Issue 101
With Humble Gratitude As the 2023 touring season is coming to a close, I start to reflect on this year’s run, and a lifetime of touring. To put this article in a little bit of perspective, I started writing it while sitting in the back seat of our French agent’s assistant’s dated Citroen, while riding from the Vosges mountains to Luxembourg, for our last show. In front of us was our agent’s well-worn Peugeot station wagon with all our stage gear. I could spot my straw cowboy hat stuffed in on top at the last minute. It is two weeks before Christmas, and here we are on the road traveling between France and Luxembourg.
www.mikeandamyaiken.com For up to date tour information
Americana Rhythm is published six times a year. All correspondence should be sent to PO Box 45, Bridgewater VA, 22812 or CONTRIBUTORS email to greg@americanarhythm.com. Copies of Americana Ed Tutwiler Rhythm are made available free at various pick up locations within Wayne Erbsen the publication’s region. Subscriptions are available inside the United Donna Ulisse States (only) for $24 US currency made payable by check or Mike Aiken money order sent to, Subscriptions at PO Box 45, Bridgewater, Andrew McKnight VA, 22812. Foreign subscription requests should be sent to Dan Walsh greg@americanarhythm.com. Copyright 2022. All rights reRebecca Frazier served. Reproduction of any content, artwork or photographs DISTRIBUTION is strictly prohibited without permission of the publisher or origi- North River Publishing Integrated Music Media nal owner. All advertising material subject to approval. PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Greg E. Tutwiler Associate Editor Ed Tutwiler MARKETING & PROMOTION Mark Barreres (GrassRootsNetworking.com) Letters, Comments, Suggestions ADVERTISING greg@americanarhythm.com Business office 540-433-0360 www.americanarhythm.com advertising@americanarhythm.com
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I am gazing out as we roll past the beautiful old cities of Nancy and Metz, looking at the road signs in a foreign language. The question comes to mind of just how long have I been doing this? The answer is more years than I want to put in print!; Truly the better part of a lifetime. So I give the year a little review and check. How did this year play out; Financially? Well, not the best. Venues are still recovering from Covid, trying to survive, find the ‘new norm’, or many have closed their doors all together. Creatively; Pretty good. I have written some new songs I think are good. We have released a couple of very good, meaningful videos. Fans; they are wonderful, and keep us inspired to come to their towns. Friends; the best! We made new ones who will be with us for a long time. Our road community; unbelievable. This one is hard to explain if you don’t know it. This life of moving from town to town, situation to situation, venue to venue; it’s home. It is secure and comforting, for us. We realize it’s not for everyone,
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and isn’t always easy, but it is always rewarding. Fast forward a couple of days as I complete this article. We are near Amiens, France, a little more than an hour from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, staging for the return trip to the States. My year in review makes me grateful, once again. I am a lucky guy - happy, creating, performing, meeting different types of people, and still learning from the road. From when I started playing as a young teenager, my dream was always to do exactly what my life is - create, tour, perform. Have I become a big star? No. Have I become rich from a hit record? Not yet. But that wasn’t ever the dream. Have I built a fan base? Yes. Have I played amazing venues? Yes. Have I had the honor or writing with, performing with, and being band mates with some of the best in the biz? Yes! The big question at the end of my day/year is; am I happy being who I am and doing what I do? Do I consider this success? Resoundingly Yes! Will I continue down this road? Yes. And dates are already being booked for next year. At the end of this year, I would like to offer a big thank you to you who are reading this and have been a part of our journey. See you in 2024! PS: I’d like to send out a thanks to some of the folks who help make this a reality: Greg at Americana Rhythm magazine; David at Takamine Guitars; The Dougherty Family; TKL Cases; Collings guitars; and Gretsch drums and guitars. It takes a village, and we surely appreciate our village. All the best, Mike
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Issue 101
Mountain Music Project There is a theory among certain folks with an anthology bent, that there is a universal psychic connection with mountain folks and their music no matter how far the mountains are from one another. Not that the culture of the divergent peoples are the same but rather there is a common connection between all mountain folks and the music to which they play and listen. It is an interesting theory and maybe one with a good bit of merit. Let me tell you of a musical odyssey from the Appalachia to the Himalaya that some dedicated folks undertook. It is known as the Mountain Music Project. The Mountain Music Project works with preservation, promotion and education about traditional music throughout the world, with its largest focus on the Appalachian areas of the United States and the traditional music of the Nepali Himalaya. The Mountain Music Project was created and produced by the combined effort of the following folks: Jacob Penchansky (project director): Jacob is a radio producer, sound recording specialist, and ethnomusicologist. His radio stories and audio recordings have been broadcast on National Public Radio, BBC/PRI’s The World, Radio Netherlands and many other places. Jacob has recorded traditional musicians in more than 30 countries as well as documented endangered native languages in Alaska. Tara Linhardt (co-host on the film project and production coordinator): Tara, is an award-winning mandolin player from Virginia, winning first place at such festivals as the Mt Airy Fiddler’s Convention and the Maury River Fiddler’s Convention. She has been a part of many bluegrass bands over the years. Tara lived and studied in Nepal for a year where she resided with Nepali families and became a fluent Nepali speaker. She received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of
Wisconsin and also holds a Masters in Education as well. Tara has been performing and teaching traditional music for years. Danny Knicely) the other co-host on the film project): Danny is a fourth generation Appalachian multi-instrumentalist and music producer from Rockingham County, Virginia. He is steeped in mountain music tradition, and he
has won many awards for his mandolin, guitar, and fiddle performances including first place mandolin at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Over the course of his life, Danny has used his roots in old-time and bluegrass to explore other genres of string music. Knicely has gained musical exposure through studying music in India, Nepal, Tibet, and China. His ability and desire to learn music from local musicians world-wide and the opportunities he has had to perform nationally and internationally with many different bands has given him a special ability to see deep crossculture meaning in the music. Knicely has given presentations on the similarities between Appalachian and Himalayan music at Columbia University and the University of North Carolina-as well as other respected institutions.
