Donald Trump’s focus on fossil fuels, his return to the White House won’t derail clean energy, analysts and activists say.
Honky Tonk Tuesday At Eastside Bowl Featuring The Cowpokes with Special Guests Tuesday November 12th
Win a pair of tickets to Leon Bridges at Ryman Auditorium on November 13, 2024
Honky Tonk Tuesday At Eastside Bowl Featuring The Cowpokes with Special Guests Tuesday November 19th
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