DVD Documentary
The Mountain Music Project is a documentary DVD and CD project that traces the journey of two traditional musicians
Nepal. We hear these fiddlers and flute players, banjo pickers and By Edward Tutwiler drummers playing in new urban environs as well as in their native chicken yards. To so many, they (Linhardt, and Knicely) from rurepresent a constant in the face of ral Virginia to the villages of rural changing times and lifestyles. Nepal. In the film project, these These honorable troubadours musicians explore the old-time keep the old songs and stories and bluegrass music sounds of the alive, reminding us all where we Scot-Irish, German, British and come from.” African folk from the Appalachian Mountains, and then exMission To Preserve pound upon the many connecThe Mountain Music Project’s tions between Appalachian and mission is to encourage the presHimalayan folk music. ervation of musical traditions in rural communities throughout the world, with a special focus on mountainous regions. Their various activities include cultural exchanges and expeditions, multimedia documentation, and supporting local cultural preservation organizations. Currently, the folks at The Mountain Music Project are working to help musicians preserve their local traditions in Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Burma, and wherever else the songs carry them. They have a WEB site at www.mountainmusic project.com. or you can send an email to them at mountainmusicproject@gmail.com. The Mountain Music Project CD In viewing the DVD, this writer is available online from City Hall was introduced to some nuggets Records.com of information about the music we love to hear at every festival as In addition to the music projects, told by some masters of the trade Tara Linhardt is also involved in such as Sammy Shelor and many a tours project called Nepal Tours others. All of this music is then where she takes music and culshadowed against the musical output of the traveling troubatural minded folks to Nepal for dours of Nepal known as opportunities for learning or Garndharbas. Their folk music, hands-on work with traditional while in their native tongue, has artists and musicians of Nepal the inflections and story backwhile also getting to see amazing ground of our own native mounand beautiful sites. Tara recently tain music and is accompanied by told us, “The tour project is a way a fiddle-like instrument. Co-host to get travel and adventure with Danny Knicely quickly picked up other folks who love traditional the melodies and was soon playmusic Traditional music builds ing duet with his western-style bridges and makes friends fiddle. Not to be outdone, the mountain to mountain from one Nepal player did the same with side of the planet to the other.” traditional bluegrass tunes that Danny played. The likeness in Tour goers do not have to be these two diverse yet eerily simimusician, artist, or athlete to love lar performances and duets was these trips as the trips can be cusenough to give one pause. tomized to focus on culture, arts, meditation, yoga, and hiking. Here is a quote about the project by Tim O’Brian, “The Mountain Music Project CD beautifully illuminates the parallel experiences of musicians from Virginia and
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For more information on this facet, contact Tara at Taraworlds@gmail.com.
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Issue 101
The Easy Button Ever wonder what would truly happen if we owned one of those EASY buttons they advertised for an office supply store? I mean, wouldn’t that be something. At one tiny press of the big red button, we could be transported over all life’s difficulties, and we would find an easy way around all of our troubles and trials? Such a nice dream. I laughingly told my darling husband many times during this past year, how excited I am to see a new year approaching so we might possibly have a reset on 2023; the wonkiest year I can remember having. Oh, there were lots of miracles mixed in with some of the most challenging times ever, I’ll give you that, but if I had one of those big red buttons, well, I could have avoided all the wonky stuff.
Beat The Busy Why, an easy button would help greatly with my songwriting. I wouldn’t have to stress over a great rhyme word, or struggle trying to find the right melody to fit my lyric. I would just mash the red button and have a song. Look at the time I would save! I could write 100 times more songs, and they would all be perfect. I could spend more time practicing my vocals and learning the song. But wait! If I had the easy button, I would just hit that and be a better singer, and remember my lyrics, without having to think about them. I would have so much leisure time that I could whip up five star culinary delights, clean my house better, do laundry before it piled up, iron more … unless I just hit the easy button and, voila; Chicken Di-
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van would be wafting through the rooms, my house would sparkle with a tiny tap on the red button, and my closet would be filled with freshly laundered and ironed clothing. Wow, I would have so much time on my hands I could spend it shopping more! Of course, to shop more, I would need more money, but if I hit the easy button, I would have all the money I would ever need, and I could just think about the things I wanted to purchase in stores and it would just appear in my house like they flew in on Aladdin’s magic carpet.
were looking at a single can of green beans in our pantry in those early days of pursuing our careers. Now, looking at where we are today, gazing out on this blessed place we call the Wee Farm, there is a sense of wonder for us! I don’t think anyone would have wished us to get here any differently than we did. If I think about it, how would we have even enjoyed and celebrated what we have worked so hard for, if we had hit a button and landed here without the story behind how we got here? How would we have made the precious memories we have stored? I’ve written hundreds of songs about our lives and the great struggles and triumphs. What would have happened to those?
Not So Fast The easy button might not be a good thing in the end. Isn’t part of our earthly journey about feeling and liv-
ing out our life’s experiences? Aren’t we supposed to learn ourselves through hard work, and the act of giving and loving? And what about too much time on our hands? Boredom could be a dangerous thing and quite frankly, it would just be too … BORING! At the end of the day, I am thankful there is no easy button. Like everything else in life, there is give and take, setbacks and winning, and the grand discovery of who we are. By the end of our lives, we should be able to look back and applaud the whole gloriously difficult path we’ve walked, and pray we left enough of a mark to help someone else along their journey. So, I’ll wrap up by wishing you a Happy New Year, my friends! May your road be easier because you worked harder to make it so!
Donna is the IBMA Songwriter of the year for 2016, And 2017 Song of the Year winner. She was also the 2018 SPBGMA Songwriter of the year. Her latest CD, Livin’ Large, on Blueboy Records, was released in February 2022. DonnaUlisse.com
But Wait An easy button would be spectacular until I think about how grateful I am for my gift of songwriting, and what it adds to my music life. I love the hours I put into writing a song, and when I get to perform that song, how I find all kinds of emotion in my vocal by reflecting on the journey it took to reach the completion of my composition. I think about how much I love piddling around in my beloved house; cleaning and sprucing, watering the plants, fluffing pillows, cooking up yummy soul food, making our home inviting for our family and friends. Farmer Rick (my husband) and I love to entertain, and love all the steps it takes to cook, clean and set the table, all the while anticipating the evening with great joy. If we had an easy button, we would be robbed of the pleasure we find in doing for others. There is such a feeling of accomplishment in earning our living too! If you knew where Rick and I started … whew. I remember at one point we
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Issue 101
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Issue 101
Thanks to our partnership with ReverbNation (www.reverbnation.com) we are honored to give you a peak at a few of the nation’s hardest working indie artists. Each month we select one entry to showcase for you here. Enjoy! THIS MONTH’S FEATURE:
By Greg Tutwiler
Kim Petrarca
own a coffee shop in Coventry, called, The Bean Barn, and I have a monthly residency there,” she said. “I recently landed an opening slot supporting Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs on the first two shows of their Fall tour.”
FEATURE ARTISTS I ndie, folk-rock, singer songwriter, Kim Petrarca, began her music career in her hometown of Providence, RI. She was involved in the local New England music scene for over 10 years before she packed up everything and moved to Nashville in 2015 to pursue her life long dream. While there, she eventually recorded and release three EPs, a Country single, and an original holiday track before moving back east. Most recently, Kim has released another single, and is beginning to put together her next full length record.
“I always loved music,” Kim told us. She began singing in chorus when she was just seven years old, and danced competitively for ten years. “My parents raised me on radio, and classic rock and roll. I loved Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and The Guess Who. When I started playing guitar at 18, I was more drawn to singer-songwriters; pulling influences from Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and newer artists like Butch Walker, Ryan Adams, Ani DiFranco,” she said. In her 20’s, Kim really began focusing on writing and shaping lyrics into songs. “I was playing as a cover act, solo, as a duo, and in
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Style And Future
a band,” she recalled. “Along with an original outfit called, Grey Sanford. Once I had an EP’s worth of songs, I knew I wanted to get it out to the world. I released it in 2015, shortly before my move to Music City.” Kim was a full time musician for a couple of years before shifting her focus to working on her original music. And for the past 20 years, she has worked in the insurance industry to create the space for her to spend time on her musical endeavors.
Writing The Songs
“I write when I feel,” Kim said. “It’s like therapy for me in that, when I go through something big or difficult, I write through it. My lyrics are very literal, which is
something I am trying to evolve, but it helps me to sort out the hurt. I always write lyrics first, and most of my favorite originals are written in one sitting – meaning they come out all at once.” Kim’s most recent EP was released while she was still in Nashville in 2019, but she deleted a song off that release for what she feels were the wrong reasons, and just recently put it back out on streaming earlier this year, “with a little push from the right person,” she said. “I also have a Christmas song that I try to promote each season, available on all streaming platforms called, “Christmas Missing You.” Kim plays regularly in the Rhode Island area, usually two to four times a month. “My sister and dad
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“If you google me by name it throws me under the Folk genre,” Kim asserted, “which I think is pretty accurate; but mixed in with a little rock and pop. I ended up here by writing what I felt. I write and sing what my heart is trying to say, but maybe never had the courage to say it in common conversation.” “My pipe dream is to win a Grammy and be the musical guest on SNL; maybe more attainable would be to play the Newport Folk Festival, or to land a cut with a well-enough-known artist that’ll result in some sort of accolade, or more than a fraction of cent on a stream,” she said. “Streaming music has changed everything. Please support original artists by buying their albums and merch, and paying to download their stuff, rather than streaming, and showing up at their shows. We artists love and appreciate all of our fan support,” she concluded.
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Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree, Again Around The Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Marshmallow World,” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.
As of the writing of this article (Dec. 15th, 2023), Rock and Roll, and Country Music Hall of Famer, Brenda Lee, has spent two weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart with the re-release of her iconic holiday hit, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Brenda received news as she was celebrating her birthday, that “Rockin” had made history 65 years after its debut. It was the third Hot 100 No. 1 for Brenda, and her first since 1960. “A second week at No. 1 – this is so surreal!” Lee said. “As I celebrate this with my fans, and everyone who has supported me over the years,
I really wish I could celebrate with Johnny Marks, who wrote the song, and Owen Bradley, who brilliantly produced ‘Rockin’.’ The song has truly stood the test of time and I am so grateful that this has become my signature song. As I always say, Keep on Rockin’!” In honor of the song’s 65th year, earlier this year, Lee released her first ever music video for the song. It featured cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood. She also released a new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, featuring “Rockin’
Brenda Lee signed with the legendary Decca Records label before her 12th birthday and went on to record such landmark hits as “ S w e e t N o t h i n ’s , ” “All Alone Am I,” “Break it to Me Gently” and “I’m Sorry.” Though she had success in multiple genres including rockabilly, pop and rock, Lee found her home in country music, going on to sell more than 100 million albums globally.. Her bestloved hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” continues to top the charts year after year. Throughout Brenda’s career, she shared stages with some of the
greats. The Beatles opened for her, and they became good friends. Elvis Presley and Lee made their Grand Ole Opry debut on the same night. She had nine consecutive top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits from 1960 to 1962, and set a record for a female solo artist that was unequaled until over two decades later. Brenda continued to have country hits into the 80s, including “I Love Her So,” a duet with George Jones. She was the first woman
inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fames, and she is a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.
January 10, 2024 - Free Webinar (12pm ET) presented by Barbara Martin Stephens: Booking History: From the Hayride to Music Row Barbara Martin Stephens has had an amazing life in country and bluegrass music, at a time when very few women held prominent industry positions other than as artists. She began learning the business of talent booking in 1958 by watching Tillman Franks at the Louisiana Hayride; honed her skills as the primary booker for WWVA in Wheeling WV; and eventually moved to Nashville where, in 1964, she owned her own
agency and was the first female booking agent on Music Row.
reminiscing about the early music business and how it compares to today. You won’t want to miss this!
She has placed so many of history’s great artists, including Loretta Lynn, Betty Amos, Hank Williams, Jr, Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, and Grandpa Jones, to name a few. Join us as we talk about those experiences and her personal friendships which included Bill Monroe, Bessie Lee Maudlin, and Patsy Cline, while
sign in at https://tinyurl.com/BookBGHistory
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Issue 101
How Does An Artist Survive? Recently, some of us here at Americana Rhythm got into a discussion about musical artist survival. It is a serious subject and we came up with no real answers. We champion live performances and festival experiences by the artists we know and love; however, we want to also preserve their artistic effort to enjoy when they are not on stage. While nothing can beat that original live performance, we sometimes want to take that sound home or with us as we cruise the roads. So, we asked ourselves a couple of questions and then researched the answers on the internet. What we found provided some interesting reading and maybe can actually be useful. Nevertheless here they are for you to determine their worth. How does a recording company decide if a music artist or group is worthy of a recording chance? Choosing which music artist or group to sign is a complex process that recording companies take very seri-
ously. The music industry is highly competitive, and selecting the right talent can make a significant impact on the success and reputation of a record label. Here is an example of how a typical recording company decides if a music artist or group is worthy of a recording chance.
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Of course, the major first step is any recording company looks for is exceptional talent. This means artists must possess a unique and co mpelling musical style that sets them apart from other aspiring musicians. This talent is often assessed through live performances, demo recordings, and even through the artist’s online presence. A strong and distinctive voice, instrumental proficiency, and songwriting skills are crucial factors that contribute to an artist’s overall appeal.
In addition to raw talent, marketability plays an important role in the decision-making process. A recording company evaluates an artist’s potential to connect with a broad audience and generate commercial success. This involves assessing the artist’s image, charisma, and stage presence. Artists who not only cre-
ate great music but also have a compelling persona are more likely to attract a fan base and generate interest from the industry. Further, a recording company considers the artist’s dedication. Consistency in producing high-quality music and a commitment to honing one’s craft are vital indicators of longterm success. Labels prefer artists who are willing to put in the time and effort required to build a sustainable career. This dedication is often evident in an artist’s track record, including past performances, released music, and the ability to adapt and grow. The potential for collaboration is another critical aspect. A recording company assesses whether an artist can seamlessly work with producers, songwriters, and other industry professionals. Artists who can collaborate effectively and remain open to constructive feedback are more likely to navigate the competitive landscape of the music industry successfully. Market trends and industry demands also influence the decision-making process. Recording companies are attuned to the ever-changing preferences of the audience and the industry landscape. An artist who aligns with current trends while bringing a fresh perspective to the table is more likely to capture the attention of both labels and listeners. How do modern day music artists make money from their c raft ? In this evolving landscape of the modern music industry, music artists
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By Edward Tutwiler
have many opportunities to monetize their craft beyond traditional record sales. The shift towards digital platforms, social media, and innovative business models has paved the way for artists to diversify their income streams. Some of the more effective and popular methods are as follows: Generate streaming revenue: Streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music have become sources of income for many artists. While individual payouts per stream may be modest, the cumulative effect of millions of streams can generate substantial revenue. Artists often work with digital distribution platforms to ensure their music reaches a global audience on these platforms. Merchandising: Custom merchandising is a lucrative avenue for artists to generate income and connect with fans. Wearable, branded accessories such as Tee shirts and hooded sweatshirts are popular with fan bases everywhere Artists can create and sell merchandise through their own online stores; at their live concerts; and through third-party platforms Concerts and tours: Of course live performances remain a cornerstone of a musician’s income. From a live performance, an artist can earn money through ticket sales and through merchandise sold at concerts. Concerts and tours also serve as powerful marketing tools, helping artists expand their fan base and create memorable experiences for their audience. Digital and physical sales: Even though streaming services sometimes seem to over-shadow other means for artists to get their art to the fan base, some fans still prefer to purchase digital downloads or physical copies of the music. Artists can sell their music through online platforms like iTunes, Bandcamp, and their own websites. Not to be discounted is the fact that compact discs, limited edition vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes still appeal to collectors and enthusiasts.
Issue 101
revenue collecting service) allows fans to subscribe to ongoing content and gain access to exclusive perks in exchange for their support.
Licensing and placements: Having one’s music featured in movies, TV shows, commercials, and video games is another revenue stream for artists. Not only does it provide the artist with financial compensation but also exposes the artist’s work to new audiences. There are licensing agencies that specialize in placement arrangements or artists can work directly with content creators to secure these opportunities. YouTube and ad revenue: The YouTube web site has exploded in
recent years as a powerful platform for music discovery. Artists can monetize their output on these channels through ad revenue when they consistently release engaging content. Crowd-funding: Some artists turn to crowd-funding platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon to secure financial support directly from their fans. It is possible for artists to fund specific projects, albums, or music videos. Using Patreon (an on-line
To sum up our discussion we have learned that the decisionmaking process for a recording company when selecting an artist or group is a multifaceted journey that involves assessing raw talent, marketability, work ethic, collaboration potential, and alignment with industry trends. While there is no onesize-fits-all formula, the combination of these factors guides recording companies in identifying artists who have the potential to make a significant impact in the music industry We have also discovered that modern-day music artists and groups have a wealth of opportunities to monetize their craft. By diversifying income streams and strategically navigating the digital landscape, musicians can not only sustain themselves financially but also build lasting connections with their audience. Embracing a combination of these revenue streams allows artists to
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adapt to the dynamic nature of the music industry and thrive in an everchanging landscape. We here at AR certainly do not present ourselves as much more than lay-persons when it comes to knowledge of music promotion, artist advancement, or as managers of industry pitfalls of any description; however, if this little surface examination of the ins and outs of artist survival and advancement shines a light of any sort, so be it.
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Issue 101
Lady Sings The Blues
By Greg Tutwiler
Cristina Vane’s silky, bluesy voice adds the back drop to her signature bottle neck slide guitar, and clawhammer banjo. Add to that her creative songwriting, and this young, up and coming, Nashville, TN Americana blues artist is the next voice to keep your ears on. Cristina can trace her roots to Europe, where she was born to a Guatemalan mother and SicilianAmerican father. Bouncing between England, France, and Italy, Cristina became fluent in four languages by the time she moved to her fathers’ native United States for college, in New, Jersey at 18. She honed her craft in Venice, CA for four years, while working at McCabes guitar shop, and busking on the California boardwalk.
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Her first adventure playing live music took her out on the road for five months before deciding to relocate to Nashville, TN, where she recorded her first full length album, Nowhere Sounds Lovely. In April of 2022, she released her most recent album, Make Myself Me Again, that eventually charted well across several genres.
Second Nature
Singing is second nature to Cristina. “My parents told me that I have always been singing, even before I really knew how to verbalize real words,” she said. “I would be singing in my crib, singing myself to sleep a lot of the time, they said. So I think I am just innately wired that way.” Cristina started on the piano when she was in first grade. “Then I
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played a range of things,” she said. “I played some violin, but I hated it,” she laughed. Then I played the flute. And that was an obsession of mine for a while actually, kind of my biggest obsession, I would say, besides writing original music. Then I got into the guitar in middle school. I had already been writing poetry. So when I was in high school, it just clicked that I could write this poetry to music and start playing over chords. It all started in my sophomore year of high school. I would just sit in my room and write and play,” she concluded. Cristina says, however, that she doesn’t recall some big powerful single moment specifically, that led her into music. “To be honest, I lead a pretty comfortable life,” she said. “A lot of artists have this story of overcoming this crazy hardship, right? But I was told my whole life that I could do whatever I wanted. So I don’t want to make it out to be some sort of thing like that. However, I will say, I just never really imagined a music career, because I think in
society, how we view creative endeavors, that it wasn’t a real career path. It just seemed so unfeasible to me that I could go from my room in Paris to, what I was looking at, and idolizing, which honestly, were things like Guns and Roses. So No, I really didn’t. That, and I was also hugely academically driven, and kind of thought that serious people get real jobs,” she quipped.
Just A Passion
“I thought that this would always just be a passion of mine. I did briefly consider the Paris Conservatory for the flute when I graduated. But I realized that I just wasn’t ready to be 120% flute; like I wanted to do other things with my life.” “After I didn’t apply to that, I thought maybe I could study music at my university,” she said. “So I think I had a subconscious drive to try. But even at the university, I decided I didn’t really want to study music there either; the program just wasn’t for me.
So a music career just seemed so unrealistic. Taylor Swift was blowing up at that point. She was five or ten years younger than me, and R&B and pop stars were getting famous. I remember thinking, ‘This is not a real dream.’ I’m going to give in to journalism, or writing, or singing with my languages since I spoke foreign languages. So yeah, it really didn’t become a real possibility until I tried playing live my junior year of college in London and realized that, this is something I really want to do, and that people like me can actually do it.” “I think I had been writing for a few years,” she said, “writing my own little songs, and all my college friends were supportive. Athletic, big macho guys would come in and ask me to play music as they lay on my floor. It was just a really supportive scene. When I graduated, I played in New York a little bit after I played in London. Then I moved to LA, and decided that that was a good place. My brother was there, and I didn’t want to be in New York anymore.”
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LA Woman
Cristina’s first job was for Live Nation. “I worked at a lot of theatres too,” she said. “And then I got a job at McCabe’s guitar shop, and that coincided with me discovering Delta Blues from the 1920s. I stumbled into a mentorship with a fingerstyle guitar teacher. I taught myself slide, But he taught me everything I know about finger picking. And that also happened to be the time when I had a friend that had grown up in a bluegrass band, in Colorado. She mentioned the clawhammer banjo, which I had never heard of. I was working in a folk guitar shop. So they knew what it was. I taught myself to play banjo in that shop, actually using the banjos they had, and then bought one for myself, and it’s all just really kind of come together over the years, I guess,” she recalled. “It’s crazy,” she said, “because it feels like happenstance, but it’s all happening. Years later, you’re like, wow, ‘my sound would be totally continued on page 16
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Issue 101
Listen to the expanded interviews by searching Americana Music Profiles on all of your favorite Podcast platforms! ARTICLES BY DAN WALSH
Carrie Newcomer
Eddie Witz
The Close
“I’m kind of prolific, I guess,” Carrie Newcomer says, when asked about her most recent album, A Great Wild Mercy, being her 20th release. “I’m really grateful. I get to do this thing I love, and continue to put out albums…” She adds, “I’m really excited about this new one. I feel like it pushed a lot of growing edges…”
“It was always a love and a passion,” Eddie Witz says, referring to the place of music in his life. He credits childhood successes at music lessons and school piano performances with giving him a confidence that helped propel him toward theater arts in high school and all the way through to graduation from USC as a theater major. Eddie always stayed connected to music, however. “My focus was performing. And some of my favorite performances were musicals…”
Americana trio The Close combines the Nashvillehoned talents of Shannon Walker, Lori J. Rowton, and James McKinney. Each member brings powerful singing and songwriting to the table, which help The Close craft songs that engage audiences with deep emotions carried by lush harmonies.
“I’ve always leaned into music, poetry, to story,” Carrie remembers. Although she didn’t grow up in a musical family, she encountered music at an early age in public school. The northern Indiana town where she lived was home to a number of band instrument manufacturers, so the local school music program was well equipped. She soon began building on this foundation: “I picked up the guitar when I was a teen, learned my first three chords and started writing songs.” Carrie pursued a college education in visual art rather than studying music. But music provided a creative outlet and an “odd job” throughout that time. After graduation she realized “...it was really music that was calling me. So I was ready to take the risk with that thing that I loved the most.” Twenty albums later, “that thing” has led Carrie to many awards, unique collaborations around spirituality and social justice, and much more. She has also published poetry, fiction, and is currently one of the most popular music writers on the blogging platform, Substack. When asked about the overarching theme of her work, most specifically her songwriting, Carrie says, “I don’t think I’ve ever written a song because I had an answer. I’ve always written songs because I had a question.” “A lot of this album is about holding the tension of two things happening at the same time,” Carrie says, about A Great Wild Mercy. In the face of disturbing times, the lyrics look beyond immediate challenges to something deeper. “There’s not a lot of candycoating on this album but at the same time there’s this idea of what is it that still treads through our lives that we can still hold onto with a certain kind of ‘yes’...”
To find out more, visit www.carrienewcomer.com
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After college, Eddie shifted to working behind the scenes with talent agencies. Later, he moved into marketing, specifically focused on artists and celebrities, as well as brands, which kept him close to the creative scene. It was a challenging and inspiring combination of events that spurred Eddie to explore music performance for himself. Suffering from a serious case of shingles during the pandemic caused him to do some soul-searching and, in response, a lot of songwriting. A friend—Grammy-winning producer Native Wayne Jobson—provided the catalyst needed to push Eddie back into performing—this time as a singer and musician. “He gave me a song which he wanted me to try to record, professionally, in a recording studio—which was the first time anyone had nudged me to do something like that.” With the help of the producer and a group of topnotch musicians, the experience was a game changer: “I’d never had more fulfillment and joy, ever…except getting married and having my children.” 15 or so songs followed in quick succession, which will be rolled out gradually over the coming year; and presented as an album sometime in 2024. Eddie’s debut single is “My Island,” a collaboration with Native Wayne and Jeff Barry (co-writer/producer of the 1970 hit “Montego Bay”) Stylistically, Eddie says, “The majority of the music I’m doing is somewhat of a genre blend between Americana, folk, pop and reggae—I’m sort of smashing that all together.” To find out more, visit www.eddiewitz.com
www.AmericanaRhythm.com
Their second release and first full-length album is called Orbit. The band has been pleasantly surprised at the positive reaction (via streaming) they’ve seen for a number of the songs. “We made the album kind of old school; we wanted to put it in order and kind of take you on a ride,” says Lori. “You can easily listen to it and feel empowered,” says James. Shannon adds, “There’s matters of the heart, there’s life experiences…kind of a call to action…” Overall, the record reflects the combined experience of artists who have spent years in the trenches. “This group’s been really a long time coming,” says Lori, “because we’ve all been in different projects…We’re songwriters and we’ve had our own separate groups over the years.” She continues, “But this is our end-all, kind of super-group if you will. There’s nobody in the world I would rather do music with than these two guys.” The Close came together in 2018 and started playing out the following year. Although each of the members and various combinations of them had accumulated a lot of songs over the years, when they formed The Close, they built the act of writing together as a trio right into their business plan, scheduling quarterly writing retreats, to guarantee that they would stop all their other music busy-ness and focus on writing at least one good new song each time. “And sometimes we come home with three or four,” Lori adds. Shannon mentions another benefit of this unified writing approach. “Since we’ve gotten together…I’ve been able to actually experiment. Because I know what James is going to bring to the table. I know what Lori’s gonna bring to the table. It’s opened my mind up to be able to do things I might not normally do.”
To find out more, visit www.theclosemusic.com
Issue 101
Get ready to kick off the 2024 festival season – at least here on the east coast – with, once again, an outstanding lineup of great Americana artists. MerleFest continues to deliver oneof-a-kind programming that pays equal homage to pioneers of the folk movement, alongside fresh and burgeoning voices. Last year, the festival commemorated both its 35th year in operation, and Doc Watson’s 100th birthday. Drawing over 75,000 patrons to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains each spring, MerleFest’s well-attested “traditional plus” experience maintains its title as one of the most iconic musical pilgrimages of its time. Taking place April 25-28, 2024, on the campus of Wilkes Community College, the 36th annual celebration of “traditional plus” music and founding legend, Doc Watson, promises an unforgettable weekend
featuring a treasure trove of A-list talent, including first-time performers as well as familiar MerleFest veterans. MerleFest’s full 2024 lineup includes: Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Larkin Poe, Lukas Nelson & POTR, Steep Canyon Rangers, Dan Tyminski Band, Béla Fleck My Bluegrass Heart, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, Sierra Hull, Brandy Clark, Shinyribs, Nick Shoulders, Willie Watson, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, S.G.
Goodman, New Dangerfield, Chatham County Line, Chatham Rabbits, John McEuen, Willie Carlisle, Adeem the Artist, The Last Revel, Twisted Pine, The Sensational Barnes Brothers, The Waybacks, Nefesh Mountain, Them Coulee Boys, Buffalo Nichols, Evan Honer, Jake Kohn, Wyatt Ellis, Colby T. Helms & the Virginia Creepers, Palmyra, Alexa Rose, Andy May, Arkansauce, Ashes & Arrows, “B” Townes, Banknotes, Bob Margolin, Carol Rifkin, Carolina Detour, Charles Welch, Corey Harris, Ettore Buzzini, Falling Timber Band, Goldpine, Gravity Check Juggling, The Harris Brothers, The InterACTtive Theater of Jef, Into the Fog, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio,
www.AmericanaRhythm.com
JigJam, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, Kyshona, The Langan Band, Laura Boosinger, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Missy Raines & Allegheny, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, New Found Gap, Pete & Joan Wernick, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Presley Barker, Roan Street Ramblers, Roy Book Binder, The Silent Comedy, The Sullivan Sisters, T. Michael Coleman, The Tan & Sober Gentlemen, Tony Williamson, Uwade, and Wayne Henderson. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Larkin Poe, Lukas Nelson & POTR, Sierra Hull, Dan Tyminski Band, were recently added to the 2024 lineup. Also joining this year’s docket is Grammy award winning outfit Béla Fleck My Bluegrass Heart, decorated songwriter Brandy Clark (up for a staggering six Grammy nominations this year), fast-rising country fixture Nick Shoulders, and over two dozen others. For more information: www.merlefest.org
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Issue 101
Listen to the expanded interviews by searching Americana Music Profiles on all of your favorite Podcast platforms! ARTICLES BY DAN WALSH
Jack Nelson
Sands Hall
Little Jane & The Pistol Whips
Jack Nelson is a life-long Texan. He currently is based in College Station, he was born in Corpus Christi, spent his early years on the nearby King Ranch, and got an education at Sam Houston State in Huntsville. He says, “Aside from the five years I spent in the Navy, traveling around the world…I’ve called Texas home…”
For Sands Hall, music was an early creative outlet with which she has had a varied relationship over the years. From her first songwriting attempt at age 14, through time pursuing writing and theater ambitions in New York, and a sojourn in LA where “her kind of music” was discouraged by the circle in which she found herself, she made it back to her northern California point of physical origin, as well as her musical roots. The long journey meant that her music waited a while to be recorded and shared with wider audiences.
The Long Road Ahead is the third album by Little Jane and the Pistol Whips, a Montana band propelled by singersongwriter Ashley Jane Holland. The songs are largely inspired by the blue-collar, union-focused world her husband works in as a high-voltage lineman. “If I can write songs that inspire a whole group of workers…that are out there working their butts off…that’s pretty cool I think,” says Ashley.
Jack has had a life-long connection to music. “They like to joke that I came out of the womb screaming on pitch,” says of his father and uncle, both hobbyist musicians, who supplied him with his first guitar at age four. “I’ve always been singing and I never shut up,” Jack laughs.
After relocating to Nevada City, Sands connected with a supportive musical community. “...[I] met some wonderful musicians and they were like ‘These are great songs! You should do more,’ Sands recalls. “And so that eventually led to my first album, which the joke is, it could have been an LP…[or] an 8-track…”
It wasn’t until he returned to Texas after realizing his dream of being a Navy pilot that Jack found himself pulled in that direction. As he neared completion of his college education, he took his gigging on a test flight from hobbyist into pro territory, and found it to be preferable to a more traditional work-style future. After graduation, Jack says he “walked away from a quarter-milliondollar-a-year job…I figured I’d be much happier making my own schedule, living my own life, doing something I absolutely love, as opposed to waking up and going to the box every day.” For 11 years now, Jack has been living the full-time musician’s life. [Editor’s note: On our podcast interview with him, Jack gives a great, detailed description of a “day in the life” of a full-time, independent musician. Don’t miss it!]
It’s easy to understand the familial connection Sands has with creative endeavors, as her father (Oakley Hall) was a Pulitzer-finalist novelist and her mother a professional photographer. “We were always encouraged, my siblings and I, that art was a great place to live a life.” While Sands has devoted most of her creative energies to theater, writing, and teaching, she sees a symbiotic relationship between all the things she’s involved with: “They really feed each other in such an extraordinary and satisfying way…” Comparing her different endeavors Sands says, “I think if I applied to my songwriting what I do when I’m working on a novel, I’d probably write more songs. When I’m working on a novel or memoir, I’m pretty faithful every day…” In contrast, Sands tends to capture songs whenever they happen to come to her.
Jack’s current release, Going Places, is a culmination of sorts. Regarding the collection of songs he says, “There’s so much that went into all of these, so many years of just hard times on the road; it could be a whole movie behind the making of the songs on this album.”
Sands’ new album is called Sturdy Boots. On it she looks at love from a variety of vantage points, using a rich musical pallet. While her singing and guitar playing invite a flattering comparison to Joni Mitchell, Sands certainly has a distinctive style that encompasses folk, jazz, country, blues.
To find out more, visit www.jacknelsonband.com
To find out more, visit https://sandshall.com/music
Despite his obvious musical inclination, Jack didn’t envision a career as an artist, admitting, “I never ever intended to grow up to be a full-time musician…”
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www.AmericanaRhythm.com
While she provides the songs, the band takes them and brings them to life in a special way. “I asked [a friend] if I should write parts, and how that works, and he said ‘You just hire people you respect and admire and let them do their thing.” As for the songs themselves, Ashley explains, “I only write, it seems, when I’m feeling something, whether it’s inspired by a story I’ve heard, or I’m sad, or happy, or have had an experience …When I do write, I just sit down with my a guitar in hand, and I write a whole song at one time.” Like many other artists, she reports a strong sense that the music is simply flowing through her: “It’s almost like if I were a channeler…it’s like something just comes out of me, and it’s a song.” Ashley feels that her childhood experience with the Suzuki piano method gave her a key tool in her lifelong enjoyment of music. “That was great, because the Suzuki method is all by ear, and so I do think that really helped from a young age, just trained my ear to find what’s in tune, what’s out of tune, you know, what sounds ‘right’…” Later, she picked up the guitar mainly to be able to accompany herself and not have to rely on others. Although seeing her name on a club marquee at the first performance of a song she wrote helped fuel her desire to share her music with the public, Ashley’s motivation is anything but glory-centered. “My heart’s always been in the right place with music,” she says. “It’s never been to be famous or get rich, it’s more just to get it out there and for my benefit. Which sounds selfish, but it’s therapeutic to write these songs, to hear them come to life…” To find out more, visit www.littlejaneandthepistolwhips.com
Issue 101
Listen to the expanded interviews by searching Americana Music Profiles on all of your favorite Podcast platforms! ARTICLES BY DAN WALSH
Marty Falle
Kevin Slick Kevin Slick has been playing music professionally, in many different ways, for four decades, the latter two of those being primarily within the Americana/ folk/bluegrass fold. He also expresses his creativity as a visual artist. He remembers a very specific date that set his trajectory on being a musician: “I like to tell people that I became a musician on February 9, 1964, when I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was five years old … That’s when I realized ‘That’s what I’m gonna do.’” After picking up the guitar at age 12 or 13, and coming up with his own songs, Kevin cites the advent of home multitrack recording in the 1980s, with gear from companies like Tascam, as a formative moment. “Suddenly it was possible for someone like myself to—with not a lot of investment in terms of equipment—make recordings. That coincided wonderfully with the emergence of the cassette as kind of the dominant music format …[I] could make a recording of original songs … and create a cassette that you could sell in a store.” Originally drawn to acoustic greats like Bob Dylan, Kevin later played in rock bands. Most recently however he has returned to the acoustic-oriented environs of folk and bluegrass. He notes, on a practical level, instead of a lugging pile of different guitars and amps to gigs, “Now I mostly just carry a mandolin.” His latest project is with the band, Orchard Creek. In 2019 he joined the quartet to make it a quintet, adding his voice, mandolin and songwriting to the group. The album is called Listening for Your Call, due out in September 2023. The group’s first full-length album features equal amounts of material from the band’s four songwriters. “We did a fairly democratic setup…We said ‘Let’s put 12 songs on this album; everyone gets three picks.” The title song originated from the last phone call Kevin Slick had with his father. Mike Mitchell helped craft the song, weaving family traditions, favorite songs, stories and places into the lyrics.
On November 18th. Marty Falle launched his fourth new Bluegrass Album, Born Again Bluegrass. On December 1st, the new album charted #1 for all of November on APD Global Top Bluegrass/Folk Albums. In addition, the album charted #2 for All genres on APD Global Top Albums. What is unusual, is that Falle’s album, My Farm, My Bluegrass, just released on August 25th, 2023, was already reigning high in the charts. Loaded with Bluegrass hits like “Ode to Ale 8”, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Gravy”, “Kentucky Proud” and “Big Barn Breakdown”. So why release another record? On December 3 rd , Falle appeared on the iHeart Radio syndicated show hosted by Rick Dollar, Falle explained “The creative spigot is fully turned on and has not stopped. I believe each song idea is a gift from God, and I do not want to waste the opportunity”. The result was 15 well-crafted songs and a second #1 album in less than 90 days. During this period, Falle has been featured in several major music publications. On November 1, 2023 Cashbox Magazine said this - “Marty Falle, is an incredible American Country Bluegrass singer/ songwriter and Nashville recording artist.” On December 1st, The Bluegrass Standard wrote this – “Three albums were released in rapid succession - Kentucky Bluestar, My Farm, My Bluegrass and his latest offering, Born Again Bluegrass. All three have been greeted with the excitement and anticipation that usually accompanies a new release by a veteran superstar”. Lee Zimmerman, author of Americana Music — Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of An Honest Sound, a respected book that documents the paths taken by traditional American music, says this about Marty Falle - “Falle offers reverence for the roots, while maintaining contemporary credence. Few musicians tap such varied sources so well.” Born Again Bluegrass, is getting considerable attention and airplay. Bluegrass radio programmers in France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
To find out more, visit www.kevinslick.com
By Jim Capaldi
Italy and the UK jumped on the album hours after release. On December 3rd, Falle appeared on Michelle Lee On Air out of Ohio and the popular segment “Stories Behind the Songs”. Michelle covered all 15 original songs. When asked about “Blue Blaze Breakdown” Falle states - “My inner hillbilly LOVES a smokin’ barn dance song. So, here we go again.” It’s clear that Falle writes great barn dance songs, and he provides plenty of them on Born Again Bluegrass. Breakdowns like, “Hillbilly Stomp”, “Bluegrass Boogeyman” and “Bluegrass on the Bayou” will get you dancing on the weathered barn floor, but Falle provides diversity and shifts gears with songs like “Shine” and “Fades”. “Shine” takes on an Americana style, Falle says - “I have incredible admiration for people who go through life’s heartbreaks and somehow reveal the best of who they are.” On “Fades”, a beautifully penned song about love lost - “Similar to my song “Colorado”, I wrote “Fades” as a poem before ever adding music.” Falle lists his influences as Flatt and Scruggs, Dwight Yoakum, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Irish Folk Music. On Born Again Bluegrass, Falle writes a brilliant Irish Folk song with hints of Bluegrass – “Avalon”. Per Falle - “I enjoy reading Celtic mythology and listening to Irish Folk music, bluegrass’s early beginnings. Avalon is viewed as a mist-enshrouded island of ancient magic and myth, and source of inner peace and wisdom, which inspired me to write the song.” Falle is also developing a talent for writing Country Gospel. Falle wrote the chart-topping gospel song “Praise the Lord and Pass the Gravy”, which was enhanced by the vocals of six-time IBMA Female Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley. On Born Again Bluegrass, Falle writes the euphoric and spiritual “Appalachia Blue”, which immediately went to #1 on the APD Gospel Singles Chart and # 5 on the Mountain Bluegrass Chart. Indeed, Marty Falle continues to impress, and Born Again Bluegrass may be his best album yet.
To find out more, visit www.martyfallemusic.com
www.AmericanaRhythm.com
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Cristina Vane continued from page 11
different if I hadn’t met this person or whatever.”
In The Works
Cristina says she’s working on her third album now, and hopes to be finished with it in January
Issue 100
(24). “I’m very excited,” she commented. We have some songs recorded already. We’re finishing in January, and then it should be out in the fall of next year (24). I’ve taken a whole season off of my crazy cycle. I put two albums out essentially in a year. And then I just toured this whole summer, but now it looks like we’re about do that again next summer,” she laughed. Cristina teaches music on the side when she’s home, but there seems to be even less time for that these days. “I definitely do other things, but now touring is my full time job. When I come home, I’m usually just trying to get some rest. A deep fatigue sets in from the longer and further away tours,” she said. “Otherwise, I do all the normal person stuff like go to the gym, and make food, and hang out with my cat; oh, and I grow vegetables in the summer,” she laughed
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Top 100 Americana Radio Airplay Albums of 2023 The Americana Music Association has announced their year-end Top 100 Radio Airplay Albums, revealing what was most played on Americana radio in 2023. These reflect records reported to the Americana Radio Airplay Albums and Singles Charts during the period of Jan. 10, 2023 through Dec. 12, 2023. See if your favorites made the list with the most radio plays this year. 1 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 2 Charley Crockett 3 Lukas Nelson + POTR 4 The Band of Heathens 5 Margo Price 6 Lucinda Williams 7 Turnpike Troubadours 8 Rodney Crowell 9 Slaid Cleaves 10 Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway 11 Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives 12 The Wood Brothers 13 Josh Ritter 14 Devon Gilfillian 15 Hiss Golden Messenger 16 Tyler Childers 17 Plains 18 Sunny War 19 The Revivalists 20 The Teskey Brothers 21 Nikki Lane 22 Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors 23 Sunny Sweeney 24 Charley Crockett 25 Brent Cobb 26 The Shootouts 27 Rhiannon Giddens 28 Eilen Jewell 29 Nickel Creek
2024
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www.AmericanaRhythm.com
Weathervanes The Man From Waco Sticks and Stones Simple Things Strays Stories From a Rock N Roll Heart A Cat in the Rain The Chicago Sessions Together Through the Dark City of Gold Altitude Heart is the Hero Spectral Lines Love You Anyway Jump for Joy Rustin’ in the Rain I Walked With You a Ways Anarchist Gospel Pour It Out Into the Night The Winding Way Denim & Diamonds Strangers No More Married Alone Live from the Ryman Southern Star Stampede You’re the One Get Behind the Wheel Celebrants
Issue 101 30 Black Pumas 31 Billy Strings 32 Old Crow Medicine Show 33 Deer Tick 34 Brandy Clark 35 Chris Stapleton 36 Eddie 9V 37 Allison Russell 38 Grace Potter 39 The Lone Bellow 40 Flatland Cavalry 41 Brennen Leigh 42 Iris Dement 43 Parker Millsap 44 The Lone Bellow 45 Colter Wall 46 Melissa Carper 47 Jaime Wyatt 48 Emily Nenni 49 Pony Bradshaw 50 The War and Treaty 51 Various Artists 52 Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley 53 Son Volt 54 Margo Cilker 55 The Arcs 56 Tyler Childers 57 Shakey Graves 58 Kyle Nix & the 38’s 59 Natalie Merchant 60 Abraham Alexander 61 Trampled by Turtles 62 Tommy Emmanuel 63 Jobi Riccio 64 Wilder Woods 65 Caamp
Chronicles of a Diamond Me/And/Dad Jubilee Emotional Contracts Brandy Clark Higher Capricorn The Returner Mother Road Love Songs for Losers (Deluxe Edition) Songs to Keep You Warm - EP Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet Workin’ on a World Wilderness Within You Love Songs for Losers Little Songs Ramblin’ Soul Feel Good On the Ranch North Georgia Rounder Lover’s Game More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith Living in a Song Day of the Doug Valley of Heart’s Delight Electrophonic Chronic Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? Movie of the Week After the Flood Keep Up Your Courage Sea/Sons Alpenglow Accomplice Two Whiplash Fever Lavender Days
66 Ryan Bingham Watch Out for the Wolf - EP 67 Randy Rogers Band Homecoming 68 Bonnie Raitt Just Like That... 69 Bahamas Bootcut 70 Jaimee Harris Boomerang Town 71 Vince Herman Enjoy the Ride 72 Miko Marks & the Resurrectors Feel Like Going Home 73 Duane Betts Wild & Precious Life 74 Zach Bryan American Heartbreak 75 Lucero Should’ve Learned by Now 76 Gov’t Mule Peace... like a River 77 Gabe Lee The Hometown Kid 78 Brit Taylor Kentucky Blue 79 Carter Simpson Gold 80 Willie Nelson Bluegrass 81 Bruce Cockburn 0 Sun 0 Moon 82 Sam Bush Radio John: Songs of John Hartford 83 Charles Wesley Godwin Family Ties 84 Dom Flemons Traveling Wildfire 85 Joshua Ray Walker What Is It Even? 86 Robbie Fulks Bluegrass Vacation 87 Jason Carter Lowdown Hoedown 88 Zach Bryan Zach Bryan 89 Will Hoge Wings on My Shoes 90 Darrell Scott String Band Old Cane Back Rocker 91 JD Clayton Long Way From Home 92 Amy Grant If All Goes South 93 The Great Divide Providence 94 Seth Avett Seth Avett Sings Greg Brown 95 Adeem the Artist White Trash Revelry 96 William Prince Stand in the Joy 97 Various Artists One Night in Texas: the Next Waltz’s Tribute to the Red Headed Stranger 98 Lori McKenna 1988 99 The Watson Twins Holler 100 Tedeschi Trucks Band I Am the Moon: IV. Farewell
www.AmericanaRhythm.com
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Stream Over 250
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www.AmericanaRhythm.com
Issue 101
Music From Around The World
Music From Your Neighbors
w e have reached the end
of another year - 2023. Festival days are behind us for the moment, and we’re all contemplating what’s ahead. For sure, the music never stops, and here in issue #101 SPINS - we have 14 new CDs for your consideration. Thank you for checking out all these great new CDs! Buy the ones you like. Support your favorite musician, so they can keep making new music!
Flatland Cavalry
Ned Hill Band
Susie Tallman & Friends
Robert Finley
Wandering Star www.flatlandcavalry.com This Texas sextet spent years tearing up the Texas country side with their brand of western Americana. Now, with their latest full length release, they are poised to let the rest of the country know just how good they are. Put Flatland Cavalry on your radar
www.nedhillmusic.com
www.robertfinleyofficial.com
www.susietallman.com
Ned Hill has been making music in Kentucky and Nashville for 35 years. The former member of the band, Ned Van Go, he’s evolved quite a bit as a solo performer in the past seven years. His latest is straight-up denim Americana
This 70 year old Louisana native has released three critically acclaimed albums, and made a recent appearence on America’s Got Talent. A carpenter by trade, he lost his sight at 60, then embarked on a second career as a bluesman. A darn good one
The noted producer for Interscope Records, Susie Tallman moved to Paris to study and extend her vocal talents. Her voice has been featured in many TV commercials. Her latest album, Let’s All Sing, is “for the joy of singing with the kids,” she said
Kenny Ray Horton
Catfish In The Sky
Alex Miller
The Old Part Of Town
The Resonant Rogues
Hope It Grows www.kennyrayhorton.com
We’re A Wreck
www.catfishinthesky.com
Country
Inside And Out
www.alexmillercountry.com
www.theoldpartoftowncom
The Resonant Rogues www.charlottemorrismusic.com
My favorite bluegrass CD in recent months. The future’s bright indeed for this Navy veteran. His debut album has all the right stuff. This Nashville songwriter recently retired from the Navy band, Country Current to follow his dream as a solo artist
They say their music is “country music for city people.” Caught them at IBMA this past September (‘23). Great, up and coming, young band from Boston. This quartet of fine talent met at Berkley College of Music. They are so much fun to watch.
Alex cut his teeth on bluegrass, but his love of classic country music is what has propelled him onto the road chasing his dream. His quick wit, and humble attitude landed him on American Idol, season 19. This young man has a bright future indeed.
Heralded as “authentic Americana from Baltimore (MD), this quintet’s latest, Inside And Out, features eight originals and three cover songs. They cover the spectrum, from bluegrass, to country, to acoustic swing, the blues and even rock and roll
Sparrow and Keith Josiah Smith offer up their brand of Americana, rooted in the mountains of Western North Carolina. For a while, Sparrow traveled with a circus troupe; Keith spent time hopping freight trains. Imagine how cool their music sounds
Casey Penn
Chigger Hill Boys
Fade To Bluegrass
Hank and Dash
Leon Rosselson
The Bluegrass Tribute to Metallica
Promises Promises
Chronicling The Times
Got one you want us to consider? send it to: Uncle Woody The Spin Doctor, PO Box 45 Bridgewater, VA 22812
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One Step Away
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Every Good Path
www.caseypennmusic.com
www.chiggerhill.com
Based in Central Arkansas, Casey Penn is an Arkansas Country Music Award nominated songwriter. Her Americana style bluegrass is perfect for where the industry seems headed these days. Nice rounded sound. Great songwriter. Check her out
If you like traditional, gospel style bluegrass, you’ll want to check out the latest from The Chigger Hill Boys. This CD was rooted in “... a path, a road, a provoking to follow God and let Him lead.” What a great way to produce a new CD. We think you’ll like this
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Thousand Watt Town
Lets All Sing
Black Bayou
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www.cmhrecords.com
If you’re a fan of the Pickin’ On series, and especially the metal versions, you’ll appreciate the take on this Metallica version. The Alabama bluegrass band, Iron Horse, lends it’s talent to this project
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www.hankwangford.com
www.leonrosselson.co.uk
This Noregian duo began to create this project post-covid, and were met with set-back after set-back. Finally in January of ‘23, they finally laid down the tracks to Promises Promises. It’s a unique, pub style collection of what I’d call Sunday drinking songs
Born in 1934 in Harrow, Middlesex, England, Ron is an English songwriter and author of children's books. The acclaimed musician has more than 60 years of performing and penned 17 children's books. His latest is well worth a listen
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You can send new Americana CD releases for consideration to PO Box 45, Bridgewater, VA, 22812 / greg@americanarhythm.com www.AmericanaRhythm.com
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